1972 Chevy Station Wagons Dealership Promotional Sales Training Film

This 1972 Chevrolet promotional film, titled " The 1972 Chevrolet Station Wagons ", was sent to the Chevrolet car dealerships to be used as an in-house Sales and customer training film. The film highlights technical aspects and features of the new model year. If you look up a different film I posted, titled "1974 Chevy Selling Monte Carlo ", you can see a rare glimpse of the film cartridge viewer that was used at the dealership where the customers and personnel were to view these films. The machine was made by Technicolor and called the " Chevrolet Mini Theater System "
This film came from my personal collection. This film was not downloaded from any website and is not reused content. This restoration is my work. The restoration process started with removing the super8 film from the Technicolor Cartridge. After removal the film was cleaned, repaired, and spooled onto a standard film reel. Next the scanning to digital process was performed on the Lasergraphics Scanstation motion picture film scanner in 2k resolution. This film was very red without almost no color left. The extensive color correction was performed in Davinci Resolve. Finally, the film was converted to MP4 format for uploading to KZbin.

[@Dodger2204]

Hard to believe how common these used to be on the roads. Harder to believe is that I'm old enough to remember every one of these cars!

[@theemulsionalchemist5688]

the streets were full of them

[@daviddevries2078]

They made millions in a couple years,girlfriends mom had the wagon,,my dad had the 74 caprice,,,,learned how to drive on,it almost failed driving test because I was used to driving with one hand,l,o,l,,,,,

[@eldorado1830]

Love the station wagons, loved the 70's.

[@adamwelker1446]

Man the good old days our children and grandchildren will never know the simple life before cell phones snd computers

[@reallyrandomrides1296]

Sounds perfect! I'll go to my local Chevy dealer tomorrow to buy a Kingswood Estate. I hope they still have some left.

[@theemulsionalchemist5688]

you will need i time machine

[@reallyrandomrides1296]

@@theemulsionalchemist5688 D'oh! 😆

[@nycstarport8542]

🤣🤣🤣

[@briank.8925]

The current microchip shortage will have you waiting for them to be delivered to the lot.

[@isaiaslopez8974]

Dang, these were the good ole days! I wish I could go back in time and stay there...

[@danfarris135]

Fond memories of moms 71’ kingswood. Best car we ever had. I always rode in the back

[@theemulsionalchemist5688]

too bad there are almost none left

[@Sidewinder1999]

I actually want one now.

[@theemulsionalchemist5688]

if you look hard enough there has to be a few left that didn't get cannibalized or used for demolition Derbys

[@1940limited]

@@theemulsionalchemist5688 If you find a nice one, it won't be cheap.

[@sooverit5529]

I remember my dad bringing home his brand new company car, a 72 Kingswood wagon, light green metallic, dark green vinyl interior. He parked it on the driveway and then took my mom's 69 Impala back to work. I was 10, and so excited to check out the new car, but it was locked, or so I thought. I twisted the rear tailgate switch and down dropped the tailgate. With the rear window down, there was no way to pull the tailgate up. I knew I would be in trouble. Then it started to rain. I just knew my dad was going to be so mad, but when he got home, he was more just confused. Turns out, he had never operated the tailgate, so we figured it out together. In the years we owned the wagon, we never did figure out that the manual tailgate had an actual lock position. It would latch, of course, but anyone could just walk up to the locked car and twist that switch and the tailgate would drop. The lock position was an additional twist to the far right, I think. I remember that like it was yesterday, but it was over 50 years ago.

[@theemulsionalchemist5688]

love the story. sounds like watching brought back some memories.

[@Chris_Troxler]

I miss the wagons.

[@theemulsionalchemist5688]

I do too, I still have one along with a minivan and a SUV

[@pwrfl2357]

Bring back station wagons!!

[@theemulsionalchemist5688]

great for the drive ins

[@reallyrandomrides1296]

Sooner or later, most things come back in style. Hopefully crossovers and SUVs will be become unpopular and the cool station wagons will be back in style, especially with woodgrain sides, column shift automatic and bench seats (though for safety reasons, sadly, bench seats are not likely to make a comeback).

