It is the Sunday Edition of the Hooniverse Weekend, and in conjunction with Eric’s Liveblog at the 24 Hours of LeMons’ Doing Time in Joliet Crapcan Race, I thought i would highlight some vehicles that you can acquire to either tow your racing heap, or at least crash in the pit area while you’re rebuilding you magnificent machine. This Greenbriar Van falls into the latter category, as a Corvair Flat 6 may be perfect for racing, it’s not quite set up to tow anything. So, could you see yourself piloting this forward control van? Ahhh, the Corvair Forward Control Trucks of the early 60’s, created to compete with one pesky Import in the form of the VW Type II, and GM took the formula to absurd heights. It was offered in a 95 inch wheelbase panel van, two different forward-control Pickup Trucks, and the Greenbriar Passenger Version. However, unlike the VW Type II, these trucks were offered for a very brief time period, from 1961 to 1964 for both the Panel Van, and the Pickup. with the Greenbriar soldiering on for one more year. They were replaced by versions of the more conventional Chevy Van, with the engine mounted between the front seats, and a very basic suspension system. This Greenbriar is a 1962 version, and according to the listing:
This Is a incredibly nice vintage Chevrolet Corvair Van that has been restored to better than new condition with the combination of the best improvements for power, reliability, and handling. This really cool vintage 1962 van in top condition and it is ready to go. It needs nothing and is a dream to drive with the automatic transmission. It features three rows of seats upholstered in correct material and has the rare door panel option, that has been recovered in the correct pattern. This van has top quality two stage paint that was applied after the body was stripped to bare metal and epoxy primed. The paint colors are GM artesian turquoise with a off white stripe and roof. The interior is Chevy desert fawn. There is Extra paint that will go with the van, The paint codes are also attached to the glove box. Tinted side glass was never a option for Corvair F.C,s , But this one has it. All of the glass has been replaced along with the windshield. All of the window channels, window seals, window felts, and vent window rubber has been replaced. The rear floors were in great condition and were refinished in cargo bed liner. All of the exterior bright work was replaced or re-plated. The Engine is a 110 truck rebuilt to better than new specs for high torque and mid range power when coupled to the Powerglide. Its a 1966 XXY replacement truck engine rebuilt with .010 /.010 crank nitrided after machining by Charlotte Crankshaft, welded crank gear, fully balanced, .040 TRW forged pistons, Clarks cylinders, molly rings, std copper head gaskets, 889 cam straight up, failsafe gear,top cover bolted to baffle. The heads are 110 truck heads with the exhaust rotators, close clearance Otto Guides, New valves, 3 angle valve job and No Valve seals, with thermistor in the left head and careful attention paid to cooling air flow. The shrouds are powder coated with folded fin cooler. Always run on Synthetic engine, gear, and ATF. No oil consumption between 3000 mi oil changes, pulls like crazy and has no problem holding 75 on the freeway with 3:55 axle. Big hills do not bother it. It runs perfect and needs nothing. I just serviced all of the fluids in May 2014. The instruments include a Tach, oil temp, and cylinder head temp gauges. There are no leaks ,smoke or abnormal noises. The van has within the past year, had 4 new KYB shocks, starter solenoid, fuel tank float, new exhaust crossover pipe, brake fluid flush, brakes checked and adjusted. The tires are fairly new BFG’s 225/70-14 on 14×7 wheels. With front and rear sway bars added. The van goes straight down the road and stops firm and has no pulling.
This is a Fixed Price Auction, and the owner wants $17,500 for this rather nice van. It is a lot of money for a vintage van that has remained mostly stock, but look at it this way… All the hard work is done, and all you have to do is maintain it while enjoying it. Take a look at the listing and tell me what you think about it… [sc:ebay itemid=”271554406926″ linktext=”1962 Chevrolet Corvair Greenbrier Van ” ]
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