1970 Chevrolet Townsman Wagon with Factory LS-5

[Draginwagon]

Only known Factory Red LS-5 Wagon to be built.
1970 Chevy Townsman Wagon - COPO; Supercar; documented by build sheet; 63k original miles.
454 ci 4 bbl; 390 HP LS-5; 500 ft/lb torque! Turbo-400 trans; 12 Bolt Posi, F41 suspension; HD cooling. One of 27 or 28 belived built for dealers to campaign on the dragstrip "back in the day".
Lived a Sheltered Life in New Mexico.
Factory Cranberry Red (refinished when Frame Off Restored) with tan interior (Original Interior) Believed the only one ever built in this color, and the only one known to still exist of the originals that were built). Plain Jane.... Manual Steering, manual Drum brakes, NO third seat, "Dogdish" hubcaps.
Built by Chevy, campaigned in the SouthWest by AutoLand Chevrolet of New Mexico. Retired by Dealership owner, and kept as showpiece for many years. When he passed, she was purchased and frame-off restored by a gentleman in CA.
Chassis fully detailed during resto & powdercoated. Paint is flawless as is interior and engine compartment.
2 Spares. Build sheet & Owners' manuals.
Build sheet confirms 454 LS5 engine. These vehicles were NOT available with this engine option unless they were a COPO.
Many awards including several "Best In Show".
$45,000.
More info and pictures. Email [email protected] OR call: (401)246-2051.
http://www.kuhnsklassics.com

[Mr70]

Welcome..
It was possible to get the LS-5/390HP engine in a Kingswood,Kingswood Estate,Brookwood or Townsman Station Wagon.
It was a readily available Regular Production Option.
No Special COPO ordering was needed by the dealership.
Nice Car! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[markjohnson]

My father worked at the St. Louis assembly plant and recalls several of these 1970 full-size 454-390HP wagons being built. He drove them from the end of the line out to the holding lot outside and said they really, REALLY ran quite well! In fact, my father was driving and racing in one of those LS-5 wagons against another LS-5 wagon when the other employee lost control and hit two other cars in the holding lot totaling out three new cars in the process. Why can't I find jobs like that?

[dogue95]

Is this the same car?

http://www.barrett-jackson.com/auctionresults/common/cardetail.asp?id=176675

[WILMASBOYL78]

Just a little diversion..my uncle always had new Chevy's back in the day. Last one was a 1970 Caprice with the LS-5 motor and th400. Man did that thing haul-ass! He always had his foot in it whenever we went out...he used to run studded snows in the winter and do burnouts with the sparks flying!!! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/burnout.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif

wilma

PS. That wagon is neat!!

[GTO_DON]

There was 2 of them around here years ago and i wound up buying the one to put the engine in a 67 ss396 car and then junked it. I believe the other one met the same fate a few years later. Didnt then and still dont look like anything special to me! Did I make a double copo mistake? http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/naughty.gif

[Draginwagon]

In response to the questions, Yes,
I Bought the Car from the person who bought it at Barrett Jackson several years ago. He Needed Money to finish a Z-16 Chevelle, and I Needed the Wagon. Can you blame me.
It's Fast as Hell.
My research and my previous experiance running a Chevrolet Dealership many years ago. All Full size Chevy's with the 454 had 345hp. If they had the 4 barrel.
This is the other Info I have found,
The Standard Catalog of Chevrolet says, the LS-5 was not a regular production option on the 70 Full Size Chevy's.
I have seen several Dealer Order books and the LS-5 was not on the option list that I could find.
I may be wrong, but no where have I seen proof of an LS-5 Regular production option availability in the Townsman Wagons.
Either way, If the documentation was stronger, so would be the asking price, you know how that goes.
This is a Manual Steering, Manual Drum Brake, Radio Delete 6 passenger wagon, in Red, with the Original factory Buildsheet. It had a Full Frame Off Restoration.
I mean, who would do a FRame Off on a Wagon if it were not something special. So, I asked myself, Who in thier right minds would drive this daily? It is a BEAST to Drive. FUN, But a Beast. So the word of mouth I got from previous owners rang fairly true. A specially ordered retired Drag Car.
What I was told, and the legend I have heard, is, in 1970, to build showroom traffic, Chevy Offered to Dealers this type of "Stripped" wagon for Dragracing, and Only if the Dealer would campaign the car. My understanding is, the now defunct dealer who owned it did Race the car. It then sat for many years till it's Frame off around 2000.
Thank You To all for the Kind Comments, and I am searching for more documentation, as I watched one of these run at the New England Dragway in 1970, it was a Blue one, and it cleaned everyone's clock back then. So, when I found this car....Well, let's just say. I Had To!!!
I am now offering it as I do with much of my collection from time to time to finance buying other cars. I have had a lot of fun with it and now someone else can drop a few jaws driving it.

