No Reserve: 1961 Chevrolet Corvair Monza 900
When we examine the history of Chevrolet, one of its most bold and daring models was the Corvair. The company had built its reputation on producing front-engine/rear-drive vehicles with relatively conventional and proven engineering. With the Monza, they threw most of that thinking aside and produced a car that was essentially new, down to the last nut and bolt. This 1961 Corvair Monza 900 is an example of that thinking, but it needs a new owner to awaken it from its slumber. It is located in Baraboo, Wisconsin, and has been listed for sale here on eBay. There has been a single bid of $3,150 submitted in a No Reserve auction.
The seller claims that the Roman Red Corvair was driven into its current location more than 25-years-ago, and it has only been recently discovered. A general inspection has revealed that this is a surprisingly solid classic with extremely limited rust problems. It is confined to a small area below the battery, which is a pretty common problem. Otherwise, the vehicle is said to be structurally sound. It is hard to be certain, but there’s enough of a visible shine to suggest that the paint might respond favorably to some intense cleaning and polishing. The same is true of the trim and chrome, while I can’t spot any issues with the glass. If this Corvair is as good as the photos tend to indicate, it looks like a few days of intense work in a home workshop should have it presenting well as a survivor.
The drivetrain engineering and configuration was what made the Corvair stand out when it was released. Chevrolet created a vehicle like nothing else ever offered by an American manufacturer at that point. The company’s engineers developed an air-cooled six-cylinder horizontally opposed motor that was mounted in the rear. Just think VW Beetle, but with extra cylinders. This engine is the 145ci version that produced 80hp. Those ponies were fed to the rear wheels via a 2-speed Powerglide transaxle. With the Powerglide on board, the Corvair was far from being a fast car. The journey down the ