It may seem a bold statement, but I believe the Chevrolet Corvair is one of the most significant vehicles produced by an American manufacturer. There will undoubtedly be howls of protest from some quarters, so it is worth my clarifying that statement. Any new model represents a calculated risk, and it is common for car companies to carry over as much architecture and as many mechanical components as possible to minimize the chances of mechanical or structural gremlins. The First Generation Mustang, for example, is essentially a Falcon in a pretty dress. Chevrolet delved into its parts bin when developing the C4 Corvette, and the Edsel was an amalgamation of Ford and Mercury components with different panels and some automotive tinsel. The Corvair was one of those rare moments, particularly in post-war manufacturing, when a designer began their process with an entirely clean sheet of paper. It was bold and daring and designed to beat foreign imports at their own game. This 1963 Corvair Monza Spyder Turbo Convertible is one of the nicest I have seen in a long time, courtesy of a recent ground-up restoration. It is as close as you could come to buying a new Corvair, making the fact that its odometer has only accumulated test miles since the build ended unsurprising. It will soon clock some miles as it heads from its current location to a new home. The Spyder is listed here on Craigslist in Scenic Brook, California. You could drive it home by handing the seller $29,997.
Chevrolet introduced the Corvair in 1960, pasting a target on imports like the Volkswagen Beetle. It created a vehicle that was almost austere by Detroit standards of the time, with limited amounts of chrome, trim, and other adornments. The Corvair struck an instant chord with buyers, with 253,268 people handing over their cash in 1960. Sales figures fluctuated in subsequent years, but 288,419 cars across all derivatives found homes in 1963. The seller states this is 1-of-500 Corvair Monza Spyder Turbo Convertibles produced during that year, but I have been unable to locate information confirming the claim. It presents superbly following a recent nut-and-bolt restoration. The Ember Red paint shines impressively, coating panels that are laser-straight and feature tight gaps. Rust is not an issue, with the exterior looking perfect and the underside shots confirming the new owner could eat their lunch off any surface. The car features an enormous list of new parts, including the soft-top, bumpers, most trim pieces, weather seals, window rubbers, wheels, and hubcaps. That makes its appearance unsurprising, virtually guaranteeing it will turn heads wherever it goes.
Chevrolet focused heavily on efficiency with the Corvair, recognizing the design philosophy that had served Volswagen so effectively could be brought to bear on its new model. Therefore, the Corvair rolled off the line powered by a horizontally-opposed rear-mounted air-cooled powerplant that sent its power to the road via the rear wheels. This configuration maximized interior space, while the relatively modest engine capacity guaranteed above-average fuel consumption. This Monza Spyder features the turbocharged 2.4-liter flat-six, producing 150hp and 210 ft/lbs of torque. Shifting duties fall to a four-speed manual transmission, and with only 2,645 lbs to move, the Spyder could cover the ¼-mile in a respectable 16.3 seconds on its way to 103mph. The hard work and TLC with this Corvair weren’t restricted to its panels and paint because there is plenty going on under the skin. The braking system is new from end to end, with the engine inhaling deeply through new intakes and a rebuilt carburetor and turbocharger. The spent gases exit via a Magnaflow exhaust, with the seller indicating that we’ve only covered the basics with their list. It seems that there are many other new components, and with the odometer showing no miles, slipping behind the wheel would be as close as the new owner could get to driving a brand-new ’63 Corvair.
This Corvair’s interior possesses the “wow” factor and would suit a meticulous buyer. The diamond-stitched seatcovers are new, as is the carpet. The painted surfaces were refreshed during the restoration, and the polished and plated trim pieces look perfect. The heating system is new, as are the ducts. There are no aftermarket additions, but some might be disappointed by the lack of optional extras like a radio. It isn’t the end of the world because original radios frequently appear on the usual online auction sites. Therefore, addressing that perceived shortcoming would not present many barriers.
The Corvair is an example of a car whose reputation was damaged by bad publicity. Ralph Nader’s tome, “Unsafe at Any Speed,” did the badge damage from which it is only now recovering. I will never say it is the best car to roll off a production line, but it represents an era when Detroit chose to be bold and daring rather than pursuing an easy answer. The Corvair has developed a recent strong following, and enthusiasts recognize that the very character traits criticized by Nader make these classics entertaining drivers. This Monza Spyder is an absolute gem, and the seller’s price reflects that. It isn’t the cheapest example in the current market, but it would be close to the best. If those thoughts sound too appealing to resist, it could be worth pursuing this Corvair further.
That was a wonderful read, you put me right in the driver’s seat, wanting to drive this home.
The instrument cluster should be a brushed metal (matching the glove box) to look perfect. The interior really needs a refresh to stock, swapping out to a better wheel selection would truly change this car. This car is not a restoration, but a rebuilt interpretation. $30k is way overpriced, but good luck to the seller!
It looks neat. As people are saying, it’s more of a restomos than a restoration. Whic to me is just fine.
One question though. After putting in all that work, why sell without driving it? It had to cost more than thirty grand build.
“To each his own.”
Agreed, not a true restoration, but beautiful job nonetheless. Nothing that couldn’t be put back to stock if desired. Besides the changes to interior -factory seat covers and door panels were not diamond tufted – all the Corvairs I’ve owned (’63, ’64, ’65, ’66) have had black engine shrouds. The red finned valve covers and oil pan aren’t stock of course, but nice upgrades. No mention of short steering arms or quick-shift mods? They make these cars much more fun.