[Draginwagon]

P.S. That must have been Cool with the studded snows and burnouts.
Look at MY Rear Tires. I can tell you She'll Break Free Very Easily. Lot's of fun.

[scuncio]

For what it's worth, I have two LS5 engines I pulled from nearly identical 1970 Caprice 4-dr hardtops. They were both loaded with options but I'd say they weren't particularly rare. Just my own experience.

[Draginwagon]

Thanks for the info.
Maybe not everything is in the books.

[BUIZILLA]

I worked in a large Chevy store in North Miami as a teen in 1970, Sark Chevrolet. The owner, Leon Sarkisian, had a black/black/black 454 Caprice Coupe with buckets for awhile, really cool classy car, and his brothers wife had a black 454 Caprice wagon. His nephew Chuck, had a black/black SS454 Monte Carlo. We sold a few 454 Coupe's, and several of the 454 wagons. One was a typical optioned light green/tan vinyl guts Townsman or Impala wagon, dog dish caps and fat blackwalls, ordered new by U.S. Sugar for a Corp. Director, but somehow it came in without air to the dealer in Clewiston, Fla., soooo that dealer dealer-traded it to us for a white 454 wagon with air, that we had. I did the dealer-trade myself, and that light green 454 wagon went to a couple from Canada that hated air conditioning, and they pulled an Airstream trailer with it. That couple had a '69 427 no a/c wagon, but they had a wreck down here, and needed a new wagon to get back up north with their trailer. I did the trade on a Friday afternoon and didn't have to bring the car in until Monday morning, that thing was a beast, I think I put 300+ miles on it that weekend... http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/burnout.gif... The dealership owner, was a VP with Chevy at one time, and we got some awesome cars as a result. One of the 454 wagons, had factory buckets/console. It went to an owner or manager of the old Castaways Hotel in Sunny Isles. We also sold a couple of 454 wagons that were used as tow cars around Mia-Hollywood Dragway, and another loaded one to a local SK boat racer. I seem to vaguely remember that the Impala/Caprice was rated at 345hp, the MC/Chevelle at 360, Corvette at 390??, but they were all the same engines?? not as rare as one would think.

Jim

[Draginwagon]

Thanks to all,
IO did finnally find one book with the LS-5 listed in "Chevrolet". I assume, that means full size.
Either way, My Ride is pretty darn unique, and I have been collecting and showing all makes of cars and trucks for years.
It was, aside from in 1970, the first and only time I have seen a wagon like mine.
All the full size 454 Chevy's I have seen have had the LS-4, Still no slouch when it comes to power. They are all Torque monsters.
I retract the COPO portion of my Ad, but stand by the rest.
I travel extensively to Car Shows, and have yet to see a Full Size Wagon or Sedan or ??? with the LS-5. 454's Yes. But not the LS-5.

My Buddy said My Wagon looks like a Fire Chiefs Car, so based on that, and the fact that it's a nasty mean sounding machine,I have Nicknamed the Wagon, DraginWagon "THE CHIEF".

