The Corvair was Chevrolet’s first compact car and took a different path than the domestic competition. Like the German Volkswagen Beetle, the Corvair used a rear-mounted air-cooled engine. This 1964 edition is a Monza 4-door sedan with a 4-speed manual and is equipped with what was probably rare in a Corvair – factory air conditioning! A probable survivor, this Chevy can be found in Lemont, Illinois, and is available here on Facebook Marketplace for $7,500. “Sam61” has brought us another cool tip!
Corvairs are famous for their safety run-in with activist Ralph Nader. His book, Unsafe at Any Speed, took the Corvair to task, but its focus was largely on 1960-63 Corvairs (the book was released in 1965). 1964 Corvairs underwent a lot of engineering changes, which included a transverse leaf spring along with softer rear coil springs. That, along with a standard front anti-roll bar, addressed some (or all) of the concerns that had been raised about rollovers under brisk cornering.
While many put the decline in Corvair demand on Nader’s shoulders (a 25% drop in sales in 1964 vs. 1963), that’s not so. The Corvair wasn’t due for a major restyle until 1965, so the car was starting to look tired, and there was no hardtop model and no V8. And the Ford Mustang arrived mid-year and stole a lot of everyone’s thunder, including Ford’s own Falcon compact.
Chevy built 22,000 Monza 4-door sedans like this one, but how many came with the more powerful 110 hp motor and a 4-speed? This appears to be a solid car needing nothing more than a new home. The seller doesn’t indicate the car’s true mileage but says it’s been well-maintained. Cruise control and delay windshield wipers have been added, but the A/C looks factory (does it work?). It certainly adds more hardware under the “hood.” Are you willing to give it the Chevy a pass on the number of doors?
What is that radiator on top? Never seen that on a ‘vair
AC condenser.
A/C condenser?
Yes. Compressor and dryer are on the right.
That condenser placement is a crime.
Go sue GM.
There’s a big fan right below it!
Where else should it go?
Not so. It works really well.
Where else pray tell?? With the 2nd design they were able to place it forward of the engine. The A/C fills up the engine bay, but when you compare this with all of the new cars today, the Vair is still a breeze to work on.
Years ago I read that the condenser was placed over the engine to take advantage of the air flow created by the engine fan and the spare tire had to be relocated.
Exactly.
Four doors aside this automobile is in remarkable condition and it would be a unique driving experience. It is a reasonably priced piece of automotive history in good drive able condition at an affordable price. Somebody will have fun owning it.
Yes, that’s factory AC, and one of the scariest looking AC installations you’re likely to see. Also it appears you’d have to remove most of it to do any work on the engine. At least the hoses look like they might be long enough to put the components aside rather than having to discharge the refrigerant.
Were they meant to be serviced from underneath? There can’t be much back there, other than the engine.
You would think it could do wheelies with that extra weight in the back
Exactly. To do any work/maintenance on the engine, remove six bolts and the condenser swings over to lie on the top of the right quarter panel nicely out of the way. Better use a fender cover.
I’m not a fan of white cars, but A/C, 4 speed, 4 doors and fender skirts for the win! I’m counting the hours until my mechanic opens up on Monday to ask if he’d be willing to work on it.
Look closely. Those aren’t “skirts”. The rear wheel openings were designer smaller than the front on 2-door models.
Also, this Corvair is wearing 1961 Corvair wheelcovers, not 64 correct.
I love it but i’d be terrified to try to find parts for the a/c if something broke.
It appears to be a pretty basic system with an under-dash evaporator. The compressor looks like a dead stock Frigidaire model A6 that GM installed in millions of their cars and were used in other applications as well. Should be no problem to find a replacement or, if not concerned with originality, install a more modern compressor. Most of the other pieces should be replaceable with generic parts.
Vintage Air and NAPA have everything you need for the AC. Modern compressors are a good move as there is less drag on the engine. Condenser easy to lay over with hoses long enough to be laid on right rear fender with fender cover under it.
The A6 was used in Rolls Royce also.
This particular A6 is reverse rotation.
ACZ: you mentioned reverse rotation…Would it be as simple as swapping the pipes in the back of the compressor?
I always used the term “Corvair radiators” to mean empty space, but here we are, looking at one. I know it’s a condenser, but still. I never knew that was an option.
I knew AC was available when my mother bought her two cars but she lived in Portland, OR and didn’t need it. I was in upper lower Michigan when I bought my ’65 and right after got transferred to Jacksonville, FL. Couldn’t handle the heat so bought an AC with a Buick Skylark connected to it.
In 66 the condenser was moved to the forward engine compartment wall over the air inlet to the engine compartment.
Pull the engine and change the spark plugs!
NO.
The first Corvair that I have ever seen with A/C. Replace the power robbing, heavy compressor with a newer style and you would think that someone installed a lower final drive! I really like the car, and the A/C just adds to its desirability. I would still check this car out closely as it resides in the rust belt. I know, I used to live close by.
Corvairs in general, this one especially, offer a very affordable opportunity to enter the classic car hobby….I mean, under $8K for a driver that seems to need little if anything?
Corvairs in general, this one especially, offer a very affordable opportunity to enter the classic car hobby….I mean, under $8K for a driver that seems to need little if anything?
Nothing like having the AC condenser providing lots of hot air into the engine’s air cooling system.
And that doesn’t happen on any car with A/C? Guess again.
Gen 1 Corvair is clearly one of those cars designed to be a 4 door, and the coupe was an afterthought with its pickup-length rear deck.
I’ve looked at a lot of Corvair engines over the years but have never seen this setup. I didn’t even know it was available. It does look fairly standard, and that fact that it’s able to be moved out of the way is a win. I can only imagine the power rob, though. I finished restoring the A/C on my ’93 GEO Metro last year. I pity anyone who gets behind me while I’m trying to climb a hill with the A/C running. Fortunately, it’s also a convertible, so I don’t use it often. I have always wanted a Corvair since they first came out. Yes, I’m that old. The first convertible I ever drove was a Corvair, too.