Corvair Cargo Van at Salvation Army

I can't stop thinking about this killer Corvair Van I saw yesterday at the Salvation Army. It's a no window cargo van with a very straight body and runs; although the can of starting fluid makes me think not well.

Should I even consider such a beast? I already drive a 6 cylinder Falcon that is slower than a slug, but is so dependable, it can't be ignored. Would the Corvair even be slightly dependable?

I'm going to go back over today and take a closer look. They have half off sales most Tuesdays. I probably could get it for about $1000.

 

I have always had a spot for those 'Vair Vans & Trucks..

I'd say go have a look, See if they will let you mess with it & try to get it running.

If it runs decent, Make them an offer ... They Got it Free & are In the Mood to SELL

I think one would be a *****en Bike Hauler painted Blue & silver Flake with chrome reverse & Cal Custom Spiders

 

I'd snap it up, do a mid engine conversion with a SBF, or god forbid, a SBC, lower it a bit, and drive the wheels off of it!

http://www.corvaircorsa.com/crown1.html


I love those old corvairs, and the corvair motor can be built to make respectable power, if you don't want a V8.

They can be dependable, if they're built and maintained right.

 

drove corvairs for decades, thrown belts, linkage has to be adjusted really nice,110 horse, they would not beat your slug your driving now, 2 carbs, can of ether is factory i think, chokes need to work and timing is just popints but can go electric, that is the reason for the starting fluid, more than likely just need a going over, points fuel filters,carbs working right,


one goes to sticking no gas to half the engine.really low per then

if you want to drive something with "character"
is a power glide or manual? if powerglide you have no park, have to use parking brake,if that stuff is not good, many feet of cables and the stuff has to work, other wise no way to park it,


cool machine ,they ain't making them anymore

 

Aren't they the basis for the Mystery Machine? They are definately cool stuff.

 

"I think one would be a *****en Bike Hauler painted Blue & silver Flake with chrome reverse & Cal Custom Spiders"

That's what I'm thinking. And I already have the bike picked out. I had wanted to build a BMW R-90 bobber, but have since fell in love with the Redneck Engineering Bobber frame. Toss a bad-*** Buell engine in it and I'm good to go.
I'm gonna need more money...

 

Anyone got a pic of one?

 

corvairs are as dependable as any other car. I should know, I own one that has taken me all over the state. Switch the stock fuel pump for electric or carry a spare. People talk about throwing belts but it's never happened to me, but I carry a spare just in case.

BTW, there isn't enough space in the corvair van to haul a bike. The engine bay makes the back a little tight, like a VW. Although I used to haul a bike around in my eurovan, god rest it's soul.

 

Think.... Paddy Wagon....find A Picture Of It

 

Book to find: "How to keep your Corvair alive" by Fitch...
There used to be another nut making engine swap parts for Corvairs... Kennedy I think?? adaptors for anything. Mid engine syle swaps kill the thing as a truck...but he made things like adaptor for aluminum Buick V8 in normal location, I believe.

 

Looks like this, only a van...

 

Hell yes you should do it. When is the last time you saw one?
It's a ton of fun driving something old...it's even more fun driving something old that's unusual. I wouldn't have thought my '62 Chevy Suburban is unusual, until I started looking for others. I saw a '64 sub on the road when I drove it home a year and a half ago, and a '66 at my swap meet for sale three months ago.
You get points for driving old...you get big bonus points for driving old and uncommon. Do it, you'll be glad you did.

-Brad

 

Corvair Greenbrier window vans.

 

i dove my friends Corvan to work every day for about 6 months awhile back,i was having too much fun to give it back!
we had to replace a burnt valve and re-ring it when he first got it,ran like a champ.

 

I drove one like this, a Greenbriar, when I got out of the Navy in 1969. I'd p*** on it if it's an automatic. The little coupes couldn't get out of their own way with the powerglide. Full throttle or part throttle...it's the same speed either way. It doesn't go any faster. It just makes more noise.

Mine was a 4 spd. It was fun to drive. You sit right over the front wheels. When you let out the clutch you rise up in the air about a foot. You have to get used to turning corners sitting so far forward. The first few corners... you'll bounce the rear wheels off of the curbs. Mine had the gasoline heater in it. The heater was blowing warm air before the tubes in the AM radio could warm up enough to get any sounds. They are so unique that once you have one you have a fondness for them.

 

If you can handle the freak-factor grab it. There can't be many of the windowless ones left.

 

With the Falcon and the van, maybe you can get a quan***y discount on orange triangles for the rear. Get a VW van for a slow boat trifecta.

 

I'm for the mid-engine conversion, V8 maybe, big L6 maybe.
Definitely an eye-turner and something to think about. If it runs good or at all for a grand you could have some good profit in it IF the body is really solid.

 

Then you could name them The Nina, The Pinta, and the Santa Maria and cruise around in a caravan..

 

I would have to try and snag that oneif I were you. You should def. consider it!

 

I had one of those in the early seventies.......80 hp, Powerglide. It was the "piano van" with doors on both sides. It did a respectable job of carrying our desert bikes but it was really down on power. We used to go from the San Fernando Valley all the way up to Palmdale in low gear because it wouldn't even pull high gear! The thing didn't seem to mind it....never threw a belt but leaked a fair amount of oil.

 

Clarks Corvair Parts Shelburn Falls M***. Talk to Calvin Clark or any of the crew there.Corvairs can get plenty of power for a daily driver.theres electronic ignition conversions as well as electronic fuel injection.adapt 2 pinto type carbs for a quick boost of a few ponies.everyone seems to know that there were turbo Corvairs but did you know that they also had a factory Paxton blower option?I had 22 of these cars all at one time!Lost all but the 4 I had moved to a town siesure where they were stored.Now I haven't done this but I don't see why you couldn't throw a shift kit in that glide and a better torque converter for a little better performance Clarks can answer that Richard Finches books on Corvair are real good to have
I'd grab it because like everyone says not many of the pickups and vans got saved

 

If it runs, GET IT. Here's a pic of a panel van.

 

The van is still there. PLEASE someone save it. I'm telling you it's clean and can be driven home. After this much time has p***ed, I bet they'd take anything for it.


Salvation Army 1300 S. Lewis St., Anaheim 714-758-1414

 

this is just too funny.

 

Wait? What?!?!?!....The salvation army sells used cars, why don't i ever see them selling cars around here?

 

Most of the Salvation Army and Goodwill stores around my area usually list the vehicles, boats, expensive antiques, basicly big ticket items on their internet sites in an auction format. One local Salvation Army does have a 70's style fibergl*** speedboat out front. Been there almost a year.

 

My mom works at the salvation army and I have never heard of them selling cars, I know she can hook me up with a deal if they were at her store.

 

Can you describe condition of it? Straight original paint? rust bucket, bondoed etc? Auto or stick? Any pics? How much do they want for it?

 

Rolling Billboard! Shop truck! Parts hauler! Pinstripper!

Somebody snag it, before Pick-n-pull does.