|
 In
addition to many unique versions of the Corvair Forward Control
series including an ambulance conversion by Amblewagon of
Birmingham, Alabama, school bus applications, and many different
advertising and delivery configurations, several companies saw the
potential to turn Corvair Greenbriers and Rampsides into simple
yet comfortable campers in the early sixties. The impressive
number of companies and variations of campers based on the Corvair
FC is interesting due to the vehicles’ short five-year total
production run. Below is a compilation of Corvair Forward Control
camper information and descriptions that have come my way over the
years.
1961-1962
Chevrolet Dealer Installed Camper Kit (GM Part #985103) $485
This kit was Chevrolet’s first attempt at making the Greenbrier
a truly versatile vehicle. The brochure advertises "Complete
Guide to Custom Features for the Chevy Corvair Greenbrier Sports
Wagon."
The camper
kit consisted of a sofa that stretched from behind the driver’s
seat back to the engine compartment along the long driver’s side
wall in the passenger area. This sofa could be converted into two
single beds or a double bed with the help of a bolster cushion.
Under-sofa drawers supplied storage space as did two cabinets over
the rear wheels, one with provisions for hanging clothes and the
other with shelves for food storage. The area over the engine was
reserved for loose Coleman accessories such as a
#5402-731 Picnic
Stove, a 7 gallon Coleman
Cooler, a 1 gallon Coleman drink jug and
a kitchen counter with silverware tray. Curtains were included for
complete privacy when camping as well as many other custom
features. Other part numbers and features included:
Tent Unit
(GM #985101), Shelter Unit (GM #985106), Window Screens, $34.50
(GM# 985100), Luggage Rack (GM #988398), Custom Greenbrier Table,
$41.95 (GM #985107), Car Top Sleeper, $103 (GM #985102), Cargo and
Baggage Screen (GM #985104), and Under Seat Drawer (GM #985105).
Corvair guru
Larry Claypool, proprietor of the Vair Shop, regularly drives a
Greenbrier to CORSA conventions with an installed 1961 camper kit.
In my opinion, these would not have been very practical because
when the bed(s) were folded out, there would be no floor space
left to stand up. It was, though, an interesting use of the
interior space in the Greenbrier. An online copy of this brochure
can be found on Mike Kellstrand’s Greenbrier
Camper Page.
Click
on one of the following links to see the original 1961-62 Chevrolet
Greenbrier camper brochure:
61-62
Brochure Side 1 61-62
Brochure Side 2
1961-1965
Car Top Sleeper Accessory
This unit was 6 ½ feet x 4 feet and 33" high when erected.
It featured a ¼" plywood base and had enough room for a ¾
size double mattress or two 24" x 72" air mattresses
that could remain in place when the unit was folded down. It was
made of olive drab canvas, a collapsible metal frame, and nylon
mesh mosquito netting. A matching canvas cover protected the unit
during travel and could also be used as a canopy in camp. The unit
rested on two oak supports held to the roof of the Greenbrier with
8 suction cups, 4 safety straps, 4 rubber coated drip mold hooks,
and small hardware. A two section ladder completed the kit making
access to the rooftop sleeper easy.
Bob Kirkman,
in the January-August 1992 CORVANANTICS, stated that he owned one
of these units. He remembers that the canvas never leaked, but it
seemed to shrink a bit over the years. He had to shorten the metal
support poles to make setting up the structure easier. He
remembered that the air mattresses could be left inflated and that
if positioned properly, part of the Greenbrier roof rack could
still be utilized in conjunction with the sleeper unit.
Click
on one of the following links to see the original 1964 Chevrolet
Greenbrier camper brochure:
64
Brochure Side 1 64
Brochure Side 2
1963-1964
Chevrolet Dealer Installed Camper Kit (GM #985654) $595
Completely
different from the early camping interior, the 1963-64 kit is also
a bit more common today. The brochure from this era proclaimed the
Greenbrier "an ideal vehicle to enjoy traveling and outdoor
living."
This kit was
a bit more complex than the early kit and included a full width
kitchen counter behind the front bench seat. This large cabinet
included a place for a
7 gallon Coleman
Station Wagon icebox, a working
sink, a silverware drawer, additional storage for kitchen
accessories and food, and a magazine rack. Running along the rear
driver’s side wall, a skinny cabinet provided additional storage
space as well as a place for the galvanized water tank that
supplied water to the hand-pump sink faucet. Over the driver’s
side rear wheel well was a large wardrobe for clothing storage
that also included a mirror. Two sliding doors provided access to
the inside where special slots were included for the use of
clothing hangers. Over the engine were two large sliding drawers
under the bed cushions. These drawers were only accessible from
the outside when the rear doors were open. A sofa sat directly in
front of the engine area and was converted to a bed by removing
both cushions and sliding three clumsy wooden supports from under
the seat area and replacing the seat cushions in a now-flat
position. Additional storage could be found under the lower seat
cushion. All interior appointments were constructed of furniture
grade plywood and clear coated to keep the interior looking light
and airy.
