1970 Chevrolet Townsman Wagon with Factory LS-5

[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... ... 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...

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???