[@BELCAN57]

We've owned Subaru Outbacks for years now, they're not the full sized land yachts of old, but they'll do. Growing up Dad always drove a "wagon" and I've caught the bug too

[@LearnAboutFlow]

They are back, but outside of Subaru are now the realm of the elite, primarily the Mercedes E Class wagon which has garnered universal praise - if you can afford $80K+.

[@LearnAboutFlow]

@@theemulsionalchemist5688 "You may not remember our Kingswood, son, but you were conceived in it during the French Connection."

[@scooterdover2771]

We had the 72 Kingswood wagon. I remember for some odd reason I was the only one who could get it started, so I got to drive it most of the time. It could plow through snow drifts as good as a four wheel drive. I liked the 3 seats and the clam shell.

[@theemulsionalchemist5688]

glad to see this film has brought back memories. Not many of them left on the road

[@nickthomas181]

Glide away tailgate this made my Christmas!

[@theemulsionalchemist5688]

nice, thanks for watching

[@andrewbraverman4511]

My grandparents had a 1972 dark blue (no wood trim) Chevrolet Kingswood Estate station wagon.

[@theemulsionalchemist5688]

bet you wish they gave it to you.

[@andrewbraverman4511]

Yes I do. I think they are the best looking station wagons built. Not to mention that they seem pretty reliable as well.

[@buixrule]

We had a 73 Buick Estate wagon with the clam shell rear gate and 455. Loved that car. What memories.

[@theemulsionalchemist5688]

thanks for sharing, these films bring back memories for me too

[@1940limited]

An immaculate one appeared on ebay about a year ago. It went for 20-30 grand, as I recall.

[@buixrule]

@@1940limited Wow! I guess Wagons have really come a long way from plain, utilitarian vehicles.

[@onlyweknow2]

I would trade my SUV in for that wagon.

[@theemulsionalchemist5688]

Wagons are the best

[@susanmarie4891]

Same!

[@carlm8821]

Watching this has made me ‘truly’ realize, what in the hell has the American auto industry come to. This is when you could buy a full size station wagon, use it as a grocery getter, take the kids to and from school, haul equipment for projects etc, enjoy a nice evening out on the town, and enjoy long trips…while towing an air stream, boat, travel trailer, vehicle carrier or whatever with full passenger/luggage load! You shouldn’t have to buy a Suburban/Tahoe, Silverado, or Express to do what these amazing wagons could do just as well, and better because you didn’t have the bulk and massive size! You might get lucky with a Traverse, but try any of this with today’s Equinox, Blazer, or Colorado and see how far you get.

[@theemulsionalchemist5688]

yes, most of the lineup today is too small. as for bulk I must say they seem big but actually handle quite well compared to some of the battleships of the 1960's and 70's

[@stevemino142]

Nothin like a big comfortable chevrolet wagon...where can I get one these units lol 😆 good footage love your channel

[@theemulsionalchemist5688]

Thanks 👍, glad you are enjoying

[@michaelwhite2823]

I'm sold! Where can I buy a Kingswood? Strange that they showed both 71 and 72 full sized wagons.

[@theemulsionalchemist5688]

their all gone, they made awesome demolition derby cars

[@michaelwhite2823]

@@theemulsionalchemist5688 You re right but there are a few out there. Very few.

[@ArmpitStudios]

Best looking wagon design ever! It’s weird that they called trucks and vans “station wagons”. Sure, *early* station wagons were closer to Suburban sized, but that was a long time before the concept of modern station wagons was formed.

[@jm1551701]

My Father swore By his Kingswood Estate, and it was a great car, a lot of room and very good on long road trips. Very Comfortable.

[@theemulsionalchemist5688]

a serious land yacht

[@VintageVaughnVehiclces]

I HAVE THE KINGSWOOD It's a great vehicle.