The Pop-Up
Tent unit (Tent Unit), Roof Luggage Carrier (Luggage Rack), Custom
Table (Custom Greenbrier Table), Sleeper Unit (Car Top Sleeper)
and Window Screens continued to be available under the same part
numbers as in 1961-62. A search light, dome light, fire
extinguisher, deluxe air heater and defroster, and custom manual
AM radio and antenna were also advertised in this brochure.
These kits
are said to have been produced by a small company in Ocala, FL
that relied mostly on the efforts of retired people for
preparation and construction. I briefly owned one of these kits
and have seen several in person including those in Corvanatics
members Tim Schwartz and Allen Bristow’s Greenbriers. The design
is slightly better laid out than that of 1961-62, especially in
the way of floor space when the bed is set up for sleeping. One of
the major downfalls to this camper design is the necessity to
remove the bed and both drawers above the engine cover to service
the engine or access the battery. I have a good friend with a
restored GM camper kit in his Greenbrier who has a second battery
hooked up and ready for action just in case.
Click
on one of the following links to see the original 1964 Chevrolet
Greenbrier camper brochure:
64
Brochure Side 1 64
Brochure Side 2
1965 Chevy Dealer Installed Camper Kit (GM #986324) $595
This
kit was almost identical to the 1963-64 kit with the addition of
two overhead storage areas, one over the bed for blankets and
sleeping apparel and one over the kitchen counter for storage of
small kitchen accessories. The magazine rack on the side of the
front kitchen counter unit was also redesigned for the worse. The
side panel was made higher requiring the occupants to open the
front side door if they wanted to roll the window up or down from
inside the van. All of the accessories from 1963-4 carried over
with the addition of deluxe rear view mirrors.
Click the following
link to see the original 1965 Chevrolet
Greenbrier camper brochure:
http://www.corvairkid.com/65gbacc_01.htm
Travel
Equipment Corporation (Elkhart, IN) Chevrolet Home Cruiser
$3650 interior, Travel Top, and Greenbrier, $475 Travel Top alone
My
own Greenbrier sports a TEC Travel Top. I have never seen a
Greenbrier with an original TEC interior, but I have seen Ford
counterparts with intact interiors by the same company, so I can
easily imagine how one might have been constructed. I also have
several original brochures for TEC outlining the company’s
features for a Greenbrier so equipped. The brochure states
"Chevrolet Greenbrier…plus Home Cruiser…plus Travel
Top…your assurance of dependable transportation and complete
living comfort. Now you can cruise the highways with all the
comforts of home in your exciting, new Chevrolet Home Cruiser by
Calthorpe."
The Travel
Equipment Corporation had as standard equipment double-purpose
seats convertible into a dinette or double bed, a bed across the
rear end, a single bed in the dome, dustproof clothes hanger,
kitchen unit (with sink), cooking unit, lockers and storage
cabinets, table, 12 volt transformer, 110 volt outlet, window
shades, interior lights, water storage, metal coachbuilt elevating
roof (Calthorpe), refrigerator, portable toilet, plastic cushions,
and screened dome.
Optional
accessories included a 12-volt refrigerator, porta shower, luggage
rack, ski racks, and awning rack.
The interior
layout was not drastically different from the Chevy kits from
1963-65. Travel Equipment Corporation did include cooking
accommodations as well as toilet facilities and had more creative
sleeping arrangements making it possible for up to six people to
sleep inside the van as compared to Chevy’s ability to only
sleep three.
Click on one
of the two links below to view original TEC advertisements.
Travel-Top
Brochure - one
Travel-Top
Brochure - two
Travel
Equipment Corporation Travel Cruiser
Another
offering by TEC was the Travel Cruiser. This camper conversion was
quite different from the Home Cruiser in both interior and
exterior appointments. The most noticeable difference on the
outside was the lack of a travel top. In its place was a
"Topside Tent" which was very similar to the Chevrolet
car top sleeper except that the TEC tent had a solid roof. It did
serve the same purpose of providing sleeping space for two
occupants.
Inside, this
camper had a cabinet inside of each rear side door and a dinette
with seats that faced each other. With the cabinets also sharing
the space, these seats were approximately ¾ the width of the van.
Together with the folding table, the dinette seating converted
into a double bed. Also included were two pole supported cots, one
60" and the other 80".
