Greenbriar WHC van?

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brmstn69
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Joined: Tue Mar 08, 2011 2:16 am

Greenbriar WHC van?

Post by brmstn69 »

I've been looking for a wheelchair accessible vehicle for my mother and when I saw a Corvair Greenbriar, the first thing I noticed was the flat, lowered floor of the middle section, much like the lowered floors they use in mini vans converted for wheelchairs and thought that it might work. I also saw a rampside pickup and was thinking that instead of a lift, I could modify the rampside door for use as a wheelchair ramp with the van doors hinged clam shell style.

Image

So my question is, has this ever been done before? Has anyone ever seen a Greenbriar with a wheelchair lift or fitted it with the rampside door? And most important to me, can someone please give me the dimensions for the side door opening so I can tell if there would be enough headroom?

Thank you.
Kevin
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Scott H
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Location: Hesperia, CA

Re: Greenbriar WHC van?

Post by Scott H »

I have not seen a ramp fitted to the Greenbrier but I think it would be a good candidate for a sweet retro wheelchair accessible vehicle. The Rampside ramp is pretty steep. To fix that you would have to either make the ramp longer, or lower the vehicle with air ride suspension or have a hydraulic lift gate type thing.

From Vanman's thread thread viewtopic.php?f=52&t=362
Image
Scott
1960 Monza Coupe
1965 Evening Orchid Corsa Turbo (project)
1961 Rampside (project)
1964 Spyder coupe (patina car, running)
1964 faux Spyder (project/parts car)
1964 Monza (parts car)
1963 Monza (parts car)
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Vanman
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Re: Greenbriar WHC van?

Post by Vanman »

I use a dual fold aluminum ramp 6' long. I have one because I sell and repair wheel chairs as a profesion. Mine is not bolted to the vehicle, so I can put it in multiple vehicles, I use it primarily for work.

Check out this place http://www.discountramps.com/wheelchair-ramps.htm

Heres some tie downs they sell

http://www.discountramps.com/wheelchair_tiedown.htm


They sell Prarie view ramps, we use the same company ramps, and they are great. I dont specialize in auto access, but can possibly assist you with any questions you have. Check state laws in reguaurds to tie downs and restraint systems for wheelchairs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Usualy you need tie downs for the wheel chair, and seat belt for the passenger in the wheel chair!!!!!!!!!!!!! Be very carefull do your research and follow state laws, for safety and also being legal. It is against the law to just use tiedowns, or a seat belt. I do not specialize in vehicle restraints, just wheel chairs, so use my advise as a guide, not the rule. Good luck and post pics of what you do and find.
Kevin, Plainfield IL

'63 Corvan

'63 Custom Bug.
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Vanman
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Joined: Wed Jan 13, 2010 6:38 pm

Re: Greenbriar WHC van?

Post by Vanman »

Also head room depends on seated height of the person while in the wc. Measure the top of the head, and I will measure my opening.

Is she in a power or manual wheel chair?
Kevin, Plainfield IL

'63 Corvan

'63 Custom Bug.
brmstn69
Posts: 4
Joined: Tue Mar 08, 2011 2:16 am

Re: Greenbriar WHC van?

Post by brmstn69 »

Well, the rampside idea might be a little ambitious for me, but I was going to airbag it...

But to answer some of your questions, I worked for years as a wheelchair transport driver and I'm very familiar with the laws and requirements. This is also one of the reasons that I don't want a typical wheelchair van, it reminds me of work,lol.

The wheelchair is Jazzy 614 power chair http://www.csnstores.com/Pride-Mobility ... M1266.html and I'm planning on using an ez lock docking system http://www.ezlock.net/index.html and I've thought about the portable ramps but would really like something that is self deploying in case someone else is driving her. I found these roll-up ramps http://www.auto-handcontrols.com/ramps.htm that can be mounted with a motor to unfold them.
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