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Lots Of Doors: 1963 Corvair Greenbrier Deluxe

right rear

We’ve seen a few of these Corvair vans lately, some in very nice shape, some not so much. Here’s an unusual one with barn doors on both sides listed on craigslist in Gilroy, California. The seller doesn’t say if it runs or anything about the state of the mechanicals. The $5,000 asking might seem high, but there are very few of these around. The 8 door option was not shown in the vin number, so there’s no way to know how many were built. They were originally designed for commercial uses but became popular with private owners as well.

open doors

This van has the deluxe package with interior panels among other options but you can’t tell what shape they are in. I wonder why the back doors were replaced. What sort of damage made it necessary and what effect does the rust or collision damage have on the rest of the van?

right rear

The body looks pretty solid with no obvious signs of rust. The only rust the seller mentions is the battery tray. There’s a lot of trim missing. It’s hard to imagine how this van could be worth the $5,000 asking. It would have to be running well and pretty well sorted out to be worth the asking. I don’t think most folks are willing to pay much extra for a couple of extra doors. What kind of fun uses could you find for this though?

Comments

  1. Avatar Alan (Michigan)

    Yep these really bare scarce. Someone will be able to say how many were produced, but whatever the number, not many are left.
    I saw one 30 years ago at a Corvair guy’s place, and it was a project resembling this one as far as needs go.
    Certainly could be fun, utilitarian, and extra cool if redone.

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  2. Avatar ydnar

    It would be a great car for a “keystone cops” skit, or professional “Chinese Red light” competition.

    Like 0
  3. Avatar Rick

    Back in the late 70s I had an 8 door ’63 Greenbrier like the one pictured above, except mine had windows only on one side. After it threw a rod, I scrapped it because at the time that’s all it was worth.

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  4. Avatar Jason Houston

    Oh, look! Another novice misconception, if it’s rare it must be worth $5,000.00!

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  5. Avatar Sunbeamer Stu

    Dad burned thru a lot of cars in his day, but he always remembered the Greenbrier. Was one of his favorites.

    1962. Maybe 63.

    Like 0
    • Avatar David G

      Great photo Stu, thanks for sharing it..

      Like 0
  6. Avatar Chebby

    True, 8-doors are pretty rare, but he’s been trying to sell this one for a while.

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  7. Avatar George

    Uses? Portable tennis net. Just don’t try jumping over it (or through) after winning.

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  8. Avatar cyclemikey

    “I will provide a bill of sale”

    Meaning what? That you don’t have the title? And it doesn’t run? And you want 5 large?

    Am I missing something?

    Like 0
    • Avatar Jason Houston

      In many states, a car of minimal value can be transferred on a Bill of Sale in lieu of title, usually in cases where the last registered owner is not known. It implies that the transferor gives up any and all rights and interest he may have in the car. For motor vehicles, it’s the equivalent of a Quit Claim Deed in real estate.

      Hope this helps!

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      • Avatar cyclemikey

        That gets you nothing. Without a valid title ,the transferor doesn’t legally own the car. And after the bill-of-sale transaction, neither do you. Especially in California, where this car is.

        With no history and no paper, you might be able to go the Vermont route, or something like that. But you’re not going to have a defensible title, and the price this car brings will likely reflect that. You wouldn’t want to put a lot of money in it.

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  9. Avatar Jim

    Very rare body style, it would look good dressed up. Nice cruiser.

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  10. Avatar Jim

    Not all states use titles or registrations, especially on vehicles older than 25 or 30 years. I bought my Torino in Alabama, went to my local New York State department of motor vehicles with “tag”, it looked 30yrs old and not very official looking, one quick glance, I paid and now it’s registered in my name. I asked the woman how she remembers all the other states paperwork and her response was “I don’t care”. My tax dollars at work!! I’ve gotten vehicles from Ohio, Florida and PA, never had a problem no matter how cheesy the paperwork looked. All the vehicles were 1973 and older, that probably played a role.

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    • Avatar Jason Houston

      That lazy clerk who said, “I don’t care” was either lying or trying to keep her agency’s trade secrets secure. California was once very open about the requirements published in their reg. manual, but in recent years they’re very nervous about allowing anybody to consult it.

      Alabama has always been a non-title state, as have some states in New England. New York was a non-title state until 1973.

      Today, all states have reciprocity, which allows them to honor each others’ regulations without inconvenience to the public. Historically, both New York and California have had two of the flimsiest motor vehicle departments in the history of the automobile.

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  11. Avatar Metalted

    My grandpa had two. Used them for delivering products. I have great memories of riding around with him as a boy. He loved his corvairs.
    But 5k is to high for sure for this van.
    👍

    Like 0

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