The Chevy Corvair got a new lease on life in 1965 with a new layout, hoping to distance itself from safety concerns coming from crusader Ralph Nader. Gone were the handling problems that caught Ralph’s attention, and sales improved, but only for one year. The Corsa replaced the Spyder as the hot model, and the seller’s garage find is a rare convertible in terms of the number of them likely to be left. Located in La Habra, California, this estate sale project is available here on craigslist for $4,000. Thumbs up to Rocco B. for the cool tip!
While damage control didn’t help the sales of the Corvair from 1966 to 1969, that may not have been the Corvair’s total undoing. Nor was the Chevy Nova compact a major factor either. The Corvair was considered a “sporty” car like the Ford Mustang, and that’s where some of the Corvair’s sales may have gone. The new for ’65 Corsa used a 140 hp version of Corvair’s air-cooled flat-six, employing four single-barrel carburetors to get the job done. A turbocharged version at 180 horses was also available, but we don’t know which this car came with.
We’re told this Corvair was last registered about 40 years ago. So, it’s likely been in the garage where the photos were taken for a long time. The seller inherited the car (and maybe the property, too), so he or she admits not knowing much about it. Because it’s a Corsa, the “stick shift” transmission (if still there) is probably a 4-speed. Also, is the engine complete and serviceable?
The 1965 Corsa convertible was not assembled in great quantities. Only 8,353 of them were assembled in the U.S., plus another 360 in Canada. If rust is an issue, we don’t know about it, and we can’t tell about the top. The Cragar S/S rims are cool and indicative of our tastes in the 1970s. If you’re interested in the car, it has to be gone in a matter of days, so hurry!
The 4 one-barrel carbs indicate the engine is the 140HP version. The 180HP turbo used a single one barrel side draft carburator.
It is a 140, but that was available in the Monza, also. This car is not a Corsa. A VIN will confirm what it is. Look at the fender emblems…..”Monza”.
Yep, not a Corsa. The Corsa had a completely different (better) dashboard. Also, side emblem was just ahead of the rear wheel, not on the front fender.
I would use the VIN to determine the model. A 1965 Corsa VINs included 107×7 while Monza VINs included 105xx. A Corsa VIN doesn’t automagically assume a turbocharged flat six. The 140HP four pot was the Corsa’s base engine. The 180HP turbocharged engine was an option for the Corsa and only the Corsa.
Take the damn thing out of the garage and give it a bath! Nice winter project but would definitely what to see it in person to assess condition since the pictures are not helpful and neither is the description.
What a cool car! These were great looking cars, and certainly interesting…
Cool little car, hopefully that under hood insulation’s condition doesn’t mean a fire took place.
Most likely vermin.
Looks like a huge mouse house…
Loved my ’65 Monza. If the chasis is in good shape this could turn into a fun ride.
Why does it have a Monza instrument panel if it’s supposed to be a Corsa?
A couple exterior hints tell me this is not a Corsa. The gauge cluster is a regular Monza as is the fender trim. A 140 engine was available in the Monza and one could easily paint the back panel silver to have it look like a Corsa.
It’s not a Corsa. It has Monza badging and Monza dashboard. The rear cove has been painted silver like Corsas, but that’s all.
I always liked these cars, there were quite a few Corvairs in attendance at the last car show in Burbank, Ca. These cars have a very loyal following, the cars at the show were restored to a high degree. The Corvair is a great looking car, excellent styling, American class….do we have room for another project?
Price seems fair, and because it has to be gone, the seller is motivated, plus he or she got it for nothing. Three grand in cash would look attractive to them so would probably do the job.
A little rich $$$ but a worthy project to retro fit a 455 OLDS Toronado drive train in the back. Seen one done a few years ago and it was a peeler-outer!
Back in the day more than one car ragazine had a cover story about a small block Chevy in a Corvair. I want to say four door Corvairs and provide details but a lot of time has passed. I can say with a V8 where the backseat should be, heat and noise quickly became a major issue.
Now I’m remembering the dual drivetrain Toronado which was some rag’s cover story long ago.
If you want more on V8 conversions in Corvairs, check out C.O.R.S.A.
That’s the Corvair Society of America (www.corvair.org) and look for the chapter named the V8 Registry.
If you can’t afford to do a V8 swap, you can get the HotWheels version called Vairy-8!
Love the looks of this body style Corvair. Looks speedy! Would love to see this car cleaned up and with air in the tires.
In addition to all the above comments…..The wheels are not Crager SS. Crager SS wheels were all chrome. And I am a former 22 years owner of an Award winning 65 Corsa
I believe the wheels are American Racing or similar knock-offs.
Personally, the Corvair never piqued my interest. A good friend has one, a ’66 model, and that damned car has been a huge pain in the a$$ for the guy. The time and money and aggravation he’s put into that thing is eye-watering.
Now the clutch cable broke, and he’s just about had it. Thanks a lot Ed Cole, who, I believe in the mid-1950s testified against the VW Bug and said that GM was not interested in building a rear-engine car. Well, Ed reneged on that promise in a few short years.
When it was once sharp, that plate teased that the owner had another ‘vair, now it means nothing.
You can never own just one.