If you’ve long craved owning a custom classic but seek something genuinely unique, this 1965 Chevrolet Corvair is worth a look. The seller has ditched many of its mechanical components, mid-mounting a Subaru flat-six that should improve weight distribution, handling, and outright performance. They built the Corvair for Road-Course competition, but assure us this beauty is fully roadworthy. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Curvette for spotting this cool Corvair listed here on Craigslist in Tacoma, Washington, priced at $27,500.
Chevrolet introduced its Second Generation Corvair in 1965. The company had addressed the perceived issues that gave the Corvair a reputation for somewhat wayward handling, wrapping it in a svelte body that I have always found particularly attractive. This ’65 example presents nicely in Deep Blue Metallic, with no major paint or panel imperfections. I see no evidence of rust, and if the car is regularly scrutineered for racing, it shouldn’t have any hidden problems. The huge front spoiler is a bold hint at its competition credentials, but the genuine carbon fiber hood and trunk lid are less obvious. Every racer wants more grip, and this Corvair delivers with its staggered aftermarket wheels and tires.
This Corvair would have left the showroom floor equipped with a rear-mounted, air-cooled 2.7-liter flat-six under its hood. The turbocharged version available on the Corsa variant produced 180hp, though turbocharged cars from this era could be hit-and-miss when it came to power delivery and refinement. The seller has rendered that sentence irrelevant, performing profound mechanical changes that should make this classic a blast to drive. The original engine and transmission are long gone, replaced by a mid-mounted, fuel-injected 3.3-liter flat-six from a 1990s Subaru. I believe it is the EG33 variant and, if so, it would have produced approximately 240hp and 228 ft/lbs of torque in its original home. However, this motor features forged pistons, custom headers, ported heads, and an upgraded camshaft. Add the programmable MegaSquirt MX3 ECU to the equation, and it’s a fair bet that the figures will have climbed considerably. The Corvair feeds its power to the road via a robust five-speed Renault UN1 transaxle, and in keeping with its racing pedigree, the car features coil-overs on all corners and upgraded Wilwood four-wheel disc brakes. The engine bay is tidy, and the seller says the turnkey Corvair is fun to drive. For those wondering, there is an engine cover that will reduce interior noise and isolate occupants from heat and fumes.
The seller’s interior images are limited, but the interior looks very tidy. Occupants are cocooned in body-hugging Corbeau bucket seats, while a custom array of gauges monitors the car’s health and progress. The Dark Blue carpet looks nice, and other additions include a leather-wrapped Grant sports wheel, radio/cassette player, and a console. The latter appears to need a shifter boot, but the overall impression is positive.
We’ve recently seen a few classics with engine upgrades, and this 1965 Corvair is more conservative than the Geo Metro I wrote about a few days ago. I think this car would be far more practical and user-friendly than the Metro, and its better weight balance should make it more sure-footed. Determining whether the seller’s price is justified is a tough call, because this Corvair is worth what someone is willing to pay. That said, if the engineering is robust, and the fact that it has passed muster for competition duty suggests that it is, it would be almost impossible to recreate it for $27,500. The car won’t appeal to everyone, but those seeking something unique may find it irresistible.
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