This 1966 Chevrolet Corvair Monza presents exceptionally well. Although it has more doors than many enthusiasts prefer, it is a practical classic ideal for those with young children. The seller states that they have recently installed many new parts, ensuring that the buyer slips behind the wheel of a turnkey classic. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Tony P. for spotting the Corvair listed here on Craigslist in Westfield, Indiana. The seller set their price at $14,000 for this beauty.
Vehicle production can be a high-risk venture. Companies that get it right reap the reward with excellent sales and impressive profits. Getting it wrong sometimes leads to financial ruin. Therefore, it is unusual for manufacturers to commence development with a clean slate. However, that was Chevrolet’s approach when it commenced work on its ground-breaking Corvair. It sourced virtually nothing from existing models, with the car’s engineering representing a bold move by Detroit to play European manufacturers at their own game. The First Generation wasn’t a looker, but the Second Generation was a game-changer. Introduced in 1965, the styling was contemporary and crisp, and stands up well sixty years after this Corvair Monza rolled off the line. Finished in Artesian Turquoise with Silver stripes, it is an extremely attractive vehicle. The paint shines richly, the panels are straight, and there is no evidence of rust. The seller states that this beauty has received plenty of show awards, and its appearance makes that claim plausible. The trim and glass are in good condition, and the aftermarket wheels, paired with the stripes, lend a sense of purpose.
Detroit typically followed a tried-and-true path to drivetrain configurations in the 1950s and 1960s. Placing the noisy and oily bits at the front and the driven wheels at the back was standard fare, but Chevrolet broke the mold with the Corvair. Inspired by the success of the Volkswagen Beetle, its latest offering featured a rear-mounted, air-cooled, horizontally opposed motor that sent power to the rear wheels. In this case, the buyer receives the 164ci six, delivering 110hp and 160 ft/lbs of torque to the road via a two-speed Powerglide. The engine bay presentation is spotless, and it doesn’t flatter to deceive. The seller recently installed new suspension, brake, and engine parts. The car runs and drives perfectly, and apart from some typical age-related oil drips, has no known issues.
Trimmed in Turquoise vinyl, this Corvair’s interior is as impressive as the rest of the vehicle. The seller recently fitted new carpet and a retro-style stereo. Otherwise, its appearance is as it left the factory. There is no appreciable wear, the dash is excellent, and the pad is spotless. The gauges feature clear lenses and crisp markings, and there is enough back seat space to accommodate growing teens. Therefore, this Corvair’s interior perfectly combines impressive presentation with practicality.
Ralph Nader’s book, Unsafe at Any Speed, severely damaged the reputation of Chevrolet’s Corvair. That’s a shame, because most of the traits criticized in that publication were ancient history by the time the Second Generation range hit showroom floors. The updated styling looked crisp and modern, and the handling was satisfying and predictable. This 1966 Corvair Monza is a perfect example of the strides made during the badge’s production life, and it’s a beauty. It stands out for the right reasons, and I believe it will quickly find a new home. Do you agree?
Didn’t Ed Cole testify before Congress that the rear-engine layout of the VW beetle was unsafe, and that Chevrolet would never build a rear-engine car? Then, about 5 years later, Ed Cole led the project that became the Corvair.
Weel, he would want to damage the reputation of a competitor, wouldn’t he? Neither car was dangerous.
Never understand why someone puts chrome wheels and striping on a four door of any model. It just looks silly. Let it be what it is…. a family car with wheel covers.
Now that’s a hot rod!
And don’t forget JDC, the FIRST thing they gotta do is put some goofy aftermarket steering wheel on it! The car could be falling apart, but instead of addressing those issues, they put a steering wheel on it! It’s my pet peeve. Shocking that it wasn’t done to this Corvair.
Agree 100%. One of my pet peeves, too. Also true on really nice cars…. the car looks great… then you see the ridiculous aftermarket steering wheel!
