I had a 61 Corvair Lakewood wagon in the late sixties. Transaxle started leaking transmission fluid so I gave it away. I didn't realize how rare they were. Sob.
We have two Lakewoods in our Corvair car club....one owned by Matt Wetzel(whidh is being restored) and the other by Carl Sanders(a daily DRIVER).....they will both be on the Corvair Run to Denver for the Corsa Convention around July 26th - 30th. Come Join US!!!
That was my mom's first new car after getting married. As I remember, you could take the key out of the ignition while it was running! It was replaced a few years later by full-sized Chrysler station wagons.
Oh how pretty. My neighbor had one, the same color when I was a kid. He parked it next to his Blue and White '59 El Camino. Early Corvair's were truly a beautifully sculptured car. And fun to drive too. Even a Lakewood with a two speed automatic was enjoyable to cruise to the beach, or down the highway in. A very comfortable ride, with ample leg room in the back seat.
No, not necessarily. Volkswagen Squarebacks and Buses, Corvair Greenbriers and Toyota's first minivans did just fine. The problem, as with front-engine cars, is a leaky exhaust system that can let fumes into the interior. Again, that dirty word, maintenance.
This makes me think of Ralph Nader's Coffin On Wheels. These were great cars and Nader finished them off. VW had engine in the rear, but luckily Nader never ran them in the ground. I always believed that is when government started getting into the auto industry. Now they control virtually everything.
Your response in generalities is very vague! You have anything specific which makes your assumption of my assessment of the Corvair? Anyone can respond with, your an idiot. Don't you agree? If you disagree with my commment, I deserve more than just I am an idiot!! Where's the substance of your disagreement? If you really have any... Care to elaborate more?
Poor Ernie Kovacs. His wife even agreed it wasn't the car. He had not slept in over three days and he was coming from a party which liquor was served. He had been working on a show. So many many people were killed in wrecks that involved Corvairs,Bugs ,Valiants and Falcons. The truth is Ernie should not have been behind the wheel.
Hopefully, I'll see some of you at the 2008 spring Chevy VetteFest. It's April 5 and 6 at the Rosemont, IL Convention Center. (I guess McCormick Place is history for this show.)
They were never popular and were only offered in 1961 and '62. In 1961, only 5,591 '500' models and 20,451 '700' models were produced. In '62 3,716 '700' models and 2,362 Monzas were produced before Chevy stopped production and made way for the convertibles and the turbocharged Monza Spyder later that year.
Rare and beautiful, man! Parts for the '61-'62 Corvair wagons are shared with the Special/F-85/Tempest wagons, but the windshields are unique...and really rare!
Funny they went to such trouble to make it "Lakewood, Brookwood, Parkwood" in 1961 when they reverted to the Corvair, Biscayne and Bel Air names for '62...
Don't forget that the top of the line big wagon was called the Nomad from 1958 until 1961 as well. The trim for '58 was similar to the Bel Air and from '59 to '61, the Impala.
My parents bought a new '61 700 wagon, lt blue. The engine always spat oil up on the rear window. In winter it was cozy to lie down in the back over the engine.
I hope you can help me out.I have a 61 lakewood and somebody filled the 700 emblem holes.I want to put them on but I need some location measurements.Thanks,nice car!
My dad is on his 4th Corvair (he has had other cars in between). It's a 62 Rampside, that I actually helped him restore. I actually wouldn't mind getting a Lakewood for an 8-door, they're an incredibly fun car to drive. They do have an unfair reputation, but it's not like many cars from the 60's were that safe to begin with.
I don't know where the earlier comment went, but this is actually my late grandfather's work of love. It turns a lot of heads at car shows and has won plenty of awards. My mother and aunts tell stories about how much work he'd put into making these cars last forever. Glad to see it's being enjoyed...
The lady who put that comment up wrote a few days later asking me to take it down; she didn't give a reason why. But this is a beautiful car and a shining example of GM's ingenuity, and my hat's off to your grandfather for his amazing work. Being able to restore these cars to their original condition is truly a gift.
By the way, would you happen to know if this is the same Corvair wagon that appears in Dinah Shore's "Where the Cars Are" commercial? It looks identical.
Gorgeous. Saw one in a local trader a few weeks back and was surprised. I hadnt seen one in years. My 62 falcon wagon is small and round like this, But the rear engine in a wagon is just awesome stuff. Thanks for sharing!
These cars weren't as bad as their press made them out to be.I've seen a few of these wagons with luggage racks on the roofs.Having one would be a good thing,even if it's not a Mercury woodywagon.
Ralph Nader said in a TV interview about 25 years ago that the reason he went after the Corvair and not every other rear-engine swing-axle car from that era (including the Beetle) was that GM was a bigger target. (Probably helped sell a lot more copies of that whiny book of his.) In any case, his name should appear after "hypocrite" in the dictionary.
But the Corvair had the last laugh. Cars from BMW to NSU to Fiat copied its styling, but never quite got it right.
