Many people lament the passing of the full-sized station wagon, but the harsh reality is that sales fell to the point where it was no longer financially viable to develop and build new models. That means that buyers are forced to scour the secondhand market in a bid to strike automotive gold. If you are one of those people, it seems that we might be able to help on that front. Our eagle-eyed Barn Finder Larry D spotted this stunning 1970 Impala Kingswood Estate, so a huge thank you for that, Larry. This looks like an absolute beauty that has a lot of points in its favor. It has belonged to the same family since new, and its low-mileage claim would seem to be supported by its fully documented service history. Located in Poughkeepsie, New York, you will find the Estate listed for sale here on eBay. There is a BIN of $13,000, but interested parties could chance their arm by making an offer.
The Mulsanne Blue Impala has a shine that almost requires sunglasses to look at. The seller admits that the vehicle has undergone a repaint in its original color, and the effect is stunning. The paint seems consistent across the car, with no signs of any marks or blemishes. The panels are laser straight, and the gaps look very even. The seller makes no mention of any previous rust problems, and the photos of the wagon’s underside reveal a classic that appears to be structurally sound. The exterior chrome is in good order, while the chrome roof-rack is a classy touch. There are no issues with the tinted glass, and the True Spoke wheels that have been fitted to the Kingswood are a perfect finishing touch.
If this classic wagon’s exterior was the entree, now we get to move onto the main course. Under the hood rests the original 350ci V8 that would be producing 250hp. This classic V8 is backed by a 3-speed automatic transmission, while the Impala also brings power steering and power brakes to the party. This is a family wagon designed to seat six people. It tips the scales at 4,466lbs, which makes the 17.6-second ¼-mile ET seem pretty impressive. The news here appears to be nothing but positive because the Estate has a genuine 51,000 miles on the clock. A complete and documented service history backs this claim. It has recently received a new alternator and exhaust. The seller says that there are no fluid leaks or issues and that the wagon runs and drives perfectly.
Older station wagons are a mine-field when it comes to interior condition. They can be the subject of plenty of wear-and-tear, and they can look pretty sad after a few years. That isn’t the case with this Chevy because the interior presents well above average. The carpet has some wear, and the woodgrain insert on the wheel has a similar problem, but there’s nothing that can’t be fixed. There are no issues with the upholstered surfaces, while the dash and pad are perfect. There is a cluster of gauges mounted under the dash, and a radio/cassette player replaces the original radio, but there have been no other additions. There is no air conditioning, but the vehicle does come equipped with a rear power window.
This is the area of a family wagon that usually cops the most abuse and is, therefore, the area that will show significant damage. When the dogs are feral, and the kids are worse, upholstery and trim can suffer accordingly. However, this rear passenger area is in excellent condition, with no signs of wear, tears, or other issues. The rear cargo area has a few marks, but most of these could be addressed in a home workshop with some vinyl dye and a bit of patience.
This 1970 Impala Kingswood Estate is a tidy classic, and it has a lot to offer its next owner. It looks like it is ready to be driven and enjoyed, and its needs appear to be minimal. If you fancy carting the whole family cross-country when the weather takes a turn for the better, I can think of worse ways to tackle the journey than in this beauty. If you find it tempting, I suspect you might need to act fast. I wouldn’t be surprised if someone snaps it up pretty quickly.
A good looking wagon that appears to be in excellent condition. The exterior color blue looks very sharp and the chrome and trim seems to be in great shape. I’m partial to blue and think the interior wears that color well. The overall impression of the interior shows it was well cared for and replacing the carpet will certainly make the interior present well. Under the hood looks very good and the 350 is a good fit for this impressive wagon. Power steering and power brakes are nice options to have with this weighty wagon and along with adding A/C will make for very pleasant cruiser. I think the BIN is a good deal and if I was looking for a nice vintage wagon I’d just hit the BIN option and not risk the bidding go beyond $13k. This classic wagon is so nice it wouldn’t surprise me if it did.
The wire wells add a classy look to this classic wagon! GLWTA!! :-)
I meant wire wheels, LOL!! :-)
Stunning. And I’d be all over that if I had $13K of mess-around money and the garage space!
had a virtual clone of this Wagon but sans roof rack and A?C added. Till a guy T-boned me. miss it every day! nice ride !
A Kingswood Estate should have woodgrain appliques and clear turn signal lenses in the front bumper. This appears to be a Kingswood, minus the Estate.
The Kingswood Estate with the faux wood grain was essentially the “Caprice” wagon. This is a very nice Kingswood (Impala) wagon.
Actually this is just an Impala wagon. “Kingswood Estate” wasn’t applied to the top shelf wagon until 1971, and then only on the Caprice.
Chevrolet brought back the Brookwood, Townsman, and Kingswood names for the 1969 wagons.
