The very first car I can barely remember my parents owning was a 1965 Chevrolet Corvair, and my only recollections are that it was white and a sedan. Most buyers seemed to embrace the Corvair when it was introduced as a 1960 model, with Motor Trend magazine even naming it their car of the year. However, decades before the internet provided overnight doom potential for just about anything, a consumer advocate named Ralph Nader published a book in ’65 bashing the entire Corvair roster, which helped lead to its demise. A truck and van, known as the 95 series, were also available. However, they weren’t around for long, with production ending in 1965. Part of the 95 lineup included the Greenbrier, with this final-year model reported to be a strong runner already, but it also seems like a good candidate for a few cosmetic improvements. This one’s in Long Beach, California, and can be found here on Craigslist, where the seller has set his asking price at $16,000.
T.J., thanks a lot for your great tip here! As with the other models, the Greenbrier featured a rear-mounted engine, which used air to keep it cool. The flat six-cylinder powerplant fit snugly beneath a cover that blended well with the floor, leaving plenty of usable space for either cargo or passengers. A big plus here is that this one is also equipped with a 4-speed manual transmission, with the seller claiming that this van runs and drives great, with no mechanical issues awaiting the next owner.
With its cab-forward design, the driver sits over the front wheels, which certainly looks cool from the outside. Just be careful not to run into anything so that it won’t turn into a widowmaker. For the most part, the exterior seems solid, with most panels appearing strong and reasonably straight. There are a couple of minor body issues, including a dent on the rear of the driver’s side and a small hole in the roof. The seller describes the fading paint as personality, so the future owner will have to decide whether to make some repairs and respray the outside, or just enjoy driving this one for a while.
I’m a fan of the dashboard’s simplicity, and it appears to be in good condition, with the seat already treated to some fresh upholstery. With all of the entry points, this one could efficiently serve as a hauler for almost anything, but it also seems ripe to turn into one of those shagged-out retro interiors that were so popular in the seventies. I’m envisioning this 1965 Chevrolet Corvair Greenbrier as a promising project, but not necessarily right away, since it seems like a fun cruiser as is. How would you move forward here?
Lokks to have buick or olds rims on it. Neat.
My memory of my mom’s first vehicle was also a Corvair. It was stolen, but recovered and my mom drove it till it was time for a new car.
When did these become so expensive? That’s a lot of money for a used up van with minimal interior worn out paint needing body work.
Steve R
They’re rare, unique, and fun. They are a far better van than the multi million dollar VW vans
That may be true, but that can be said about countless cars with little value when compared to cars of the same class that are highly sought after. Merit often has nothing to do with market value, which is often sentimental.
The question is, when did these become sought after and expensive, or is the seller on a fishing expedition.
Steve R
I concur. There is no universe where this old gal is worth $16,000.
1965 Greenbrier is a rare piece. Not many made. I wish people would stop mentioning that whiz-bang attorney every time the word “Corvair” is used. He’s already had too much free publicity.
I agree! Nader’s mother owned a Corvair!!!
If they were that bad, why would you let your mother own one!!!
“The seller describes the fading paint as personality” A persnality disorder IMO. Just like some prople claim that patina gives it “character” more like a charater flaw.
I do not see any Vin # or the engine # it appears to be a FC engine, this would verify that it’s a 65. Also the license plate panel is not a 65, correct me if they changed it back in 65?? If this was an 8 dr. the asking price would be some what in line but not for a 6 dr.I assume you could order this configuration but first time I’ve seen a Greenbrier with windows on one side?
No, it’s a car engine. Look at the oil filler. Yes, the rear access door is incorrect.
This thing is kind of a wreck.
This is a truck/van engine. Look at the rear oil fill (not top fill/check) and air intake. Good day
Am I missing something? The photo of the engine clearly shows the top oil fill/check, not the rear as a truck engine would have.
That’s not an FC engine. You can see the oil filler cap popping up by the idler. The FC’s had a long diagonal tube accessed through the license plate panel.
You are right about the license plate panel. The ’65 had a re-designed recess for the plate so you didn’t keep cracking the earlier, flush-mounted license plate lights.
I’m with you on the Greenbrier part. I think this is a 95. Greenbriers had windows all around.
Hey… it’s a HALF-glASSED van. Apparently CM put glass on the right side because they couldn’t figure out where to hang that right side mirror. The Greenbriar was acceptable as a passenger vehicle, but the flat load floor of the Ford Econoline was more desirable for hauling as evidenced by GM’s adoption of the G10 series in 1964. I wonder if this on has the 164 ci engine or the earlier 145 ci powerplant. For my money, I would prefer the long wheel base Chevy 108 with a small block V8.
