Last one I ever rode in was a mid-80’s Caprice that my brother-in-law owned - thought it was cool as hell! He started buying S-10’s after that but in all honesty, I thought in a lot of ways the big wagon was more functional……🤔
Oops - forgot that I had a Dodge Magnum one time as a rental car shortly after they came out in 2005. Every time I stopped for gas with that thing people were coming up to look at it and based on that initial reaction, I was a little surprised the car only lasted for a few model years…….😕
My best friend’s grandfather had a ‘69 Kingswood Estate wagon. It had every option including power windows, hideaway headlights, power front disc brakes and that 427 big block. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I opened the hood and saw that beauty sitting there. The hideaway headlight option was a surprise too, not often seen on the wagons or the Caprice in ‘69. My friend told me his grandfather used to drive that thing like a bat outta hell, he was afraid to get in the car with the old man at the wheel!
When I was a kid back in the early 70s someone had one of these which they used as a school bus. It was a estate in hunter green and it was drop dead gorgeous. Have never forgotten it I hope someone has it today. It was a well kept vehicle.
When I was a kid my father was an Oldsmobile Man. He drove 98s. My mom had a 1972 Olds Vista Cruiser that seated 8 passengers and with the glass panels above the second row seats. It had a white exterior with a red vinyl interior. I wish I had that car today.
Our 1969 Kingswood Estate wagon had a “Caprice” badge on the passenger side of the dash low on the front, but above the glove box door. It was the dealer’s wife’s demo, and had everything offered except hideaway headlights. It had the highest level 396 4bbl engine on the option sheet, and Dad used to say “ it’ll pass anything on the road but a gas station!” We used to regularly make the 200 mile drive across the state to visit family, and had to stop for gas around half way point. It had a 25 gallon tank, so you do the math! Granted, Dad “pushed the limit” when the interstate speed limit was 70mph (80?) so it was in afterburner most of the trip… I clearly remember going to Sears with him to get some of those newly introduced Steel Belted Radial tires (made by Michelin) so we could “go fast,safely”. He was always thinking ahead…😮
When I was a kid, our family car was a '69 Kingswood Estate with the 4-barrel 427, dual exhaust, and a posi rear. It had the trailer package so it had the shorter gearing. 9 seconds to 60? Maybe on a real bad day with a bad tank of gas when it was a couple of years overdue for a tune up! My dad would swear that he wasn't interested in fast cars, but would get something better than the base engine because, "You never know when you might need a little more power". Yeah, if you say so, Dad. He would regularly bait teenagers in the cars that they thought were so hot, and proceed to, in his words, "Suck them up his tailpipe"! I distinctly remember sitting in the rearward facing 3rd seat as we flat walked away from a '69(?) Road Runner. Imagine how that kid felt, getting dusted by a middle aged guy in a suit with his wife and 3 kids in a full-size station wagon! With WHITEWALLS! Good times. I wish I had that car. A replica of it is high on my "100-car bucket list for after we hit the lottery".
My dad bought a new blue Kingswood Estate in 1969 with the roof rack when I was 2 years old. I wish I had it back. I found a black '69 Kingswood Estate with no motor or trans in northern Wyoming about twenty years ago and should've bought it. I even planned to go back and get it, but the guy crushed it.😑 It had the hidden headlights. It kills me that I didn't rescue it in time and still kick myself about it today.
As a kid I always like sitting in the far back so I could play with Hot Wheels and Matchbox cars. Sticking my head out the back window and watching the highway flash by below me. Back in the day when kids had common sense knowing and avoiding fatal mistakes
Steve, the junkyard crawl is exceptional in many ways. Very informative and entertaining. The deer head and plastic dog are great props. Along with the real dog! Keep up the good work. Cheers from Wisconsin
We had this....Dad ordered a butternut yellow 1970 Kingswood with the 400, automatic, air conditioning and 9 passenger seating...so we had the rear facing bench plus the luggage rack. It also had an interior light package which included a map light on the rear view mirror and a washer fluid monitor which would glow green or red depending on how full the wiper fluid reservoir was. The interior was a black vinyl so it wasn't that fun to get into on hot days...until the air conditioning would cool it down...which it did in minutes...very powerful. I don't recall which carb it had....I thought it was a four barrel but some sources say the 400 only had a 2 barrel, others say you could get a 402 with a four barrel and either way it would only say 400 on the fender call outs...which ours did. No matter, it could roast the rear tires with little effort...my older brother got his permit in 1976 and learned how to drive in that car. It was definitely used as a family wagon...road trips to pulling boats and building materials. We used the luggage rack a few times, until one of the cross bars broke and deposited our luggage on the Pennsylvania Turnpike...that was a memorable trip. We ended up piling the luggage in to the rear cargo area for the rest of the trip. Other quirks...you had a switch in the rear area to lower but not raise the rear window...and there wasn't an override....so any passengers back there could lower it while the car was in motion. One other thing...the owners manual had information for both the full and midsize wagon and differentiated them by the longer and shorter wheelbase. Also, the Kingswood Estate was closer to the Caprice in trim level while the Kingswood would share more with the Impala. And 1970 would get a restyled grill, and added reflectors on the rear bumper. Eventually, age and economics caught up with the car...the summer of 1979 Dad started to shop around for a replacement and considered getting one of the new 1980 GM X-cars but couldn't justify the premium being charged by the dealers...so he ended buying a 1979 Olds Cutlass Salon which was the dealer's service manager's demonstrator. And while on road trips...he lamented losing the passing power and the strong air conditioning. The dealer kept telling him the AC performance was normal.
I just wanted to comment about the weak a/c on late 70s early 80s GMs. My uncle bought an 80 Delta 88 sedan which I believe had the 267 Olds 2bbl. He constantly complained about the poor a/c cooling and fan force, took it back to Olds many times. They said it was normal. It wasn't. Bearly 25* temp difference between ambient and chilled air. That is not how a typical R12 system performs.
325, regarding the switch in the back that only goes down. I think I remember my father telling me it was a safety feature because of an accident where someone could not get out of the backseats. If I remember correctly “Something Bad Happened to Them”. Thank you Dad. I miss you!
I bet it’ll run! My 67 chevelle from this yard ran with just replacing the points! I saw your video on it and could not resist driving 1800 miles from Texas to find out! Great series Steve!
Great video great car. We never had a wagon but a lot of people did in our neighborhood. Big Buicks, Fords, Chryslers, Chevy and AMCs hauling half the kids on street to the local pool or football games and such. Great memories of friends not seen for a long time. Nine years old in 70 boy I miss that era.
Mr. B. Here ! Morning Mags ! So so SAD 😢😢😢 that wagon is in the yard ! The support from aftermarket’s is very strong 🏋️ ; that would make a great tail gate party wagon 🍔 ! ☕️☕️🥐🥐
I remember the Kingswood, but don’t recall ever seeing or paying attention to the Brookwood or Townsman packages. I learned something. Of course you don’t see hardly any wagons from that era hardly at all anymore let alone Chevrolets. It was good to see a 350 four barrel under still under the hood. Probably wouldn’t have been a bad car to drive around on errands and kid hauling. I know mini vans and SUVs replaced the wagons, but we lost something when they faded away.
