Greenbrier Van---HELP

[redone76]

Looking for a 1961-1965 Chevrolet Greenbrier Van. Wife and I want a unique family cruiser to putt to the beach and back. Not looking for anything fancy and I don't mind a project. Found a few but they were complete rust buckets but decent part donors. I know its a corvair engine but I'm not looking to drag race the thing! I've noticed some of you guys are masters of the craigslist search so I welcome your help. Or let me know if you've got one just sitting in your backyard you'd like to get rid of! Thanks in advance

This one is in Phoenix...so far the best I can find...

 

[Yellowboat]

search tempest works for me.


http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/cto/5900942276.html



this one is the only one I saw that was not a rust bucket.

 

[redone76]

search tempest works for me.


http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/cto/5900942276.html



this one is the only one I saw that was not a rust bucket.

Thanks bud! Its stupid nice but a little out of my price range and on the other side of the country. Looking more to pickup with my flatbed trailer...something I could grab on a weekend

 

[wsuwrhr]

Dread Pirate

He is these car finder doood here.

 

[Yellowboat]

Thanks bud! Its stupid nice but a little out of my price range and on the other side of the country. Looking more to pickup with my flatbed trailer...something I could grab on a weekend

all the other ones had more rust then steal =(


not to mention they were not much less...


just look at this one.

http://duluth.craigslist.org/cto/5842529639.html

he wants 5k for that... you will spend more then $1000 just buying the paint/primer/sand paper and that's after you fix all the crap wrong.



if it was me, if the 1st one is decent, 6k is a good price. you will spend way more on a project.

its not that much to have a car shipped.

 

[redone76]

all the other ones had more rust then steal =(


not to mention they were not much less...


just look at this one.

http://duluth.craigslist.org/cto/5842529639.html

he wants 5k for that... you will spend more then $1000 just buying the paint/primer/sand paper and that's after you fix all the crap wrong.



if it was me, if the 1st one is decent, 6k is a good price. you will spend way more on a project.

its not that much to have a car shipped.

This is true but I don't have 6k in the budget for this project. I knows these vans aren't worth a whole lot too. I wont buy anything without putting eyes and hands on it either. I've learned from past mistakes

 

[redone76]

Also I'm not looking to build a show car here. I kinda want the beater, patina look to it. That's why I like the one in Phoenix. I don't want to care if the kids get sand, soda or boogers all over it.

 

[wsuwrhr]

Also I'm not looking to build a show car here. I kinda want the beater, patina look to it. That's why I like the one in Phoenix. I don't want to care if the kids get sand, soda or boogers all over it.

How about Tetanus?

Everyone good on their shots?

 

[coolchange]

Those arent give aways anymore. Everyone that wanted a split window but couldnt afford it are snapping up corvairs. I think they're cool. My brother has several Corvairs. Hes the guru. He's building a greenbriar overland. 4x4 Merc deisel.
I think pixrthis on the board, dad has one. I think its pretty good but have not seen it. Might be worth a try anyway.

 

[redone76]

How about Tetanus?

Everyone good on their shots?

Hahaha! Good point. Gotta check with the ol' lady on that. Hell my son likes to get greasier than I do!

 

[redone76]

Those arent give aways anymore. Everyone that wanted a split window but couldnt afford it are snapping up corvairs. I think they're cool. My brother has several Corvairs. Hes the guru. He's building a greenbriar overland. 4x4 Merc deisel.
I think pixrthis on the board, dad has one. I think its pretty good but have not seen it. Might be worth a try anyway.

You're totally right man! I dig them too. I looked at 2 in Santa Maria but the rust was so bad I could poke holes into the body with my fingers. The guy did have a shit ton of corvair cars and parts too. I hope pixrthis pops in the thread, maybe he knows of some for sale?

 

[squirtnmyload]

Thanks bud! Its stupid nice but a little out of my price range and on the other side of the country. Looking more to pickup with my flatbed trailer...something I could grab on a weekend

This is local to me. I can go look at it for you.

 

[redone76]

This is local to me. I can go look at it for you.

That's pretty cool of you! Let me show it to the boss lady and see if she'll gimme some more money

 

[HST4ME]

 

[dread Pirate]

Dread Pirate

He is these car finder doood here.

Tough one to find. I see them occasionally as I am half assed looking for a 60's Econoline. (My 1st car) I'll see what I can do. Used to know a Corvair hoarder outside of Sacramento, but it's been years,,,,

 

[redone76]

Tough one to find. I see them occasionally as I am half assed looking for a 60's Econoline. (My 1st car) I'll see what I can do. Used to know a Corvair hoarder outside of Sacramento, but it's been years,,,,

Thanks bud!

 

[squirtnmyload]

That's pretty cool of you! Let me show it to the boss lady and see if she'll gimme some more money

Buy it, fly here, take the weekend and drive it back!

 

[dread Pirate]

Thanks bud!

The hot ticket with Corvairs is to swap in a Subaru motor.

 

[redone76]

Buy it, fly here, take the weekend and drive it back!

