Y’all, sometimes I feel a little predictable, snatching up all the Corvairs that get submitted so that I can preach the gospel of this underappreciated little gem of a sports sedan, but this one seriously has my name all over it. It’s the same year as my own Corvair, with the same engine/transmission combo, about the same mileage, and even the same color. If there’s a car I am truly qualified to write about, this is it, so many thanks to my colleague Adam Clarke for finding this one. You can find it, too, by heading here to craigslist, where it’s on offer out of East Hartford, Connecticut for a mere $4,500. Buy it, and be as happy as I am!
This 45,000-mile Willow Green Monza coupe differs from my car in only three respects: its interior is black where mine is Fawn (ivory, with gold accents), it has two fewer doors than my sedan, and its has the snazzy, factory optional fake wire wheel covers. These latter two differences, which theoretically make this car more desirable than mine, lead me to think that this beauty might be a bit of a bargain at the asking price—after all, they’re asking about what I paid for my car 15 years ago, although it had much lower mileage at the time.
There aren’t many pictures included in this ad, but I can see a couple of potential concerns. One is a dark patch at the bottom front corner of the passenger door, which I’d want to see closer up, and the other is what looks like a possible rust spot above the driver’s side rain gutter in the picture above. Looks like there might be a split in the top of the driver’s seatback, too. Still, none of these are likely huge concerns; this is, after all, a 53-year-old unrestored car, so some imperfections are inevitable, and the seat cover in particular would be an easy fix as new ones are readily available. The absence of major rust along the A-pillar and rocker in the photo above is reassuring.
The 110-horse dual-carb flat six and Powerglide two-speed automatic back up a car that, according to the seller, “runs and drives good.” Yes, those 110 are gross ponies, in true ’60s fashion, so this is not a powerful car, but it should be torquey and smooth. Corvairs aren’t drag racers, anyway; their Corvette-inspired fully independent suspension at all four corners allow them to shine on twisty back roads in a way that no other ’60s American car can match—or many from any other era, for that matter. I’ve never had a problem keeping up with traffic in my Corvair, and the four-wheel drum brakes are surprisingly effective thanks to the rear-weight bias. Corvairs used some fairly sophisticated materials and engineering, but they are simple to work on and parts are inexpensive and generally easy to find, so this car’s value proposition goes beyond its low purchase price.
Since the seller only provided four pictures of this Corvair, I will shamelessly use this photo of my own to bring it all home. Isn’t the Willow Green paint pretty? This was one of several new “tinted silvers” introduced across the GM lineup for 1965—others available on the Corvair included Mist Blue and Evening Orchid—and it’s an unusual and elegant complement to the Corvair’s beautiful hardtop lines. The Corvair has had its oddball reputation for far too long, so as always, I’m here to scream from the rooftops: this car is beautiful to look at, beautiful to drive, comfortable (-ish), reliable, reasonably fuel efficient, a bargain to buy, and easy to own. BUY IT!
Always loved the look of the 65 Corvair, bubble top.
Nice car – they’re even nicer with a four-speed…
What a huge improvement over the first generation. While early ones were tubby looking, these are graceful. I’d like a Corvair someday, but I’m holding out for a 4-speed.
That’s one I’d like for myself. I’d prefer the 4 speed & the 140 HP engine, but I could live with the 110 & the ‘glide
I guess that I can skip church tomorrow morning, already heard the sermon today!
A handsome car At Any Speed.
I don’t care how much Corvair lovers like those fake wire wheel covers, they would be the first thing to go if I bought this car.
Agree. I’m thinking a set of Rally Sports might be the ticket while maintaining familial ties.
My buddy in H.S. had a 65 convertible, maroon with black top and interior and a 4-speed. Great car. Fun to drive and easy to work on. Leaked oil from valve rocker arm tubes as they all did. I took care of the car mechanically and drove it often. My only issue was the heater in Chicago in the winter. You needed to drive 10 miles to get decent heat and defrosted windows. Would love to have one today. The engine ran great when it was tuned and carbs adjusted and balanced. Got 25mpg on the highway and hummed. This little green one is sweet but I’d have to have a ragtop for old times sake. Hope a BFer gets it.
My father worked the Corvair engine test line in Tonawanda during the 60s so this one hits home. Over the years he had 7 of them including a 64 Greenbrier and a 65 turbo Corsa. This one’s a beauty and brings back a lot of memories.
