Chevrolet got into the compact car game in 1960 with the new Corvair. Following in the footsteps of the VW Beetle the automobile used an air-cooled engine mounted in the rear. Despite being unorthodox by domestic standards, the little machine sold quite well, at least during its first generation. This 1963 Monza Sport Coupe looks nice at first glance, but it has visible rust issues – and perhaps some that are not. Located in Dover, New Hampshire, this Chevy project is available here on craigslist for the cheap wheels price of $2,200.
At the heart of the 1963 Corvair was the 145 cubic-inch flat-six that produced 98 hp, enough to give it some reasonable zip from a stop light. A variety of body styles were offered, including a small pickup. The Monza was the fancier version of the car and examples like the seller’s could be ordered with a 2-speed Powerglide automatic transmission. More than 129,500 Monza coupes were delivered by Chevy dealers in 1963. After that, sales declined due to a bad safety rap the vehicle received from advocate Ralph Nader.
We don’t know a lot about this Monza except that it was found in a barn and was last registered for road use in Mane in 2012. It only has 57,000 miles which would be very little if the counting stopped 12 years ago. While the blue paint looks good, rust may be abundant, hence why the seller says it will need a full restoration. The bottom of one door has rusted and given the condition of the carpeting, the floorboards below it may be crusty.
The Corvair was redesigned in 1965 and most of Nader’s complaints had been addressed. But it was too late to help sales, which were also being drawn away by the more conventional Chevy II/Nova. Demand for the Chevy trickled off to where only 6,000 copies were assembled in 1969 before the company pulled the plug mid-year. Does this Corvair look worthy of your restoration dollars and time?
Lot of leaves and junk in that barn. Seller’s not much into presentation. Pretty sure there is a better car and better deal out there somewhere.
Yes, not to be trusted… it’s probably rusted. I had a 63 Monza convertible at one time. It had a rusted/acid eaten battery box and front corner of front wheel opening arches where they met the trunk floor rusted out. It was a fun car.
Being from “Mane” it probably does have a lot of rust, but at least it’s not showing a lot of it, like many of the rusted “crusties” on BF do. I’d like to know if the motor is stuck or if it turns. This car might be a good starting point for restoration, especially if you can dicker with the seller.
There’s enough rot under the trunk where the weatherstrip is to make me run away
Pic #15 shows a hunk of what appears to be rusted floor hanging down, good indication of the car’s condition. The trunk lip rot is not an easy fix. There is so much rust at the front panel I doubt the trunk lid would latch securely. If you use an open trailer, strap it down. No mention as to the engine turning over, all you need is to grab fan belt and pull. Ridiculously expensive parts car at $2200.
Most regular Barn Finders are probably tired of my posts about cars owned by family friends. Well, fasten your seat belts. Here’s another one. Dad’s friend at 6 feet 2 and 250 lbs had a beautiful 56 DeSoto ADVENTURER. One day he arrived at our house in a new Corvair, much to our shock. For some reason, beyond our comprehension, he loved that car, trading every two years until production ceased. When his last new Corvair bit the dust, he searched for used Corvairs never driving anything else until he died! Guess he did Drive a DeSoto before he Decided! NEVER figured out his fascination with cramming his ample body into such a small car. 🤔 As we enter the busy Holiday season, here’s wishing Happy Holidays to ALL! 🎄 From The GREAT AMERICAN LAND YACHT SOCIETY! 🎅 🤶. Watch out for Grandma 👵 and low flying reindeer 🦌 🦌 🦌. 🤣 ANGEL, hope your planned move is going well 👍 💋 and that Santa decides you’ve been a very good girl and fills your stock with mega BUCKS!
Here’s a tall guy/Corvair story. I’m 6’5″/240. When I was in college, I played basketball…not very good, but made the freshman team. I had a 62 4spd corvair convertible. After basketball practice, my legs would cramp so bad that I couldn’t drive home. I would put the top down on the car and put a basketball in the driver’s seat and sit on it, allowing me to keep my legs straight and drive. Had to look over the top of the windshield, but if weather was good it didn’t matter. One day on the way home, while pulling away from a traffic light, SOMEBODY hit me in the face with a rotten banana! That was 1964, but if I ever find out who did it I’ll pour cheap brandy on his cat and set it on fire!
Lifelong Coravair Guy Here! (my father couldnt be into Corvettes or anything!) – This is a $300 parts car. Kind of a shame looks like it may have been decent when parked.
If the engine turns over, it could be a good deal
My family owned 3. My mother owned 2 pre ’65s and I owned one of the first ’65 Monzas built, straight off the Detroit Auto Show center stage turntable. 4 speed, telescoping steering wheel, fake spoke wheels, worth of maroon hardtop. Great car and lots of fun.
My mother had a ’60, first of the first generation. A wonderful car, except for the gasoline heater under the hood, fumes galore. Kept the tires inflated by the book, like 15 psi in front and 32 in the rear, never had an issue. Before the front wheel drive craze, it was about the best you could get in the snow. And, much more tractable than my uncle’s ’63 Porsche which was really twitchy and an effort to keep on the road.
So, inspect for rust, particularly below the windshield, not obvious like the battery tray and the floors.
Back in the late 60s I was behind a corvair that drifted to the right of the road, the right rear tire hit the dirt and it lifted the front end up and landed crossways in the road. Nothing coming, I stopped, everyone was fine just shook up.
ahem,,,,( sung to the tune of Oscar Mayer) That activist had a 1st name, its R a l p h,,,that activist had a 2nd name its N a d e r, BOOOO,,oh, come on, it’s got to be one of the 1st things remembered about a Corvair, to a senior anyway. Time has a wonderful way of erasing unpleasant memories, thank God. We all know his findings were bunk, and the Corvair was a wonderful car. The fact it wasn’t more successful only proved how ignorant Americans were about cars,,,at the time. You’d be surprised how many Americans never looked at a VW & Corvair or cared what powered it.
Quick Corvair story. Years ago, Hemmings was run by a man named the late Terry Ehrich, and he had a collection of cars he would have the staff put on a parade. He had a Corvair a secretary drove, and not thinking, she draped a Hemmings banner over the rear trunk. Well, the car overheated and started on fire. Terry was a great guy and forgave the lady, who felt terrible. I believe an insurance company showed that in an ad not long ago.
I feel the Corvair is unique enough for interest in the future, but they have to be nicer than this. Like the Little Red Hen saga, they would love it when all done, but nobody to help restore it. See how those childhood nursery rhymes come back later in life?
When I saw the second picture—I thought the rear side glass–was the front of the car. Then I imagine 77Pontiac Firebird headlights in place of the back light. I believe it would have looked better. I liked them. I remember my friends parents had a maroon black one with the little automatic gear shift on the dash . Then later on in high school.A friend had a maroon Spider. Neat looking little car. If they only had heater s in them–would have helped alot. Ralph Nader should have stuck to keeping his parents grass cut–instead of trying to become a car genius and didn,t know anything about cars. Sure was glad he didn,t become president. This car advertised–would make a good project for for someone–if the price was reasonable.Sure beats any of the new ones they make now days. They are WAY OVER PRICE PIECES OF JUNK.