Hahaha! I like that plan! Think it'd make it in a weekend? Speed demons they are not

 

[dread Pirate]

That one in Pittsburg looks like the ticket! As long as it's not rusted out from the salt it might be worth following up on as you already have someone offering to help. :thumbsup

 

[redone76]

The hot ticket with Corvairs is to swap in a Subaru motor.

Say what?!?!? Gotta look that up now!

 

[Yellowboat]

Tough one to find. I see them occasionally as I am half assed looking for a 60's Econoline. (My 1st car) I'll see what I can do. Used to know a Corvair hoarder outside of Sacramento, but it's been years,,,,

If that was jim off elder creek, he passed away a few years ago and his widow sent the cars too the scrap yard.

 

[Sandlord]

I like the way you think. I had one of these 67 Dodge A100 vans for my first car and drove it like a rental from 76-81.
Sold it stupid cheap after buying a Datsun PU because I couldn't pay for storage at the time.

 

[dread Pirate]

If that was jim off elder creek, he passed away a few years ago and his widow sent the cars too the scrap yard.

Sad to hear, Small world we live in eh?

I went to L.C. Wood jr high...

 

[squirtnmyload]

Hahaha! I like that plan! Think it'd make it in a weekend? Speed demons they are not

Probably about 2,400 miles if you are in Cali. Could be a fun trip. The guy said 75 mph no problem lol

 

[squirtnmyload]

The offer stands, i know what problems to look for on PA vehicles. I can even take a very reputable local mechanic with me to look at it.

 

[Yellowboat]

Sad to hear, Small world we live in eh?

I went to L.C. Wood jr high...

Yeah it is, He was a cool guy.

 

[wsuwrhr]

Say what?!?!? Gotta look that up now!

Careful with that, get the gearbox too!! otherwise you will have four speeds in reverse. :yikes

 

[rrrr]

.

A Greenbriar would make an awesome summer cruiser. Good luck with your search. :thumbsup

 

[dread Pirate]

Careful with that, get the gearbox too!! otherwise you will have four speeds in reverse. :yikes

Can you flip the ring & pinion like a VW?

 

[redone76]

I like the way you think. I had one of these 67 Dodge A100 vans for my first car and drove it like a rental from 76-81.
Sold it stupid cheap after buying a Datsun PU because I couldn't pay for storage at the time.

View attachment 525611

I'm digging the look of this dodge van. I'm partial to Chevrolet but that can always change depending on what's out there

 

[redone76]

Probably about 2,400 miles if you are in Cali. Could be a fun trip. The guy said 75 mph no problem lol

Yeah...I wonder how that corvair drivetrain would hold up!

 

[redone76]

.

A Greenbriar would make an awesome summer cruiser. Good luck with your search. :thumbsup

Thanks bud. Hope I can find one. They're ugly yet like able...kinda like me

 

[coolchange]

Nothing wrong with corvair drive trains. If its a stick its probably a saginaw. Autos are power glides. Putting a subaru in a corvair would be about as major of a swap as one could do on any thing. Why bother? The smaller vair motors make 200 ft pounds of torque. 160 hp carbed and 210 turbo are a piece of cake. Want a bullet put a v8 in the middle, piece of cake. They make a swap that puts type 4 barrles on them and makes them 3.4 ltr. They marginal part is the have a small ring gear. I have an adapter for vair to vw i was putting in a sand rail old school.
We took a take out old vair motor and tried to blow it up. Wired the throttle wide open. After about ten minutes we realized it wasnt going to blow up and cut the fan belt. It finally seized up. We let it cool and fired it up and did it again.
My bros projects.
D production vintage road racer
Greenbriar 4x4
69 corsa
Mid engine 377 sbc with webers
65 Manx vair engine and trans
We kind of like 'em.

 

[wsuwrhr]

Can you flip the ring & pinion like a VW?

I've never messed with corvair stuff much, so I am not sure about that. Prolly depends on how the carrier gets loaded in the transaxle.

I just figured the OP has no idea that you are teasing and enticing him half the pertinent info.

 

[wsuwrhr]

I'm partial to Corvairs. They always sounded trick all hopped up. Clockwise rotation cam for a VW box. Single or dual manifolds milled off and triple PMO carbs added.

I did a super cool set of air cleaner housings years ago for a guy similar to the others I build for the VWs, for his PMOs.

Nothing wrong with corvair drive trains. If its a stick its probably a saginaw. Autos are power glides. Putting a subaru in a corvair would be about as major of a swap as one could do on any thing. Why bother? The smaller vair motors make 200 ft pounds of torque. 160 hp carbed and 210 turbo are a piece of cake. Want a bullet put a v8 in the middle, piece of cake. They make a swap that puts type 4 barrles on them and makes them 3.4 ltr. They marginal part is the have a small ring gear. I have an adapter for vair to vw i was putting in a sand rail old school.
We took a take out old vair motor and tried to blow it up. Wired the throttle wide open. After about ten minutes we realized it wasnt going to blow up and cut the fan belt. It finally seized up. We let it cool and fired it up and did it again.
My bros projects.
D production vintage road racer
Greenbriar 4x4
69 corsa
Mid engine 377 sbc with webers
65 Manx vair engine and trans
We kind of like 'em.

