It’s not every day you stumble across a classic drop-top that has already taken home a trophy from a judged car show, and this unique project is ready for its next chapter. Offered at an asking price of $12,000, this classic rear-wheel-drive cruiser features a straight body wrapped in bright yellow paint. Available here on craigslist out of Hillsboro, Oregon, the seller claims to have invested around $35,000 on new components including a rebuilt engine, transmission, brakes, shocks, interior seating and a new fabric top.
The most intriguing detail of the specific build is under the rear decklid, where the mechanical configuration tells an unusual story. The badging says it is a factory Spyder which was defined by a turbocharged engine. However, this one sports a naturally aspirated, newly rebuilt flat-six powerplant which was available on the base model. Purists might raise their eyebrows at the lack of forced induction, but that may not necessarily be a bad thing. The turbo versions, while exciting, were known to be temperamental, and a properly rebuilt naturally aspirated unit can be a more reliable everyday companion. With an estimated 6,000 miles on all components, it sounds like this one was done correctly.
The body is described as straight with minor rust noted at the wheel openings, which on a 60-year-old open car is very encouraging. Yellow is a great color on these as it suits the Spyder’s sporty personality better than the subdued tones often seen on them. The new interior and fabric top also suggest the previous owner wanted a complete driver-quality car. It also removes the usual headaches associated with cabin restoration. It even got a win in a judged show class, meaning someone with a critical eye approved of the car.
While the overall sheet metal is remarkably straight, potential buyers will want to carefully inspect the small spots of rust bubbling up around the wheel openings before committing. Check the lower front fenders, rocker panels behind the doors, and the trunk floor since these convertibles usually collect moisture in those areas. Ask for the engine and transmission receipts to verify the 6,000-mile figure refers to the rebuilt components or just the chassis. A cold start drive and a look underneath will tell you everything you need to know. The missing turbo means it will never command a Spyder’s premium, but it also means you can drive it without worrying about costly forced induction repairs. At $12,000, with this level of investment and available financing on approved credit (OAC), the math works in the buyer’s favor. Would you give this naturally aspirated cruiser a chance, or does a Spyder absolutely need the turbo to belong in your driveway?
Nice to see I’m not the only person who invests in his cars with such a strategy. I have about 50k in my 25k 68 Mustang….
Nice car though.
Yes! Another auto ‘investor’ like me. Knowing what a beating I would take if I sold my car I keep driving it, confident one day it will be worth at least a quarter to a third of what I’ve put into it. :D
A rare find ! Convertibles are always more scarce especially on obsolete cars , no longer in production .
Perfect as it is. At my age I will be gone long before the rust gets serious enough to need repair!
What transmission is fitted?
The ad states it has a manual which should be a four speed.
Much better to save your money for a 1964 or 65 model, when the rear suspension got properly sorted and the motor was upgraded: a much better car.
He put 35 grand in it and didn’t fix the rust?
I think the rust has returned since it was restored.
Yeah, I’m a sucker for these cars. 1964 is my favorite. For me it has to have the turbo. That’s what makes the car. Without it it’s just a Corvair Convertible which are nice just not Spyder nice.
God Bless America
It would be a great weekend driver, thoroughly redone and pretty much trouble free. That would be enough to earn it a place in my driveway. That said, I’m not a fan of black interiors, especially in convertibles, and yellow wouldn’t be my first choice. And last but not least, all Spyders came with turbo engines. It may have the special sporty dash and the badging, but if it no longer has the turbo engine, it’s no longer a Spyder.
as stated 35k invested and there is still rust. did not invest money into the right things. nice car but that trofie is not going to help sell it. might get that 12k but it may take some time.
In spite of Ralph Nader, Corvairs still have a strong following. I can believe this one benefitted from a $35k investment. It looks like a bargain for $13k. If I were closer I’d go take a look.
Sadly, it’s not too hard to put $20 and $30K in cars like this and still not address many of the problems.
I grew up around these Corvairs but always had other cars to pursue. It’s got to be a labor of love………..a 35K investment and a return of $13K… maybe? It looks to be a nice restored example, though…………
My first car was a 1965 Corvair Corsa 140 H.P. It had one single 4-barrell carb 4 tubes from the heads.’ it was originally painted evening orchid. [light purple]. It was a lot of fun to drive.
Ralph Nader be damned. My uncle used to race one of these across a narrow two lane road across a swamp with 90 degree corners and it handled great.