So many Chevies from the ’60s have gone on a nutso price trajectory that it’s nice to find one model that hasn’t and that’s the Corvair such as this 1966 Monza convertible example. Occupying a lone position in GM’s line-up, the Corvair was a bold attempt to recognize foreign competition and meet it head-on. Originally doing well in sales, different events conspired against Chevy’s air-cooled rear-engine compact and it was gone after ten model years. By ’66, sales were on the way down but the Corvair still occupied a niche and floated a clean, well-styled design with an abundance of available options. This ’66 convertible is perfectly representative of that era and could be a good buy for $13,000. It is located in Baxter, Minnesota and is available here on craigslist. Thanks to Gunter K. for this tip!
Total 1966 Corvair production was about 107K, down from a 1961 high-water mark of 337K and a more than halving from its 1965 volume. Why? Ralph Nader’s intervention into the Corvair’s design and his resulting book, Unsafe At Any Speed, combined with the beautifully restyled 1966 Nova – Chevrolet’s other, more traditional, compact car, are probably some of the reasons. And then it was the mid-sixties and HP was everything – there were other models that delivered a lot more punch. The bottom fell out of Corvair production in ’67 (about 27K copies) likely due to the Camaro’s introduction. At this point, the Corvair’s fate was sealed and it lumbered along until May of ’69 when the end came. It was lights-out for good for this unique GM model and its distinctive name.
Three body styles were available in ’66, two and four-door hardtops and a convertible. And those were spread across three trim levels, the Corsa in the top spot, the Monza (such as our subject car) in the middle, and the stripper 500 bringing up the rear. The seller claims 31K miles of use on this Corvair and its physical appearance backs up that claim though no authenticating documentation is provided. Only two external items, worth mentioning, were noted, the incorrect wire-wheel covers and the goofy-looking “tea-strainer” headlight grilles. Wire wheel covers were available as an option in ’66 but they had a much different appearance. Finally, the top, with its plastic rear window, shows like new.
Power is provided by a 164 CI Boxer-Style, air-cooled six-cylinder engine. More than likely, this is the standard 110 gross HP version though that specification is not disclosed and the engine image is of poor quality for proper identification. The seller claims “great runner – ready to drive“. The only downside is the Powerglide two-speed transaxle – it zaps a lot of fun from a Corvair’s take-off ability though it’s fine at running speed.
The interior is about as perfect as you’ll find and remarkable for a 56-year-old convertible – the upholstery would seem to have experienced very little operation in top-down mode – or at least that’s how the back seat looks. The front buckets are obscured with cheesy-looking fuzzy seat covers. But that could be an attempt to prevent one from searing themselves on black vinyl seating material on a hot day. The instrument panel is a typical ’60s Chevrolet exercise in simplicity and functionality. And if you’ll note, the gear selector is a slide lever protruding from the right-hand side of the instrument binnacle – a neat touch.
I’ll cut to the chase, assuming that the mileage is genuine, this seems like a pretty darn good deal. Even if it’s not an accurate recording, I still think this Corvair is a good buy, how about you?
If that is in fact a 31K actual mileage car in original paint then this is a steal. I think the Corvair is being rediscovered after all the years of being the butt of many jokes. I bought my 65 Corsa 3 years ago when I was looking for a 911 replacement. There are several distinct characteristics of a 911 over any normal front engine water cooled cars. I wanted the air cooled flat 6 engine noises a classic 911 exhibits and the Corvair comes close and doesn’t disappoint. I think the powerglide is a perfect companion to the convertible where you tend to drive top down and enjoy the scenery. Most Corvair owners I talk to enjoy the powerglide over a 3 or 4 speed manual. One thing for sure not that it’s on BarnFinds it’s days of needing a enthusiastic owner are coming to a close.
I drove a Corvair one time, it was a friend of a friend’s car, early model. Only thing I noticed out of the ordinary was: At freeway speeds, the front end seemed to be floaty. It reminded me of driving a speedboat. Strange feeling.
Its all about the tire pressure, 18 front 28 rear. Over inflate the front and hell breaks loose!
This is more true in a 60-63 base model, without a front swaybar.