.... Townsman I think was the entry level, I think. My parents had a 71 or a 72, nothing was electric on it, it had no special features like a top of the line car would have. No wood paneling, or two tone coloring, or added chrome. But it was definitely an urban tank with a huge engine, and it carried a lot of stuff inside. It carried twice as much as our first station wagon, which was an early 60's Rambler American station wagon 😊
Righteous video, your ability to do it a gift from God. Kudos to the camera person as well. The most expensive, luxurious wagon I ever rode in was a 1966 Baby Blue Chrysler wagon (rare!) with a 440. Owned by a high school buddy whose parents had sent him on an errand, he swung by and picked me for a ride.
Hi Steve. Thanks for the video of the Kingswood wagon. My Uncle had a 1960 Chevrolet Parkwood wagon he bought new with a six cylinder and automatic transmission. Those Chevy six cylinder engines from 1955 to 1966 were known to be oil burners. His was no exception, only lasting for 70,000.0 miles or so.
We had a 66 Impala 2 door with a 6 cylinder in the family when I was born and by 1972 it was in the junkyard with a toasted motor.Last Chevy my father bought.
I remember my parents had a Olds Vista Cruiser it was gold with woodgrain and those great windows in the roof and the rear facing 3rd row seat. Great memories.
I'm glad Steve finally mentioned that the 400 sbc came in those too. But what he didn't mention was that the 402 also was an option in those as well. They were still labeled 400... But, there was a second BBC option other than the 454.
My father bought a ‘70 Plymouth Sport Suburban new and boy , it was the talk of the block. Gold exterior and “wood grain” on the long sides. Beige interior and chrome roof rack. 2-way rear door with disappearing glass, rear facing 2 seater in the load area if needed. And the magnificent 383 Magnum under the football field hood. Optional 3 mini lights on the top of the fender for 1) lights on, 2) High beam on 3) Flashers on. Fantastic cruiser and pretty quick as I remember ( my father actually let me drive it ONCE, cause I sort of over corrected on passing a car on the highway and proceeded to “snake” my way about 1/2 a mile before I got it under control. Still remember that after 55+ years. 😜🇨🇦👍
Great Video Steve, My Parents had a Kingswood wagon. We had a lot of great memories from that car! Like one of your other viewers my mom was crazy about that wagon! She would pick up all of her girl friends and go antique shopping! It was hillariuos to see her and her girlfriends rocketing down the the road with rocking chairs tied to the roof! She loved the big block, and could only seem to get it to run at wide open throttle! They would come careening down the street and manage to nail any errant garbage cans. It made them all very happy and other than a few scrapes the big Kingwood came through. They were great cars we took ours to most of the states on great road trips!
Mom and dad had a 70. I think it was the mid-model. Tan and it had a 400. The back facing rear seat was the bomb. I wish I had one just to ride in the back. Those were the days when you could pee on the side of the road and nobody had an issue. 😂
Miss those wagons. As a kid we had a 1960 Mercury Park Lane and I remember dad upgrading to a 1966 Park Lane. White with red vinyl, third row rear-facing seat. Fake wood trim and 410 V8. Actually a beautiful barge.
Steve, I share your respect for the 'wood' paneling which so many younger folks mock today. If you think a car with a little fake wood on the side is funny, how about a house entirely covered in plastic wood siding? 😂
Houses used to be a man's castle believe it or not. The wife only cared about two parts of the house. The rest were built with and designed with actual wood, and wood grain designs. From solid oak for the well to do, to wood paneling for the blue collar family. Stained and varnished wood all throughout the home used to be a thing back when men were in their proper and actual place. But what's this about plastic wood panels or siding on people's houses? 🤣😂😅 I think I've seen a few of those, but only noticed them after years of weather had warped and faded it.
@@lilmike2710 Remind me of a line from Pulp Fiction, you an oak man, Lil Mike? Yeah, I tend to think this vinyl siding is a pain in the a$$, has to be washed periodically. I'm thinking I'd prefer to paint the stupid house than wash. My parents' house had Masonite siding, still had to paint.
...cars today still have fake wood, on the interior. And now everything inside of them is Plastic, synthetic materials, and fake imitation carbon fiber patterns... 🤔 Which is even more stupid, when they use fake chrome, that crap always ends up peeling and flaking away 🤨 We'd be better off if the materials were made of hemp, flax, or with some other natural fiber composite and epoxies.
The Escalade of the time. Whenever one of my uncle's would buy a stationary wagon all the men would walk around it and give it the big go through. I'm going to find a Plymouth valiant flavor someday and breath air through the slant again and get it rolling down the road again. Might have to upgrade to a four speed on the floor.
Yes - one of the more vivid memories I have of the 1970’s is someone in the neighborhood bringing home a new car and all of the men standing around with Schlitz beers in their hands staring at the open engine bay and discussing the finer points of the internal combustion engine…….😂
My dad bought a Chevy Greenbriar and we had it for years through my childhood. I vaguely remember shopping for the car when I was very young. The dealer showed my dad the back window going up and down and how the door worked on one of these premium Chevy wagons. My dad wanted a color that wasn't on the lot, so they had a blue one shipped in from another dealer. I always thought that dad had ulterior motives. The cars on the lot were all these higher optioned and more expensive wagons. Dad got the stripped down version with vinyl bench seats, no AC, the small block V8, no 3rd row seat, and the AM radio. Still, it was a giant all steel monster that lasted for years.
I used to have a 1972 Kings Wood Estate wagon, I loved it it had a 400 ci engine and air conditioning the tail gate would disappear into the floor and the window would go into the roof it was a cool car for a wagon and fast too😁😁👍👍
Great video Steve! My aunt and uncle owned a 1970 Kingswood Estate fully loaded including the 454. They lived in San Jose, CA but went all the way to Stockton, CA to buy theirs from Chase Chevrolet, never knew why the long trek but it was a gold painted beauty.
Great video as always, but wagons were not just an American thing as you say. In Australia wagons were very popular; I came from a wagon farming family and Holden’s wagon was also called ‘Kingswood’. I was amazed at my opa’s with an electric rear window. Both Ford and Chrysler also sold wagons here that were very popular as I have said
I always had thought the 1969-70 full-sized Chevrolet wagons were attractive wagons. I owned a 1969 Kingswood from 1997-2005 , it was light blue with a white roof. It had the base 327 V-8 with a 2 barrel. It also had drum brakes instead of discs on the front.
You're so right, we had a 70 Torino in our driveway in 70. Ours had hideaway lights,luggage rack. No air though,which would have been nice ! Really light blue,almost looked white. Love your videos .
