35k Miles: 1965 Chevrolet Corvair Monza

The Corvair was Chevrolet’s first compact car, born in 1960 in unusual fashion. Its engine was air-cooled rather than water-cooled and resided in the back. After 1.8 million copies, the car quietly retired in the Spring of 1969. This 1965 Monza Sport Coupe was from the first of the second (and last) generation and is said to be largely original with very low miles. Located in Santa Ynez, California, this sparkling Chevy is available here on craigslist for $15,500. An attaboy goes to Rocco B. for this nifty tip!

A single engine was still offered in 1965 (2.7-liters), but it could be tuned to produce from 95 to 180 horsepower. The base engine came with a single one-barrel carburetor, but when you added a second carb, output went from 95 to 110 horsepower, and that’s the configuration in the seller’s 35,000-mile example. If that odometer reading is accurate, someone decided years ago to save this car rather than drive it.

Tahitian Turquoise paint adorns the exterior of this Monza, and it is likely a respray. But it presents well, and the car appears rust-free. On the other hand, the white and aqua interior uses the same materials that came with the car when it was built. It’s equipped with the Corvair version of Chevy’s 2-speed Powerglide automatic transmission.

The seller has the car’s original wheels and covers, and they will come with the sale along with the 14” American Racing wheels the machine wears now. Overall, this is a survivor-quality automobile (except for maybe the paint) that should serve its next owner well. However, the seller may see little activity, as he/she only wants to be called or texted, yet no phone number is included in the listing. You’ll have to use Craigslist’s email system, which the seller says he cannot access via his cell.