OK, all of you “The Walking Dead” fans, here’s your chance to buy some zombie insurance. You never know, the next apocalypse could be right around the corner and you wouldn’t want to be caught unprepared. Just like this ’59 El Camino covered earlier this week, this 1964 Chevrolet “Corvan” has undergone quite a conversion, so let’s check it out. It’s located in Reno, Nevada and is available, here on Facebook Marketplace for $9,900.
The seller refers to this van as a “G20″ but it’s not, it’s a Corvan, also known as a Corvair van or a Corvair derivative. What’s remarkable is that the seller has managed to find a way to plunk the body onto a 1965 Ford F-100 4X4 chassis. While the seller states that an F-150 was used, I think he means an F-100 as a 150 wasn’t offered in ’65. As with the El Camino, again we have a mismatch in wheelbase with the van body measuring in at 95″ while the F-150 stretches out to 115”. Nevertheless, it fits together, probably, courtesy of a shortened truck frame. Personally, I love the bumpers, perfect for zombie flattening or pushing left-lane bandits out of the way. No word if the roof-mounted armament actually works…
There’s no flat-six powering this rough rider, ensconced between the frame rails is a Chevrolet 350 CI V8 of unknown provenance attached to an unidentified automatic transmission. The small-block is sporting an aluminum intake manifold, Edelbrock four-barrel carburetor, and Mickey Thompson valve covers. The seller claims, “Runs good and can reach highway speeds“. Unfortunately, there’s no reference to this van’s four-wheel-drive capability or operation. The assumption is that the axles, driveshafts, and transfer case are from the Ford donor but that’s not known with certainty. It would be nice to know a bit more about the entire fabrication/modification undertaking so an inquiry will be necessary if one wants to learn more.
Inside, there is an open area with a single bench seat and a cargo area positioned behind that seat. The floor area in front of the seat appears to have a panel that provides access to the engine – it’s a tight fit, but some engine servicing may be accomplished from underneath.
The Instrument panel is a nice surprise, it’s loaded with aftermarket gauges and is certainly a lot more informative than the original Corvan’s speedo-fuel gauge combo. Form-fitting, replacement bucket seats are in place along with a tilt steering column and aftermarket steering wheel.
If you’re looking for some sort of a daily driver, I’d keep looking but when the next out-of-this-world, catastrophic event occurs, you may be thankful for this van’s can-do (as in running over whatever) ability, don’t you think?
All too often, builders of these abominations take a relatively rare vehicle, that was sitting for years, and convert it into something, maybe 3 people( including the builder) may enjoy. A Corvair van has GOT to be one of the scarcest vehicles, I’d think, a much bigger calling than this would be an original van. These so-called “homemade” vehicles, often take in little account for alignments, safety, and practicality. Too tall for any off road, and a handful on the highway in a stiff cross wind. “Death Wobble” will be strong with this one,,,
I’d trade my hot rod for this,,, a Barris Mini T roadster, on a custom shortened ‘65 VW pan, 1719 performance motor w/ dual Weber carbs, and zoomie exhaust,, clear tItle, garage kept
Yes all true HoA, but with those front seats you can easily hose them off after you s yourself silly trying to outrun the zombies.
Given the direction we’ve been moving in since March 2020, this may be your daily driver by 2025.
I think I’d rather have the International Fire Truck with the cab mounted water cannon. That is the ultimate vaxocalypse vehicle.
Another example of rampant drug abuse…
That said, the general presentation is good. The proportions are pleasing. It is better balanced than, say, a Gremlin X on a Jeep frame….
Notice the heat blanket insulation on the front floors…
Another wonky thing on the Corvair van was the window winder handles on the driver’s side rear windows! Check it out! Something the mini-vans could have copied…
You could easily get on national news with this one.
I’m liking the basic 4×4 part of it. Take off all the tacky barnacles welded to it, strip out & re-do most of the interior and with any backyard project, go through the motor and electrical. By the time you’re done, you better love it to death since you’re not going to get your money back out of it.
Those seats would be the first item to go. They have threaded inserts in the plastic bottom to bolt up to. A 5 mph tap, can cause the seat bolts to pull out from the actual seat base. Very unsafe, sold as “racing” seats, but not approved by any known credible organization.
I would look at this one with a very careful eye. The owner/builder may not be on top of doing things right or safely on other parts of this vehicle.
Very true. They are sold as racing seats but you never actually see them in cars at the track. They are/were popular with the tightwads that are trying to impress people with their “race car” at the local car show or cruise.
Steve R
I did some checking on Google and confirmed what I thought. The Corvair Model 95 also known as a Greenbrier was the passenger version with side windows seen here. The Model 95 also came in the Corvan version without the side windows. This was the cargo van . The Model 95 also had the pickup, step side or ramp side versions. As a young lad with 3 then later 4 siblings we had a Greenbrier as a family car for a few years.
This could be really cool. Or a complete disaster. Or both. It might be worth the money if it was done well. But what are those odds. Agree the seats need to go.
doesnt show here but I didnt like the ‘big box’ in the way, in the back (engine cover). And I thought it was called a Greebriar? or wuz dat da corvair station wagon? no, I thought that wuz the Lakewood…
Some of the comments are so hilarious because they are trying to take this kind of thing seriously ! Lighten up. This is supposed to be a fun hobby.