Lakewood vs Wagon interchangeability

[rcavictor]

I seem to have Lakewoods that keep finding me. Had two, sold one, now acquired another solid project. It needs a driver-side front door. Does anyone have one? (Just reached out to Steve Morton and Jeff @ the Ranch…)

I think this is rhetorical but, are Lakewood and Wagon doors interchangeable?

While we’re at it… what is common and what is different between the Lakewood and the Wagon? Tried searching this and the other forum but no definitive lists that came up.

Thanks!

[toms73novass]

Belt line trim on wagon does not go fully around car.
Some of the openings between the engine compartment and battery compartment are different.

Other than that I think it is just model year changes. (Rear grill, interior seat patterns)

The floors out of a 4 door fit the wagon. Many parts of the 4 door from the rear seat forward are the same except door glass and frame for glass and windshield. I believe that you can take the doors from a 4 door remove the top frames and replace with wagon frames and they will work. (not easy obviously)

[Frank DuVal]

What is this Lakewood vs wagon talk?

The Lakewood is the 1961 advertising name for the Corvair wagon. No Monza trim was available that year. A 1961 Lakewood came in 500 or 700 series trim. Monza trim on a wagon came in 1962, and the Lakewood name was not used in 1962, along with the 500 trim being dropped for 1962. In 1962 the only Corvair 500 model was the 2 door.

1961 Wagons:
Lakewood 500 series trim
Lakewood 700 series trim

1962 Wagons:
700 series trim
Monza trim (900 series)

No sheet metal difference in any except for trim holes.

[SpyderMan]

I will add to what Tom said.

The biggest thing is the master cylinder setup. 61s have the under dash setup shared with 60s and the 62s have the later style. The rear engine covers are the same sizes but 62 dropped the cool check pattern that 61s have. 61s have different cooling cutouts in the engine compartment.

I could go on with lots of subtle changes but as stated the doors will interchange, my 62 has 61 doors in the rear.

[flamingchariots]

I will add to what Tom said.

The biggest thing is the master cylinder setup. 61s have the under dash setup shared with 60s and the 62s have the later style. The rear engine covers are the same sizes but 62 dropped the cool check pattern that 61s have.

Any pictures of this cool check pattern? I never heard of it before...

Kevin
Medina, OH

[SpyderMan]

I just looked but I do not have a good close up picture, maybe a 61 owner will post a picture for us. It alway struck me as such a strange and unnecessary thing to change. 61s have it on the three engine are covers as well as the panel over the heater and the back of the fold down rear seat. 62 are all the same but smooth with no pattern.

[Dennis66]

The "checked pattern" was a carryover from other Chevrolet (GM?) station wagons. I remember it from our 1962 Belair, my '63 Impala, and it may have even been in the 1968 Belair that my father bought brand new. Dennis

[toms73novass]

Ahh yes the checkered pattern. I have a 61 rear seat, from the ranch. Has checkered pattern but 62 used a cardboard insert over rear of seat so it covered the pattern. 62 no pattern.

[joelsplace]

Is the filler panel between the rear seat back and the floor different?
My Lakewood is missing that part.

[Westds1]

Best picture I could find of the pattern on a Lakewood.

[toms73novass]

Is the filler panel between the rear seat back and the floor different?
My Lakewood is missing that part.

I do not believe so.

[Wittsend]

Joel, I believe this is what you were referring to? It is spring loaded (a rather strong spring might I add) with nylon tips that slide on the back of the upright rear seat. Usually I put the rear seat down in wagons but I did not like the look of the filler. The press board really looked cheap next to the rest of the textured (checkered) surface. The whole exposed hinges, stepped positioning, wood fiber filler board of the overall rear seat area seems so archaic to the modern concept of the Corvair in general.

[joelsplace]

That's it!
Is there a difference between the '61 & '62?

[SpyderMan]

The one in my 62 is not original to the car but it came out of another 62 wagon according to Jeff at the ranch. It is smooth like the one pictured. Maybe a 62 owner with a more complete known car will chime in.

Has anyone ever seen an original rubber rear cargo floor mat? They are listed in the parts book so I assume they all came with one. All the sun in the back probably fried them fairly quickly.