Like Kenny Rogers said, "It's The Wood That Makes It Good". No, those appear to be standard two speed wipers. This car is not loaded at all, it lacks AC for one major option. My neighbor had a Kingswood wagon when I was young. It was rusty and beat up by that time and was gone by the early 1980s. No, since the Kingswood Estate was the top model in the Chevrolet wagon lineup in 1970, I believe it's based on the Caprice, not the Impala. This is supported by the "166" Fisher Body code and VIN sequencing. A Kingswood non-estate is based on an Impala and has a "164" Fisher Body code and VIN sequencing. No VIN, can't win, but can be figured out, no doubt: 1 for Chevrolet, 66 for Caprice V8, 46 for four door wagon, 0 for 1970 model year, possible S for St. Louis, MO assembly, T for Tarrytown, NY assembly, F for Flint, MI, among other choices and the rest is the production sequence. No tag, can't brag, but it goes something like ST70 for 1970 model year, 16636 or 16646 for Kingswood Estate Wagon two and three seat respectively, maybe FL for Flint, MI, STL for St. Louis, MO or TAR for Tarrytown, NY assembly among other choices, maybe 836 for Gold interior trim, 50 50 for Gobi Beige lower and upper exterior paint, among other codes, including accessory codes which we don't know without the tag. This is why showing the VIN plates and the trim tags are of upmost importance. I was able to make out some of it from the very far camera angle, but would have been able to decode all of it with a few second shot of the tag.
@@madmike2624 It says "AIR", not "AC" or "AIR COND" which is what an AC equipped car typically said. That "AIR" likely meant outside fresh air. This was not an AC equipped car.
They moved a lot of Canadian families too. My wife and I had them through the 80’s and 90’s. As you said perfect for hauling kids, and groceries and granny too, lol. My wife is only 5’2”, and when I would meet her driving down the road, you could barely see her behind the wheel. I used to tell her she drove looking through the steering wheel, not over it ! But she did fine, and enjoyed her massive land yachts.
Wagons of varying sizes never went out of style in Canada. We just can't buy them anymore because we share a common auto market with Americans who generally despise them. 🤨
They were perfect family haulers, alright. My friend's father bought a loaded Ford Country Squire in 65, and toured the western US (from NYC) all summer hauling a family of nine!
What Steve hasn't mentioned in any of the wagons he's shown is that the luxury wasn't just skin deep. I hitched rides in an early 70s Kingswood, and Buick Estate. They rode like luxury sedans, really comfortable and quiet. That was a sort of revelation, my previous experience being my father's 59 Brookwood with the little six, and three speed. He paid fifty bucks, plus fifty for a used engine, installed. It was not luxurious at all, at all
I don't know about the Buick. But as for the Kingswood, the chassis was the same as the Impala sedans. And the Kingswood Estate chassis was the same as the Caprice sedans. So, I am not really surprised that they road nicely.
Steve's spot on, i come from a large family and we had a 66 Impala wagon. I look back and remember the vivid Tuxedo Black exterior with the interior being bright red it was sporty !! What also burned into my memory was the rear seat configuration the two fold down bench seats that would rise out of the floor where the occupants would be facing one another . The odd thing the car had the rear power window, but the rest of the car was manual windows..lol!
I think I remember my father telling me it was a safety feature because of an accident where someone could not get out of the backseats. If I remember correctly “Something Bad Happened to Them”. Thank you Dad. I miss you!
I see they included a Buick Sport Wagon in their comparo! The Sport Wagon was the Buick counterpart to the Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser. It used the same Vista Roof with the extended wheelbase, and Scenic Cruiser Greyhound Bus-emulating 'clerestory' windows. Sport Wagon and Vista Cruiser had a longer wheelbase than the base Special and F85 wagons, with the extra length added to/noticeable in the rear door area. The A-special Monte Carlo and Grand Prix had their extra length between the front of the doors and the front wheel opening. I also never realized that Buick didn't make full-size wagons in the late '60s!
In 1969 , my Dad bought a Kingswood with a 396 (didn't hear you mention the 396/402 ["400" in the full size], perhaps it wasn't available in 1970) , TH400 , and positraction rear (I have no idea what ratio). He immediately pulled off the stock rear tires , and replaced them with a pair of 7.00-15 "super traction" tires , which were just one step above being farm implement tires . He hitched it up to a Starcraft pop-up camper , and we towed from New Jersey to Nova Scotia for the Antigonish Games . 2 adults , and 4 kids between 4 and 16. There were a lot of dirt roads , and a few muddy campsites , but that big wagon on those aggressive tires never thought about getting stuck . We used the wagon for that trip , and shortly after , Dad traded it in on a 69 Malibu coupe , 307 with a powerglide . Apparently , he couldn't suffer the big 396 wagon's appetite for gas.
Growing up, the family across the street from me had one of these Kingswood. It was green with the fake wood trim. I can remember as a kid playing in the rear of that thing with its fold away seat in the back that looked out the rear window I believe.
Hey Steve! I'm loving your videos more and more with each passing day, and are good company with my Cheerios and coffee each morning! But, there was a "Faux Pas" in this video! You failed to mention that there was a 400 C.I.D. engine available for all the full size Chevy wagons in 1970. My parents purchased a 1970 Kingswood wagon (not a woodgrained Kingswood Estate) with the 400 engine. And that thing was JUNK! It was chugging down a quart of oil every 1000 miles, among other goofy problems. My poor parents were in a constant back-and-forth battle with the dealership Service Department, The Chevrolet Zone Manager finally gave in and ordered the engine torn down. It was found that the #2 and #7 piston rings were broken, and one of the main crank bearings was bad. And the Kingswood wagon didn't even have 10,000 miles on it. Later on, I told my Dad he should have bought an Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser with a 455 Rocket V8 engine!
We had a Country Squire. I sat in the "back-back" seat cause I knew my dad couldn't reach that far back to smack me, lol Car was a nice cruiser. Good story
Mom and dad bought one new back in 69 I believe it was. It was the green with wood trim. I don't remember it much, being born in 69 myself. But, I do remember when they bought a 76 Caprice Estate as I was with them when they picked it up at The art deco Hallman Chevrolet in Rochester, NY. We went to Florida the same year in it. Third row seating for a 6 person family!