Buick wheels and they don’t help the cause
Way overpriced!!! I owned a’65 Monza Convertible. I really enjoyed it. I’ve been to Clark’s in Western Massachusetts. I’ve been around them and this is not in the condition to be asking that kind of money.
The VIN indicates it is a 1963 Corvan, built especially for the phone companies with extra right-side fixed windows. The windows in the right barn doors do not roll down so this is definetly not a Greenbrier nor a 65 pere the VIN.
I’ve owned and driven Corvairs since 1987
In this condition, he’s about 5-6K off the proper price.
Fully Restored it’s worth about 25. But not 16K for one that needs that much work just from a glance.
My question about Nader and the Corvair is why didn’t he attack VW which had the same swing axles he was whining about but had much worse other suspension (skinny skinny tires) than the Corvair.
I was rear enede by one of these vans doing 40mph in my 1956 VW Bug in 1967. Total repairs $255 paid by the father of the Corvair driver who was 16 and had his license for 2 weeks. He also offered me $2000 not to report the accident to his insurance.
Read Unsafe at Any Speed. HE DID.
Just not like he went after the Corvair.
In 1964 GM fixed the suspension issue with a transverse leaf spring.
In 1965 GM put the Corvette Rear Suspension in Corvairs.
THE POINT WAS THEN MOOT.
But that didn’t stop Nadir
The US Government tested the Corvair against the Falcon and the Valiant.
In all handling studies, Corvair outperformed both competitors.
But in truth, Lee Iacocca and the 1964 1/2 Mustang did more Damage to the Corvair than Nadir ever did. Camaro was already on the boards and it was then pushed.
Corvair and Camaro share a windshield, door handles inside and out, inside and outside mirrors, window cranks, and Rocker Trim Molding.
Actually I spent less on my rocker trim, strips and screws at Camaro Specialties than I would have buying from Clark’s Corvair.
And in 68, VW went to articulated CV joints which improved handling about 1000%. My first Bug was a 36hp 1956 but i graduated to a brand new 1970, $1839 with a 75000 mile warranty. Didn’t get to use it. Nothing ever broke. Drove it to 157000 and sold it for $500.
Had a 64′ I sold in beautiful shape for $400 back in the 70’s. Must be worth $150,000 now? Huh…
I recently sold my corvair can van in similar condition for $5,000.00. IF this was an 8 door van, maybe you could get that much for it.
Very straight, solid and over priced. One of these for sale not too far from me. (Looks better too!) I should stop in and check out the price next week when I drive by.
I drove both a VW van and a pickup. The handling was not the scariest part. That was the realization that YOU are the airbag. The scary part of the handling in the pickup was if you hit a patch of gravel while turning, the rear would slide freely at any speed over about 20mph. With the VW, the good news was that with 36hp, you’ll never go fast enough to challenge the suspension.
Beautiful looking van. Why the hell Chevy discontinued the Greenbrier when they did while continuing the Corvair for a few more years is beyond me.
With GM it’s all about dollars and cents. They had a new production of 6 cylinder engines (the 230) they could use the transmission, rear differential, and other “car” pieces to build the new “G” series van. PLUS they were in a war with Ford and Chrysler. The lower floor of the Falcon Econoline gave the vehicle more load capacity. The writing was already on the wall for the Corvair. And in true GM fashion, they waited until the Corvair was perfected when they stopped production. (,the same for the Fiero) GM has some great engineers. Unfortunately they have no say in vehicle decisions. The company is run by bean counters that NEVER listen to the engineers. The same with their marketing people. They NEVER listen to the engineers either. Yes, you are in the business to make money. But short term (less than 10 years) goals and bending to whatever Chevy dealers want. Has crippled GM and that will be the death (AGAIN) to GM. Marry Barra was thought to be a breath of fresh air. But her thought process is “,good old boy, GM stuck in the mud” same as always. You don’t think that the GM hierarchy will let someone with new ideas get put in charge do you? I worked in GM dealerships for over 20 years the management at GM continues to make the same errors time and time again. I’m glad that I’m retired and don’t have to try and make a living under their mismanagement any longer.
The VIN (3R125S114857) indicates it is a 1963 Corvan, not a 65 Greenbrier. Those Corvans were built special for the Bell System fleet but none were made in 65. The two passenger-side cargo doors have fixed glass, so that confirms it is a Corvan. If it were a Greenbrier, those windows would roll down. It has a few other features indicating it is not a rare 65 Greenbrier. Several of these Bell Tel. Corvans are still around but if the VIN on this one is as listed, someone has been swapping tags. The hidden VIN is easy to find on these so any prospective buyer should check it out fully.