 

[RogerThat99]

I just saw a corvair on a lot for sale last week and I saw a Greenbrier Van in a front yard (they were in different locations). They were either in Lakeport, Willits, Fort Bragg, Susanville, Cederville, Alturas, or Fall River Mills. I can't remember which towns I saw them in.

I always see lots of cool stuff on the road, but can never remember, after the fact, where I saw them.

 

[troostr]

search tempest works for me.


http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/cto/5900942276.html



this one is the only one I saw that was not a rust bucket.

This is a solid deal right here IMO. 6 (obo:skull) is cheap for what's there. Call the flight out out and drive back a vacation and it's even better!

 

[redone76]

This is a solid deal right here IMO. 6 (obo:skull) is cheap for what's there. Call the flight out out and drive back a vacation and it's even better!

I agree and I'd jump on it but the boss lady squashed the idea of flying out and driving it back. I owe her a bathroom remodel before I spend that kinda cash on a weekend cruiser. RDP worked its magic yet again and I've already got a few leads I'm gonna work on today.

 

[redone76]

Well with the help of RDP and pixrthis I got with his father and brought this bad boy home today. Needs a little tlc but she should be cruising the roads soon

 

[n2otoofast4u]

Tough one to find. I see them occasionally as I am half assed looking for a 60's Econoline. (My 1st car) I'll see what I can do. Used to know a Corvair hoarder outside of Sacramento, but it's been years,,,,

Van or truck? I have this burning desire to own an eco truck. Here is a van that popped up during my search awhile back.

https://portland.craigslist.org/clk/cto/5931187990.html

 

[dread Pirate]

Van or truck? I have this burning desire to own an eco truck. Here is a van that popped up during my search awhile back.

https://portland.craigslist.org/clk/cto/5931187990.html

That is a gem right there! :thumbup: Too bad I'm broke,,, Kids race season starts soon and I'm already scrambling..

 

[n2otoofast4u]

That is a gem right there! [emoji106] Too bad I'm broke,,, Kids race season starts soon and I'm already scrambling..

It seems like it's a good deal, but there is some funny business with the title that makes me nervous.

 

[HydroSkreamin]

View attachment 530693
Well with the help of RDP and pixrthis I got with his father and brought this bad boy home today. Needs a little tlc but she should be cruising the roads soon

That right there is uber cool! Glad you found something local, and looks to be solid.

I recommend you hang out at http://corvaircenter.com/phorum/list.php?1, they can be a little clicky but there is a wealth of knowledgeable and helpful people over there. Sorry I'm not one of the helpful ones, I'm still kind of a noob after 4 years! I'm PressurizedPancake over there.

When I get my Daytona finished later this year I'll resume on my wife's 68 Monza. I used to think Corvairs were dumb as a kid because they never came with V8's. The engines were actually clever for their time.

There are parts specific to trucks and vans (FC's=Forward Cab). Good luck making it what you want it to be!

 

[redone76]

That right there is uber cool! Glad you found something local, and looks to be solid.

I recommend you hang out at http://corvaircenter.com/phorum/list.php?1, they can be a little clicky but there is a wealth of knowledgeable and helpful people over there. Sorry I'm not one of the helpful ones, I'm still kind of a noob after 4 years! I'm PressurizedPancake over there.

When I get my Daytona finished later this year I'll resume on my wife's 68 Monza. I used to think Corvairs were dumb as a kid because they never came with V8's. The engines were actually clever for their time.

There are parts specific to trucks and vans (FC's=Forward Cab). Good luck making it what you want it to be!

Thanks bud! I joined that forum and corvairforum.com also. I've been researching the crap out of these things. I thought the same thing about corvairs also. They're pretty darn unique once you get into them. Can't wait to get her on the road

 

[redone76]

Got her unloaded off the flatbed yesterday and dug into it today. Stripped and vacuumed the interior. Power washed the entire vehicle. Wife started removal of the stickers. I lubed all the door hinges and latches. Installed new battery and gave it a crank over. Started with some fuel in the carbs. Fuel pump shot. Ordered a new one and carb kits. Did a tune up and found #2 plug hole stripped. Gonna install a helicoil in the morning. Then I'm gonna rust proof the flooring and install sound deadener with new vinyl flooring. Still working on locating 2 additional bench seats. I love these projects

 

[HST4ME]

:thumbup: very cool!

 

[rvrrun]

Very nice! If it was me (and it's not) I wouldn't touch the paint/lettering on that van. Do the usual clean up and maintenance and lower it 2" in the front and it's perfect.

 

[redone76]

Very nice! If it was me (and it's not) I wouldn't touch the paint/lettering on that van. Do the usual clean up and maintenance and lower it 2" in the front and it's perfect.

We thought about leaving it but the van was used in a movie and the lettering is cheap vinyl that was faded and chipped off on the drivers side and back panels. Definitely going to lower the front after I get it running and see how she handles the streets

 

[coolchange]

I think Camaro hubs and disc fit those spindles add a power brake booster.