Hi Steve, Great video on this Kingswood wagon. These were "the greener side of the fence" for me as a kid. My grandma always had Chrysler wagons and Mercury wagons during the 60s and 70s. She finally got a GM product in 79 an Olds Cutlass Cruiser. So what I mean is even tho we rode around in a Chrysler or Mercury I would be looking over at the Chevy Wagons as if they were better. Maybe they were maybe their not it's a matter of opinion, I guess. I've always loved the big wagons of the 60s and 70s. I came to appreciate the big GM wagons in the 90s. The big wagons Ford and GM made in the 80s were a little too boxy and square, and I didn't care for them much. I do see a lot of these 80s wagons still around. I'm surprised because most met their demise in demo derbies and the monster truck circuit. This definitely took a toll on the supply of Big American wagons. Now looking back on those Big Chryslers and Mercury wagons I'd probably spent a fortune on today. Throw on the fake wood paneling and I'd dig a little deeper in my pocket for one. "If you want a good cool drink of water you gotta dig a little deeper in the well" The last 3 wagons granny had had the wood grain slabs on the side NO wait the 4th wagon had it too 1988 Chrysler Town and Country wagon. She had bought that one after the Olds became an oil burner. That's when I turned it into a sleeper with a TA 455. I sure hope someone out there pulls that kingwood out of the yard and do a custom ride or parts to keep another going. That 70 350 4bl should be worth it if it isn't locked or frozen over. Thanks, Steve. I missed you yesterday, it must of been a rough Fri night 🌙 🤣😆. I'll be breaking camp this morning and saying goodbye to St. Augustine. This part of the spring tour was a blast. We went through Mississippi Alabama and all point in-between. I saw a lot of old and new friends and bunch of cool rides along the roadways. I'll be ready for a summer tour starting in June. I can hardly retain myself. Especially when everyone else is heading west to Colorado to finish out the spring tour along the west coast of the country. Can't be too greedy. I should be home before the pine trees greet the moon. Have a great blessed day everyone 🤙🏼 Namaste 🙏🏼
My old man bought a new 1970 Kingswood wagon off the lot from Tri County Chevrolet for $3,200. It was painted a silver gray that probably would have looked much better on a Corvette. It was our first family vehicle that had air conditioning. I think someone may have ordered it and never took delivery as it seemed oddly optioned. Power was from the optional 350 with the Quadrajet 4-barrel. It came with a Posi-traction rear axle and had factory wiring for trailer towing. I never confirmed it but it seemed like it had a 3:08 ratio gear. Decent dig at takeoff for such a behemoth. It had factory power steering but strangely had non-power, manual drum brakes at all corners. It also came with the optional Rally wheels which greatly improved the looks of the wagon. Interior was standard black vinyl but someone splurged on an AM/FM radio. Definitely deluxe entertainment for a 1970 Chevrolet. I took over ownership of this castoff family wagon in 1973. Drove it through HS and college until my first “real” job. I detested that car back in day but I certainly had a whole lot of great times and memories with it. Now I enjoy all station wagons of that era.
Man - how fun would it be to work your way through an order sheet for one of these, checking off boxes and creating a “one-of-???” combination that would make your average car guy drool and surprise more than a few young kids off the line in their Mustangs or Camaros…..??!!! I was born into a large family in 1964 - the last of eight kids - thus living through the “heart” of the station wagon era in America. Oddly enough, my family never owned one while I was growing up and I feel like I got ripped off never knowing what it was like to ride in the “back back” or better yet, fall asleep on a mattress laid out across the folded down back seat on the way to-or-from some late night family event! Cool car…….👍
The only boxes you needed to check were "454" and "positraction" in a 1970 to surprise most cars on the road in 1970 . Everything else is just window dressing ! No , you couldn't get the LS6 in the full size , but that LS5 is a strong "second best" !
Grew up with 62 Chevy Biscayne wagon, 65 Chevy Bel-air wagon, 67, Bonneville wagon, 69 Bonneville wagon and a 72 Buick Estate Wagon with wood paneling. All 3- seaters except the Buick.
We had a brown '69 when I was a kid. I loved that thing, even as a 7 year old. Also a '70 Impala 4 door sedan, and a matching '70 hardtop. Those disc brakes are the same ones used on a C3 corvette. Easy disc brake upgrade. Just find a set of C3 spindles...(don't tell the Corvette guys. It will ruin their day to know their precious Corvette shares parts with a pedestrian Impala)
I absolutely love woodgrain wagons. I've owned seven of them. My first one was a 1973 Laguna Estate I bought in 1980 (same as a Malibu but with the soft nose front end) The only one I still have is my 1972 Ford Pinto Squire. It has all the options except the automatic. Mine is a 2.0L/4 speed. It's kind of a ginger brown, paint is faded a bit but not too bad. The vinyl woodgrain was badly deteriorated, I removed it and had it replaced by a sign shop that does full body wraps.
I love those with a 427 😅❤
I sure miss the Station Wagons. They were just so American. 😎👌🇺🇸
@Robert Wells American as Apple Pie. 👍
Last one I ever rode in was a mid-80’s Caprice that my brother-in-law owned - thought it was cool as hell! He started buying S-10’s after that but in all honesty, I thought in a lot of ways the big wagon was more functional……🤔
Oops - forgot that I had a Dodge Magnum one time as a rental car shortly after they came out in 2005. Every time I stopped for gas with that thing people were coming up to look at it and based on that initial reaction, I was a little surprised the car only lasted for a few model years…….😕
And Baseball and hot dogs.
Those where the SUV’s of today back then!! So popular! My wife’s father used to own a few of them!
My best friend’s grandfather had a ‘69 Kingswood Estate wagon. It had every option including power windows, hideaway headlights, power front disc brakes and that 427 big block. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I opened the hood and saw that beauty sitting there. The hideaway headlight option was a surprise too, not often seen on the wagons or the Caprice in ‘69. My friend told me his grandfather used to drive that thing like a bat outta hell, he was afraid to get in the car with the old man at the wheel!
I was afraid to go for a ride with my elderly mother in her Buick too - but probably for different reasons……😂
Would've loved to have a wagon like this.
Good well soon
Thank you Steve, my parents had one with a 400 sbc… it was loaded.
I always Loved the 1969 and 1970 Full Size Chevrolet Wagon Taillights as a kid and still even today! Great Episode Steve! ❤️❤️❤️
When I was a kid back in the early 70s someone had one of these which they used as a school bus. It was a estate in hunter green and it was drop dead gorgeous. Have never forgotten it I hope someone has it today. It was a well kept vehicle.
When I was a kid my father was an Oldsmobile Man. He drove 98s. My mom had a 1972 Olds Vista Cruiser that seated 8 passengers and with the glass panels above the second row seats. It had a white exterior with a red vinyl interior. I wish I had that car today.
Bring back the Vista Cruiser!!
Sure would be cool to see more of these still on the road. I love these cars. Station wagons have a cult following, too.
Our 1969 Kingswood Estate wagon had a “Caprice” badge on the passenger side of the dash low on the front, but above the glove box door. It was the dealer’s wife’s demo, and had everything offered except hideaway headlights. It had the highest level 396 4bbl engine on the option sheet, and Dad used to say “ it’ll pass anything on the road but a gas station!” We used to regularly make the 200 mile drive across the state to visit family, and had to stop for gas around half way point. It had a 25 gallon tank, so you do the math! Granted, Dad “pushed the limit” when the interstate speed limit was 70mph (80?) so it was in afterburner most of the trip… I clearly remember going to Sears with him to get some of those newly introduced Steel Belted Radial tires (made by Michelin) so we could “go fast,safely”. He was always thinking ahead…😮
Get well soon Steve. We miss you buddy.
When I was a kid, our family car was a '69 Kingswood Estate with the 4-barrel 427, dual exhaust, and a posi rear. It had the trailer package so it had the shorter gearing. 9 seconds to 60? Maybe on a real bad day with a bad tank of gas when it was a couple of years overdue for a tune up! My dad would swear that he wasn't interested in fast cars, but would get something better than the base engine because, "You never know when you might need a little more power". Yeah, if you say so, Dad. He would regularly bait teenagers in the cars that they thought were so hot, and proceed to, in his words, "Suck them up his tailpipe"! I distinctly remember sitting in the rearward facing 3rd seat as we flat walked away from a '69(?) Road Runner. Imagine how that kid felt, getting dusted by a middle aged guy in a suit with his wife and 3 kids in a full-size station wagon! With WHITEWALLS! Good times. I wish I had that car. A replica of it is high on my "100-car bucket list for after we hit the lottery".
