Ford, Chrysler, and Chevrolet all rolled out compact cars for the first time in 1960. Ford and Chrysler went the more conventional route, with front-mounted water-cooled engines. However, Chevrolet decided to emulate the VW Beetle which may have started all the ruckus anyway. The new Corvair had its engine in the trunk and was cooled by air, not water. They were pretty popular during the car’s first generation (1960-64), but sales fell off for the balance of the decade (remember Ralph Nader?). The convertible body style was new on the Corvair in 1962 and this Monza drop-top looks good but apparently needs its engine put back together. Located in Port St. Lucie, Florida, the seller has posted the vehicle here on eBay for the Buy It Now Price of $5,000 (or you can make an offer).
Despite some bad press from Nader about its handling characteristics, the Corvair enjoyed a 10-year life across two generations of production. 1.8 million of the little cars were sold, with 328,500 being in 1962 alone. That year, Chevy built 16,569 Monza convertibles like the seller’s car and white with a red interior was a popular color combination. The seller refers to this machine as a barn find, but he found it in a storage shed in California where it had been stored for 30 years. He/she brought it home to Florida and planned to work on it, but health issues have prompted a resale instead.
We’re told that the 140 cubic-inch air-cooled six was rebuilt, but parts like a camshaft lying around support the seller’s statement that it may need it again. The body looks solid with no reported rust and the interior was previously redone to as-new standards. It has a 4-speed manual transmission and it may need no attention.
The convertible top looks crumpled on the sides when it is up suggesting that it may be old and due for replacement. The buyer will not only take home the automobile but also a bunch of spare parts needed to complete the car plus a bunch of how-to books are included. The indicated mileage is 17,000, but the seller believes the odometer has rolled over. If you’re looking for a Corvair to resurrect, this one might not give you too much trouble.
From what I can see given the limited pictures it looks to be a nice car that will clean up. Sellers price is fair. If bought in the 4-5K range you will end up with less invested that what they are now worth. Ermine white with red is a nice color combination. Small correction the engine in this car is a 145c.i. engine not 140 which was 1960 only. Even if all the engine parts are not there it’s real easy to find what you need. For a car that has got a lot of bad rap it’s one of the best first classic cars to own in terms of parts availability and a large club community that can help.
My first car was a Corvair, put a clutch in it and what I did looked scary, but strapped up? Nope, agree that this may not be a bad buy just parts all over. Anything stripped or broken? Transmission in the trunk but a rebuilt one in the car. Engine needs gone through and most likely in this state may not travel well. Mixed feelings on this one and I am not that far away. Maybe, but I have a lead on another car right now and not sure if I can get that one done in the time frame I have dedicated.
The top isn’t attached at the windshield header, which is why it appears to fit poorly. It looks to have been folded down for an extended period, so the seller may be allowing the fabric to relax before fully raising the top. Stretching a long-folded top can cause wrinkles to become tears.
Looks like a good deal, for the right person. I really like the red interior, it fits so good in a white, blue, or black car. If i didnt have enough projects, and unpayd bills, it could be a fun farther and son, or daughter project.
Price seems ok. But around that price there is many good projects to choose between.
Corvair projects are do it yourselfers. I’ve done several. If you pay someone you will be underwater day one. They just haven’t appreciated in value like most classics unless you’ve got a really nice factory turbo convertible or a Yenko Stinger.
My ex-girl friend brother had a Monza hard top but… 327 two 4’s out back. I mean right behind the front seats. GM 10 bolt rear. No drive shaft. Turbo 350 direct hook up to the rear. Flared quarter panels and fenders roll bar of course. This was a track car. Very very fast track car. It’s a shame we don’t see any more of this type out there. This Monza would be a fun project over the winter to get it ready for next year. Good luck to the next owner. 🐻🇺🇸
Bought a new ’65 Monza off the round table at the Detroit auto show. Loved the car. In the early ’80s a guy with a Texas company V8 midships conversion in a ’66 almost convinced me to buy his car. Almost did it but had too many cars at the time. Sure wish I’d bought it to this day.
Once bit twice shy! I owned a Corvair of this vintage and had nothing but headaches stopping oil leaks. Good luck to whoever buys this one. Be sure to buy plenty of aspirin!
I sold him this car. It’s nice.
I went to college in a car just like this one. 1962 corvair convert. white with red interior, 4 speed. My dad said he had $1500 to spend on a car for me. Went to Hoen Chevrolet in Memphis, they had 3 used cars I considered. 1957 Thunderbird…didn’t get it ’cause top leaked, was automatic and smelled like a wet dog. 1954 Corvette…didn’t get ’cause it was automatic and painted dill pickle green. Got Corvair. Oh, to be able to do it again!
Drag raced the one I took to college. Put a 164 cu in Spyder engine in it. Folks at dragstrip didn’t know one corvair from another, so I ran in H/stock class rather that C/Gas supercharged where I belonged. Optional rear gears weren’t available for it, so I had 10″ Mini Cooper wheels with avon slicks on the back. Really looked weird with those little wheels on the back, but it’d turn a 1/4 in the low 14s when everything was right, with engine screaming at about 6500 rpm at the traps.
sorry i did corvairs for 20 years unless its a spider with the turbo 5000 k for a car that needs al the work is high more like 3500
Price has been lowered to 4K.
The engine is held in place by straps and the engine shroud and cooling fan is missing. My guess is the rear engine mount broke. It happened to me.The gas pedal is jammed to the floor and the tranny is jammed in drive. You navigate by jamming on the brakes until you can get somewhere. The brakes need to be looked at, IDK what effect this had on the trans, and God forbid the engine got hot. You could have a piston or two explode.
nice looking car ive bought sold them for years however they dont bring big bucks yet iam in fla and have several but hes a bit high for what the car needs just finished restoring a 64 conv best yet of that body style changed the rear suppression car needing that much work 2500 range