This past weekend I traveled to Portland with my FIRST FRC team to attend the Autodesk Oregon Regional. Since I was in Paul’s home state, I kept my eyes peeled for any genuine Oregon Curbside Classics I could capture. I did see a Box Panther every day, but they were on the road; also, I saw two Donks that were actually Donkeys, but I figured not many people would be interested in them. I also came across a rare, two-door RAV-4 with the folding soft top, but I couldn’t stop to get a picture. When I came back by a few minutes later it was gone.
However, on the final day of the competition I came across something right up Paul’s alley: this Greenbrier. You can tell it is a genuine Oregon CC by the pollen and mold on the windows.
I found it in one of the Rose Quarter Parking garages, just on the other side of the staircase from where I’d parked when I ran out to grab something out of our car, and I knew I had to grab a few images to share.
At first I thought it was likely unrelated to the event I was attending, but when we went out to go to lunch I saw team members loading it up with robot parts and items from their pit.
In another strange twist of fate, I found a familiar vehicle at our lunch destination. Much like the Buforolla I had seen once again the second time we went to St. Louis for the World Championships, I saw this Dodge Van parked in about the same location where I saw it during my visit to Portland for last year’s event. It, too, seems to be in the same state in which I saw it last time, so I had to capture it to share. Since our team won the event, we are heading back to the World Championships for the third year in a row, and I’ll be sure to see to keep an eye out for Buforolla and note its current condition.
Which brings me to my soap box. I have to suggest that each and every one of you do your best to get out and check out an event near you, and once you’ve got the bug, find a local team to mentor you here. While it is nice if you are an engineer or programmer, teams need mentors to help teach kids basic skills like how to operate a screwdriver.
I am actually surprised that van is not full of lead, which could be potentially dangerous now a days. Also curious if it is still running the flat 6 motor.
What other engine might likely be in a battered old Corvair van? That engine is pretty rugged.
Probably nothing as I think of it to that vehicle. There is a mechanical engineer turned automotive shop owner/Corvair enthusiast in the Charlotte, NC area that is well known in circles for doing custom jobs. Charlotte AutoFair is a huge event they have at the Speedway twice a year (second biggest car non race even on the east coast) and he always has a display.
My thought was that since space is less of an issue with a van setup modifications could be done more easily. I have seen Corvairs with a Fiero like 2.8 V6 in them. When I had my Z24 convertible, I was heavily involved in 60 degree V6 circles and those motors found their way into just about everything.
Bondo was being factory tested in 63 by GMH. My 63 EH Holden had the C pillar seam finished in lead one side and bondofil the other side found that out stripping the paint in 93 both fillers were still sound. Will anything other than a boxer fit?
Technically, a number of GM V8s can be swapped in. Usually you see small block Chevys, but I’ve even seen a turbocharged Buick V6 in a late model Corvair coupe, and even a 500 cubic inch Cadillac engine.
I say “technically” because it’s not a simple swap; beyond the obvious issue of making a provision for water cooling, you’re faced with reversing the engine’s rotation if you install it in the original location (rear engine), or doing some serious metal cutting and fabrication if you install it in front of the transaxle (mid-engine). Rear engine is a tight squeeze, and the rear weight bias makes for tricky handling. Mid-engine handles well, but eats up space in the center of the vehicle.
I side with Paul’s comment of “What other engine might likely be in a battered old Corvair van?” It’s not that uncommon to see a Corvair engine in a VW van, because of their bulletproof reliability, and that they’re relatively more powerful without being that much larger or heavier.
I know going to a Subaru Boxer is popular with the Vanagon crowd. I theory you could have a Greenbrier STI, now that would be the Bees Knees.
I’d be nervous with such VW van hot-rodding, unless done by pros. The Porsche B32 was a T3 Vanagon with a 3.2L Carrera six, & suspension tuned to handle the power & speed. Supposedly it was done for personnel involved in 959 racing development. An article said they could surprise GTIs on the Autobahn with this “sleeper,” despite its brick aerodynamics. Less than a dozen were built; now these would qualify as CCs.
