Air-Cooled Drop-Top: 1965 Chevrolet Corvair
The Chevy Corvair was perhaps the most unusual car to come out of Detroit in the 1960s. With its rear-mounted, air-cooled engine and 4-wheel independent suspension, it was America’s version of the VW Beetle, except bigger. The car was popular enough to stick around for 10 years and produce 1.8 million copies. But some bad press helped lower demand and the novelty automobile would not see the next decade. This 1965 Monza is a convertible that was previously cosmetically restored and has been sitting for several years. From a dealer in Fort Washington, Pennsylvania, this Chevy will need some TLC and is available here on eBay where the bidding has reached $3,025 (no reserve).
Chevrolet was the only domestic automobile brand to have two compact cars in the 1960s, with its other being the more conventional Chevy II/Nova. After a five-year run, the automobile was redesigned in 1965 and addressed most of the safety issues that Ralph Nader had expressed about the car in his book Unsafe at Any Speed. But the vehicle’s reputation had already been tarnished. While sales perked up a little right after the redesign, they dropped by 50% in 1966 and continue to trickle away until Chevy threw in the towel in 1969. Of the 237,000 Corvairs assembled in 1965, more than 26,000 were Monza convertibles like this one.
The seller, a dealer, bought the car from a long-time owner who generally only drove it in nice weather and kept it inside during inclement conditions. Some time back, the car underwent a color change from blue to red, which would match its refurbished red interior. A new white top was also installed. But all of that needs some TLC from being idle and should be a solid driver-quality presentation when done. All the bright work seems to have held up well. The seller speculates there may be some rust underneath but hasn’t put it up on a lift to verify.
We’re told the 164 cubic inch six-cylinder and 4-speed manual transmission were functioning well about three years ago. So, a new battery, a drain of the fuel system, and checking the brakes and tires are a given to getting the drop-top back on the road. Its title disappeared many moons ago, so the car will come with a bill of sale (though the eBay list says salvage title). This is a seldom-seen car that might be a nice vehicle for weekend outings and Cars & Coffee with the right amount of attention. Except in Corvair circles, when was the last time you saw one?
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Comments
The salvage title is one strike against this Corvair. The rust I see in the lower A-pillar and a second strike against owning this car. Something doesn’t look right in the picture of the front trunk area like it was in a accident in a prior life. Strike three!
It’s not a ’65. It has side marker lights.
Good catch. The seller lists the VIN as 105675W300059. The sixth digit is the year. My guess is that the VIN is that what the seller sees as a “5” is actually an “8.”
Good catch and a good point. Did someone like side marker lights? Or was the salvage tag issued because this was made from 2 cars. A picture of the build tag would help clear this up. I know 67 cars had to have back up lights and 68 was the first year for side marker lights. Maybe Corvair got them in 67 but other Chevrolet cars got them in 68. I do like the License plate Bid 2 Win. Somehow I think with this car they were never on the winning side.
Everything points to the fact that it’s a ’65. Side marker lights mean nothing. I had a ’66 that I added side marker lights to.
Its a 1965 that someone added side marker lights too, everything else on the car points to it being a 1965.
The steering wheel and column, dash, single master are all 1965.
It also has a CORSA horn button. Side marker lights did not come out until 1967.
Effective January 1, 1968, all passenger cars built for sale in the United States were required to display amber lights or reflectors on the sides of front fenders, and red lights or reflectors on the sides of rear quarter panels.
1968
I believe that the side marker lights
debuted on the 68 Corvairs.
My recollection is that side marker lights became a requirement for the 1968 model year, which was the first year they appeared on the Corvair. (Similar to their first appearance on the Camaro for ‘68.) Open to correction if I’m wrong on this.
Aftermarket side marker lights were a hot item for a few years. A kid I knew put em on a ‘63 Corvair…
This generation corvair has always caught my eyes
It being topless is another plus
Having a red interior is another plush
Living in rusty canada , these are seldom seen and if i wasn’t downsizing i would love to own one …
A salvage title means nothing to me except as an alert to do more research. Salvage title only means the insurance company felt the cost of restoration exceeded the value of the car. I knee someone who’s ex wife broke the windows out of his 65 Corvair Corsa. He had done a frame up restoration a few years earlier. It was near perfect but the insurance company gave him two choices. They would buy the car and brand the title or he could pay to have the glass replaced. He bit the bullet and sourced all the glass from club members.
Looks like it has a single master brake cylinder, indicating early 2nd generation. I believe a dual master cylinder was introduced in ’67, but ICBM.
Correct, dual master was standard equipment beginning in 1967, along with 4 way flashers, seat belts, collapsable steering column, improved door locking systems and hinges, safety padding on dashboards, flat control knobs, locking seat backs, back up lamps I believe and probably a few other things I can’t remember.
Not to nitpick, but unusual for the EARLY 60s. The FWD Toronado was equally unusual for Detroit in 1966.
It’s also not a good idea to install a fuel filter in the engine bay on these cars. It’s an engine fire waiting to happen. To be safe, install the fuel filter on the other side of the firewall.
Not the other Kim. The tail lights are 1965, and unique to that year. The interior is 1965=66. The engine is certainly prior to 1968 with various smog thingies. What puzzles me is this is a Monza convertible with a four speed, with the relatively anemic 2 carb engine.
This car has the optional 110 engine, fairly common, even with the 4 speed. The 140 engine is the most desirable option. The interior appears to me to be all 1965, except the generic replacement upholstery on the front seats.
2 carb engines could either be the economy 95 HP or the premium fuel 110.
110s had a 110 emblem on the engine lid.
This car is probably right at it’s max. value in bidding right now. PS: you can make a Corvair run with money. I have a 4 carb, ’69 that is built to 3 liters (stock is 2.7). It’s pretty quick and a demon handler. Not your Dad’s Corvair.
Last time I saw a 65 Corvair was the day I sold it. One of the best days of my life!!!
Lol, one time when I was under my 65 Corsa pulling a head because of a dropped valve seat my dad said to me, if I had known that this car could keep you off of the streets I would have bought you one. Truth be known, I’ve never owned a car that I enjoyed as much as I did my hot rod Corvair. I never should have sold it.
Lol, one time when I was under my 65 Corsa pulling a head because of a dropped valve seat my dad said to me, if I had known that this car could keep you off of the streets I would have bought you one. Truth be known, I’ve never owned a car that I enjoyed as much as I did my hot rod Corsa I never should have sold it.
Back in the day before all the govenment BS I took two 64 Covairs, one a sourthern W/bad engine and a northern W/great engine and made 1.
Was the popular blue green, had a 4 speed and clean. Was a fun car. Hit a snow bank one blizzard winter and was aa tobogan, right to the top, thru the belt andd had to be towed off
I always loved these. My parents had two: a ’65 and a ’66 both two door hardtops.
Surprised it wasn’t described as a pillarless folding top coupe with under 100,000 miles though.
Claimed by a new owner for $4000.
I certainly hope that it sees the road again, they are fun to drive.
Looking at the photos, there is definitely a need for some TLC. Would be great if no surprises were lurking. Something which always gives me pause it a basic lack of care when doing a refinishing. In this case, it sure looks like someone who repainted the front trunk area was too lazy to even remove the plastic washer fluid reservoir. Silly.
65 for sure ben in fla had a buncu back in ct