1 of 1,528: 1965 Chevrolet Corvair Greenbrier
In its second year of production, the Chevrolet Corvair gained a van model called the Greenbrier. It was part of a series of utilitarian vehicles the Corvan 95, which shared the air-cooled engine of the new compact automobile. The 1965 model year would be the Greenbrier’s last and only 1,528 were produced. Already rare, this one seems to have the camper package that could be ordered. Located in Cos Cob, Connecticut, this unusual people mover is available here on eBay where the current bid is $5,800 (no reserve). Another cool tip brought to us by Barn Finder T.J.!
In appearance and design, the Corvan 95 (named after its wheelbase) and its derivatives were similar to the competing Volkswagen Transporter, which was essentially a bus-like adaptation of the VW Beetle that moved the driver over the front wheels (commonly known as a “cab over”). The Corvair Turbo-Air flat-6 engine was in the rear of the vehicle under a slightly raised cargo floor. With later versions of these motors, the displacement was 164 cubic inches, good for 95 hp. This one is equipped with a Corvair version of Chevy’s 2-speed Powerglide automatic transmission.
The Greenbrier was the van version of the Corvan 95 which came with windows all around and six doors (eight were optional). It would have its swan song in 1965 as Chevrolet (along with VW) would abandon rear-engine vans in favor of conventional or front-wheel-drive with water-cooled engines. The seller has owned this Chevy for seven years but stopped using it two years ago due to a lack of time. Rather than letting it sit around and deteriorate, he/she would rather allow someone else to restore it.
A dead battery may be all that’s keeping the old van from running, so hopefully, a little weekend tinkering will have it going again. We’re told that everything on this van is original and isn’t missing anything. As you can see from some of the photos provided, the seller has had a ton of adventures with this van over the years. The vehicle is far from perfect, but the seller suggests these things are part of its charm. It leaks a little oil, has rust bubbling in a few places, and it creaks when you drive it. Sounds great to me!
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Comments
I thought the Corvair van was the best of the bunch. It was just too far out there for many like my old man, who demanded the standard front engine type. Even the van movement of the 60s and 70s, very few had Corvairs. I never understood why.The Corvair van was superior in almost every way, except heat. It was Americas kick in the VWs grapes, but few went for it. To be clear, I think the author is mistaken, if I read that right, the rear engine VW vans didn’t end in 1965, like the Corvair. I believe they went on until 1991, anyone? Great find, doesn’t get much simpler than a Corvair and this has family fun written all over it.
Got my Greenbrier in high school in ’71. Couple friends had VW’s, all the rest had the front engines… 13 Corvair’s total. Last on was a 8 door Corvan…
Nice plate.
A great Todd Snyder song ! B- double E- double R- U-N
But just in case is another great one William!
It’s a shame Chevrolet didn’t sell a ton of them. In my opinion they are better suited to the American market than the type 2 or bus was in the US. More power and better handling. This looks like a nice one. So many love to rust but many have been restored out of a labor of love. Like I said before a strong community and good parts sourcing makes this van cheaper to restore and maintain over the VW.
Vanagon came out much later with front engine I think
Vanagons had rear engines till 1991 I am pretty sure. (last air cooled was 1983)
They weren’t called “Vanagons” when the front water-cooled vans were introduced. They were “Eurovans”
They were called Vanagons in the U.S A. ,I had a 1980 for a short period of time ; a friend of mine has 2 ; he is doing a Subaru engine conversion on one of them
Head and shoulders over the VW bus ….
Corvan 95 was aptly named after the length of its wheel base. 95 inches.
Love it! Tons of fun! Currently restoring my ’64. Guaranteed to get a smile or a laugh. During cruise events I’ll open the side doors and give pedestrians a lift.
Spent some time in Ohio, plenty of rust showing.
Does the blond come with it ???
i’ll never forget driving mine through town, looking in the rearview mirror to see flames coming out of the back but i still loved that darn thing and loved driving it.
didnt sell as the motor placement is in frnt of the rear axel so as to have a big box intrude in the ‘carry’ space. Vedub brought whole floor up (its pick up) or had the ‘box’ at the very rear.
Love that the co made this AND the cheb van (“G 10”, ’64/6) at the same time a yr or 2. Imagine seein both at once? That 1st gen I really like for looks – 90 inch WB, 4 or 6 cyl, forward control. I had 2nd gen & outfitted it as a wrk truck/live in (ie hippy van in disguise). It was a FC vehicle like 2nd gen. Do not like working on the modern vans (’68+) as the motor is inaccessible (stuck w/a cowl right in the middle – be it an “A”, “G” or “E” years 1968 – 96).
Have not wrked ona modern van ’95 + (sprinter style) cept to do an oil change (& MB is a weird european anyway- no dip stick, funny filter (wuz it 2?).
chrlsful, the engine is behind the rear axles, same as all the other Corvairs. this can be seen on Ebay, in the underside shots of the front and the rear suspension, where the oilpan is shown as being behind the flywheel housing. Sure wish I had room for this.
Listing pulled
’65’s had the recessed rear plate on the engine access door. Less broken plate lights than the earlier design. I owned one for quite a few years. It had 5 ashtrays. I always opted for the conversation pit style arrangement for the front bench seat. Really wanted to install helicopter-style headphones for everyone cuz it was a bit loud in there with the roar of the underpowered motor and the rattling side doors.
Ended, no sale. Lot of people getting rude awakenings.