The U.S. compact car market was heating up by the time 1960 models were introduced. At that point (and going forward), American-built compacts were technically smaller versions of their full-size counterparts. Except for the Chevrolet entry, the Corvair. With its rear-mounted, air-cooled powerplant, it was the closest thing in the mix to the VW Beetle. Over a decade, more than 1.8 million of them were sold, so Chevy wasn’t off the mark, right? This 1964 Corvair, a 4-door sedan we assume is a Monza (the seller doesn’t say), is a good running compact that’s part of a collection being sold off. Located in Ozark, Missouri, this dusty find is available here on craigslist for $6,500. Thanks for the latest tip, T.J.!
By 1964, the Corvair was not the same car that activist Ralph Nader would soon take to task for its handling characteristics. The car’s rear suspension was reworked in how the swing axle was mounted. That included the addition of a transverse leaf spring and different coil springs which were said to reduce the car’s roll stiffness in tight turns (the Corvair apparently now kept all four wheels firmly on the ground). And the engine size was increased from 145 to 164 cubic inches which resulted in a horsepower bump of 15.
Corvair sales were down 27% in 1964, the year of the seller’s car. That was not Ralph’s fault (that would come later). Sources attributed the decline to few physical changes in the car in five years (a new Corvair was coming in 1965), the non-convertible portion of the line-up being limited to sedans rather than hardtops, and the mid-year introduction of the Ford Mustang which cut into Monza and Spyder sales. If the seller’s car is a Monza, then it’s one of nearly 22,000 4-door sedans produced that year, often referred to as “flat tops” because of the surface area of the roof.
Though it appears to be in storage with a little covering of dust, the seller says this Corvair runs and drives “as it should”. The air-cooled flat-6 is paired with an automatic transmission and the odometer reading is supposedly a mere 41,000 miles. We’re told the black paint and red interior are original and seem to be in good condition. The Corvair has fender skirts, which I don’t ever recall seeing on a Corvair and perhaps they were a factory option. It’s said to be part of a collection being sold off, although no other automobiles appear to be sharing the same space. Does this Corvair light your fire?
Its a 500 sedan, with the 95 hp engine not a Monza.
Apologies for understating the engine….it’s the 102 hp variety.
It’s a 700. See the stainless trim on the front of the car, and the bench seat.
The other day I was watching Mecum Auctions and they were raving about a Corvair Monza Spyder. I quickly remembered a boy prodigy named Tim Swenson from my neighborhood that upon high school graduation received this car. I remember seeing him fly through my block with the top down and a carload of cheerleaders. I was really young but I remember mom crying only days later hearing he crashed over a cliff on Hwy 17 in the Santa Cruz mountains and died.
Weeks later Ralph Nader was on the news talking about the severe handling problems with the rear ends of Corvairs. The faster Spyders were a handful to drive and after a intense investigation it was found the Swenson death was caused by mechanical failure.
I wonder today when I see cars Detroit made in error how many of us realize the suffering and death-toll and most importantly lobbying it took to get these machines off our highways.
jv – smash palace
The Federal Highway Safety Administration after years of investigation and actual testing of Corvairs and other contemporary cars determined in 1972 that the Corvair was perfectly safe and had no design flaws. Even professional drivers have a difficult time to purposely make a Corvair roll, for example. Remember thousands of cars of every make and model had vehicular deaths in the 1960’s, besides Corvairs
How many of us are in danger by airbags manufactured by Takata? That wasn’t Detroit’s error.
If the pictures, the description was better, it might be sold already. Roll that beauty out in the sun and retake the photos please!
I also noticed the tail lights are 63. So we might be looking at something all together different here.
Good catch on the tail lenses, maybe it was assembled in the summer of 63. I had a 63, 500 club coupe 80hp with a 3 speed. Took it up to 90mph several times. Loved how you didn’t really hear the engine above 55. Also had a 65 Monza convertible beater
Would love a 65 or 66 monza 4 Dr now. Can’t find one worthwhile.
I’m looking at the air cleaner assembly. I thought the arrangement shown was last used on the 63 model (except for 65 with air conditioning and FC). Didn’t the 64 model use the same style as the 65 through 69?
And it has a PCV valve. It looks like it’s a 63.
& I think the wheel covers are of later vintage than ’60 as well, you might be right, a ’63? a GREAT FIND!!
Absolutely, there is no bad year when it comes to a Corvair.
Not a Monza. Bench seat, basic upholstery, chrome trim on front half of body tells me it is probably a 700. You don’t see many flat tops around. Too bad it’s an automatic. PS, lose the skirts. Never was an option. Read JC Whitney.
Is it just me or is literally every Corvair that’s up for sale shoved in a garage somewhere with bad lighting, poor camera angles, and a lot of other old stuff?
I think you’re right. I have a neighbor that’s had a ragtop in his garage for as long as I can remember, (I’m 62 in July) totally packed in with boxes around it, on top of it, etc. Still tempted to stop him and throw him an offer one day soon.
Did Clark’s Corvair Parts offer the skirts?
My first car was a ’61. 700 light switch automatic. Pretty sure I ran 20 pounds in front tires and 40 in the rears. Only jacked up on me once in a off ramp evasive action (A Pinto with a flat tire!). Decently reliable and took half a dozen friends home from school when a blizzard hit. Had the ignition switch that you could leave unlocked, remove the key and start the car without it. Quirky fun.
Lucky you missed that Pinto. Otherwise, you might have ended up as a crispy critter!
Yes. Those Corvairs were much safer than those Pintos. Chevy put the fuel tanks in front of your face, so you could actually see the fireball.
Oh, I know. He would have gotten it from both ends!
For your information, the fuel tank was mounted behind the trunk and the front crossmember. A very safe place for it.
“Light switch”?
Last Saturday, the local new car dealer put on an all Corvair show, from the Pikes Peak Corvair Club. It was a wonderful turnout,,,,by the owners, I’d say, maybe 30(?) cars, of all years and types. Even a pristine rampside, and not one puddle of oil. Needless to say, I was impressed, and most all were driven.
And now the downside, what did you think from me? Aside from the owners, I could count on one hand how many “others”, bolstering my views, nobody cares. As I talked to the owners, I made a note of the passerbys, oh, they looked, but not enough to turn around. To anyone, it sure was an unusual collection of cars, but again, few cared. I had a great time, I like Corvairs, and the owners passions showed, but again, all gray( or no) hairs, and when they are gone, it’s adios for the Corvair Club. Too harsh you say? Prove me wrong, as that show told me, I’m not that far off.
The Corvair, I felt, was the most unique, simple, well engineered car to come from Detroit. To put down the Corvair is simply unwarranted and shows the ignorance of those that do.
What you say about lack of interest from those other than Boomers is more widespread than just Corvairs.
1963.
I happened upon this last night, before I saw this write-up. 3 stock Corvairs were pretty impressive in 1960. To this day, even many 4x4s are unable to make the grueling trek thru the jungle with no roads. Those Corvairs? Two made it!
Also, I watched 4 US Army vets in their 50s ride the entire length, around 17,000 miles. That 200 miles of hell on earth that is the Darien Gap would literally kill me. Enjoy:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghgRH9m2fOI
Thanks for that link! I haven’t seen those films in decades.
This is a 1963 700 with a 102hp powerglide.