[@theemulsionalchemist5688]

Great to hear it’s still around

[@727100bear]

Chrysler, Dodge and Plymouth full size “fuselage styled” wagons (1969-1973) were better looking than clamshell styled wagons with their extremely uncomfortable third seats

[@1940limited]

@@727100bear Late 50s/early 60s Mopar hardtop wagons were very nice looking. Same for the 59 Mercury Colony Park.

[@patrickflohe7427]

@@727100bear How many times are you going to drop these comments? I like the Chrysler wagons of the 70s too, but damn....at some point, it’s time to start watching their videos instead.

[@cnfrisch]

You know you've arrived when you brought home a shiny new Chevrolet Vega Kammback!

[@scrappy7571]

I worked next to a older dealer tech missing 3 finger tips. One day I finally asked him about it. He said he was working on one of those damn clam shell tailgates and a heavy duty spring came loose and chopped them off... UGH! Fun fact.. the exhaust tail pipe was mounted across the rear under the bumper near the clam shell to melt ice in severe cold weather.

[@theemulsionalchemist5688]

ouch, that hurts just thinking about it.

[@jaymes1]

Now I know why it was ran like that, thanks!🤘

[@patrickflohe7427]

I think Chevy was the only one that had a manual spring-assisted tailgate. I never saw an Olds, Pontiac, or Buick that wasn’t powered.

[@scrappy7571]

@@patrickflohe7427 It must have been a strong spring to counter balance the weight of the tail gate. That's what chopped that guys fingers... ouch

[@johnyaudes3062]

We had a Kingswood Estate when I was young. I learned how to drive tanking this big boat round town lol. You learn to drive in this land yacht you can drive anything. Many fishing trips, sleeping out in the back...wish I could have that car now. The 402 was awesome but bump that baby up a bit...she's growlin lol love it

[@theemulsionalchemist5688]

nice, glad to hear about your memories. without seeing this stuff again many have forgotten about them

[@nycstarport8542]

My Dad had a 1971 Kingswood wagon. IMO the 'clamshell' tailgate was the best design, it got totally out of the way.

[@theemulsionalchemist5688]

these make the best demolition derby cars, they are in high demand

[@reallyrandomrides1296]

@@cellpat7392 Hopefully with so few of them left, the remaining ones will be preserved or restored by collectors and enthusiasts, or in the case of the really rough ones, used as parts cars to fix up the rest.

[@1940limited]

It was a neat design but I bet a bear to fix if it malfunctioned or was damaged in an accident.

[@1940limited]

@@reallyrandomrides1296 I think this is more likely than the demo derby route. But these cars aren't easy to restore. They don't have the materials in them like the 60s and 50s vintage cars. The best bet is to find an immaculate original, but it will cost you.

[@reallyrandomrides1296]

@@1940limited Yes, that's definitely the way to go, unless one of these cars has been in the family for a long time and has sentimental value. But, even buying one of these station wagons in mint condition is pretty affordable compared to, say, a Mustang, Camaro or Charger from the 1960s or early 1970s.

[@christophereichorn7918]

Become future famous Demolition Debry in early 1980's!

[@theemulsionalchemist5688]

yes, I have personally built them for this purpose. ran the Placerville derby until it was canceled a few years ago

[@727100bear]

I never cared for the “clamshell” rear design. Chrysler Corporation’s fuselage styled full size wagons with their integrated rear window air deflectors were much more stylish and practical - also the factory installed dual air conditioning option was a Chrysler Corporation exclusive on full size wagons - GM and Ford wagons offered no additional cooling capacity for second and third seat passengers

[@theemulsionalchemist5688]

didn't realize that, good information, thanks for watching

[@patrickflohe7427]

We had an Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser wagon, and loved it. The clamshell design was awesome, and wasn’t hindered by something blocking the tailgate from opening. I liked the looks of the Chrysler wagons too, but these were the best.

