Enthusiasts considering a first classic purchase often place affordability at the top of their requirements list. That is logical, because only once a car enters their life will they discover whether classic ownership is what they genuinely craved. If you feel the same, this 1965 Chevrolet Corvair Monza is worth a close look. It presents exceptionally well and is ready to provide its new owner with years of motoring pleasure. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Tony P. for spotting the Corvair listed here on Craigslist in Surprise, Arizona. It will cost someone $10,800 to drive this beauty home, and with no apparent needs, it fits neatly into the affordable category.
It is rare for almost any manufacturer to develop a new model from a virtually blank sheet of paper. However, Chevrolet took that approach with the Corvair, using almost nothing from its existing or discontinued model range. It adopted the concepts well established by companies like Volkswagen, choosing a rear-engine layout to improve interior space. The first cars rolled off the line for the 1960 model year, but the Second Generation’s 1965 release made it much better. The styling was crisp and svelte, especially in 2-Door Hardtop form. The company updated the suspension, providing class-leading handling that gained the Corvair praise from the motoring press. Our featured Corvair Monza emerged that year, finished in Regal Red. The presentation is first-rate, with sparkling paint and arrow-straight panels. Rust was often a Corvair bugbear, but this garage-kept dry-climate classic appears to have avoided the dreaded tin worm. The seller says that the spoilers and Bow-Tie mirrors are later additions, but they don’t detract from the car’s appearance. The trim is in excellent condition, and the glass is clear.
Chevrolet decided that the drivetrain layout utilized in the Volkswagen Beetle would be equally effective in its new Corvair. However, adopting the “bigger is better” philosophy, the Corvair’s physical dimensions and engine displacement were larger than the German classic’s. This Monza features a rear-mounted 164ci air-cooled six, teamed with a two-speed Powerglide transaxle. Chevrolet quoted power and torque figures of 110hp and 160 ft/lbs, providing competent performance. However, the most significant news with the Second Generation was the dramatically reengineered suspension. The previous model’s swing-axle rear end could catch drivers unaware when they reached the limits, and this trait drew plenty of adverse publicity in Ralph Nader’s book, Unsafe At Any Speed. For the Second Generation, the swing-axle was consigned to the bin, and the Corvair received coil-sprung four-wheel independent suspension. Motoring journalists acknowledged that the car was still tail-heavy, but its handling was vastly superior to its predecessor’s. The seller recently fitted new brakes, suspension, tie rods, tires, steering, a fuel tank, and fuel lines. The car is mechanically sound, allowing the buyer to fly in and drive it home.
The seller emphasizes the originality of this Corvair’s interior, and its condition is admirable if that is the case. Trimmed in dazzling Red vinyl, the upholstered surfaces show no wear or other shortcomings, and the matching carpet is clean. The lack of significant dash deterioration suggests that this beauty hasn’t suffered long-term UV exposure, although the pad is cracked. That appears to be the only negative, because while replacement pads are readily available, they typically sell for over $600. Alternatively, adventurous owners could attempt a DIY restoration using a product like Polyvance. It isn’t lavishly equipped, but this Corvair features a telescopic timber wheel and an AM radio.
Early examples of the Chevrolet Corvair received significant bad publicity for their lively handling, which could catch people unaware. However, by the time our featured Monza variant left the line in 1965, the Corvair was considered to be a good car that handled well. This one looks like a gem, and the seller’s price compares favorably with recent successful sales. It has been on the market for under a day, and if you’ve previously owned a Corvair, did you enjoy the experience enough to pursue this one further?
Here’s another sweetheart I hope gets some attention. A nicer one you simply won’t find. Corvairs were wonderful cars, highly underestimated by people like my old man, who thought, “it just ain’t right”. To the people that did buy them,,,to the tune of 1.8 MILLION cars, they wanted nothing but. Most folks I knew loved their Corvairs. The 2nd gen, shown here, was a beautiful design, simple mechanicals, and got great mileage. We must remember, in the mid 60s, people had the right foot in mind, and many simply over-drove them, or ran them out of oil.
Great find, except, I don’t like “surprises”, and would steer clear of any city named that.