I've noticed that kind of bias in other "crimes against humanity" cars too.When Explorers were rolling over a lot and Ford was catching Hell for killing people---more Pathfinders were rolling over and killing people than Explorers.And only five of 1,000,000 Pintos and three of about as many Vegas exploded---yet,nobody knows exactly how many Toyotas and Datsuns did the same before Reagan passed that law in 81.
The bias is ridiculous and has really gotten out of hand. Nissan recently recalled 140,000 Altimas to replace air filters that catch fire. Yet, no one hears about it. But if that were GM, Ford or Chrysler, you would see it on every news channel.
I work for the Post Office.I see Recall Notices going out all the time.Rarely do I see one for an American name brand car.Most of the time,it's for Japanese name brands and MBZ.
I had a 61 Corvair Lakewood wagon in the late sixties. Transaxle started leaking transmission fluid so I gave it away. I didn't realize how rare they were. Sob.
redradiodog 11 months ago
Nice. Never seem one in 46yrs. My bother has a 65 covair 2 door.
degingtb 1 year ago
@degingtb The only other one I've ever seen since about 1965 was a red one a couple of years ago at the GM Heritage Center in Sterling Heights.
artistmac 1 year ago
We have two Lakewoods in our Corvair car club....one owned by Matt Wetzel(whidh is being restored) and the other by Carl Sanders(a daily DRIVER).....they will both be on the Corvair Run to Denver for the Corsa Convention around July 26th - 30th. Come Join US!!!
vintageautosupply 1 year ago
That was my mom's first new car after getting married. As I remember, you could take the key out of the ignition while it was running! It was replaced a few years later by full-sized Chrysler station wagons.
lasuvidaboy 1 year ago
Oh how pretty. My neighbor had one, the same color when I was a kid. He parked it next to his Blue and White '59 El Camino. Early Corvair's were truly a beautifully sculptured car. And fun to drive too. Even a Lakewood with a two speed automatic was enjoyable to cruise to the beach, or down the highway in. A very comfortable ride, with ample leg room in the back seat.
NcalBiker 1 year ago
i wonder if the heat and fumes from the engine, came inside the interior in those cars?
Paulosoy 2 years ago
That's what happens when you combine liquor and idiotic driving, accident and possible death.
Seattlecarnut 2 years ago
with the motor in the back enclosed within the passenger compartment, you would think exhaust might have been a problem.
spdskte 2 years ago
No, not necessarily. Volkswagen Squarebacks and Buses, Corvair Greenbriers and Toyota's first minivans did just fine. The problem, as with front-engine cars, is a leaky exhaust system that can let fumes into the interior. Again, that dirty word, maintenance.
artistmac 2 years ago
it was not
animalcorvair 2 years ago
Ill-fitting hood, just my old 64 Spyder convertible!
modspell 2 years ago
Awesome video! I've heard of the Corvair Lkwood, but I've yet to see one. I love the two-tone colour combination. Awesome!
Seattlecarnut 2 years ago
Nice looking but a death trap.
Geostars 2 years ago
proble own the only one left in the state of iowa
don4ney5 3 years ago
Earnie Kovacs was killed in a wreck driving a corvair wagon.
steffidude 3 years ago
wow thats a beatiful car
canadiancatgreen 3 years ago 2
classic work of art! 5 stars
artofwheels 3 years ago 2
Is that a 500 or 700 model?
thespeez 3 years ago
700.
artistmac 3 years ago
This makes me think of Ralph Nader's Coffin On Wheels. These were great cars and Nader finished them off. VW had engine in the rear, but luckily Nader never ran them in the ground. I always believed that is when government started getting into the auto industry. Now they control virtually everything.
steffidude 3 years ago 2
ur an idiot!
kdmc 3 years ago
Your response in generalities is very vague! You have anything specific which makes your assumption of my assessment of the Corvair? Anyone can respond with, your an idiot. Don't you agree? If you disagree with my commment, I deserve more than just I am an idiot!! Where's the substance of your disagreement? If you really have any... Care to elaborate more?
steffidude 3 years ago
Poor Ernie Kovacs. His wife even agreed it wasn't the car. He had not slept in over three days and he was coming from a party which liquor was served. He had been working on a show. So many many people were killed in wrecks that involved Corvairs,Bugs ,Valiants and Falcons. The truth is Ernie should not have been behind the wheel.
monzavideo 2 years ago 2
Hopefully, I'll see some of you at the 2008 spring Chevy VetteFest. It's April 5 and 6 at the Rosemont, IL Convention Center. (I guess McCormick Place is history for this show.)
artistmac 4 years ago
this station wagon looks like it would be less boat-like and easy to park because it's kinda like a compact station wagon!
k8dah8 4 years ago
Beatifull!! now take a look my 1986 bike cold out in the snow or take a ride East or West city HWY........ and more 26vid.
mytujuan 4 years ago
Lovely car
uscar17 4 years ago
It seems like even in the 60s, you didnt see corvair station wagons all that often
dtcheatham 4 years ago
True. It had the lowest production of any Corvair body style.
artistmac 4 years ago
They were never popular and were only offered in 1961 and '62. In 1961, only 5,591 '500' models and 20,451 '700' models were produced. In '62 3,716 '700' models and 2,362 Monzas were produced before Chevy stopped production and made way for the convertibles and the turbocharged Monza Spyder later that year.
thespeez 3 years ago
yes i know the numbers and i still have mine
don4ney5 3 years ago
Cool! What do you own?
thespeez 3 years ago
Rare and beautiful, man! Parts for the '61-'62 Corvair wagons are shared with the Special/F-85/Tempest wagons, but the windshields are unique...and really rare!