Yes it was still powered by Corvair flat six. I happened to catch it later as it was leaving.
As others have mentioned it is too far gone to properly save as the front also had a fair number of spots where it had been Bondo’d too. But hey it is still on the road, earning it’s keep, if only occasionally. . .
I have a real soft spot for these vans, and it is sure crying out for some TLC and a paint job. Hope somebody loves it enough to give it some attentions before the scrappies get it,
I cannot tell you the last time I saw a Greenbriar, even at a show. Glad to see you are getting a genuine Oregon experience!
That Greenbriar is probably too far gone to save, but I think it’s cool to see it still working for a living. My wife and I spent a few days in Portland 2 summers ago and there is a surprising number of obscure old cars in the area.
A corvair would be my first choice if I were going to restore something new. In 1960 I didn’t appreciate the car I was driving for drivers ed. By 67 when a good friend of mine had one in Sub School I was among the faithful. Restoration, probably not. I’m not, however, above altering one to suit my taste. The corvair engine is the one I would want. It goes fast enough and can be made to go a lot faster.
Congrats on making the worlds third time in a row! Do you ever hear back from any of your earlier students in engineering school?
+1 Awesome!
Thanks. It was quite the Cinderella story as we were the last pick for the finals and we were not on the dance card of the Alliance Captain. However their first partner was one of the teams we had won with last year, we were on their list and they lobbied successfully to our team. The final rounds were quite the nail biters.
This weekend at our second event we qualified for World Championships a second time by winning the Regional Chairman’s Award.
Yes many of the alumni keep in touch with the team, a number have graduated from College and are working in engineering and quite a few more are currently studying engineering at a number of Schools. Several alumni have either returned as young adult mentors, found teams to work with at their current location, volunteer at events and/or attend events with the team. Our team is not usual in that aspect. Once you’ve been a part of the FIRST experience it is hard to not stay involved.
What a great experience you are providing for those kids. I congratulate and salute you!
Thank you, I must admit it is a lot of fun as well as being the most rewarding thing I’ve ever been involved with.
Being a FLL Alum, I have many tips I can give to your FLL team on robot design do’s & dont’s (list would most likely be sent via email).
Ooh Donks! I would love to see them on CC! NOT!!!
My Grandpa had a Greenbriar just like that. He lived in Gladstone, Oregon, just outside of Portland. Interesting coincidence. He got rid of his when a problem with the shift mechanism caused the van to go forward when it was supposed to back up. Something about a cable….?
There’s been a ’61 Greenbrier for sale here in NZ for months now (I may have posted pics before). It was formerly owned by the lead singer of a band named Green Day (that I’m unfamiliar with), has been restored and looks fantastic! http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/specialist-cars/hot-rods/auction-575264520.htm
I love how my van only gets attention when it’s dirty. Sooooo much more to the story than just a couple of pictures. This van was originally owned by a small business in Tualatin Oregon called aquapets. In around 1968/69 the van was T-boned just behind the drivers door and was (referring to a previous post) already sent off to the scrappies… My father went to the wreaking yard with the intention of buying just a single side door to use as a camping door (mounted heater) on my family’s other Greenbrier. He was quoted 80 dollars for the door… He left buying the entire van for 110. For those who say it’s too far gone to be “brought back”, the vehicle has been serving my family my entire life. Your statements just show ignorance.. The entire left side was caved in drastically, it was cut out, hammered flat and Bondo work was started but never finished.. and never will be, there is just too much story and history to that side. It could be covered and made to look like a new van, but that would cover up it’s rich history.
The engine is not the original.. The 63 originally came with a 145 cubic inch 80 HP engine. This van sports a 64′ engine that is 164 cubic inch and puts out 110 HP.
Fact is this van has been a regular part of our family, a multi-generational part. It’s not heading to scrappies any time soon, it’s maintained and mechanically sound, and will be for years to come. It’s driven pretty consistently.. just took the family for a drive yesterday. It’s not rusting away, and lives just north of Gladstone in Oak Grove(reply to another poster)