"Travel
Cruiser-the greatest thing ever to happen to Chevy Vans, Chevrolet
Corvans, Corvair Greenbriers and GMC Handy Vans. Converts all of
them to mobile campsites. Ready to move out in minutes, the
standard Travel Cruiser conversion includes interior bunks,
dinette, sink with running water, stove, icebox, and storage
space. Lots of options including the unique "Topside
Tent." Ideal for vacations, weekend trips and outdoor sports
and hobbies. Sleeps five adults and two children, or vice versa.
All equipment can be removed in minutes. Use the basic vehicle the
rest of the year for business or family driving. Licensed,
insured, and tolled as a station wagon. Available only through
Chevrolet and GMC dealers. For the fun of it, see one today."
This kit was
probably available through the dealer starting around 1965.
Because the Chevy Van and GMC Handy Van are mentioned, that means
that the Corvair vans and trucks were already out of production.
It is interesting that TEC continued to convert Corvans and
Greenbriers although they were no longer made.
Traville Corporation (Detroit, MI)
Vista Camper (Greenbrier) $1495
The Vista Camper was Traville’s answer to converting the
Greenbrier into a camper. Again, the interior was similar to
Chevy’s later camper kit. It was a slightly simpler design with
less rear cabinets. The addition of a marine type flush toilet and
cooker were more advanced than Chevy’s offering. Traville Vista
Campers were available through Chevrolet dealers. The brochure
encouraged buyers to "Convert the Corvair Greenbrier into a
complete travel-camping unit for low-cost family fun."
Perhaps the
most unique standard feature of the Vista Camper was a molded
plexiglass vista dome. This feature clipped onto the top of the
Greenbrier over a hole cut in its roof and allowed the occupants
to stand up inside.
Standard
features of the Vista Camper included the plexiglass vista dome,
12 volt electric dome vent fan, molded fiberglass utility center
including: 2 burner gas range, 2 cu. ft. gas refrigerator, 2.5
gallon butane/propane gas tank, sink with spray faucet, 12 volt
electric water pump, 17 gallon water tank, utensil drawer, pull
out counter/table, and a seat that converts into a double bed.
Optional
extras included a roof contoured plexiglass roof section
(interchangeable with vista dome and making it possible to park
the van in a garage when not being used as a camper) $195, green
tinted plexiglass in dome $24.00, canvas double bunk $45.00, 2
storage lockers (30" x 18" x 7") $79.50, and 4 snap
in window screens $32.50.
Traville Corporation (Detroit, MI)-manufactured by Cree Coach
Company (Marcellus, MI)
Campside (Rampside) $1245
Traville was one of the few companies to capitalize on the low
cargo floor of the Rampside pickup truck as the basis for a
camper. Unlike the slip in pickup units used for conventional
pickup trucks in the sixties and through the present, the Campside
topper actually was attached to the sides of the Rampside bed and
had a removable door unit that filled the area where the ramp used
to be. A short roof section overhung the cab of the truck and
featured a full width vista window making the camper seem larger
than it was. The interior was similar to that of the Traville
Vista Camper conversion for the Greenbrier. The notes are
conflicting on interior materials. Some sources say the main
interior cabinets were made of neatly styled fiberglass while
others say they were made of top quality Birch paneling. The only
Campside I have seen actual interior pictures of had a Birch
interior. The shell’s exterior was made of aluminum siding and
finished with a Cameo-white weather resistant baked enamel paint
guaranteed never to rust or fade. The siding was attached to a
welded aluminum frame for maximum strength and long life.
Standard
equipment included kitchen cabinets, 3 burner gas stove, swirl-a-matic
marine toilet, 12 gallon water storage, 12 volt electric water
pump, full length double bed, kitchen sink, 2.5 cu. ft.
refrigerator, jalousie windows and screens, 15 gallon septic tank,
roof ventilator, 2 pipe berths, and window and lavatory curtains.
The
brochure states that the Campside structure weighed 250 lbs., and
the equipment weighed 300 lbs. The unit was completely insulated
and was easily removable or installed by three people. I have a
copy of the original owner’s manual that goes into great detail
on these conversions. They were very cool and offered lots of
features to make life on the road very comfortable. I have also
been offered a Campside for sale, but have decided that as of now,
my Greenbrier camper is enough. If I had enough spare money lying
around, however, I wouldn’t mind owning one. Records show that
approximately 300 Campsides were produced, and very few are known
to exist today.
Compac 95 Rampside Camper, Nakomis, FL
I have very little information on these campers. They are very
similar to the Traville Campside, but the shell is made from
fiberglass unlike the Traville unit that is made of a welded
aluminum frame covered with aluminum siding. These included a
stove, refrigerator, couch or bed, toilet (self-contained) and an
interior ventilation unit. Rumors say that only about nine of
these toppers were made.
