1961 Chevrolet Corvair Lakewood Project – Sold!

Update: This one got away, but if you have your heart set on something similar, email us the details of what you’re looking for or call Rudy directly at (908)295-7330

After launching their innovative air-cooled, rear-engined Corvair in four- and later two-door sedan body styles in 1960, Chevrolet expanded the line-up for 1961 with a four-door station wagon model with its engine located under the cargo floor. Station wagon Corvairs shared the sedan’s 108-inch wheelbase unibody platform. This spacious yet compact body style combined nearly seventy feet of cargo room with another ten in the “frunk.” Chevrolet used the “Lakewood” sub-brand only on the ’61 model year as in 1962 the GM Division dropped all of the “x-wood” names from use on its station wagon models. Unfortunately, the Corvair station wagon lasted only through the spring of 1962 when it was dropped to switch production to the new Monza two-door convertible.

In the two model years offered, Chevrolet made a total of 32,120 station wagons, 64% of which were 1961 Lakewood 700 models.  We came across a surviving project example currently listed here on Craigslist in Denver, Colorado with an asking price of $5,000.  Checking the Collector Car Market Review Online Tool confirms the ask falls a bit optimistically between this guide’s current #4 “Fair” appraisal of $3,200 and it’s #3 “Good” estimate of $5,400.  

We came across this vintage 1961 Chevrolet commercial posted on YouTube featuring the Lakewood Station Wagon:

We like what appears to be very solid bones supporting this vintage Corvair wagon that has a very desirable floor-shifted four-speed manual transmission and features the rare under-dash mounted tissue dispenser. While this example will make a great restoration candidate, after fixing the floor and rebuilding the engine, there’s a side of us that might want to drive it for a year or two with the natural patina’d exterior as-is. Whichever path you choose, good luck with the purchase!

Here’s the seller’s description:

“You are looking at an all original 61 Lakewood wagon. It has a 4 speed, clock and tissue dispenser. It has new tires with an extra set. It does run an drive but smokes upon acceleration. Brakes have been rebuilt before on the front. The Master cylinder has been rebuilt. Will need a windshield and a battery. The driver floor board will need a patch panel. Call me at show contact info .
Thanks, Brian  Please no texting just call and talk. Thanks!

Could be interested in 71-72 Chevy K20 pickup or K5 blazer or 87-91 K5 blazer or suburban or K20 pickup. Let me know of similar or interesting trades.”

Paint or Patina: what would you do with this Corvair’s exterior?  Comment below and let us know!