Thanks to all for your insights.
DraginWagon

[Draginwagon]

The 345HP is the LS-4,
LS-5 depending upon application was either 360HP or in the Wagon 390HP.
Every 70 Full Size we had when I worked in the dealership was an LS-4.
Thanks again for the insights and Memories.
Still, Find another Wagon like mine in this condition, Today. How Many could be left from 1970?

[BUIZILLA]

Dragin,,, ya know, the more I think, I am 99% sure the green one was an LS5 wagon w/o air. US Sugar ordered their car's/trucks DIRECT from GM, and they were courtesy delivered to the Clewiston Chevy dealer, as they bought HUNDREDS of Chevy cars and trucks, for 3 sugar mills and farms, each and every year... I vividly remember it being a HELLUVA lot stronger than the 454 white one I took them. My grandfather had a strong running '68 440-375 Chrysler wagon and the LS5 car walked all over it.. To this day, it was THE fastest stock station wagon i've ever driven. Good luck on the sale.

Jim

[Draginwagon]

Thanks Jim,
When a friend was in the midwest back in the 80's, he said he had seen a Green LS-5 454, optioned similar to mine. It was rusting away in a lot.
Too bad.
Thanks again.
DraginWagon

[Mr70]

Dragin
Your Wagon is absolutely Beautiful and by no means am I trying to discredit what you say,but rather shed a lil light on it.I think it is worth what you are asking for it.

The 1970 LS-5 345HP & 390HP engine was possible for the Station Wagons I mentioned earlier,to the buying public.
I have seen other 1970 Townsmans & Brookwoods in person with the LS-5 454/390HP,10:25:1,Hydraulic lifter engine in them built at the factory.I do have pix of them,but can't find those right now.
When I do see the LS-5 390HP engine in them,they are sometimes Fire,Police & Ambulance Emergency vehicles,and thus COPO ordered because they were FLEET units,meaning ordered in a large quanity and thus a discount to the buyer/dealer...Not because of their engine Horsepower.
If it was part of a Fleet (COPO) order,it will show a F&SO Bypass code above the dealers Name on the buildsheet.
I will post some examples of what I am speaking of later once Seattle kicks Carolinas butt... http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Can you tell me what is typed in box #27 & #28 & #29 of your Buildsheet as well as if those codes match what is stamped onto your Wagons respective drivetrain components?
Rick

[Draginwagon]

Hi Rick,
In Box 27 is GU,
In Box 28 is CR
In Box 29 is LK
Model 15636 date produced 2500170001863
Color Code, 75 75 75 trim 838
Dealer is: Autoland
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Then listed across the middle bottom
Positraction LS5 V* ENG 454 * U27 Glove Box LMP
%M40 AUTO TRAN 3SP U35 ELECT CLOCK
*DUAL EXHAUST V01 HD RADIATOR
PV7 TIRE OE B/W
T60 HD BATTERY LWR RED
UPR RED
Due to winter, and car in another garage, I can't get the numbers, Though we did match everything up when it first arrived. VIN and all.
There are now 63,000 miles on the odometer, Motor was re-built, all stock, and cylinders honed. The interior is Original just cleaned.
At a Northeast Chevy Show, one of the judges kept crawling under the car and mumbling, "I can't believe it, It was Frame Off." He was a hoot. Chassis, is Powdercoated and painted. Mirror quality. Only thing I am missing is the Latch for the Spare Tire cover. Still trying to find one. There are Not alot of wagons out there. Any full size wagons latch would do. If anyone knows of one, let me know. Thanks
Rich. . . aka DraginWagon

[Belair62]

This is a very cool wagon...I would love to own it if I could.

[Draginwagon]

It has been a Blast to own and drive. I like unique cars. In the Summer I was driving a 74 Buick GS, and I also have a 74 Impala Spirit of America. My Spirit of America was photographed for Collectible Automobiles article on Full Size Chevy's 1971 to 1976 this past year.
I attached a Photo. It has only 41,000 miles and is Totally Original and unrestored.

[AutoInsane]

So how fast are one of these wagons?? Are there any remembered or recorded 1/4 mile times?? Some 9 inch slicks would look pretty good out back!

