If Chrysler invented the minivan in the 80's,
and cab-forward design in the 90's,
then GM engineers must have discovered time travel in 1960.

1964 Chevrolet Corvair Greenbrier Deluxe van. This is the original
American minivan. It takes up less real estate than a full size car,
yet seats 9 people comfortably, has plenty of additional cargo space,
and has a 3/4 ton load rating.

The Chevrolet reply to the Volkswagen is really very much like a
modern minivan or mini pickup. It has 80-110 horsepower, 130-160 lb-
ft of torque (depending on year and engine option), weighs 2800-3000
lb, and has similar exterior dimensions to a Plymouth Grand Voyager.
Unlike the modern vehicles, though, all Corvair FC's have a gross
vehicle weight rating of 4600 lb, which works out to about a 3/4 ton
payload. All Corvair 95's with stock paint were delivered in two-
tone: one of about six colors with a white accent stripe. A white
body was also available, which came with a red accent stripe. The
Greenbrier Sportswagon was available with a limited range of the
Corvair car colors for that year. The same accent stripe color rule
applied. See Kent Sullivan's data pages at http://www.corvairkid.com
for more information.

http://www.mkellstrand.com/corvairs/my_64brier.html
http://rad.davis.home.comcast.net/FCart/lgfiles/edline640.jpg

http://www.corvair.org/chapters/corvanatics/movies/
venture_commercial.mpg