Actually, in Corvairdom the impetus is save an Autocrosser or track SCCA racing corvair, The focus is on restoring stock steering wheels.
“Yeah, well, you know, that’s just, like, your opinion, man.”
If I had the money, my Barcelona Red 4-door Corolla would be wearing BBS gold rims. However, I do think a rear spoiler on a 4-door sedan is rather silly.
I didn’t even notice the extra doors from a quick glance at the lead photo until I read the first line of the writeup. The ’65 and up is a very sleek body design
As an owner of a ’65 Monza 110 convertible. The Late Models are really good looking. The design has held up really well over time.
I’m pretty sure that the rear panel was not silver from the factory–that was a Corsa feature.
Correct. It’s been many years, and I’m sure that’s the base engine with two carbs. Instead of dropping the 4 carb or turbo in, he paints the engine shroud red?
Orange—Chevy Orange. Painted on every engine in the 60’s at Chevrolet Tonawanda. Every engine EXCEPT–The Corvair which was only built at Tonawanda. 3 blocks from my back door.
As I remember the 4 carb version (140 hp) had a spider web looking feed to the carbs with a single aircleaner. I’ve still got the unisyn gauge I used to sync the carbs on my friend’s 140 horse and a couple of Jags with SUs.
I’m generally not a fan of 4 door anything (I’ve got a 4 door Jag, but that’s another story!), but this one looks amazingly good. I’ve had a couple of Corvairs over the years and like them a lot. I’d bet 4 door Corvairs were less than 25% of that year’s production, and not many left. Price seems reasonable to me. Nice Car…good luck!
Wow tough crowd, it’s his or her car! Was built for a concours show? They wanted a wheel and tire upgrade, you do know a 13″ tire was standard at the time. Paint that’s a personal preference, the silver was a nice touch. I may not paint a stripe but it’s not my car. Lighten up and be appreciate that someone was willing to save this Corvair and give it more road time. Cars have always been modified by their owners, you like total stock that’s your choice, but don’t hate, enough of that BS these days. It’s about smiles per mile folks and don’t forget they were built to drive!
Amen. Same suspects most of the time.
I run 3rd Gen Camaro rims on my Monza so I can run 15″ 60 series tires.
Same rolling diameter (Speedo runs off left front wheel), rims have the proper backspacing, and MUCH cheaper than giving Coker nearly 200.00 per tire to use a stock 13″ rim. Maxxis 185/80/13 has spotty to no availability and save coker, there’s nobody else.
A LOOONG time ago (late 60s) I did just the opposite. Had a 62 with 180 cube Bill Thomas built turbocharged race car. Lowest rear end ratio I could get was 3.86 (I think!) from a Greenbrier truck. Found some 10″ Mini Cooper wheels, had ’em redrilled to fit the ‘Vair bolt pattern and put Avon slicks on ’em. Had to fabricate a skid plate to keep the oil pan from dragging the ground on acceleration!
Knockers & negative commentors always think they are right & correct. any other person’s personal taste doesn’t matter – is what they like & think. is like going to a car show & I’m admiring particular vehicle & some jerks walks over & say that 2nd washer left fender is wrong. Lol I like this Corvair color wheels 4 drs etc. so engine is red looks good to me – this is not going to Pebble Beach!
BF should make it a requirement that you have to share a photo of your own car(s) before you are allowed to whine about the cars posted. Honestly my only gripe about this Corvair is the lack of a manual transmission. But that is personal choice.
My only whines are the Yenko-ish stripes, along with the belt line stripe. I like the colors, and there is a pretty decent following for the “more doors” My white 65 is a mid-engine conversion, and the blue is a 140HP 4 speed 140 with factory AC, built in LA. Likely one of a handful with those options.
One of my sons bought this 65 Monza as his first car when he was 15. I put 70s Z28 wheels with low profile 15″ tires on it. It has a 140 hp engine and a 4 speed. I wasn’t sure if it would be a good first car for someone, but it handled like a go-cart and not so much power that he’d be soon in over his head. Turned out to be a great first car! It eventually dropped a valve seat and broke a head, but my son rebuilt the engine. He went off to college and never got it all back together. It’s been sitting in my barn for 15+ years. Unfortunately my son now lives 3 states away, will have to reunite him and his car one of these days!
