The Chevrolet Corvair was almost in a class by itself. While it was designed to compete with other compact cars in the 1960s, it was quite different than the rest of Detroit. Like the VW Beetle, it had a rear-mounted, air-cooled engine (but with a flat-six), unlike the Ford Falcon or Plymouth Valiant. More than 1.8 million copies were built across two generations from 1960 to 1969, so it has to be considered an accounting success. This ’63 Monza is a driver-quality convertible with a 4-speed shifter and is available for $8,000 here on Facebook Marketplace. Kudos to “Pnuts” for the tip!
These cars were famous for their run-in with consumer advocate Ralph Nader, who criticized the handling characteristics in his 1965 book, Unsafe at Any Speed. His target may have been the 1963 Corvair just like this one, as Chevy made some suspension changes in 1964 that might have appeased Nader. The Corvair’s sales numbers began to decline mid-decade, but that wasn’t totally Nader’s fault. The Ford Mustang proved to be a sportier alternative to the quirky Corvair.
The Corvair was flying high in sales in 1963, and more than 36,600 copies alone were the Monza 900 convertible like this one. We’re betting that white with a red interior was a popular combination when new, though a red top vs. white might be more attractive. We’re told this driver has “lots and lots” of new parts, and it would be helpful to know what they are. The seller says some minor TLC is needed, but are those wants cosmetic or mechanical?
Rather than consult the odometer, the mileage listing for this car is one million. Regardless, it seems like it would be a fun toy to drive and enjoy just the way it is. The crew at Cars & Coffee will be impressed even if you don’t spend another dollar on the vehicle. If you’re looking for a drop-top for the weekend Summer months, would you hand over $8k for this Monza?
8k is a great number. Looks like a steal of a deal.
I drove my dad’s Spyder in the day and loved it.
He wanted a Porsche but he thought as a family doctor it would be better to be in an American made car for house calls.
Why is it every one of these had a mangled rear grill?
Good writeup Russ, these quirky little fellas have surely garnered their fair share of criticism over the years. The price seems fair for an early sixties GM ragtop with a manual gearbox. A person could possibly fly in, stop by the local automotive shop for a health check, and drive this home. Also be sure and get those tire pressures set at GM’s specs.
Just don’t stop by Road America on the way home and challenge a ZR1 into a 100 mph curve in the rain, and you should be ok…
You do not want to put the factory specs on the tire pressure. Way too low.
Hello Bob, the factory specs are correct for the 4 ply tires being made back then. But after research, guys are still running 8-10# difference between front and rear for more frontend grip, generally 20 front and 30 rear. There does seem to be an awful lot of debate over this.
Correct on the rear pressure and adding even more helps.
Always been a muscle car guy. Didn’t used to like these when I was a kid but now I really like them especially being a convertible and 4 speed.
John
Unless swapped out for one from a later car, this would be 145c.i. Not the powerhouse, but with the 4-speed, could still be enjoyable to drive. The generator is retained, more common on judged show cars than street rides, as the alternators seem to be preferred for those.
The single master brake cylinder was swapped for a dual circuit one, which is of course a very good and common safety modification. If one hasn’t been added already, I’d suggest bolting on the rear camber control spring from the ’64 model year.
Not one photo with the top down, that’s kind of strange in July, LOL!
Kudos to the seller for at least attempting to show the underside, but a first-person inspection is really in order there. Many more appropriate questions could be asked… And yes, @DRV it is odd that the rear grilles are so often very wrinkled.
The rear grille damage is usually because the engine has been out for 1 reason ir another