The C4 Corvette was pretty much new from the ground up. The original C1s were more or less parts bin cars.
Really nice Corvair but non original in many ways but rebuilt to as new condition in the seller’s interpretation as the car they would want to own. Beauty of the Corvair is that it’s a great entry into the classic car ownership with great parts support and a strong community. There are also plenty of concourse restorations out there if that is what you are looking for. However for top dollar the car needs to be 100% original. Top dollar for that car would be in the mid 20’s.
Corvairs are finally becoming more recognized as a true classic and values are on the rise just like other classics. Someday I will have my Corsa back from the body shop. When finished the car will be close to 100% new but not original with regards to the powertrain, paint, and interior. Just the way I want it.
I’ve read Unsafe At Any Speed. That it features the Corvair in its opening chapter is simply because it was new at the time and its new design suffered from US carmakers’ refusal to spend money on research for driver safety. There were aftermarket solutions for the rear wheel camber-hop problem when the car hit undulating surfaces on curves, but carmakers continued to place the blame for increasing carnage on US roads upon the drivers rather than fix safety problems.
The Corvair was hatched during a noble period for GM, when the accountants took a backseat to the engineers (see also ‘61-63 Pontiac Tempest-Olds Cutlass-Buick Skylark). The Corvair required a couple of early tweaks to tame its handling at the limit, but it was otherwise a fabulous and innovative car — superior in nearly every way to its competition in the compact class. It’s good to see it finally being recognized for its merits rather than unearned negative publicity.
It appears to need a rear under-bumper grille, although it’s hard to tell based on the photos. Straight-on front and read pics would be beneficial.
How did the owner come up withe the faifsbry tale price. ? Or just the fable to see if anyone is this desperate..
Did you see what the Hemmings editor’s Monza convertible just brought? His was a factory perfect restoration, took years and approached $45k if I recall. I take it you’ve never driven one, wonderful handling cars!
That ninety degree fanbelt turn caused problems!
A “wrapped” lawnmower (green) belt stays put! Even without retainers.
Don’t know the number though. (Some figuring needed)
I never liked the Turbos, GM mounted the HOT Turbo right above the cooling fan intake. I had a 65 that burned a piston and a valve on the left and right middle cylinders. I preferred the 2 tube or 4 tube intake with an AFB on top, wicked fast performance without the cooling issues.
I own a nice 64. Except for one repaint in 86 it’s all original. I’m the third local owner. I’m also a recently retired mechanic, 69 years old that has worked on and serviced everything spanning 100 yrs of production. I’ve worked on and serviced a lot of nice OE restorations and resto mods along with high performance muscle cars and even some Euro performance cars. Nothing from that era I’ve driven rides or drives as good in stock form as my Corvair. The Camaros and Mustangs, Novas and all other small Detroit based vehicles beat your brains out and are noisy and just plain don’t drive or stop nearly as good in stock form. This car was much maligned for all the wrong reasons. They are definitely not a high quality car but with todays tires and proper inflation they are a pleasure to drive in bone stock form.
When I was getting ready to start my sophomore year in college my Dad said “I’ve got $1200 to spend on a car for you, let’s go to Hoen Chevrolet and see what they’ve got.”
They had 3 cars in my price range. First one was a 1954 Corvette which I turned down because it was dill pickle green and had a powerglide. Second one was a 1955 Thunderbird, which I turned down because it smelled like a wet dog and had an automatic. Third was a 62 Corvair convertible, white with red interior and a 4 speed. That was my car all the way thru college. Loved it then, but looking back I was an idiot!
I drove a Spyder and it was safe, fast and fun.
We always disagreed with the Nader description and decided he had probably never drove one or talked to anyone who had.
IIRC, that was true. Nader didn’t even have a driver’s license.
I was in the auto business from ’77 to ’98, and even in the years since I always figured Nader to be a hack.
Then I actually, finally read the book.
Now I’m just a little ticked off at corporate America, especially the industry that drew me in with its emphasis on design over safety.
Nader, if anything, didn’t dig deep enough.
Come on, Adam! It’s a Boxer or a Flat 6. If you have to, consider it a Flat Banked Engine.
There is NOTHING OPPOSED in a Corvair, VW, Porsche or Lycoming flat engine. The pistons face outward, not toward each other (like in a Comer TS-3, a Junkers Jumo, Fairbanks-Morse D38-1/8 or a Napier Deltic (all 2-cycle, uniflow engine(s), where the pistons truly push toward and away from each other.
I like the cars, live the write-up, wish the seller well, but the term Horizontally Opposed is a misnomer and mischaracterization.
The first thing I would change is that bizarro shift knob.
Had one in ’63. 4 spd. convertible, auto top, dual glass packs. Loved it. Put anti sway bar on to control on wet roads or curves. no problems. Wish I still had it, but now I have a ’69 roadrunner 383 4 spd, one owner, me, w/matching numbers, all original. Love it too.
Man in Tampa many years ago put Olds Tornado running gear in the back of Corvairs then he went about smoking any and all muscle cars.
Loved the Roadrunners.
That is a tough install!
CL ad was pulled, so the car may have found a new owner.