My relatives had a ‘72 Kingswood. As a kid I was amazed by the clamshell tailgate and glass.
My dad bought a new blue Kingswood Estate in 1969 with the roof rack when I was 2 years old. I wish I had it back. I found a black '69 Kingswood Estate with no motor or trans in northern Wyoming about twenty years ago and should've bought it. I even planned to go back and get it, but the guy crushed it.😑
It had the hidden headlights. It kills me that I didn't rescue it in time and still kick myself about it today.
Steve, keep doing what you're doing.....I look forward to your offerings every day.
As a kid I always like sitting in the far back so I could play with Hot Wheels and Matchbox cars. Sticking my head out the back window and watching the highway flash by below me. Back in the day when kids had common sense knowing and avoiding fatal mistakes
No tree,s were harmed in the making of the Kingswood wagon 👍👍👍😂🤣😎🇦🇺
Steve, the junkyard crawl is exceptional in many ways.
Very informative and entertaining.
The deer head and plastic dog are great props.
Along with the real dog!
Keep up the good work.
Cheers from Wisconsin
Daily morning routine coffee watching you.Your the king of junkyard videos
Love the long roofs. Steve Morris and Sleeper Dude making them more desirable again.
We had this....Dad ordered a butternut yellow 1970 Kingswood with the 400, automatic, air conditioning and 9 passenger seating...so we had the rear facing bench plus the luggage rack. It also had an interior light package which included a map light on the rear view mirror and a washer fluid monitor which would glow green or red depending on how full the wiper fluid reservoir was. The interior was a black vinyl so it wasn't that fun to get into on hot days...until the air conditioning would cool it down...which it did in minutes...very powerful.
I don't recall which carb it had....I thought it was a four barrel but some sources say the 400 only had a 2 barrel, others say you could get a 402 with a four barrel and either way it would only say 400 on the fender call outs...which ours did. No matter, it could roast the rear tires with little effort...my older brother got his permit in 1976 and learned how to drive in that car. It was definitely used as a family wagon...road trips to pulling boats and building materials. We used the luggage rack a few times, until one of the cross bars broke and deposited our luggage on the Pennsylvania Turnpike...that was a memorable trip. We ended up piling the luggage in to the rear cargo area for the rest of the trip. Other quirks...you had a switch in the rear area to lower but not raise the rear window...and there wasn't an override....so any passengers back there could lower it while the car was in motion.
One other thing...the owners manual had information for both the full and midsize wagon and differentiated them by the longer and shorter wheelbase. Also, the Kingswood Estate was closer to the Caprice in trim level while the Kingswood would share more with the Impala. And 1970 would get a restyled grill, and added reflectors on the rear bumper. Eventually, age and economics caught up with the car...the summer of 1979 Dad started to shop around for a replacement and considered getting one of the new 1980 GM X-cars but couldn't justify the premium being charged by the dealers...so he ended buying a 1979 Olds Cutlass Salon which was the dealer's service manager's demonstrator. And while on road trips...he lamented losing the passing power and the strong air conditioning. The dealer kept telling him the AC performance was normal.
I just wanted to comment about the weak a/c on late 70s early 80s GMs. My uncle bought an 80 Delta 88 sedan which I believe had the 267 Olds 2bbl. He constantly complained about the poor a/c cooling and fan force, took it back to Olds many times. They said it was normal. It wasn't. Bearly 25* temp difference between ambient and chilled air. That is not how a typical R12 system performs.
325, regarding the switch in the back that only goes down. I think I remember my father telling me it was a safety feature because of an accident where someone could not get out of the backseats. If I remember correctly “Something Bad Happened to Them”. Thank you Dad. I miss you!
I bet it’ll run! My 67 chevelle from this yard ran with just replacing the points! I saw your video on it and could not resist driving 1800 miles from Texas to find out! Great series Steve!
Great video great car. We never had a wagon but a lot of people did in our neighborhood. Big Buicks, Fords, Chryslers, Chevy and AMCs hauling half the kids on street to the local pool or football games and such. Great memories of friends not seen for a long time. Nine years old in 70 boy I miss that era.
I don't remember any AMC wagons from my childhood in the 1970s except the Sportabout .
Not sure if they were 70s but 68/69?
My 1st car was a 69 Kingswood with a 396...biggest gas guzzler ever
My Dad traded his 69 Kingswood 396 in on a 69 Malibu 307 for the same reason !
Always loved the 69 with the hideaway lights it looks so cool and 68 also.
Mr. B. Here ! Morning Mags ! So so SAD 😢😢😢 that wagon is in the yard ! The support from aftermarket’s is very strong 🏋️ ; that would make a great tail gate party wagon 🍔 ! ☕️☕️🥐🥐
Morning
@@tomwesley7884 👍☕️🥐🥯
I remember the Kingswood, but don’t recall ever seeing or paying attention to the Brookwood or Townsman packages. I learned something. Of course you don’t see hardly any wagons from that era hardly at all anymore let alone Chevrolets. It was good to see a 350 four barrel under still under the hood. Probably wouldn’t have been a bad car to drive around on errands and kid hauling. I know mini vans and SUVs replaced the wagons, but we lost something when they faded away.
.... Townsman I think was the entry level, I think. My parents had a 71 or a 72, nothing was electric on it, it had no special features like a top of the line car would have. No wood paneling, or two tone coloring, or added chrome.
But it was definitely an urban tank with a huge engine, and it carried a lot of stuff inside. It carried twice as much as our first station wagon, which was an early 60's Rambler American station wagon 😊
Parents had a 69 kingswood estate wagon when I was a kid roof rack and all. Many family vacation in 3rd seat with my brothers.
Such a sweet car. 427 would be wild.
Righteous video, your ability to do it a gift from God. Kudos to the camera person as well. The most expensive, luxurious wagon I ever rode in was a 1966 Baby Blue Chrysler wagon (rare!) with a 440. Owned by a high school buddy whose parents had sent him on an errand, he swung by and picked me for a ride.
Awesome episode
1970 is my favorite year for the Impala and Biscayne, Bel-Air and the Station Wagons Beautiful Car's Thank you Steve.
Hi Steve. Thanks for the video of the Kingswood wagon. My Uncle had a 1960 Chevrolet Parkwood wagon he bought new with a six cylinder and automatic transmission. Those Chevy six cylinder engines from 1955 to 1966 were known to be oil burners. His was no exception, only lasting for 70,000.0 miles or so.
We had a 66 Impala 2 door with a 6 cylinder in the family when I was born and by 1972 it was in the junkyard with a toasted motor.Last Chevy my father bought.
I remember my parents had a Olds Vista Cruiser it was gold with woodgrain and those great windows in the roof and the rear facing 3rd row seat. Great memories.