With modern wider radials, could you get away with say 28 psi front & 38 psi rear?
If it sits in that spot all of the time , it speaks volumes that there isn’t an oil spot or pan under it! Probably something was moved for the pics?
Or, they drained the oil pan before the pushed it to it’s parked location. These leaked oil like a British car.
Living in tin worm heaven canada , by the time i got my drivers license, all of the corvairs were gone to the junkyard
I have always liked the look of the second generation with the folding top but sadly never got to try one …
My mother’s two Covairs had the automatic transmissions and they were perfect for around town and grocery getting. The four speed in our ’65 Monza was fun and fast especially for the occasional autocrosses we ran. Nice car here with a decent price tag.
To much credit is given to Ralph Nader. If anything his thoughts on the Corvair only extended the production time of them.
Very true . . . Ralph Nader didn’t “kill” the Corvair – the MUSTANG did.
Ralph Nader was a deuchebag.
Where else are you going to find a ’66 convertible for $13,000.00?
3 detractors make this a no.more than $9 to 10k car. It has the base 95 hp engine. The slip and slide powerglide,. It’s a repaint…..the grill area below the rear bumper should be chrome not red. On the plus side the sheepskins protect your legs from frying in the summer. The odometer looks askew because the speedo lens is convex. Nice looking but needs to be thoroughly looked over in person.
Forgot to add that the pix of the engine badge and engine are purposely blurred. Signs of a flipper to me, just saying.
The 95 is a great engine.
The power glide is bullet proof.
Grill was chrome only on Corsa
It is the 110hp, twin Carter Carbs. The 140hp had 4 carbs. I have the identical car but with 140hp.
Carter didn’t make ANY carbs for Corvair save the Side Draft for turbo models. Rochester HV-1’s were stock. Even on the 140 models.
Unless you know something I missed in the last 36 years I’ve owned and driven Corvairs. Do Tell!
Jim did a good job on the write-up. The headlight stone guards work on older European sports cars, but not at all on the late model Corvairs. I have seen a few on early models and they looked “ok” The wheel covers are from an early model, 1963 or so? The only observable negative I see is the right side rear cove trim, but replacements available. I am currently in the middle of a 66 Monza convertible restoration, original 140, 4 speed, factory AC Los Angeles built car. I also have a 65 Corsa with a Crown mid-engine conversion. I hope my 66 turns out this nice!
The engine lid emblem indicates this is the 110 HP version. The 95 HP cars did not have an emblem. The Powerglide is practically bullet-proof, but a manual is more fun to drive of course. Hard to tell if this has been repainted, but with a claimed 31k miles, it is quite possible this is a well-preserved example. The grille area is correct, and as mentioned, only the Corsa had the “chrome” trim, which was actually bright anodized aluminum trim fastened to the panel.
Nothing against Corvairs and if I were new to the hobby I might very well be in the market for one. While it’s such an untypical layout for a 60s US car it still bears visual resemblance to its other Chev siblings, forming a unique crossbreed with obvious European flair.
While I’d love to own a classic 911 at some point in life IMHO a ’65-’69 Corvair should be a just as cool (+ more obtainable) alternative. My only complaint is that every time a nice Corvair pops up for sale it’s an auto… a car with this configuration deserves three pedals!
Yes it looks and sounds like a great deal, but it was posted 26 days ago.
My uncle bought one of these new in 1961.
2 Dr hardtop. Nothing to write home about.
But when I was in my early 20s my Dad bought a used ’66 convertible in burgundy,, much like this one. He would never let me drive it so I can’t review how they handled etc. But as I grow older I like the Corvair in convertible form.
gone.
I had two Corvair’s, a 62 and a 65. Both belonged to little old ladies. The 62 ran OK but I sold it right after getting it as payment for helping one of Mom’s friends move. The 65 was a gift when I returned from Uncle Sam. ( It was supposedly to repay me for selling my 55 Chevy Conv. so it wouldn’t sit in driveway while I was gone). Hated that Corvair as it leaded like a sieve, I spent as much time fixing leaks as I did driving it. Finally was able to unload it while it was leak free.
still available?