The Chevrolet Corvair was one of the most unusual (if not the most unusual) U.S. produced automobiles of the 1960s. With its air-cooled, rear-mounted engine, it was unlike anything else on the market – sans the Volkswagen Beetle. It received one redesign during its 10-year run (in 1965), and the seller’s Monza Sport Coupe is one of them. Located in Eaton, Colorado, this nicely preserved Chevy is available here on craigslist for $8,500. Heads up to Rocco B. for the cool tip!
Chevrolet came under flak with the first-generation Corvair because its handling characteristics could be considered unsafe under extreme cornering. Or at least consumer advocate Ralph Nader thought so and included the car in his book, Unsafe at Any Speed. Though the book came out in 1965, Chevy had corrected many of those issues with the 1964 editions. The redesigned Corvair arrived in 1965 and carried those changes forward. But the damage had been done, and Corvair sales declined every year after a brief bump up in ’65.
This ’65 Monza is either a well-heeled survivor or an older restoration. Either way, it looks and runs well at 83,000 miles. The cars were offered with four versions of the 164 cubic inch flat-six engine, and this one has the 140-horsepower edition. This is accomplished through the use of four single-barrel carburetors. The transmission is a 2-speed Powerglide automatic adapted for the Corvair motor.
The seller rates the condition of the car as “excellent,” and the photos support that. Solid body, nice paint, great interior. Other than the aftermarket wheels, everything comes across as stock and in fine shape. This is a driver-quality Chevy (at a minimum) and should be fun to drive, as long as you don’t run across one of Nader’s later minions.
Always thought these were good looking little cars. Never driven one, never ridden in one, but I remember when it wasn’t unusual to see one on the street. This one looks pretty clean.