Darn good looking Corvair.
These “65-‘69 Corvairs look as good with 4 doors as they do 2. If it wasn’t halfway across the country from me, I would be having a look. Color combo is a winner here too. I like this car as-is.
I like the early club coupe but the 2nd generation Corvair is a timeless beauty.
I agree with you Larry. When I do something to my car it’s for me not anyone else because really don’t care what other people think. If I see something on this site that I think looks goofy I don’t comment I move on because that is what that person wanted and I am not going to beat them up on it.
There are very few modifications you can do to a car that will increase the number of people that would buy it. You may love it, but there’s always a “JDC” who knocks it. I tend to lean toward “stock-ish” with my stuff, and my heirs and assigns can worry about how large an audience it attracts.
Cool car, love the color. GLWTS
Allways have loved the styling of these cars , smooth sleek lines . Would have been nice if or car makers in North America of the time had tried harder like his Corvair. Love what was done on this particular car.
interesting= it has 1965 taillights.
I think a lot of the criticism comes from 14 grand being very strong money for “personalized stock”. Probably top dollar for a 4 door/PG Corvair. I’m six of one/half a dozen of the other on the cosmetics but they don’t add value since a good number of potential buyers would be mentally adding up how much it’ll cost to put back to stock.
Artesian Turquoise is my favorite color for any mid ’60s Chevy and I’ve always liked the gen 2 Corvair *and* 4-door hardtops (I’d say the ‘Vair is my favorite of those), so it gave a good first impression.
As an owner of a ’65 Monza 110 convertible. The Late Models are really good looking. The design has held up really well over time.
Nice looking Corvair, no doubt.
But two too many doors, and two too few cylinders for that kinda money.
What a Kool well done tribute to the small life.
I’m not a big lover of the crooked silver stripes however I do like the color. What a expensive and arduous task that would be to legitimize.
Nice job on the sanitary details. I admire high tech stock cleanliness. Adding some goofy weird chrome do-dads is not my idea of originality.
Nice little Corvair. Many memories sitting on the compressed convertible top of my uncles numerous models.
I had a 62 convertible in 65 when I was in college. I played basketball, and after practice my legs would cramp something awful, couldn’t sit in the driver’s seat to drive home. Solution…put the top down, put a basketball in the seat to sit on. Allowed me to keep my legs straight for the drive home and avoid cramps. Drove it looking over the top of the windshield. Got lots of weird stares!
Henry,
How did the hemroids feel?
The stingers were the ultimate modification made!
Say, 4got to ask. From cobwebs memory, wasn’t there a Porsche engine modification done on these little gutless beauty’s? Wasn’t it a package kinda thing that included the suspension modification and some other adds.
Can anyone help us with the cleaning of my memory addic?? Thanks, 😎.
Billy, the Hemroids came along much later!
Yes the Don yenko corvair stinger modification suspension and engines 4 stages of racing mods won some USAC Races look up on Utube
Fred, which engine did they use for that modification?
Don’t forget the Crown Industries conversion that put a small block and powerglide in the back seat!
My white 65 pictured above is a Crown conversion with the 4 speed.
Man… I got to drive one of these a few months ago. The suspension was fresh. It felt like a Miata wit a touch of 60s vibe. I loved that car. If I wa a little younger my 122 wagon would be gone and I’d be elbows deep in a Monza.
Billy the engine was a corvair check u tube for the history and details
Yeko stinger cleaned up ucca races beat Shelby 350s and 911 porches 1966 – 1969
The races are SCCA my error
Well, I personally think the first generation was a looker. Maybe not the sedan so much, but the coupe and convertible.
Don’t see many 4 door Corvairs. This one is duded up something fierce…