First Gen Convertible: 1962 Chevrolet Corvair
In the 1950s, the major American automakers produced the largest cars we’ll ever see, with huge wheelbases and bodies dripping with chrome. But gaining speed in the marketplace was the Economy Car. Volkswagens were selling like hotcakes. American Motors brought out the Rambler in 1958, and Studebaker introduced the Lark in 1959: both were selling briskly. Chevrolet needed an entry in the economy segment. Rather than follow in Ford’s and Chrysler’s footsteps – by scaling down an existing passenger car and installing a six-cylinder – Chevrolet spun the dice and created an entirely new car, imbued with European influence. This was the Corvair, and it hit the market in 1960. Here on craigslist is a long-stored 1962 Corvair convertible for sale, for only $5,000. The car is located in the San Francisco Bay area, California. Thanks to T.J. for the tip!
Among the Corvair’s many unusual features, the most distinct was its rear-mounted, air-cooled, flat-six mostly aluminum engine. This engine came in several configurations over the years. The early 140 cu. in. base motor had two carburetors and put out about 80 bhp. Later, camshaft changes and dual spring heads added a few more ponies. A turbocharger squeezed still more from the package. The ultimate was the Corsa motor in 1965/66 cars, with its four carbs and turbocharger achieving some 180 bhp. This particular car has a motor “problem”, which the buyer should see as an opportunity. The motor is out of the car with a suspect crankshaft. The good news is a new crankshaft is included in the sale! The other good news is that dozens of performance upgrades are available for this car – now’s your chance. Of course, once this Corvair is running, other issues will crop up – brakes, electrical, steering, suspension.
This car’s cosmetics look great. The interior was done by the prior owner who had the car since 1977, and it looks new despite the long stint in storage. A three-speed floor shift manual transmission was standard; options included a four-speed manual or a Powerglide automatic. This is one of the manuals. The car was given a high-quality “bright white” paint job before it went to slumber. The trim is present, the chrome is bright.
The underside is clean and dry, testimony to great storage techniques. No mention if the tires are factory originals; might have to add that to the budget. By the way, don’t lose those hubcaps – they are now quite expensive. Ok, I made it nearly to the end without mentioning Ralph Nadar! “Unsafe at Any Speed” is credited with killing the Corvair, but we could also blame the Camaro – Chevy’s hot new 1967 model. Meanwhile, the price on this Corvair is at least a fair deal and might be a bargain. Is it worth a call?
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Comments
My college buddy bought his first car, a Corvair, from neighbor who was a Corvair nut. The guy evidently had 4 or 5 Corvairs, and was always working on them.
One day they found the guy in the garage, crushed under one of the Corvairs. Unsafe at any speed, including zero!
Wow Rex that’s a cheap shot at the car. It is a continuous problem with people who ignore the dangers of working on a car. Doesn’t matter, welding, working under or even mounting a tire. Only bring that up seeing people on social media inflating tires with either or other flammable substances. Personally have seen a broken tire bead and people working with out a jack stand. Stopped at a strangers driveway to explain the danger of using a jack, wheel off leg under car. Told the fellow can always use the removed wheel to protect yourself. Off my box, just is that actually natural selection?
Darwin at work. And not under a Corvair.
Looks like a good classic car for someone who wants to get into a classic car. The 140ci. engine was only found on the 1960 models. Just about everything was different on a 60 when GM went back to the drawing board and redesigned most of the car. From 61-63 the engine displaced 145ci. And could be had in different tune levels from 80hp-102hp in normal aspiration and 150hp with the turbo. which used a single YH side draft carb like the Corvette with the blue flame 6. In 64 the displacement increased to 164ci. for the N/A cars. 65-69 cars could be optioned with the 140hp engine with 4 carbs and a turbo was offered in 65-66 Corsa only models with 180hp. Again with a single side draft YH car with a larger Venturi and a different turbocharger. Both the 150 and 180 engines used the Venturi size to limit boost pressure unlike the Oldsmobile which used a wastegate and methanol injection coupled with a 10.75:1 compression ratio. Corvair compression ratio was like 7.5:1. Both the turbo engines and the 140hp engine used nitrided crankshafts and different connecting rods to cope with the power increase.