Funny they went to such trouble to make it "Lakewood, Brookwood, Parkwood" in 1961 when they reverted to the Corvair, Biscayne and Bel Air names for '62...
bongomanfromdalou 4 years ago
Don't forget that the top of the line big wagon was called the Nomad from 1958 until 1961 as well. The trim for '58 was similar to the Bel Air and from '59 to '61, the Impala.
thespeez 3 years ago
A little noisy in the back seat, but never cold.
generatrix999 4 years ago
Corvair...ah...the fond memories of days when my mom was learning to drive.
I remmeber my dad and mom and me laughing so hard at my mom trying to use a clutch.I was just 6 maybe 5.
My mom had to learn how to drive cause dad was working out of town alot.
Back then women stayed at home and men went to work.
It was the days when men were men and ladies were ladies.
DuKkatie 4 years ago
My parents bought a new '61 700 wagon, lt blue. The engine always spat oil up on the rear window. In winter it was cozy to lie down in the back over the engine.
jk2193 4 years ago
Viewers? If there's anyone who has restored a Corvair 700 and has the emblem hole measurements, can you help soooop2 out?
artistmac 4 years ago
I hope you can help me out.I have a 61 lakewood and somebody filled the 700 emblem holes.I want to put them on but I need some location measurements.Thanks,nice car!
soooop2 4 years ago
My dad is on his 4th Corvair (he has had other cars in between). It's a 62 Rampside, that I actually helped him restore. I actually wouldn't mind getting a Lakewood for an 8-door, they're an incredibly fun car to drive. They do have an unfair reputation, but it's not like many cars from the 60's were that safe to begin with.
hapsblog 4 years ago
I don't know where the earlier comment went, but this is actually my late grandfather's work of love. It turns a lot of heads at car shows and has won plenty of awards. My mother and aunts tell stories about how much work he'd put into making these cars last forever. Glad to see it's being enjoyed...
redhedhs 4 years ago
The lady who put that comment up wrote a few days later asking me to take it down; she didn't give a reason why. But this is a beautiful car and a shining example of GM's ingenuity, and my hat's off to your grandfather for his amazing work. Being able to restore these cars to their original condition is truly a gift.
By the way, would you happen to know if this is the same Corvair wagon that appears in Dinah Shore's "Where the Cars Are" commercial? It looks identical.
artistmac 4 years ago
Gorgeous. Saw one in a local trader a few weeks back and was surprised. I hadnt seen one in years. My 62 falcon wagon is small and round like this, But the rear engine in a wagon is just awesome stuff. Thanks for sharing!
Falcons66 4 years ago
yey, grandpa's corvair! :)
redhedhs 4 years ago
My husband is working on one of these and it's mine to drive! It's called the Tail Waggin' :-)
debirds 4 years ago
These cars weren't as bad as their press made them out to be.I've seen a few of these wagons with luggage racks on the roofs.Having one would be a good thing,even if it's not a Mercury woodywagon.
Taranau 5 years ago
Ralph Nader said in a TV interview about 25 years ago that the reason he went after the Corvair and not every other rear-engine swing-axle car from that era (including the Beetle) was that GM was a bigger target. (Probably helped sell a lot more copies of that whiny book of his.) In any case, his name should appear after "hypocrite" in the dictionary.
But the Corvair had the last laugh. Cars from BMW to NSU to Fiat copied its styling, but never quite got it right.
artistmac 5 years ago
I've noticed that kind of bias in other "crimes against humanity" cars too.When Explorers were rolling over a lot and Ford was catching Hell for killing people---more Pathfinders were rolling over and killing people than Explorers.And only five of 1,000,000 Pintos and three of about as many Vegas exploded---yet,nobody knows exactly how many Toyotas and Datsuns did the same before Reagan passed that law in 81.
Taranau 5 years ago
The bias is ridiculous and has really gotten out of hand. Nissan recently recalled 140,000 Altimas to replace air filters that catch fire. Yet, no one hears about it. But if that were GM, Ford or Chrysler, you would see it on every news channel.
LS1Hawk 4 years ago
I work for the Post Office.I see Recall Notices going out all the time.Rarely do I see one for an American name brand car.Most of the time,it's for Japanese name brands and MBZ.
Taranau 4 years ago
@LS1Hawk: I have to agree.
Japanese cars might be okay for the most part, but some, like the Camry, are HORRIBLY shitty.
JaxieBoy 4 years ago
Sweet little wagon!
RehobothBeach 5 years ago