Chevrolet Townsman
Encyclopedia
The Chevrolet Townsman was a full-size station wagon
produced by Chevrolet
from 1953 to 1957 and again from 1969 to 1972.
The Townsman name was first used in 1953 on the 210 series
four-door station wagon. For 1954, the name was shifted to the luxury Bel Air
series station wagon, which featured Di-Noc woodgrain paneling. In both years, all Townsmans were eight-passenger models. In 1955 and 1956, the Townsman was once again a 210, but in 1957 it was available as both a 210 and a Bel Air. All 1955-1957 Townsmans were six-passenger models. A 235.5-cid inline six-cylinder engine was standard power in all five years, with V8s available beginning in 1955.
During the second run, the Townsman was based on the rear-wheel drive GM B platform
. It came in both six- and nine-passenger versions and only V8s were available, ranging from 327 to 427 cubic inches in 1969, and 350 to 454 cubic inches from 1970 forward. The sedan equivalent in this period 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- and Caprice-level cars, respectively.
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, Turbo HydraMatic 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.
Station wagon
A station wagon is a body style variant of a sedan/saloon with its roof extended rearward over a shared passenger/cargo volume with access at the back via a third or fifth door , instead of a trunk lid...
produced by Chevrolet
Chevrolet
Chevrolet , also known as Chevy , is a brand of vehicle produced by General Motors Company . Founded by Louis Chevrolet and ousted GM founder William C. Durant on November 3, 1911, General Motors acquired Chevrolet in 1918...
from 1953 to 1957 and again from 1969 to 1972.
1953-1957
Chevrolet 210
The Chevrolet Two-Ten, or 210 was the midrange model of the Chevrolet car from 1953-1957. It took its name by shortening the production series number by one digit in order to capitalize on 50's numerical auto name trend. The numerical designation '"210"' was also sporadically used in company...
four-door station wagon. For 1954, the name was shifted to the luxury Bel Air
Chevrolet Bel Air
The Chevrolet Bel Air is a full-size automobile that was produced by the Chevrolet division of General Motors for the 1950–1975 model years. Hardtops in the Chevrolet Deluxe Styleline model range were designated with the Bel Air name from 1950–1952, but it was not a distinct series of its own until...
series station wagon, which featured Di-Noc woodgrain paneling. In both years, all Townsmans were eight-passenger models. In 1955 and 1956, the Townsman was once again a 210, but in 1957 it was available as both a 210 and a Bel Air. All 1955-1957 Townsmans were six-passenger models. A 235.5-cid inline six-cylinder engine was standard power in all five years, with V8s available beginning in 1955.
1969-1972
GM B platform
The B platform, or B-body, was General Motors' full-size rear-wheel drive automobile platform. It was closely related to the C-body and D-body and was used for coupés, sedans, and station wagons....
. It came in both six- and nine-passenger versions and only V8s were available, ranging from 327 to 427 cubic inches in 1969, and 350 to 454 cubic inches from 1970 forward. The sedan equivalent in this period was the Bel Air. It was considered a little more deluxe than the Chevrolet Brookwood
Chevrolet Brookwood
Brookwood was a name used by Chevrolet on certain models in its station wagon offerings between 1958 and 1972.-1958–1961:Introduced in 1958 as Chevrolet's mid-priced station wagon, Brookwoods were trimmed in line with Chevrolet's mid-priced Chevrolet Biscayne models...
, but not quite as nice as the Chevrolet Kingswood
Chevrolet Kingswood
The Chevrolet Kingswood was a station wagon produced by Chevrolet in 1959 and 1960 and again from 1969 to 1972. It was based on the rear-wheel drive GM B platform....
and Kingswood Estate
Chevrolet Kingswood Estate
The Chevrolet Kingswood Estate was a station wagon produced by Chevrolet from model years 1969 through 1972. Features which distinguish it from the Kingswood are the addition of faux-wood paneling on the sides and tailgate, and a slightly fancier interior. Optional concealed headlamps provided...
, which were Impala- and Caprice-level cars, respectively.
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, Turbo HydraMatic 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.