This engine won’t just need a crankshaft as these were pretty tough unless run out of oil. In which case the cam journals need to be checked and if damaged or too large the case gets chucked in the garbage. Most of your rebuild money needs to go into the cylinder heads to have a good machine shop (far and few these days) drill out the guides and remove and install deeper intake valve seats. What happens with 1000’s of heat cycles is the aluminum looses its elasticity and the first time you let off the throttle in cool weather a seat will fall out and ruin your hard work. Head work runs about 2000-2500 these days and with a little more work intake porting will go a long way to make a 110hp engine with the dual carbs make about 130-140hp. I have done 2 and they run very good. Fun cars for anyone who has a air-cooled Porsche itch that needs scratching for a portion of 911 money.
“American Motors brought out the Rambler in 1958…”
Minor nit, the postwar Rambler was brought out by Nash in 1950. (The first Rambler actually hails from 1902.) The Rambler name was continued by AMC after its incorporation in 1954 and in the U.S. was used through 1969.
Loved our ’65 Monza. 4 speed transmission, all other options that were available except for AC. Would have kept the car longer but got transferred from Michigan to Florida and the lack of AC reared it’s ugly head. Traded it in for a Buick Skylark with AC and full trim and wheel package.
“In the 1950s, the major American automakers produced the largest cars we’ll ever see, with huge wheelbases and bodies dripping with chrome.” Those cars look downright small next to the mammoth SUVs on the road today.
Surprised there have not been any put an LS in it!!
Love these and the colors are great but San Francisco is a long way from Greenville SC too far for me
The Corvair Monza Spyder convertible of first gen Corvairs has always held a point of admiration for me. I’d like to get a nice one someday as I reminisce through my years as a High School student watching a pretty girl who had a black one. Both her and the car were things of beauty to my young eyes. Naturally they were both out of my league, as I wasn’t a very popular kid, and had no money. Now I could see someone putting this thing back together for summer drives and shows, but not being a Spyder it would not appeal to me.
God Bless America
You might reconsider that if you drove a Spyder. They are very finicky to get right and even with the right tune don’t expect much from the turbo in normal driving. There is a lot that can be done to improve on turbocharging in its infancy but it’s the reason I prefer the N/A route.
Much better $5000 find than the red one in St Louis.
I loved my ‘67 Corvair 4 speed convertible.
That said, I’ll dump on the previous generation.
Apparently GM didn’t attempt a rollover caused by a tire blowout.
1972. I-94 Eastbound Borman Expressway on the Burr Street exit ramp., Gary Indiana.
We were on our way to a gig. My keyboards were in the band van with the other large stuff like amplifiers, sound system, lighting equipment etc…
My bass player and I were following the van with guitars and microphone stands in his ‘64 Corvair coupe.
We were halfway up the exit ramp at approximately 40 mph when we had a left rear tire blowout.
We immediately found ourselves rolling to the left and downhill towards I-94 and we made two complete rollovers while fighting off guitar cases, mic stands, cigarette butts and other detritus.
We weren’t wearing the lap belts.
It took four of us to roll it back onto it’s wheels after we changed the tire. Tires are pretty easy to change when the car is upside down.
Miraculously it started. The roof was squashed down about a foot. We kicked the windshield and rear window out and Mike drove it to the gig.
That weekend I was introduced to my first Sawzall by Mike and we cut the roof off and that Corvair was a flattop convertible for a few years until we managed to get it stuck between two trees in the woods while chasing dirt bikes.
Mike’s Corvair was actually safe at most speeds but 40 mph seemed to be the unsafe speed.