The seller of this 1965 Chevy Corvair Monza has owned it for over a decade, and in that time has made improvements to it without distorting its pleasingly-aged appearance. The car is said to run and drive quite well, and based on the description, the owner sounds like the kind of guy you want to buy a car from. The Corvair does have a few issues of the bodywork variety, but they are really only worth worrying about if you’re a perfectionist or planning to drive this survivor in snowy climates (not advisable.) Find it here on Facebook Marketplace for $4,250.
To me, when you’re buying a car that’s sort of a running/driving project, you want to look for cleanliness in the important places. In this case, the engine bay appears to be extremely clean, and the seller says this example runs and drives well. Stinger-style mufflers and headers have been added, so it’s also fairly loud. To me, that’s in fitting with the overall image of the car, which just makes me think of punk rock and surfboards. It’s got attitude in spades, so why shouldn’t it be loud? The seller has also upgraded the brakes to 1967+ dual master cylinder.
The interior is a mixed bag, with the listing admitting that the door panels and seats will need to be replaced at some point, as they are described as “crunchy.” The dash is still quite clean, however, and the original steering wheel remains in place. Although the factory head unit is still mounted in the dash, there are no speakers so the only music you’ll be hearing is from the engine behind your head. The seller points out that thanks to several well-stocked Corvair specialists, you should be able to find everything you need to clean up the cabin, including Clark’s Corvair Parts, located in the small Western Massachusetts town of Shelburne Falls.
Taking a gander at the Corvair’s shop mates, it’s clear (to me, anyhow) the seller has good tastes in vintage automobiles. That, or his friends do. The body is a take-it-or-leave-it affair, as some folks may be entirely “over” the patina/rat rod look while others may love it. In the case of the Corvair, much work has been done to preserve it, with the seller explaining how he rubbed the car down with Marvel Mystery Oil and 0000 steel wool to make the rough surface areas pop with a clearcoat-like shine. Some rust area are noted, including he C-pillars and the front fenders where the cowl drains. Would you improve the cosmetics of this Monza coupe or leave as-is?
Why buy this hot mess when you can find a decent stock looking Corvair for about the same money…pass
Missing cigarette lighter….PASS!
Pleasingly-aged? Seriously? Is that what we now suggest instead of rust bucket?
Good grief. White is black, black is white..down is up and up is down?
Welcome to 2020, age of patina and ludicrous opposites.
There are classic vehicles that have survived decades and really should not be touched, so as to preserve their heritage. This is not one of them.
Call it what it is..a rusty, oil coated, and neglected car that needs a ton of work to make it safe and attractive.
The car needs zero work to make it safe, at least any safer than a 1965 car can be considered today.
Chebby, check out a site ‘Virtual Vairs.com’ it’s a forum of Corvair enthusiasts. Your car IS valuable for many reasons and people will want it whole or parts. I have a 1965 Monza 110/pg convertible. These are great underrated and overlooked cars.
@On and On: Thank you for the tip! I will check it out.
Ok, so it’s not a 140? 4 barrel…but at least its a 4-speed. The photos don’t really show enough…more lighting please!…so if it needs front fenders, doors, etc…then pass.
Dave, almost certainly this is a 140 (at least judging by the air cleaner set up). That said, on my 8th Corvair and being a Corvair owner continuously since 1979, this Vair is overpriced by a few thousand dollars. For almost the same price (or a few grand more) one could buy a much better preserved and visually appealing Corvair. Go to the Corvair FB pages and you’ll find many good examples for sale. And no, I personally have no Corvairs for sale.
110hp engine. A parts car if the cowl is rusted. $2000 if drivetrain is good.
Looks like a 110 to me. Only one branch off of the central air filter housing to one carb on the head. The other thing in the photo is the single air intake snout.
Overpriced here? YEP.
The 140 that came in the Corvair Corsa had 4 single barrel carburetors and the air cleaner had 4 arms going to each one, this shows only two, and the Monza was typically a 110 hp engine. Had a Corsa growing up, what a rocket.
Though I really like them I’m by no means a Corvair expert – but I’d believe this is the 110hp version. The 140hp version should have 4 carbs.
Cool car with 4spd however not worth anything near asking price
You’re correct Local. I mistook the air filter intake for the extra leg. This is a 110.
This example will find a buyer-it has a certain charm-just not my idea of what classic car ownership means.
Looks like a fake patina to me .🤔
Ditto…patina looks contrived. For $2750.00 it might be a fun car to drive as you improve.
It’s exactly that: a fun car to drive as you improve. Patina is explained below. You offering $2750?
Rubbing marvel on the car with steel wool? If anyone ever wanted paint to stick to that good luck. Fix the d@mn radio. I agree its overpriced. Do check the front crossmember, they rusted out like crazy. Good luck, IMHO- Nice vintage burgundy would look great on this if you can get the paint to stick!!!
Cheers
GPC
If you paint the car, you’re going to degrease and sand it first anyway. Are you that excited about AM radio?
Flow-Thru Ventilation. Very nice indeed.
