Gem from Idaho
Steve Laser of
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA purchased this cherry
Greenbrier, with the help of his friend
Craig Nicol, in 2001. In February 2004, he
sold it to Dale Dewald of Hancock, MI.
Steve had the
following to say about his just-restored rig:
"It's a deluxe 6-door, red with a white stripe
and 110 HP engine and 4-speed
transmission. It spent many years in inside storage in Washington state (15+
years) along with a collection of about 175 other Corvairs. My good friend,
Craig Nicol, found it for sale by the son of the owner who was liquidating the
collection. I always wanted one of these, so I asked Craig to restore it for
me. Since it's a survivor in original condition, the idea was to bring it
'back to life' without changing its character. The engine and transaxle were
rebuilt by a GM dealer in the late 1970s and are in amazingly sound condition.
The mileage showing on the van, along with supporting maintenance records and
other documentation, indicate that 118,000 is likely to be correct.
The light restoration included new exterior
paint, complete brake system rebuild, Clark's reproduction upholstery for all
three seats, new shocks, u-joints and fuel pump, rebuilt carbs, cleaned-out
gas tank, resealed engine, powder-coated shrouds,
new heater hoses, some new pushrods, new head gaskets, rebuilt starter and
alternator, new pilot bearing and throw-out bearing, etc. The only
modifications from stock are a dual master cylinder, radial tires and
Pertronix ignition.
It's equipped with the rare oil-bath air cleaner and dealer-installed
hazard warning flasher and courtesy light kit.
I took delivery in November 2002. This is my seventh Corvair -- and the
first I've had in 21 years! Whoever said 'You can't go home again' was wrong.
Strong friendships and a mutual love for Corvairs transcend the boundaries of
time, distance and changes in life."
Craig shared some additional original code
numbers for the van:
 | Engine: T1105RU (110 HP, 4 spd.)
|
 | Transmission: AV1027B
(built on 10/2; 1964 assumed) |
 | Delivery date (from Protect-o-Plate):
1-20-65 |
Craig also shared information on previous owners:
 | Original Owner: Dr. J.E.
Rockwell, Grangeville, ID |
 | Held in inventory by WA dealer
"Lon Welch", Connell, WA,
1985 (?) - 2001 |
 | Next, held in inventory by ID dealer,
"Racers Inc.", Post Falls, ID, 2001 -
2002 |







The image of the Owner's Protection Plan book is
especially cool to see.
Special feature: Read the
in-depth article about
Steve's van from the December, 2003
CORSA Communique.
Information from the data plate
(Click on a heading in the table for more information on that item.) |