Nathan ,had same car as yours,in maroon.I traded a guy for a new aluminum intake manifold for a 289 for his running Corvair in 1975.Great winter beater car for 2 year s in NYC.They still always get my attention ,when I see one.That fact alone really befuddle s my Ford pals to no end….
Being from CT, I feel I must comment. How cool would it be to make a John Fitch sprint replica??? Would love to own this!
I am in the middle of a restoration on one now. 1965 Monza coupe in mist blue with black interior, it is the 110 eng. with power glide. This was my grandfathers car from 1966 until his death in 1992 then went to my brother. Unfortunately it was parked outdoors about 14 years ago. The body and floors have held up well, but the rubber has not. I have the engine resealed and all the needed rubber parts to reassemble. Hoping to have it painted and on the road by next summer. Paps always loved it, he bragged about the handling, I look forward to some fun drives here in the PA mountains.
I bought a set of these hubcaps without knowing what they went to.
When I saw a picture of a Corvair with them on it, I said AHA, that makes sense.
There is no Chevrolet or Corvair markings on them.
Miguel,
Check the center of the spinners, should be a Chebby bow tie there, unless they did something different in your country. I would consider that a Chebby marking.
Nathan – you’re my new hero writer! Keep it up. 1965 Corvair, 1965 Riviera, 1965 Impala 2-door, 1965 Bonneville convertible, 1965 Corvette – GM seemed to effortlessly create classics that year.
BTW – Your 4-dr. is SWEET!
I too, thought this was the best Corvair. I liked the 1st gen ones, but not for the styling,more for the mechanic’s, the 2nd gen had both. I’ll never figure out why this car wasn’t a best seller. I remember Corvairs with snow tires, and if you could steer it, it would go through most snowstorms, frosty inside windows, and all. Not the best heat. Again, must have all been in the maintenance, as I remember some pretty leaky, neglected Corvairs. I think the Corvair will go down in history as one of the most misunderstood American cars. A shame, they were good cars.
It’s great to see some Corvairs have survived and are appreciated. “Back in the day” for those of us with limited funds the Corvair made it possible to have some really cool cars. They had little resale value so even a poverty-stricken college kid could afford a cool 3-year-old convertible. I owned a half dozen, including this 1966 Corsa convertible in 1969. If you look very closely you’ll see the outline of the Tetons in the background.
Too bad Ralph Nader torpedoed these fine cars with his book, “Unsafe at any speed”! That were ahead of their time.
They are wonderful cars. Someone buy this! I am too far away and have no room.
My first new car, a 1965 Corvair Turbo Corsa. With a built in rear suspension fault that dealers couldn’t locate, this POS soured me from buying any GM product to this day. Tiny brakes, plugged gas filler pipe, poor dealer service, poor handling and careless body fit added up to Buyer’s Remorse, big time,
’65 – ’69 Corvairs have quite adequate (drum) brakes, excellent handling, and build quality probably as good as most American cars of their day.
Lots of compliments here on Corvairs. On the other hand, those making disparaging and “Ralph Nader” remarks probably never spent time with – or owned one. I have a much modified ’69 coupe, 4 carb. & 4 spd. They can easily be made into a superior handling sports car, and are loved, because they are such fun to drive.
Don’t forget ‘ol Ralphie boy OWNED one!
Remember, you can’t own just one. They are habit forming.
Had a ’68 that I bought from my brother for $500. Yellow w black interior. Came off the line like a bat out of he__. This one is tempting
I had a Corvair when I was 17 it was a 4 speed and I was rough on that car for owing it for one year I remember a huge snow pile in town made high by front end loaders. The weight of the engine in the rear gave plenty of winter traction I set that Corvair about straight in the air up that snow mound
My experience with this car as a surfer in the mid seventies was it could glide over the deepest sand – in reverse, and darn near give you whiplash on the road.
Nathan, I like yours better. I always thought that the 4-door was a nicer looking car in better porportion. I had a ’65 Monza Convertible many years ago with stick shift. Loved it.
Although the author is right: these cars were not intended to compete with ‘Vettes, there are plenty of restomod versions (my ’65, pictured here, is an example of one with a mid-engined, 350 SBC). And while they may not be the fastest, the combination of great handling and great looks (IMHO) make them great buys for those of us who cannot afford a Porsche!
For anyone who ever owned a Corvair, why would you want a Porsche? I love my Corvair, just like it’s bumper sticker says.
Parents had two: a 65 Monza and a 66 Corsa, both 2 door hardtops.
Still one of GM’s best designs.
And the wonderful flat floor made it feel even roomier than it actually was.
What’s Not to LOVE ?