Chevrolet Townsman

The Chevrolet Townsman was a station wagon produced by Chevrolet from 1953 to 1957 and again from 1969 to 1972.

Six and eight-passenger models were available throughout the Townsman's run.

History

Based on the rear-wheel drive GM B platform, it was available with a straight 6 in 1969/70 and a selection of V8s, a 350 cubic inch V8 becoming standard in 1971. The sedan equivalent was the Bel Air. It was considered a little more deluxe than the Chevrolet Brookwood, but not quite as nice as the Chevrolet Kingswood and Kingswood Estate, which were Impala-level cars.

1971-1972

In 1971, a power rear window was made standard as well as a tailgate that disappeared beneath the floor, optionally also under electric power. That year wheelbase also increased from 119" to 125", the longest of any Chevrolet regular passenger car ever produced.

Midway through the 1971 model year, TurboHydraMatic transmission was made standard equipment on all full-sized station wagons, including Townsmans.

For 1973, Chevrolet eliminated the Townsman and upper-level Kingswood/Kingswood Estate designations for its full-sized station wagons. The Bel Air nameplate continued to be applied to all full-sized wagons through 1975 in the United States, and 1981 in Canada.