[@UsefulEntertainment]

Yes the clamshell was ugly, not to mention if they get hit from behind the door jambs up. And YES, coming from a GM guy, Chrysler had the BEST looking wagons from 69-73, the rooflines were hot and the 71-76 GM B Bodies had nasty looking rooflines, they also had ugly dashes in them too. However, the 74 and up full sized Chryslers were ugly af.

[@ArmpitStudios]

Ugly?! Far from it.

[@1940limited]

One in nice shape today brings a lot of money. Same for the Ford.

[@theemulsionalchemist5688]

yes, anything from that era in nice shape will bring some serious dollars today

[@1940limited]

@@theemulsionalchemist5688 There's a 73 on ebay right now in so-so condition, but unmolested. I think they want high teens for it.

[@edmaphet6]

Down side was the side mount gas in the back and Not under the car. Dad had a 75 and you could not get a New of used gas tank for this model.

[@MC-vo7vt]

Don’t forget to “raise “ the window before you lower the clamshell tailgate!!

[@patrickflohe7427]

That wasn’t an issue on the powered ones.

[@new2000car]

Thanks for the great video. Great car, great features. The variable ratio steering was pleasant and better than the Ford’s. It had good features and was tough and reliable. Apparently gm put more excellence and care in putting out a good car for the time than they did with the Vega. Consumers assumed that the little chevy was still a Chevy, still a great choice whereas one was a pleasant dream and the other a nightmare. Good way to destroy a company.

[@1940limited]

The Vegas were junk. Rust buckets and a coffee grinder for an engine. My uncle had one which was eventually passed on to me, still in nice shape with low mileage, but I didn't keep it. Actuality, I couldn't wait to get rid of it.

[@theemulsionalchemist5688]

thanks for all the comments, please keep watching

[@wall-e3313]

My dad had a '72 Townsman. Bel air trim level, but it did have the electric gate instead of the handle. It was dark blue with a black all-vinyl interior. The a/c never worked. Like an oven in there.

[@5litreho]

Mom had a 1971 Kingswood Estate with 454 engine. It was a very nice car, but got like 8 mpg Lol

[@theemulsionalchemist5688]

not bad for a big block.

[@axelkjlhede4652]

@@theemulsionalchemist5688 I have a '73 Olds Custom Cruiserwith a 455cui, I get 13 mpg

[@mhammer5]

Even though the downsizing occurred in 1977 and up those models still had room. Not for sure if the 1977 up to 1989 could but the 1990 thru 1996 bodies Roadmaster, Caprice could haul 4' x 8' sheets of plywood inside the car.

[@theemulsionalchemist5688]

that's a lot of room .

[@mhammer5]

@@theemulsionalchemist5688 Yes room at a bargain. I had a 1984 Chevy Caprice four door sedan. This is a car that is not aerodynamically designed however on a trip to California and back I got 26.5 miles per gallon. I had a little under a quarter of a tank of gas left with 550 miles on that tank at the gas stop. This was a 305 cube engine and 700 R-4 transmission that is used in the pick up trucks. It being full frame it was rated at 4,000 lb towing. For the time period I don't know of any foreign car that could do the same.

[@1940limited]

80s vintage Caprice wagons were nice cars. They also bring a premium price today if you can find a nice one.

[@1940limited]

@@mhammer5 I had an 87 Caprice 4-door and it was a really nice car. Sadly, I didn't keep it.

[@patrickflohe7427]

The GM wagons from ‘77-‘90 were basically the same body and frame. ‘90 was the last year of the “old style” that was replaced by the rounded bubble bodies. I owned a ‘90 Olds Custom Cruiser wagon....absolutely loved it, and so did my wife.

[@batmore1]

Of the GM clamshell wagons, Pontiac, Oldsmobile, Buick, the Chevrolet was the best looking of the bunch. I always thought the Pontiac clamshell was ugly.

[@theemulsionalchemist5688]

those clamshells were Hy tech for its time

[@patrickflohe7427]

I liked them all, but yes, the Chevrolet was a good-looking wagon! We had a ‘72 Olds Custom Cruiser, and that year of the Olds version was my favorite of them all!