Highway Cruisers, Incorporated Rampside Conversion
The
camper conversion by this company was called a "Sports
Cab." The Rampside bed topper included a flip up section
above the ramp to create an entrance for the people using the
camper. I have no information on the interior specifications of
these campers.
Travelcar
by Royden Industries (Greenbrier conversion)
"The very best way to see the USA. The unique design of
TRAVELCAR provides the facilities of a large and expensive
motorhome in a compact land cruiser, easy to buy, easy to drive,
and easy to park. Individual front seats for easy access front to
rear, card table, writing desk, refrigerator, sink, stove and
toilet PLUS a foam cushion chaise lounge or full length day bed.
For the first time in many a year, traveling is fun for
everyone." That is how this particular conversion was touted
by its manufacturer.
The interior
indeed provided a full-length sofa/bed along the driver’s side
in conjunction with several smaller seats that created a
"U" shaped seating area in the rear of the van. The
table was central to these seats and provided a usable space while
parked or travelling. The brochure advertises two full length
double beds and sleeping accommodations for four 6 footers. The
second of these beds was located in the camper top. The top is
fully insulated and has a fiberglass roof with solid walled sides.
I cannot tell from the brochure how this one folds down, but it
does look to provide lots of interior room. Other typical interior
accoutrements are a refrigerator, toilet, and wardrobe and storage
cabinets.
Standard
equipment included the expanding roof, 48" x 74" double
bed, 52" x 74" double bed, enclosed toilet, ice box
(electric refrigerator optional), 2 burner gas stove, 2 bottles of
gas, fiberglass sink, and fifteen gallon water storage.
The
advertising for this one really makes it seem like the
manufacturer was trying to create a very versatile vehicle. The
focus is not only on weekend family adventures, but also on
comfort at sporting events and also as a mobile office for
accountants and businessmen. They obviously had a large and
diversified audience in mind.
Home made
conversions, and some notes on the interior of Ben’s Bus
It is important to note that many people over the years have
converted their own Corvair vans using a lot of ingenuity,
creativity, and off the shelf hardware and camping store supplies.
I have seen many more owner-converted FCs than dealer or
aftermarket conversions. Some are elaborate, some are simple, and
some are just plain strange. I have noticed a large variety of
folding seats, cookers, and iceboxes as well as overall interior
arrangements. In one conversion, the owner took two cabs from
Greenbriers, cut them off center vertically, connected the wider
halves, and added a large box on the back for the purpose of
building a complete camper. This particular creation includes a
late model Corvair car rear suspension. Though I decided to stick
with a stock van for my camper, I designed my own interior because
I did not like the rigidity of the dealer installed kits.
By
building my own interior, I could make each and every piece to
meet my needs. This included adding Corvan bucket seats for a
"walk through" camper which would not have been possible
with the GM kit. Also, I have built my own version of a folding
sofa/bed that is much easier to use than the GM’s design. I have
plenty of storage and the interior color scheme is to my liking.
Much of my interior is modeled after Volkswagen Westfalia camping
interiors with some definite influence in the construction of the
cabinets evident in the GM kit from 1963-65. My set up offers more
seating than GM’s did, but has no actual sink. The cabinets are
also less obtrusive of the living space leaving room to stand even
when the bed is set up. We carry cutlery and dinner service for 12
people, a full complement of cooking pots, pans, and utensils, a
cooler, two stoves, a water jug, clothing, food, and tools to
perform repairs. Even the spare tire is hidden in one of the seat
cabinets so as to be out of sight and easily accessible if needed.
I tried to keep simplicity in mind when designing the interior,
therefore in place of elaborate cabinet door latches, I cut small
holes in the cabinet doors to pull the cabinets open. All of my
cabinetry is stained with three coats of mahogany stain and clear
coated or painted gray to match the rest of the interior paint.
With the addition of my camper top and side awning, Lynn and I can
camp very comfortably for weeks at a time.
Corvair
Forward Control Camper Photo Album
Some of the
preceding information was found in:
CORVANANTICS
issues Volume 12 Number 6, Volume 16 Number 2, Volume 18 Number 3,
and Volume 20 Numbers 1 to 4 (CORVANANTICS is the official
bi-monthly publication of Corvanatics, an official chapter of
CORSA)
1961
"Complete Guide to Custom Features for the Chevrolet
Greenbrier Sportswagon"
1963 and
1965 Corvair Greenbrier Accessories Brochure
Gunnell,
John. Chevrolet Pickups 1946-1972. Osceola, WI: Motorbooks
International
Publishers & Wholesalers, Inc., 1988.
|
