Chevrolet Greenbrier

The name Chevrolet Greenbrier was used by Chevrolet for two vehicles, the first one being a van based on the Corvair and produced in the model years 1961 to 1965. During the model years 1969 to 1972 a station wagon of the Chevette took over this name.

1961-1965 Corvair Greenbrier Sportswagon

Chevrolet Corvair Greenbrier Sportswagon

Based on the compact car Corvair introduced for the model year 1960 Chevrolet presented several commercial vehicles during the following year under the names of Corvair 95 or Corvan. In appearance and technical principals the vehicles were similar to the Volkswagen Transporter. Power came from the Corvair's horizontally opposed 6 cylinder engine fitted to the rear of the car. Its displacement was 146 cu.in. and it developped 80 bhp @ 4,400 rpm. Like the Corvair these vehicles als had 108 in. wheelbase and a manually operated 3 speed gearbox.

There were three different bodies. The simpliest one was the panel van Loadside; a bit more sophisticated was a panel van with side ramps to be used for loading / unloading called Rampside. This car was used very commonly by Bell System because loading / unloading of cable drums was eased by the side ramps. The most luxury body was the Greenbrier Sportswagon with three seats which was marketed as a van for families.

1964 the Rampside was not produced any more, 1965 also the Loadside was removed from the mode range. For the Greenbrier Sportswagon 1965 was the last year.

1969-1972 Chevelle Greenbrier

During the model year 1969 the 4 door station wagons of the mid sized Chevrolet Chevette produced since 1964 achieved additional names. The low standard station wagons of the Chevelle 300 series 131 / 132 got the Nomad name, whereas the medium range Chevelle 300 Deluxe series 133 / 134 were called Greenbrier. The top-of-the-line models Chevelle Malibu series 135 / 136 simply were called Estate Wagon. Except the simpliest Nomad line (which only available in 6P form) all station wagons could be ordered with six or nine places. Power came from I6 (only 6P) or V8 engines.

1970 the Chevelle 300 Deluxe series was simply called Chevelle and the I6 engine was not available any more for the station wagons. 1972 the series' name was changed to 1C. As from 1973 on all the Chevelle estates were called Chevelle Station Wagon again.

References

John Gunnell (Editor): Standard Catalog of American Cars 1946-1975, Krause Publications Inc., Iola (2002), ISBN 0-87349-461-X