From 1969 to 1972, Chevrolet had different names for their station wagons from the regular models. The Kingswood was equivalent to an Impala, with the same exterior trim and interior as that model. Also in 1971, they had the new Glide-away tailgate, commonly called the clamshell. Here is a 1971 Chevrolet Kingswood 9-passenger station wagon for sale here on Hemmings in Lexington, Kentucky. Thanks to Barn Finds reader Rocco B. for finding this car and bringing to our attention.
Even though this car is from West Virginia, it is 95% rust free. There are some rust areas around the front door and lower front wheel opening. Even though the car has been garaged, it is showing some paint wear, especially on the roof and the hood. There are no dents or dings on the body. The car is running and is licensed and insured, and the owner gets thumbs up everywhere he goes. The station wagon has a roof luggage rack. While the car has aftermarket rims, the seller will provide the original wheels and wheel covers to make it look more original.
For a station wagon, the interior appears to be in great condition. There are no tears on the seats anywhere. Apparently, this is some very durable vinyl because it looks original. Notice that the second seat is split to allow access to the rear forward facing third seat.
There are not a lot of features on this station wagon that makes the drive more pleasant. While it does have an automatic transmission and power front disc brakes, maybe it has power steering as well. The Kingswood has an AM radio, but it doesn’t work, nor does the clock or gas gauge. One option missing on this wagon that a lot of full-size cars had by 1971 is air conditioning, but the seller says rolling down the windows and opening the working power rear window allows plenty of air flow through the car. While the rear window is power, the tailgate is manual.
One option this station wagon does have is a 400 cubic inch V-8 engine. The seller was told that the quadrajet was installed by the dealer when the car was new. This Kingswood has been driven a total of 104,000 miles since new. The asking price is $8,995. The seller says the 1971 to 1976 Chevrolet wagons have been hunted to near extinction. I don’t know about that, but they are lately demanding higher prices when we find the full-size GM wagons from 1971 to 1976. Would you like to grab this one before prices get any higher?
I’ve always liked the Chevy impala/caprice station wagons, I’ve owned 400 small blocks and I can’t say that they’re much of a preference of mine.
That’s a really nice piece for under $10k… not a lot in that price range with this much style. Cool car.
“maybe it has power steering as well” Really? Have you ever seen or driven any full-sized American cars form this era? The thought that it would not have power steering is absurd.
Those wheels look great on it.
Looks mean, just wonder if any rust under that lower chrome trim.
By “hunted to extinction” he means killed off in demolition derbies, and it’s true.
Grew up with one of these. Folks got a 72 Kingswood in 1974, and as an 11-year-old, I remember doing just about every thing in that car (except for THAT!) My family went everywhere and did everything in that wonderful wagon.
Had it well into the 80’s, but the Pittsburgh salt and climate doomed the car to the point that the front doors wouldn’t shut anymore. Can you say frame and sag problems?
This is what I got to drive in the late-80s as a newly licensed teen, before my grandfather gave me his ’72 Buick Century coupe (in Green everything). The family road trip car. 100s of miles on the 5 between the east Bay Area to SoCal to visit family. Dad installed an aftermarket cruise control, and my brother, sister & I were to always keep our eyes out for CHiPs in Mustangs!
The wagon had the 400, 2bbl I believe. ’74 Kingswood in Tan/Tan, third row rear facing. Used to love drifting it around corners in the rain, with 5 buddies in the back! Good times.
Always thought these would make a great tow vehicle, but it would have to be a restomod.. This looks like a good start. Wish I had the resources.
Sent this listing to my Dad.. he said ‘next project’. I guess that would be after he finishes the FF Cobra, the Pro Touring 72 SS Camaro, or putzing with his wife’s ’16 Holden SS.
Although I I sold my yard 14 years ago I still occasionally get calls from a demolition derby guy in Ohio looking for these big GM station wagons. He used to send a car hauler out here and load it with full size GM”s for the derby back there in the rust belt.
Love the clam shell wagons & I think anyone who uses them for demolition derbys (or any car or truck that’s 25 years or older) should be forced to only drive and own brown four door Ford Tempo’s for the rest of there natural life!
My guess is it’s a scam I tried buying it won’t respond serious buyer with cash in hand!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My parents had one just like this except that it had the optional AM/FM stereo with automatically deploying antennae, power windows and A/C. The 3rd seat faced rearward, and it was sans luggage rack (which we had on the other ’71 Kingswood, which was the Estate Wagon)
This one was powered by the big block 400 (which was basically a 396 factory bored 0.030″ to 402) with the Carter Quadrajet 4 barrel carb. The Estate Wagon came with the small block 400 with a Holley 2 barrel carb, AM radio with fixed antennae, no A/C, and manual windows. In both cars the tailgate & tail window were both powered & controlled with a switch on the dash and/or with a keyed switch above the right taillight. The tailgate retracted downward under the rear floor, while the tail window retracted upwards into the roof.
My first time out on my own after getting my driver license, I was in this one’s twin, and dropped the right rear wheel off the side of a driveway into a ditch, with 5 girls from school in the car with me. (Can you say, EMBARRASSED!?) We had about a dozen of us high school guys trying to help lift that corner of the car enough to move it but the grass was too slippery, so we couldn’t get enough footing for a lift. I ended up paying $15 for a wrecker to come lift & pull me out (October 4, 1977).
I probably have more memories in those cars than a teenager should have had. ;)
Yes indeed, the old American wagons were/still are a lot of fun. I’m thinking I NEED one! 😉