I had a 1993 Buick Roadmaster estate. 5.7 white with fake paneling crap. My 2 kids had never seen a station wagon before. They loved it
I'm glad Steve finally mentioned that the 400 sbc came in those too. But what he didn't mention was that the 402 also was an option in those as well. They were still labeled 400... But, there was a second BBC option other than the 454.
Steve never mentioned in this video there was a 400 available.
@@michaelnazaruk4100 maybe you should watch it again then...
I love wagons! I own a 1975 Coronet Crestwood
Nice!!
Now, it's a Deadwood Estate
My father bought a ‘70 Plymouth Sport Suburban new and boy , it was the talk of the block. Gold exterior and “wood grain” on the long sides. Beige interior and chrome roof rack. 2-way rear door with disappearing glass, rear facing 2 seater in the load area if needed. And the magnificent 383 Magnum under the football field hood. Optional 3 mini lights on the top of the fender for 1) lights on, 2) High beam on 3) Flashers on. Fantastic cruiser and pretty quick as I remember ( my father actually let me drive it ONCE, cause I sort of over corrected on passing a car on the highway and proceeded to “snake” my way about 1/2 a mile before I got it under control. Still remember that after 55+ years. 😜🇨🇦👍
Thank you I love station wagons reviews.
Great Video Steve, My Parents had a Kingswood wagon. We had a lot of great memories from that car! Like one of your other viewers my mom was crazy about that wagon! She would pick up all of her girl friends and go antique shopping! It was hillariuos to see her and her girlfriends rocketing down the the road with rocking chairs tied to the roof! She loved the big block, and could only seem to get it to run at wide open throttle! They would come careening down the street and manage to nail any errant garbage cans. It made them all very happy and other than a few scrapes the big Kingwood came through. They were great cars we took ours to most of the states on great road trips!
That's cool that You could get a wagon that could do 16 in the 1/4 stock. 🤟😎
Mom and dad had a 70. I think it was the mid-model. Tan and it had a 400. The back facing rear seat was the bomb. I wish I had one just to ride in the back. Those were the days when you could pee on the side of the road and nobody had an issue. 😂
Miss those wagons. As a kid we had a 1960 Mercury Park Lane and I remember dad upgrading to a 1966 Park Lane. White with red vinyl, third row rear-facing seat. Fake wood trim and 410 V8. Actually a beautiful barge.
The name Kingswood was also used in Australia on the Holden. Another GM brand that is no more 😢
oh no ,Not THE Kingswood!
@@Mercmad Lol
@Mercmad No, he means Holden. GM took their marbles and went home, because they couldn't compete with Japan's, or even Korea's quality
@@Mercmadit's OK we got the reference to Kingswood Country !
Steve, I share your respect for the 'wood' paneling which so many younger folks mock today. If you think a car with a little fake wood on the side is funny, how about a house entirely covered in plastic wood siding? 😂
Houses used to be a man's castle believe it or not. The wife only cared about two parts of the house. The rest were built with and designed with actual wood, and wood grain designs.
From solid oak for the well to do, to wood paneling for the blue collar family. Stained and varnished wood all throughout the home used to be a thing back when men were in their proper and actual place.
But what's this about plastic wood panels or siding on people's houses?
🤣😂😅 I think I've seen a few of those, but only noticed them after years of weather had warped and faded it.
You got that right, it is what it is
@@lilmike2710 Remind me of a line from Pulp Fiction, you an oak man, Lil Mike? Yeah, I tend to think this vinyl siding is a pain in the a$$, has to be washed periodically. I'm thinking I'd prefer to paint the stupid house than wash. My parents' house had Masonite siding, still had to paint.
@@tomwesley7884 🤣 The Wolf "You an Oak man?" ***Whips out a huge wad of cash and yanks the band off it*** .......... 😶 "Oak is nice"
...cars today still have fake wood, on the interior. And now everything inside of them is Plastic, synthetic materials, and fake imitation carbon fiber patterns... 🤔 Which is even more stupid, when they use fake chrome, that crap always ends up peeling and flaking away 🤨
We'd be better off if the materials were made of hemp, flax, or with some other natural fiber composite and epoxies.
The taillights on this 1970 are very reminiscent of the taillights of the 1969 sedan. I’ve never noticed that before. Thank you as always ~ Chuck
My parents bought a Kingswood new in 1969, it had a 327, no AC, I remember sweltering in that car in the summer.
I remember going to boy scouts camp in the back of one of these monsters, brown on brown, with woodgrain, hauling the troop trailer behind it too.
Growing up my parents had a 74 Kingswood with a 400. It cruised down the highway. I loved that tank
Are you sure it wasn't a '72?
1972 was the final model year that used the Kingswood name.
The Escalade of the time. Whenever one of my uncle's would buy a stationary wagon all the men would walk around it and give it the big go through. I'm going to find a Plymouth valiant flavor someday and breath air through the slant again and get it rolling down the road again. Might have to upgrade to a four speed on the floor.
Yes - one of the more vivid memories I have of the 1970’s is someone in the neighborhood bringing home a new car and all of the men standing around with Schlitz beers in their hands staring at the open engine bay and discussing the finer points of the internal combustion engine…….😂
My dad bought a Chevy Greenbriar and we had it for years through my childhood. I vaguely remember shopping for the car when I was very young. The dealer showed my dad the back window going up and down and how the door worked on one of these premium Chevy wagons.
My dad wanted a color that wasn't on the lot, so they had a blue one shipped in from another dealer. I always thought that dad had ulterior motives. The cars on the lot were all these higher optioned and more expensive wagons. Dad got the stripped down version with vinyl bench seats, no AC, the small block V8, no 3rd row seat, and the AM radio. Still, it was a giant all steel monster that lasted for years.
I remember we'd call them beachwagons.
I used to have a 1972 Kings Wood Estate wagon, I loved it it had a 400 ci engine and air conditioning the tail gate would disappear into the floor and the window would go into the roof it was a cool car for a wagon and fast too😁😁👍👍
Yes we had the same one with the 400. I remember it being real ass heavy.
Great video Steve! My aunt and uncle owned a 1970 Kingswood Estate fully loaded including the 454. They lived in San Jose, CA but went all the way to Stockton, CA to buy theirs from Chase Chevrolet, never knew why the long trek but it was a gold painted beauty.
GM had so many plants at that time, their Kingswood may have been made in California as well.
My uncle had one. With a top of the line CB radio! We had a 72 Vista Cruiser.
It makes me remember of the 1967 Caprice wagon we had many years ago.
Great video as always, but wagons were not just an American thing as you say. In Australia wagons were very popular; I came from a wagon farming family and Holden’s wagon was also called ‘Kingswood’. I was amazed at my opa’s with an electric rear window. Both Ford and Chrysler also sold wagons here that were very popular as I have said
I've only owned Australian Ford Falcon wagons... EA, EF, and currently BF.
I always had thought the 1969-70 full-sized Chevrolet wagons were attractive wagons. I owned a 1969 Kingswood from 1997-2005 , it was light blue with a white roof. It had the base 327 V-8 with a 2 barrel. It also had drum brakes instead of discs on the front.
