Picture Plethora: 1961 Chevrolet Corvair Lakewood 700 – Sold?

April 20, 2022, Update – We just confirmed the listing for this “Classifind” expired, so with no replacement found we’re assuming this ride “Sold?” While this one got away, please reach out either by email or call us directly if you’d like to be informed when we come across something similar.

Craigslist limits users to posting only two dozen pictures per ad, which for a vintage car often is not enough.  The seller of this 1961 Neptune Green Chevrolet Corvair Lakewood 700 originally listed in March 2022 on Craigslist in Dana Point, California (Orange County) circumvented that constraint by posting screenshots of his smartphone’s picture gallery.  The result is 107 photographs provided with the need to only upload eleven to Craiglist. This rare Corvair wagon appears to be a driver-quality example the private seller reports is well-maintained and features its original engine.

Currently offered for $12,900, comparing that price against the Hagerty Insurance Online Valuation Tool confirms the private seller has their Lakewood 700 priced between this guide’s #3 “Good” estimate of $8,100 and its #2 “Excellent” appraisal of $14,400.  Similarly, the  Collector Car Market Review Online Tool reveals the seller’s ask falls between this guide’s #2 “Very Good” estimate of $8,000 and its #1 “Excellent” appraisal of $13,600.

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.

The Pine Tree Pictures YouTube Channel features this vintage 1961 Chevrolet commercial featuring the Lakewood Station Wagon:

In addition to the great color, we like how this 1961 Chevrolet Corvair Lakewood 700 wagon has a very desirable floor-shifted four-speed manual transmission.  A quick check of Clark’s Corvair parts confirms you can get still get replacement upholstery in the correct color and pattern. Consequently, that would be our first project as otherwise, this Corvair appears to be show-ready.

Here’s the seller’s description:

“Rare 1961 Corvair Lakewood wagon. Well-maintained, mechanically sound, original motor and fixtures. Starts right up and drives good every day.”

Do you have a Corvair Lakewood story to share?  If so, comment below and let us know!