[@gertraba4484]

Miniskirts!!!!!!!!

[@theemulsionalchemist5688]

those were the days

[@peteranderson037]

Is it me or are the first five notes of that theme song the same as the Jurassic Park theme?

[@theemulsionalchemist5688]

ok, I have to listen to it again now

[@daveroe8612]

Having owned an Olds Custom Cruiser with the electric clamshell tailgate, they sucked. They were problematic and the electric version is very slow. Also to open the entire rear in the rain, the rain fell directly into the cargo area due to the curved rear wondow.

[@patrickflohe7427]

We never had a problem with ours. However, just like electric windows, they’re best operated with the engine running, than just doing it off of the battery alone. You get more power to the electric motor with the alternator backing the battery up.

[@gertraba4484]

Did he back into that vega

[@reallyrandomrides1296]

No, but he came within about one inch of hitting it! Pretty good depth perception (or luck) considering backup cameras were not invented yet.

[@dave1956]

I never did see any advantage of Ford’s dual facing third seats. I also never cared for the rearward facing third seat.

[@theemulsionalchemist5688]

kind of goofy in my book. I did love them as a kid though

[@patrickflohe7427]

I loved the rear facing seats, but the forward facing ones of the clamshell wagons are my favorites. I loved riding back there!

[@briank.8925]

That was an odd edit at 3:22.

[@ArmpitStudios]

What, a standard crossfade is odd?

[@mamz1404]

اللهم صل وسلم وبارك على عبدك ورسولك محمدﷺ

[@BELCAN57]

Then gas started getting scarce........

[@theemulsionalchemist5688]

so did the horsepower

[@boataxe4605]

It was never scarce, if it was scarce in the 70’s wouldn’t it be gone by now? The oil “Crisis” was just bullshit perpetrated by OPEC and the politicians that they own.

[@patrickflohe7427]

It never got scarce. It was a manufactured “crisis”.

[@Paramount531]

So......trash Ford for having the dual action tailgate, then promote it as a feature of the Chevelle. This was the beginning of the end of the See the USA in your Chevrolet ad slogan. It died altogether in 1977 and dated back to 1951. Nothing that has replaced it even came close. My vote for the dumbes one ever, was "Baseball, hot dogs, apple pie and Chevrolet". I think the See the USA campaign was one of the best ones of all time.

[@theemulsionalchemist5688]

maybe they had a few too many highballs at the meeting that day

[@michaelflores2318]

Chrysler wagons outsold Ford Ford is #3 and still is the 3rd US auto maker Chrysler moved up to #2 because of all the ideas they came with and they are ahead of Ford Ford will be gone soon

[@LearnAboutFlow]

Love how you have to force down the vanishing tailgate. And what's with the cult member children? Was the family off to join Jim Jones?

[@theemulsionalchemist5688]

this was before Jim Jones. maybe he got his ideas from watching chevy films

[@LearnAboutFlow]

@@theemulsionalchemist5688 Actually it wasn't since Jim Jones as a cult leader had been around since the 1960s. He may have gotten some ideas from it, however, or the Heaven's Gate cult did. In any case, bizarro choice by the director/producer.

[@patrickflohe7427]

Huh? Only the manual versions had to be pushed down.

[@gmerchant11]

Such a ridiculous ad.. While unique, those clamshell tailgates were in reality a mechanical nightmare. Also, when snowy or rainy, the elements would drop INSIDE of the rear load area if the rear window was opened. It was such a great idea that GM went back to the conventional swing or drop tailgate on full size wagons from '77 onward.

[@theemulsionalchemist5688]

the clamshell wagons are worth quite a bit now. they were all snatched up by guys running demolition derbies. from first-hand experience I will let you in on derby 101, roll the tailgate down halfway and weld it in place. It makes an awesome battering ram

[@adamwelker1446]

Not like the shit boxes made now

[@toddbob55]

Fords LTD style country squire station wagons were way better ........

[@patrickflohe7427]

BAHAHAHA