Hey all, this is my car and it is for sale. I did not expect it to show up in the feature column like this. Hate it if you want, but most of these comments are off base. I wrote up a very detailed and honest description of what this car is and is not. If you think it’s too expensive, make an offer. If you can buy a sweet amazing original Corvair for $2000 then go ahead, no one is stopping you. All of the ones I see at that price have been sitting in a field for years.
As with any 55year old car it all boils down to the condition of the body underneath the rough exterior. Many 2nd gen Corvairs have survived, sadly many of those that pop up are auto.
I’m PERSONALLY not a fan of the patina look, however in this price range one cannot expect everything; at least with a 4spd there are plenty of possibilities and will probably make a fun corner carver if properly finished! 😁 I’d considering throwing an offer if I were in the market, sadly my garage is full already.GLWTS!
“rubbed the car down with Marvel Mystery Oil and 0000 steel wool”???
I don’t care who you are, that’s priceless!
Probably not worth the asking price, but the concept is beyond value. Great find.
“Hate, if you wanna hate…”
Nope. Just gotta pass. Too much hype.
Hey Chebby,
I have to admit, the “patina” or more specifically the bare metal areas have me curious? Also, while I understand the concept behind the MMO rub down, I do kinda cringe @ the thought of work it will take to ever get paint to stick in the future, should someone want to paint it. Almost appears as though the car has been restored previously @ some point.
Perhaps imperfections surfaced afterwards, explaining the bare metal areas? Forgive me if this is mentioned in the add. I am not a Facebook user & link to post is not currently working for me.
That aside, don’t let the negative get you down. To each their own. While I have my near & dear, there is no one particular manufacturer that is my favorite. Too many cool cars, like this one, to have time for hate. I love the car. GLWS!
Thanks man. The car has been several different colors in its life. I was not going to paint it, so we went with the rat rod look. The oil gives the whole car a satiny sheen, it’s pretty neat for what it is and it gets a lot of attention. Before anyone would paint a car it would need to be degreased and sanded anyway, with bodywork to smooth everything over, so I don’t get the shock and horror expressed here by people who have no intention of buying this or probably any car listed here.
Chebby, any chance you are running 140 heads on the 110 engine? Is all the glass present or just windshield
and side glass?
Hi Little_Cars, It’s 110 heads as far as I know. The engine runs great. All the glass is there. The rear window is tacked in place but does not have the seal installed. Depends on if you want to fix the c-pillars or just keep the “punk rock” look as Bobby calls it.
She’s most certainly a 2 carb 110 horse and is over priced by a fair amount. I don’t understand owning it for over a decade and bare steel. I don’t re-call a factory 4 barrel carb on any year 110,140, or 180 hp Vair. You could buy an aftermarket intake to plop a 4bbl on.
1965 and later
2 carb 110 hp
4 carb 140 hp
Single carb Turbo 180 hp
Here’s how you own it for a decade and bare steel: Buy car with fresh backyard paint job that looks pretty. Clearcoat begins to peel off immediately. Street parking takes its toll. Clumsy neighbor backs into drivers door. Sand car down for painting with a friend in unventilated garage. Cough for weeks. Evil neighbors call the cops. Paint shop wants 5 grand to paint a car worth 5 grand. Enough of this. Lets push it in the direction it’s going.
It’s not for everybody, but it takes some balls to drive it this way. I drove it in the Bernal GT (local rally) and I was embarrassed to be around their nice cars, but they all thought it was great. It would be perfect for the California Melee, etc.
If you’re a body guy this a great running car with solid floors etc. Trust me, you will dump a ton of money into that super cheap Corvair everyone here is fantasizing about. I already did. This thing runs fantastic. Make an offer.
I love that narrative, Chebby. Same thought figured into my painting an MG Midget project with a paint roller and chalkboard paint. For all the same reasons you have given. “Paint shop wants 5 grand to paint a car worth 5 grand” brought back some of the same comical moments I had with my significant other and my wallet. My only issue was the MG was a solid runner that prospects thought I’d cut corners on in all other areas apart from the finish. Not so. I think I totaled my receipts = $7000. Sold the car for $1500.
@ Little_Cars:
Dude! That looks cool. And I feel your pain. I don’t know who’s making money in the old car game, but I guess it ain’t us. People vastly under-appreciate a sorted car that’s ready to drive vs a shiny one. If I had unlimited space I’d keep this but I need to de-project my life.
RJ: Why couldn’t it be a base 95hp?
RJ, many Corvair cognoscenti mill the 140 heads to fit a 110 block for better breathing. I’ve seen some guys even plug the third and fourth carb openings and use modified 110 shrouding so you wouldn’t know what was going on. By the way, 65 and later factory still offered the 95 horsepower motor in the lower trim levels. Not sure if that ran up to the very end in 1969. You’re right, many accessory catalogs from that time offered the intake to use with a 4bbl carb. I’ve seen dune buggies with that set up and a few street Corvairs.
There seem to be a lot of people here who do not understand punk rock.
Nice one Bobby!
This is a 164cubic inch. 2carb. 110hp. I have a 150hp. a140hp. and two 180hp. the 150 being a 1963 spyder. I like all my cars to have paint. My hats off to you Art, well said. Later,…………………………..JIMMY
It’s a driver but I would want a paint job and clean comfortable interior!! Just looks messy and run down!!