More station wagon vid’s Steve!
Dad had a Buick Estate wagon from the era, a great family car. First in town with radials.
I remember when our '75 Fury sedan was switched to radials, it felt like it was on rails!
@@rightlanehog3151 At first, people told us, “Your tires are all flat.”
@@jazzjokesjalopies A few years before we upgraded I remember pointing out the 'flat tires' to a neighbor who had radials on his Datsun 510.
I'm weird, I like station wagons.
People who don't like wagons are weird. 😁
We had a 70 Olds Vista Cruiser when I was a kid. 😊
Bring back the Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser!!!
You're so right, we had a 70 Torino in our driveway in 70. Ours had hideaway lights,luggage rack. No air though,which would have been nice ! Really light blue,almost looked white. Love your videos .
Like Kenny Rogers said, "It's The Wood That Makes It Good". No, those appear to be standard two speed wipers. This car is not loaded at all, it lacks AC for one major option. My neighbor had a Kingswood wagon when I was young. It was rusty and beat up by that time and was gone by the early 1980s. No, since the Kingswood Estate was the top model in the Chevrolet wagon lineup in 1970, I believe it's based on the Caprice, not the Impala. This is supported by the "166" Fisher Body code and VIN sequencing. A Kingswood non-estate is based on an Impala and has a "164" Fisher Body code and VIN sequencing.
No VIN, can't win, but can be figured out, no doubt: 1 for Chevrolet, 66 for Caprice V8, 46 for four door wagon, 0 for 1970 model year, possible S for St. Louis, MO assembly, T for Tarrytown, NY assembly, F for Flint, MI, among other choices and the rest is the production sequence.
No tag, can't brag, but it goes something like ST70 for 1970 model year, 16636 or 16646 for Kingswood Estate Wagon two and three seat respectively, maybe FL for Flint, MI, STL for St. Louis, MO or TAR for Tarrytown, NY assembly among other choices, maybe 836 for Gold interior trim, 50 50 for Gobi Beige lower and upper exterior paint, among other codes, including accessory codes which we don't know without the tag.
This is why showing the VIN plates and the trim tags are of upmost importance. I was able to make out some of it from the very far camera angle, but would have been able to decode all of it with a few second shot of the tag.
it had ac on the dashboard {5=13 mark}, did not see the compressor under the hood tho...........
@@madmike2624 It says "AIR", not "AC" or "AIR COND" which is what an AC equipped car typically said. That "AIR" likely meant outside fresh air. This was not an AC equipped car.
@@googleusergp i stand corrected! should know better than challenge the master...lol
@@madmike2624 Nah, that's OK. It's easy to overlook.
The Kingswood was the equivalent of a Impala. The Kingswood Estate was the equivalent of the Caprice. Great video as always.
They moved a lot of Canadian families too. My wife and I had them through the 80’s and 90’s. As you said perfect for hauling kids, and groceries and granny too, lol. My wife is only 5’2”, and when I would meet her driving down the road, you could barely see her behind the wheel. I used to tell her she drove looking through the steering wheel, not over it ! But she did fine, and enjoyed her massive land yachts.
Wagons of varying sizes never went out of style in Canada. We just can't buy them anymore because we share a common auto market with Americans who generally despise them. 🤨
They were perfect family haulers, alright. My friend's father bought a loaded Ford Country Squire in 65, and toured the western US (from NYC) all summer hauling a family of nine!
@@robertmoffett3486 - WOW - I bet THAT was a long summer for the old man……..😂
👍👍🇨🇦
Imagine one of these with a 454 4 speed. Fun family mover for sure.
‘69 was last year for 4 speed.
What Steve hasn't mentioned in any of the wagons he's shown is that the luxury wasn't just skin deep. I hitched rides in an early 70s Kingswood, and Buick Estate. They rode like luxury sedans, really comfortable and quiet. That was a sort of revelation, my previous experience being my father's 59 Brookwood with the little six, and three speed. He paid fifty bucks, plus fifty for a used engine, installed. It was not luxurious at all, at all
I don't know about the Buick.
But as for the Kingswood, the chassis was the same as the Impala sedans.
And the Kingswood Estate chassis was the same as the Caprice sedans.
So, I am not really surprised that they road nicely.
@@willhorting5317 All the same B body chassis and inner body structure
@@jamesrecknor6752 👍
Us Aussies loved the station wagon almost as much as you guys
Steve's spot on, i come from a large family and we had a 66 Impala wagon. I look back and remember the vivid Tuxedo Black exterior with the interior being bright red it was sporty !! What also burned into my memory was the rear seat configuration the two fold down bench seats that would rise out of the floor where the occupants would be facing one another . The odd thing the car had the rear power window, but the rest of the car was manual windows..lol!
Lol, somebody on the production line had a hangover one day, not quite sober. Reminds me of the car with discs on one side, drums on the other
I think I remember my father telling me it was a safety feature because of an accident where someone could not get out of the backseats. If I remember correctly “Something Bad Happened to Them”. Thank you Dad. I miss you!
That 300/350 is still wearing it's #186 heads. Those were the best stock heads available for many years.
I see they included a Buick Sport Wagon in their comparo! The Sport Wagon was the Buick counterpart to the Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser. It used the same Vista Roof with the extended wheelbase, and Scenic Cruiser Greyhound Bus-emulating 'clerestory' windows. Sport Wagon and Vista Cruiser had a longer wheelbase than the base Special and F85 wagons, with the extra length added to/noticeable in the rear door area. The A-special Monte Carlo and Grand Prix had their extra length between the front of the doors and the front wheel opening. I also never realized that Buick didn't make full-size wagons in the late '60s!
I did so many of those disc brakes , I remember the part number D52 in Raybestos 😂 That's how popular these cars were.
In 1969 , my Dad bought a Kingswood with a 396 (didn't hear you mention the 396/402 ["400" in the full size], perhaps it wasn't available in 1970) , TH400 , and positraction rear (I have no idea what ratio).
He immediately pulled off the stock rear tires , and replaced them with a pair of 7.00-15 "super traction" tires , which were just one step above being farm implement tires .
He hitched it up to a Starcraft pop-up camper , and we towed from New Jersey to Nova Scotia for the Antigonish Games . 2 adults , and 4 kids between 4 and 16.
There were a lot of dirt roads , and a few muddy campsites , but that big wagon on those aggressive tires never thought about getting stuck .
We used the wagon for that trip , and shortly after , Dad traded it in on a 69 Malibu coupe , 307 with a powerglide .
Apparently , he couldn't suffer the big 396 wagon's appetite for gas.
nice wagon better than the clamshell tailgate.
Growing up, the family across the street from me had one of these Kingswood. It was green with the fake wood trim. I can remember as a kid playing in the rear of that thing with its fold away seat in the back that looked out the rear window I believe.
I saw one at a car show a few years ago. I’ve wanted a Kingswood ever since
Hey Steve! I'm loving your videos more and more with each passing day, and are good company with my Cheerios and coffee each morning!