Unfortunately you are miss informed my family had a fully loaded 1970 Kingswood Estate 9 passenger ac comfort tilt steering wheel cruise 345 hp 454 trailer hitch power disc brakes roof rack probably missing a few items but remember vividly reading my mad magazines in the back section with my brother and feeling the heat coming thru the floor while dad was hauling us back from the lake after holidays! Green with wood grain sides. This blue impala is missing the Kingswood Estate emblem on the rear quarters. Otherwise not bad!
I see in the second picture it comes with the optional “gnome house” attached to the roof rack. A rare option indeed.
All kidding aside, I would LOVE to add this beauty to my collection. I also love my wife and being married to her and that’s why I won’t add this beauty to my collection.
I have a hunch once someone starts driving this and they hit a few big bumps, some very large pieces of bondo will fall off this wagon. The pictures have been chosen and cropped in such a way as to minimize the areas one one look closely at to see evidence of prior rust and shoddy body work. However, it’s still there, look at the black overspray on the firewall and the tops of the springs on the hood hinges and absence of pictures showing door jambs and rocker panels. I don’t think that was unintentional.
Steve R
Steve, I agree. It looks like the areas over the rear wheel opening have been worked on, especially the right side.
It appears to be a reflection to me. If you expand the photo it is clearer.
my dad bought one of these in Germany in 1970 at the local Opel dealer;was a demonstrator car, but the Canadian model Townsman; only visual difference was it had 2 tail light on each side, not 3. Kept that car for about 15 years. Was awesomne, especially in Europe at that time.
Looks like a solid wagon in very clean condition. However, as Steve R. pointed out, the photos (or lack thereof) and the Poughkeepsie, New York location warrant an in-person inspection to confirm body and undercarriage condition. Pity it doesn’t have A/C and it appears to have drum brakes judging from the master cylinder.
Personally I think the last really nice fullsize Chev was the ’69 – there’s something about the ’70 face that makes me think Skylark, then Cutlass, then Torino – all these designs but NOT Impala!
With that said; if one likes the ’70 and is in the market for a 60s design road boat GM wagon I wish anyone GOOD LUCK locating a better example below that BIN. Having bought a Safari less than two years ago I know from personal experience there are extremely few longroofs in this price range in the market that aren’t completely basket cases. Expect everything wagon-specific to cost a little fortune to replace, particularly interior soft goods.
If it’s really as nice as it looks someone will push BIN real soon
Unless the car is a trailer queen, i don’t believe the road salt is an issue here – as long as it’s cold enough to keep the roads dry. Better to drive the car occasionally!
Love those taillites, & Chevrolet script on the back!! & blue interior.
I am not sure if you can bring home a 50 or even 43 inch flat screen tv in this or any old station wagon! Why?
I was shocked after reading the “Keep it Vertical” paragraph in …
http://www.pcrichard.com/library/blogArticle/whats-the-best-way-to-transport-a-tv/11506403.pcra
Best to have 1 delivered & hope the deliverer transports it correctly.
Could this be 1 of the reasons for more & more tall suvs & crossovers?
Nice looking Chevy Kingswood wagon. I remember cars like this from when I was a boy. I like everything about this car, except for the aftermarket gauges. I feel they ruin the dash.
Doesn’t it look like some bad rust on the frame or are my eyes deceiving me? Also, looks like new brake lines? Love the car, but am hesitant to pull the trigger.
My first car was a 70 Impala 4 dr sedan in the exact same color,and same interior. Would love to have this wagon, but have no space to keep it
SOLD! I’m surprised it took 9 hours for someone to grab this!
Believe me they have been dumping salt up here all winter. I agree with Tony Goalie. That RR quarter is a little wavy. All GM wagons rusted where the spare tire was, in the right quarter well. Still not a ton of money. Classy and holds a ton more than any useless SUV. Sold quick even from snow country.
The mileage says it should have a great body, BUT the passage of time says Señor Rust may have already knocked on the door, or fender wells, etc…but it’s a tough call just from the pictures.
Would prefer a set of American Racing Torque Thrust wheels over wire ones, but YMMV.
I think someone will get a sweet old ride, just hope it is an honest car, ad, and seller. Best to all.
I love in Poughkeepsie and a car nut… Never seen this car before.. Cool wagon…
I love in Poughkeepsie and am a car nut, never seen this one before… Cool wagon…
But where do you LIVE? (wink)
“Lazer straight sheet metal”, hahahahaha, the bondo is caked above the wheel wells and they have been reshaped at the rear. Hahahahaha.
The 69 and 70s were well known to be rust prone in the wheel arches ; and you’re right about the Bondo . The chrome wheel arch moldings are also gone, as are the fender emblems.
GD spell check…!!!
Happens to me all the time. Don’t fart…er fret about it. (Damn Spell Check!)
Looks good me, but those wheels are atrocious.
I had a Kingswood station wagon – it was this same vehicle only mine was “Gobi Beige” which meant it was yellow. The Estate had the woodgrain. The plain Kingswood was plain. It ran fine until the 80’s, but the “Body by Fisher” failed.