Despite the seller’s claims, I can find nothing on the internet about any factory Corvair pickup that isn’t the classic Greenbrier cab-over version. I’m guessing this is actually a converted Lakewood station wagon — but it sure looks like it was done well! It’s listed for sale here on Facebook Marketplace where the asking price is $8,000. Thanks to Chuck F. for sending in this cool find! The little pickup is located in King George, Virginia.
I really wish the seller had included a picture without the cool tonneau cover in place to see what the floor of the bed looks like. As the original Lakewood rear door is a hatch-type, I’m also wondering if the necessary work was done to convert it into a bottom-hinged tailgate. As the rest of the modifications appear to be done to a high standard, I’m hoping the answer is yes. Factory Corvair wire wheel covers with spinners along with the white stripes add just the right level of sportiness to this classic vehicle.
While much maligned during its life, given modern tires and adjusted tire pressures a Corvair can be made to handle quite nicely. I really like the custom touches on this car… er… truck.
I’m pretty sure we’re looking at non-original seats, but who cares in this modified vehicle anyway? The Powerglide automatic will suit the truck just fine — you weren’t thinking of actually hauling something, were you?
Somewhere under there is the flat six-cylinder engine. If it’s the original one, it will have around 80 horsepower, but the Lakewood weighed less than 2,800 pounds so that’s probably enough power. Again, who would use this as a real truck anyway? I think it’s a cool custom – who’s with me?
This is the 2nd one that I know of. A member of Chicago Corvair Enthusiasts built one many years ago. He started with a Lakewood also. This would be an interesting driver.
I shared this photo with the Corvair forum. Several were bought up in the thread with pics. One guy called his the El Corvino
What? No side ramp? Lol. No thanks, there’s enough of the plague going around right now without buying one.
I used to work on one for a club member. His was a 62. It was well constructed but gain a lot of weight from the extra bracing.
Definitely a conversion with that 5-window cab. That just wasn’t a thing then apart from some old big rigs with early, 1940s-style sleeper cabs. If GM had seriously considered one they’d have used the sedan wraparound rear window and coupe doors with modified window frames, like the production ’59-60 fullsize El Camino.
Unsafe for vision at any distance 😉
Really well done…Probably won’t see another at your local car show.
Seats are Porsche.
Another back yard shade tree custom; no thanks….
Looks reasonably well done, a close-up look and a drive would sort that out. Many years ago I went to look at a late-model convertible. Seemed like a decent buy. And was pretty clean in the photos.
My eyes were telling me that it wasn’t quite right…
The seller was happy with my compliments about it being a good restoration…. so much so that he began explaining how he had put it together from two cars: One a front total, one a rear total.
🤔 😳 😧
Run Away! Run Away!
🤣🤣🤣
yes Jamie, I agree. Looks like the hatch moved forward, gait stayed there. Great idea – but – like my bronk 1/2 cab, no way to move the seat b a c k…
That is a nice ride, Too bad GM did not make these for real. A good idea to come up with a small Pick Up for todays market. Would be a nice change from all these GIANT MONSTER PROFIT MAKERS where the designers think the ASS END has to hang out into the next county!!!!
THANK YOU for saying that about today’s bloated vehicles. Finally someone who sees it, too.
When I was a kid, my Dad had something similar done to a SAAB 95. It was a wagon damaged in shipment to the US, and they sold the damaged cars at the HQ in New Haven CT. We used it for years to deliver parts. The body shop was able to make a functional tailgate out of the wagon’s top hinged unit. Wish I had a photo of it.
Just when I thought I had the definition of “Cool” figured out, along comes this Corvair creation. Ultra-Cool.
Mr. Fox, really? Super well done custom car, and that’s your response? Evidently any version of Hot Rod would also meet with derision. Not exactly sure why you’re cruising Barn Finds?-but welcome to the fray.
I’m not a Corvair fan- but I can appreciate the workmanship in this rig. Cute.
El Corvino or El Corvimo. In the last 33 years I’ve seen a half dozen of these jobs—some done well, some not so. Nearest to me is one in the Upstate of SC, where’s it’s been in one owner’s hands since the late 90’s.
ElCorvino?
Sounds like a great name for a pickup truck used by someone with a vinyard or a beer/wine store!
I love browsing CList and FB Marketplace, never know what you’re going to find, $2500 68 Firebird ragtop yesterday, and 69 Goat ragtop for $2500 today, both very ragged and rusty but complete, posted both on FB Barn finds page.
I’m not a modified car fan, but I do like this one. Good looking, nice colors, unique, seems to be well done. And you won’t see another one at the local car show.
Reminds me of one of those little pickups from Australia. I would cruise in this answering all the questions I could from looky loos. But for me add on A/C would be a must.
God bless America
This looks better than most of the El Camino type builds you normally see, but It needs a better rear window treatment. As far a “truck” the bed is only around 6-8″ deep at the rear due to the engine, so it would be relatively useless for cargo carrying. If you want a Corvair pickup, you have the Rampside or Loadside models. The wheel cover are from a 65-66. Still has a cool look to it and you can pretty much guarantee you would have the only one at the local cruise night.
Nice little rig for sure, I wouldn’t mind having this for a local grocery getter. To bad in CA that this would have to be registered as a commercial vehicle. You could not even put a match stick in the bed without getting cited. I have seen a few home diy conversions and most are very rough, but this looks like it was done by someone with some good planning. Nice find!
I’m betting the owner left the cargo cover in place because the floor area where the folding rear seat is located isn’t finished. And as pointed out above, if it’s finished as a true flat floor front to rear, the cargo area depth ain’t much.
But I do agree with other comments, for a homebuilt ElCamino type vehicle, this one is on the short list of those that look good. If I still had my restoration shop, I’d love to have this as a parts runner truck with our shop name on the sides.
And I agree with Johnmloghry, at my age, and with the hot/moist summers where I reside, I need vehicles with working A/C in them.
Meh. Needs a 4spd stick, upgraded mill (102, 140, turbo?), Return original seats, better “cab” window treatment, better than 64-69 wire hubcaps, etc.