But, there was a "Faux Pas" in this video! You failed to mention that there was a 400 C.I.D. engine available for all the full size Chevy wagons in 1970. My parents purchased a 1970 Kingswood wagon (not a woodgrained Kingswood Estate) with the 400 engine. And that thing was JUNK! It was chugging down a quart of oil every 1000 miles, among other goofy problems. My poor parents were in a constant back-and-forth battle with the dealership Service Department, The Chevrolet Zone Manager finally gave in and ordered the engine torn down. It was found that the #2 and #7 piston rings were broken, and one of the main crank bearings was bad. And the Kingswood wagon didn't even have 10,000 miles on it.
Later on, I told my Dad he should have bought an Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser with a 455 Rocket V8 engine!
Be we all want a Holden Kingswood
1970 Pontiac Catalina growing up. Life was great.
We had a Country Squire. I sat in the "back-back" seat cause I knew my dad couldn't reach that far back to smack me, lol Car was a nice cruiser. Good story
Mom and dad bought one new back in 69 I believe it was. It was the green with wood trim. I don't remember it much, being born in 69 myself. But, I do remember when they bought a 76 Caprice Estate as I was with them when they picked it up at The art deco Hallman Chevrolet in Rochester, NY. We went to Florida the same year in it. Third row seating for a 6 person family!
Great video as usual Steve
Hi Steve, Great video on this Kingswood wagon. These were "the greener side of the fence" for me as a kid. My grandma always had Chrysler wagons and Mercury wagons during the 60s and 70s. She finally got a GM product in 79 an Olds Cutlass Cruiser. So what I mean is even tho we rode around in a Chrysler or Mercury I would be looking over at the Chevy Wagons as if they were better. Maybe they were maybe their not it's a matter of opinion, I guess. I've always loved the big wagons of the 60s and 70s. I came to appreciate the big GM wagons in the 90s. The big wagons Ford and GM made in the 80s were a little too boxy and square, and I didn't care for them much. I do see a lot of these 80s wagons still around. I'm surprised because most met their demise in demo derbies and the monster truck circuit. This definitely took a toll on the supply of Big American wagons. Now looking back on those Big Chryslers and Mercury wagons I'd probably spent a fortune on today. Throw on the fake wood paneling and I'd dig a little deeper in my pocket for one. "If you want a good cool drink of water you gotta dig a little deeper in the well" The last 3 wagons granny had had the wood grain slabs on the side NO wait the 4th wagon had it too 1988 Chrysler Town and Country wagon. She had bought that one after the Olds became an oil burner. That's when I turned it into a sleeper with a TA 455. I sure hope someone out there pulls that kingwood out of the yard and do a custom ride or parts to keep another going. That 70 350 4bl should be worth it if it isn't locked or frozen over. Thanks, Steve. I missed you yesterday, it must of been a rough Fri night 🌙 🤣😆. I'll be breaking camp this morning and saying goodbye to St. Augustine. This part of the spring tour was a blast. We went through Mississippi Alabama and all point in-between. I saw a lot of old and new friends and bunch of cool rides along the roadways. I'll be ready for a summer tour starting in June. I can hardly retain myself. Especially when everyone else is heading west to Colorado to finish out the spring tour along the west coast of the country. Can't be too greedy. I should be home before the pine trees greet the moon. Have a great blessed day everyone 🤙🏼 Namaste 🙏🏼
Great video Steve! 👍👍💯🇺🇸
My old man bought a new 1970 Kingswood wagon off the lot from Tri County Chevrolet for $3,200. It was painted a silver gray that probably would have looked much better on a Corvette. It was our first family vehicle that had air conditioning.
I think someone may have ordered it and never took delivery as it seemed oddly optioned. Power was from the optional 350 with the Quadrajet 4-barrel. It came with a Posi-traction rear axle and had factory wiring for trailer towing. I never confirmed it but it seemed like it had a 3:08 ratio gear. Decent dig at takeoff for such a behemoth.
It had factory power steering but strangely had non-power, manual drum brakes at all corners. It also came with the optional Rally wheels which greatly improved the looks of the wagon.
Interior was standard black vinyl but someone splurged on an AM/FM radio. Definitely deluxe entertainment for a 1970 Chevrolet.
I took over ownership of this castoff family wagon in 1973. Drove it through HS and college until my first “real” job.
I detested that car back in day but I certainly had a whole lot of great times and memories with it. Now I enjoy all station wagons of that era.
Man - how fun would it be to work your way through an order sheet for one of these, checking off boxes and creating a “one-of-???” combination that would make your average car guy drool and surprise more than a few young kids off the line in their Mustangs or Camaros…..??!!!
I was born into a large family in 1964 - the last of eight kids - thus living through the “heart” of the station wagon era in America. Oddly enough, my family never owned one while I was growing up and I feel like I got ripped off never knowing what it was like to ride in the “back back” or better yet, fall asleep on a mattress laid out across the folded down back seat on the way to-or-from some late night family event!
Cool car…….👍
The only boxes you needed to check were "454" and "positraction" in a 1970 to surprise most cars on the road in 1970 .
Everything else is just window dressing !
No , you couldn't get the LS6 in the full size , but that LS5 is a strong "second best" !
Grew up with 62 Chevy Biscayne wagon, 65 Chevy Bel-air wagon, 67, Bonneville wagon, 69 Bonneville wagon and a 72 Buick Estate Wagon with wood paneling. All 3- seaters except the Buick.
My grandfather had a 69 Kingswood Estate with a 427 4 barrel. For a big car it would really move and was a great trailer tower.
I had a 71 kingswood had so much fun in that car
The year 1970. Favorite Manufacturing year. Great bodystyles.
That big Dodge truck in the background looks like candidate for a review.
Yes, I spotted that, too.
Agreed, just do it Steve
I’ll take that Ford COE…..👍
Thanks, Steve.. you mademy Sunday! I had a 70 Impala sport sedan and loved it. I'd love to have a Kingswood Estate!
Reminded me Steve of the 71 Pontiac Grand Safari I once owned with th3 455 cubic inch. Great road , family wagon.
Steve, I'll give you the ultimate New England compliment: You're a haad worka!
We had a brown '69 when I was a kid. I loved that thing, even as a 7 year old. Also a '70 Impala 4 door sedan, and a matching '70 hardtop. Those disc brakes are the same ones used on a C3 corvette. Easy disc brake upgrade. Just find a set of C3 spindles...(don't tell the Corvette guys. It will ruin their day to know their precious Corvette shares parts with a pedestrian Impala)
A mate back home in Ireland has one of these. 400ci engine from memory
That must get some looks!
I absolutely love woodgrain wagons. I've owned seven of them. My first one was a 1973 Laguna Estate I bought in 1980 (same as a Malibu but with the soft nose front end) The only one I still have is my 1972 Ford Pinto Squire. It has all the options except the automatic. Mine is a 2.0L/4 speed. It's kind of a ginger brown, paint is faded a bit but not too bad. The vinyl woodgrain was badly deteriorated, I removed it and had it replaced by a sign shop that does full body wraps.