Extremely Rare Wagon: Corvair Lakewood

These don’t come around often, and I can only imagine not many were made.  This one’s in good driver condition, though the seller refers to some amateur rust repair we’d wonder about.  The price seems pretty reasonable for this unusual beast, however.  Wouldn’t you love to show up to Ralph Nader’s picnic in this thing?

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Granada Hills, CA
$4,200

Front end is pure Corvair.

The wagon version of the ‘Vaire doesn’t look too weird in profile, but the rear vents give it away us unusual.

Despite high floor due to rear engine, there’s some space back there.

Seat covers look like something from someone’s grandfather’s pickup, but eh rest doesn’t look so bad.

Sub-floor, air-cooled, flat-six goodness!

Ad text:

1961 CORVAIR LAKEWOOD 710 WAGON with highly desirable 4 speed transmission
Very Complete Original Running Driver

119,000 Original Miles
Turn Key Dependable Driver 
Highly Optioned for 1961 with 4 speed Trans (most others have the Powerglide 2sp)
Deluxe 710 Interior with Passenger Visor & 3 Color Option
Starts Right Up, Runs Drives, Stops and Steers
Good Clutch
New Tires with Baby Moon Rims
Clean Straight Body with Good Body Gaps, Good Trim and Very Nice Original Glass
All Doors and Rear Hatch Open and Close Nice 
Wipers, Turn Signals, Headlights, Brights, Folddown Rear Seat, Door Handles, Window Cranks and Gauges all complete and work well
Paint is Satin Finish (between a gloss & a flat finish) decent, complete and presentable

Has a few cosmetic issues, a little rust and a little bondo, but overall not bad at all
Need interior door cards repaired or replaced, rust in footwells has been effectively but a bit crudely cut out and replaced with sheet metal, better muffler, better weatherstripping (in doors only) and a few other small items. All parts for the Corvair Wagon are readily available (& share many parts with the Corvair Cars & Chevy II models(.. Still, it is quite useable just as it is.

These Wagons were only made 18 months in 1961 & 1962 by Chevrolet and are rare and greatly increasing in desirability and value according to Haggartys. Decently clean and Original Running Drivers like this one are becoming quite rare and sought after. This is the Ultimate Surf Wagon since Chevy made the Corvair Wagon not too large, and with an aluminum 6 cylinder rear engine that was aircooled, 18-20 miles to the gallon is totally possible. It sure looks the part as well. White roof stays cool in the sun, Back hatch opens out and up (shades the sun). A reasonably clean running, driving, presentable project…restore at your own pace, or use it as is…or both. Great PCH beach cruiser or grocery getter

$4200