A pitfall of Corvair ownership is the number of Ralph Nader jokes the owner must endure: It’s real, ladies and gentlemen. And every person who tells one smiles and laughs as if they’re the first one to mention it. Don’t let that stop you from buying an example of Chevy’s quirky collectible, however, because it’s a fun and inexpensive way to own an old car. The 1964 Corvair even has the improved rear suspension, so it largely escaped Nader’s ire in the first chapter of his book, which is more well-known than it is well-read. For sale on Marketplace in Jacksonville, Florida, this 1964 model has most of its original paint and is described as having 40,000 miles on the odometer. Thanks to our own Russ Dixon for finding it!
When I look at a Corvair, I immediately home in on the floor between the seats. Yes, this is a four-speed car, which makes it that much more fun. Yeah, the shift action is about as sure as your dinner plans for next Thursday, but once you get used to it, you’ll be missing no more than one gear per calendar quarter. The seats, steering wheel, headliner, and door panels all look like new in this spectacular interior.
The advertisement doesn’t specify, but being a two-carburetor 164, this is either the 95- or 110-horsepower flat six. There’s nothing wrong with a 95; the compression ratio is a point lower than it is on the 110, so you can run cheaper gasoline if you prefer. The 110 had a hotter cam as well, but you shouldn’t expect to win many races with either engine. The point here is fun, not speed, although either will easily keep up with traffic, even on the expressway.
The seller points out that the paint on the roof is weak, but he plans to have it wrapped (?) over the course of the week. I’m not sure if that will be an improvement or not, but I’d be interested to see the results.
The Corvair has strong support, with parts and technical advice both a few mouse clicks away. It’s fuel efficient for an old car, too (I recently got about 24 mpg in my ’65 on a recent trip). It’s easy to steer and fun to drive. In other words, the Corvair makes sense today for the same reasons that about 1.5 million people bought them new. The owner is asking $8,500 for this last year of the early body style.
Sold
Someone got a sweetheart. I thought maybe a Lambrecht auction car, but I don’t know if he had anything this nice. People did however, pay ridiculous amounts for Corvairs laying in the dirt. What motivates someone to pay $43grand for something that sat outside for 40 years? I can only imagine divorce rates spiked after that fiasco.
Sold for $8,500. Someone got a steal!
Awesome!
Yes they did ! as soon as I saw the price I wish I had the money Beautiful little car in near perfect condition, love to have it. My Cousin had 1 just like this only Blue, My mom had a later model 76 I think.
Quite a find – amazing condition for the price.
It has always amazed me that Corvairs have such a low value. They certainly have a following, so parts and assistance will always be available.
They are certainly also collectible, and will always draw interest at any shine and show.
Based on my own personal experience – I have worked at different times with 2 people who owned really nice Corvairs and knew a lot about them – they are owned by people who I never would have guessed were “car guys”.
I agree, the Corvair really was an exceptional car. Thing was, it was so radical an idea, a glorified VW, my old man would say, and took a certain person to own one. I remember an economics/sociology teacher, Mr. Harris( no relation) whose reguired class I did very poorly in, drove a 1st gen Corvair. He was an odd guy and that car fit him perfect.
And it is in the least bought “pink” color.