Chevrolet Corvair Greenbrier

Chevrolet used the name Greenbrier for two separate vehicles. The first was a 6-9 passenger window van based on the Corvair ‘95’ panel van. It is on this model that Oxford have based the new tooling. The second was the Loadside and Rampside pick-up trucks. Both variants used the Corvair powertrain in a truck body.

Chevrolet introduced the Corvair line-up for the 1960 model year as the first in a series of passenger compact cars. In 1961, they introduced a more utilitarian style which they named the ‘Corvair 95’. It was very similar in design and appearance as the multi-functional, versatile VW Transporter. Similar too was the air-cooled horizontally opposed Chevrolet Turbo –Air 6 engine located in the rear of the vehicle under a slightly raised cargo floor, reminiscent of the 4-cylinder engine of the VW. The 145 cu in engine developed 80 hp at 4,400 rpm. Engine size was increased to 145 cu.in. Later on, the Greenbrier Sportswagon came with a three-speed manual gearbox as standard although a two-gear automatic option was available. Again later, four speed manual transmission was available too.

Our 1:87 scale replica, here in a bright blue and white colour scheme with silver trim and – yes, two surfboards on the roof, fixed on a brown rack complete with silver frame! The interior is pale grey with a white dashboard and steering wheel. A light and airy feel is achieved with four windows down each side as well as two across the rear doors. The model also features a replica sliding door down the passenger side, one of either six or eight doors, depending on the real-life Corvair Greenbrier model. Our sportwagon is registered in 1961 in Illinois – Land of Lincoln.