Corvair wagons were not common back in the day, much less so nowadays. A mere 26K sold in ’61, with a scant 6K more selling in ’62 before the curtains came down on the variant. Good thing the Corvair has been an automotive martyr since its downfall, with a faithful, devoted fan base. The wagons may be rare, but the survival prospects of those around are high. Chances of seeing a Corvair doing daily driver duties? Low. Chances of a Corvair wagon still doing such work? I would venture to say none. But preserved for posterity? Surely.
So this one, posted by canadiancatgreen at the Cohort is appropriately at a car show. Pampered and well cared for. And being uncommon, how not to share it?
However, we got just one canadiancatgreen shot from that car show. So let’s complement with this front image posted by frequent Cohort contributor William Oliver. Also in red, also a 700 trim, and also at a car show. How else could it be by now?
Lots has been said about the Corvair at CC, covering its virtues, wonders, and renowned flaws. We’ve shared vintage photos, talked about its large styling influence, performance and more. Clearly, the wagon version has gotten its own post, which covers it in detail.
But if you must get the short version, the wagon arrived in Corvair land in ’61, a year after the rest of the lineup had debuted. So, somewhat late, and with the Falcon already outselling Corvairs (and Valiants) by a good number.
Still, for ’61, Corvair Lakewood wagons came in 500 and 700 trim. As friendly as the brochure images make it seem, rear-engined wagons are an acquired taste. Mainly, due to the higher loading area, and dynamically, if loaded, trickier at the wheel thanks to the already heavy back end. Also, keeping the cabin’s noises in check is an engineering challenge (But, I would think, a cozy place to sit on a cold winter trip).
The wagons would remain around for ’62, dropping the Lakewood name. Monza would take over the higher trim, and the lower model was just 700. The Monza trim would be the Corvair’s future, but not in the case of the wagon, which faded for good in ’62.
Today’s glitzier trimmings make both finds 700 models. Now, Corvair wagons may have been rare, but they are in no danger of extinction. A good amount, in various shades, show up in any online search. But that’s just the case with flawed icons, we are fascinated by their potential and their daring, while also endlessly wondering what could’ve been…
Related CC reading:
Amazing how the ‘tin worm’ never got a hold of this one! A beautiful example of a car that was ahead of it`s time.And it keeps the ‘wood’ in the Chevy wagon series name.
I’m not sure it’s possible to talk about the Lakewood without mentioning that comedian Ernie Kovacs was killed in one. It’s often brought up when discussing the Corvair’s dangerous handling chacteristics. What’s often overlooked is that Kovacs had been drinking and was angry after just having had a fight with his wife, Edie Adams, and driving on a rain-slicked roadway when he lost control while turning at an intersection and collided with a power pole, right into the driver’s door in the wee hours of the morning.
The bottom line is it is quite inconclusive as to how much the Lakewood’s design contributed to Kovac’s accident and death.
A very unusual car for a Hollywood star to drive. Had the door been reinforced as the government (must have been woke) would ultimately mandate, Ernie probably would have entertained for many more years to come.
It was his wife’s car.
https://www.decidedlygrim.net/?p=7652
A few years later, VW figured out how to make the load floor low with the Squareback model.
They must have lost tons of money on all the bespoke wagon parts. The stamping dies were barely even broken in.