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1965 Corvair Corsa: Corv-8 Conversion

corv8

Here’s a throwback to a different era: “For $1,000 and 40 hours of work, you can have one!” That was purported to be the marketing jingle for the Crown Conversions kit to transform standard Corvairs into a V8-powered rocket. This 1965 Corv-8 here on eBay seems like a cheap entry into a fun, fast and even somewhat historic classic car. The founder of Crown Conversions cut his teeth performing engine swaps with vintage Volkswagen dune buggies driven by Corvair powerplants, and the rear-engined Chevy represented the next logical place for him to work his magic: sticking a Chevy small block in the already toss-able Corvair. While this car will need a proper inspection before it rips down the road once again, this is a blissfully simple collection of parts with plenty of junkyard SBCs and Corvairs available to pillage from. Did any of you perform this conversion in your backyards back in the day?

Comments

  1. Avatar redwagon

    no floor and a deafening roar.

    Like 0
  2. Avatar Carl B.

    I had a 65 Corvair Corsa – among others – it was a neat car. AIR – it was the 140HP version with extra gauges and suspension tuning – I think it had quicker steering ratio. Stock it ran well and handled fairly well. I remember the Stingers that ran SCCA back then… still a few around at Vintage Racing events.. For someone with the necessary body and mechanical skills this could be an interesting Retro-Mod for weekend cruises..

    Of course a pure stock, original Corsa would be worth much more..

    Like 1
  3. Avatar Pete

    dis-Astro ventilation.

    Like 0
  4. Avatar DENIS

    Could be a $5000 rocket if you are a little handy—go stoplight lurking…
    would be nice to have more info…

    Like 1
  5. Avatar David C

    I also had a 140hp Corvair, 4 carbs. It was pretty quick. This would be a rocket, but a fun rocket.

    Like 1
  6. Avatar RIC Parrish

    That 327 has the big harmonic balancer, which makes it a 340 horse or even 375 horse engine which means: Steel crank, forged pistons, 30-30 cam, fuelie heads etc. That engine could be worth $15,000 on up.

    Like 0
  7. Avatar Rick

    Oh hell yeah – what a sleeper. Move the radiator to the front for better cooling and go Mustang hunting…

    Like 0
  8. Avatar ian

    Actually I did assist on a Corv-8 conversion back in the day in Montana. Moved away before I saw it completed. Wonder if it was.

    Like 0
  9. Avatar Tony

    Back in the early 70’s a friend built a 66 Monza mid-engine. He made his own mounts, brackets, adapter plate to trans from pictures of the Crown stuff. Only his power was a 392 Hemi, out 60 to 405, wild cam, custom headers. Rocket was a gross understatement. Seriously, the stripes on the road were solid and the telephone poles looked like a picket fence. 150-160 mph was a piece of cake !

    Like 0

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