History can treat some vehicles harshly, and the Chevrolet Corvair demonstrates this. It marked a radical design departure for the company as it sought to gain a slice of the compact market. However, the criticism it received for its lively handling did it damage from which it never recovered. Today, the Corvair is recognized as a groundbreaking vehicle, and they have developed a dedicated following in the classic market. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Curvette for spotting this 1962 Corvair Monza Convertible listed here on Craigslist in Buckley, Washington. This beauty appears to need nothing, and could be yours for $9,500.
It is rare for a manufacturer to develop a new model from a clean sheet of paper, but that was essentially the path followed by Chevrolet when it released the Corvair for the 1960 model year. After the excesses of the 1950s, the company’s latest offering didn’t feature fins or acres of chrome trim. The styling was subtle and refined, with Chevrolet ignoring tradition with its rear-engine drivetrain setup. This Corvair is a 1962 Monza Convertible that is finished in beautiful Twilight Turquoise. The seller has been its custodian since 2014, indicating that the car received a repaint before coming into their care. It still presents nicely over a decade later, with no significant paint or panel imperfections. Rust could be a major problem with these vehicles, but this Corvair is as solid as the day it left the showroom floor. The seller had owned the car for over a year before they discovered that the previous owner had replaced the floors. The work quality is said to be so good that identifying this is virtually impossible. The White soft-top is in good order, and the rear window isn’t cloudy or brittle. The seller states that the power top function is inoperative, but manual raising is easy. The trim sparkles nicely for its age, and the glass is clear.
The positive vibes continue inside this classic, with this interior so nice that the buyer won’t hesitate to be seen in public with the top lowered. It originally featured White vinyl trim, but the seats have been upgraded with Turquoise cloth inserts. It provides a classy and luxurious feel, and should increase occupant comfort on hot days when vinyl can become hot and sticky. There appears to be nothing justifying criticism, with no wear, stains, or discoloring. The dash is excellent, and there are no visible wheel cracks.
The seller admits that this Corvair is no longer numbers-matching. Its original rear-mounted air-cooled six was extremely tired when they took delivery, so they bolted in a healthy engine and Powerglide transaxle of 1964 vintage to return the vehicle to sound mechanical health. The 164ci powerplant develops 95hp and 154 ft/lbs of torque, and while neither figure sounds impressive, the car’s curb weight of around 2,750lbs means that performance is more sprightly than you might expect. The seller recently replaced the exhaust, carburetors, fuel tank, and sender unit. The tires are relatively new, and potential buyers can consider this a turnkey proposition where they could fly in and drive it home.
Purchasing a classic car is viewed as a luxury by many, and finding a turnkey vehicle with no apparent needs that is affordable is sometimes challenging. This 1962 Chevrolet Corvair Monza Convertible fits within that category and is ready to provide its new owner with plenty of motoring fun. The seller’s price looks extremely competitive, especially since the buyer may need to spend nothing beyond that figure before hitting the road. Are you tempted to make this beauty yours? I will understand if you do.
I’m normally a stickler for originality, but I wouldn’t mind owning this.
That’s a nice one. Our family owned 3 of them and enjoyed each one.
In 66 I had a 62 vert with a Bill Thomas built 180 cube turbocharged engine, probably close to 200hp. Certainly didn’t look as good as this one, but won a lot of drag races with it. Love the color! GLWTA!
Back in my late teens, my buddy had a 1964 version of this in black with the hot engine (turbo or supercharger….don’t recall which) with a 4 speed manual. It was a blast to drive, unexpectedly, since I had driven other Corvairs and they were dogs both auto and manual.
If it’s a real advert, that would seem to be a great price for a really nice version of the early cars.
Bigger engine (164 vs 145) made a huge difference. There was only one rear end ratio available. In my 62 w/big turbo engine we got Avon slicks on 10 inch Mini Cooper wheels adapted to make ’em fit. Looked goofy, but was a real plus for acceleration.
You can’t actually fly into Buckley but you can get within 50 miles or so at SeaTac. I have always kind of liked the looks of these cars especially the Spyder models. Back in 1962 while in High School a girl had a black one. She was from the opposite side of the tracks from me. Her family had money, so she was gifted the little black Spyder convertible. I could only daydream of being so fortunate.
God Bless America
I was starting second year of college in 65. My Dad said he had $1200 to buy me a car. Went to Chevy dealer where they had 3 cars in my price range. DIDN’T pick 56 Thunderbird because it had an automatic and smelled like a wet dog. DIDN’T pick 56 Corvette because it had automatic and was dill pickle green. DID pick 62 Corvair convertible, white with red and 4 speed. Would do different now, but don’t regret doing it then!
I drove one of these a lot. Was the local Chevrolet dealer’s personal car for the year. Yes, 4-in-the-floor but you could keep it for my part. Now the old man who owned the dealership before him drove a Corvette Sting Ray. Now, that’s a car.
I love the color combo on this car. This is a great little car to get into the hobby at a reasonable price.
As long as the floors aren’t rotting out and all of the front and rear rubber suspension parts are up to date, hell of a deal for someone.
Only Pre-65 Corvair I own is a 62 Rampside Pickup.
Listing is gone. Guess it either sold, or seller decided to pull the plug for some other reason. And here I was, ready to buy it!!
And, importantly, if you add the rear anti-tuck up bar to the rear suspension, standard with the 1964’s, and later, part of the original design, but “value engineered” out of the first 4 years, you did not have the issue of the rear wheels tucking under and sending you in a 180, or 360 spin out. Correct tire pressures were important in the early ones, my mother’s, which I drove a lot, never did bad things for me, other than the fuel filter clogging up and leaving me stranded going up big hills twice.