Does anyone have any pics of a drag racing wagon in action???

[Mr70]

Car Life road tested four Station Wagons in August 1969.
* Chevrolet Kingswood Estate w/454/390HP-16.25 @ 85MPH.
* Dodge Coronet 500 w/383/330HP-16.00 @ 88MPH.
* AMC Ambassador SST w/390/315HP-16.2 @ 88MPH.
* Buick SportsWagon w/400/340HP-17.1 @ 85MPH.

[PeteLeathersac]

I love this wagon as I stated previously in another thread but have to agree LS5 was the top RPO engine on full size Chevrolets in 1970. . Here's a link below to a '70 Impala road test noting available engine options. . Sure love to see more pictures if available! ~ Pete

http://www.55-57chevys.com/coccc/articles/702/70asty1.html

[Mr70]

Dragin
Your three prefix codes are typical of what I see,when I see a 390HP in a Station wagon.
You have a 2:73 Posi rearend,and a TH400 trans. that was shared with the Chevelle/Monte Carlo as well.
I can't seem to locate the pix I've taken of these in the past,so here is some Dealer/Customer literature I have when ordering them.
This is the back of the Dealers Brochure for 1970 Station Wagons.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v669/Rick_Peters/LS53900001.jpg

[Mr70]

Close up to show availability.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v669/Rick_Peters/LS53900002.jpg

[Mr70]

Another page in same Brochure
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v669/Rick_Peters/LS53900003.jpg

[Mr70]

Dealer price list
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v669/Rick_Peters/LS53900004.jpg

[Mr70]

Close up.
Notice the detail difference between the LS-4 345HP vs. LS-5 390HP.
A higher lift Cam & Dual exhaust.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v669/Rick_Peters/LS53900006.jpg

[Mr70]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v669/Rick_Peters/LS53900010.jpg

[Mr70]

Here is an example of a FLEET code listed on a Buildsheet when
a Vehicle is ordered through a Central Office Production Order.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v669/Rick_Peters/LS53900008.jpg

[Draginwagon]

I wish I had some pic's. Seems when the owner died the family ditched a lot of stuff. Thank God they saved the car.
I remember the Blue one ran mid 12's, and that's what I was told mine did, but after 30 years who knows.
From a stop light though it is a screamer.
Scares the S--t out of the soccer Moms in the Minivans.

[Draginwagon]

Thanks for the Brochure stuff, I also found it in Hemmings Muscle Machines article on Big Blocks. Available in "Chevrolet".
In 25 years of doing this, it's the first wagon I have seen like this.

[Draginwagon]

Hi,
The Original buildsheet is torn in a couple places, and just above the Dealers name and address is a deteriorated and torn section. It is extremely fragile. So I photo copied it and put the original away.
Thanks again for the help.
Rich

[Draginwagon]

When my wagon was raced, according to what I was told, they said the Townsman was running 5:00 gears. These along with a few minor things were done by the dealer for racing.
When they restored the car, they put 3:73's in for drivability, and that's what is in it now.
It hooks up pretty good.

[Chris396]

I almost bought an '70 LS5 Wagon from a friend of mine years ago. His grandfather had bought it new and still had the window sticker and protecto plate. He wanted a grand total of $500 for it but it was rough and I had no room.

[Draginwagon]

Please note COPO info retracted. But, it is everything else said.
Frame Off Restored, LS-5, Manual Steering, Manual DRUM Brakes, 3:73 rear gears in a 12 Bolt posi. Turbohydramatic 400, Radio Delete.
Questions Call 401-246-2051
or E-Mail [email protected]

[Rainer]

Surprising that they didn't order a steeper gear than the 2.73 if it was ordered to race. Looks like posi's all the way up to 3.55 were available in big Chevys in 1970.

[Draginwagon]

The Dealer installed 5:00's when they ran it from what I was told, so I am sure they just ordered what was stock in the 12 bolt.
I have 3:73's now, and that is plenty, especially for the highway trips I like to take.

[Mr70]

That is a good tooth back there.