The Corvair was a radical departure for 1960s Chevrolet (and the U.S. auto industry, for that matter). It was a compact car, used an air-cooled engine, and said powerplant was located in the rear. It was successful at first, but sales of the Corvair tapered off as the decade wore on. This 1965 Corsa edition, the sporty model, looks like a winner and has had the same owner for more than three decades. Located in San Mateo, California, this motorized trip down memory lane is available here on craigslist for $7,995. Our appreciation goes to Tony Primo for the nifty tip!
It was clear by the late 1950s that there was more than a passing market for a smaller car in the U.S. The VW Beetle was doing okay, and AMC and Studebaker were already in on the act. The design of the 1960 Chevy Corvair followed that of the VW “Bug” and more than 1.8 million copies were built through 1969. A redesign came in 1965 and brought on the sporty Corsa model, only available as a 2-door hardtop and convertible. These were better-handling cars by then, but the success of the new Ford Mustang helped deflate buyer interest in the Corvair (as did Ralph Nader).
You could get a turbocharged engine in your 1965 Corsa, but since the seller doesn’t mention one here, we assume one is not present (also no engine photos). This Chevy is one of about 22,500 coupes built in 1965, far more than were assembled in 1966 before the Corsa was retired. Though it doesn’t look like it, this Corvair has more than 134,500 miles. Having originated on the Left Coast, this car found its way into the seller’s hands in 1992. Since then, the seller has only driven it 2,000 miles.
We’re told the auto is garage-kept and the body, paint, and interior all look at the part. The tires and battery are newer (within two years). The Corvair has a 4-speed manual transmission, but the clutch is a bit touchy and may need adjustment. Overall, this air-cooled Chevy looks good and – for the price – it might be hard to find a nicer example.
If it still retains the original engine this would be a 140hp 4 carb engine. The asking price is very reasonable. The repaint is slightly off from the original color and they painted over the argent back panel that separated the Corsa models from the 500 and Monza trims. Great affordable way to get into a classic Chevrolet from the 60’s.
I had a 1965 Monza, great car, loved it and put 114,000 miles on it. Only replaced the engine belt 4 times in that time period. It had 9200 miles on it when I bought it. Loved that car, Ralph Nader destroyed the Corvair and I’ll admit the 1960-1964 years with the solid swing rear axles did have some quirky handling, but in 1965 Chevy changed the design of the axles to the same as the Corvette and that solved the handling issues. After that change it handled like a sports car.
Sure it says Corsa on the badges but I’m suspicious. It has the Corsa instrument panel and glove box, but I’ve never seen them a different color than the rest of the interior. Probably not too hard to swap. Also no engine pictures. Also the back panel the wrong color.
That’s a good point. Is it a Monza in Corsa clothing? Fortunately the build plate in the engine compartment will tell the story. Also the engine case number will at least show it’s a 140 from 1965. No numbers matching in the Corvair world for 65 but a date code of about a month prior to the production month of the chassis will confirm a strong possibility of the original engine.
I thought all Corsa models had chrome trim around the fenders. The engine is a major identifier of a Corsa. It’s either turbo or a 4 carb 140.
Yes the trim around the fenders and the rocker panel trim is missing. Picture in the ad shows dual exhaust, so not a turbo.
I am with Walt on this one. Need more pics – that engine/air cleaner picture leads me to believe this is an altered 110 Monza. Even in average condition, a Corvair Corsa is worth twice the asking price here. Long term owners know what their cars are worth.
2nd Generation Corvair is still a great looking car!
I had a 1965 Corsa vert with the turbo-charged 180hp engine. It was quick but I’d get beat by one with the 4-carb mill…off the line. Once the Turbo kicked in, I’d pass him.
in 66 I had a 62 ‘Vert with a Bill Thomas built big cube turbo engine that put out a little over 200hp. Tech folks at drag strip didn’t know squat about rear engine air cooled engines, so instead of D Gas Supercharged I should have run they classed me as H Gas. Higher ratio rear gears weren’t available, so I had some 10″ Mini-cooper wheels with Avon slicks on the back. Won a lot of money with that car!
Yes,its have corsabadge,but non turbo 180hp engine. If you got og turbo engine,no way to not tell it.I got one 64 montza back in early “80.
Could be 13″ wheels on the car. They don’t weigh much.