It wasn’t that many years ago that I looked at station wagons and wouldn’t have given them much more than a second glance. However, having lived with them for a few years, I find them a wonderfully rewarding and practical vehicle. That is especially true of wagons like this 1969 Impala Kingswood Estate. This classic presents well and has a healthy V8 under the hood. Throw in the versatility of third-row seating, and it seems that it would be the perfect vehicle for any family contemplating a cross-country journey. If that sounds tempting, you will find the Estate located in Hayward, Wisconsin, and listed for sale here on eBay. The bidding has hit $10,001, but this figure remains short of the reserve.

The photos that the owner supplies are not what I would class as awesome, but they seem to paint a positive picture. Determining the color is difficult, but it appears to be Champagne Metallic. The paint holds a good shine, with no signs of significant flaws or defects. The faux woodgrain vinyl may have some slight lifting on its edges, but it looks consistent and free of obvious damage. The panels are straight, with no evidence of flaws or prior accident damage. The gaps are tight and consistent, and the overall impression is positive. It appears that rust is not a problem with this wagon because there is nothing visible in the supplied photos, and the owner doesn’t mention any problems in the listing. The chrome is in excellent condition, and the Rally wheels add a classy finishing touch. The glass is flawless, and it appears that this Impala has no immediate needs.

If I were to single out one aspect of this Impala as a highlight, that honor probably falls to the interior. I can spot some slight damage to one of the armrests on the back door, but the rest of the interior is in excellent condition for its age. The dash is spotless, while the pad is free from cracks and the usual deterioration around the speaker grille. The seat upholstery seems to show no evidence of significant wear or damage, while the carpet and remaining upholstered surfaces look spotless. This wagon comes with the versatility of third-row seating, meaning that it is a perfect vehicle for a larger family. As well as a factory AM radio, the interior is equipped with ice-cold air conditioning. The overall impression is that this interior needs nothing.

Potential buyers in 1969 could choose from several engines to slot under the hood of their new Kingswood Estate. This wagon’s original owner decided to tread the middle ground by ticking the box beside the 327ci V8. With 235hp being fed from that small-block to the rear wheels via a three-speed Hydramatic transmission, this classic should cover the ¼ mile in 18.4 seconds. While that figure may not sound particularly impressive, it stands up well in a vehicle of this age capable of seating eight people in comfort. Driving chores are made that much easier by the inclusion of power steering and power brakes. The owner says that this wagon runs and drives well, suggesting that it is ready to tackle that cross-country journey for someone wishing to channel their inner Clark Griswold. It may not be a muscle car, but it should devour the miles effortlessly at highway speeds.

Sometimes it can be easy to gauge the desirability of a particular vehicle by assessing its bidding history on eBay. That is the case with this 1969 Chevrolet Impala Kingswood Estate. Since the owner listed it for sale, it has received an impressive fifty bids. That suggests that there are plenty of people who like what they see. With the ongoing popularity of classic station wagons, I would not be surprised to see bidding top $20,000 before the hammer falls. It will be interesting to know whether any of our readers have ever owned a wagon like this and whether they found that to be an enjoyable experience. Over to you for comments.