I have a strong appreciation for all types of “flat front” vans built during the 1960s. Years ago while looking for a car in which to commute to college, my father encouraged purchasing a van. I located a 1961 Corvair Greenbrier Sportswagon in a “trucks-for-sale” magazine. As it turned out, Dad had owned a 1963 Greenbrier when it was almost new and likened it to "driving a Greyhound bus, only smaller.” It was Easter weekend 1993 when I first stopped in at the Corvair Ranch (Gettysburg, PA) and got to sit in a Greenbrier and know firsthand the uniqueness of the vehicle.

The Greenbrier I finally decided to purchase was a standard (non-deluxe) green and white 1962 model. The previous owner had found it as a backyard woodshed, rescued it, and restored it back in 1983. It was not fancy, had only two seats, ratty carpet, fair paint, and 480,000 miles. This was a truck I could both afford, and later modify to meet my needs. The van, over time, would evolve into a comfortable and capable camper.

Now with over 620,000 miles to its credit, "Ben’s Bus," has come a long way. It features reupholstered Corvan (Corvair panel van) bucket seats up front, a home built camping interior including a convertible sofa, bed, table, cabinets for food and clothing, and a full compliment of cooking and eating utensils. The Travel Equipment Corporation (Elkhart, IN) Travel Top is correct for the vehicle and was installed for those times when standing in the bus is necessary. A very early production Travel Top, serial number 542, its restoration took three years to complete and its installation took fourteen consecutive hours. It has become well known at local campgounds and Corvair shows. Motivation for the van comes by way of a 110 horsepower "car" engine and a four-speed transmission. It has a 3:55 differential and is very happy to cruise the highways at 65-70 miles per hour.

With few exceptions, Lynn and I have used the Greenbrier as our long distance vacation vehicle. It has taken us to Maine, Kentucky, Ontario, New Jersey, Michigan, Illinois, Missouri, and several other places. Many of these trips revolved around the International CORSA convention, and I was always happy to have driven my Corvair to the convention site! The recent addition of a 1961 Serro Scotty Sportsman 13 foot camping trailer has slightly lessened our use of the Greenbrier as our only camper, but I am always happy to know it is ready to go for a weekend getaway with a turn of the key. In this age of multi-million dollar camping rigs, I am always happy to show up at a campground and help people remember how simple camping can be.

The Greenbrier was my daily driver for 15 years. Now it rests more as daily driving duties are handled by a 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee, however, I drive both of my FCs whenever the weather, and opportunity, are right.