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?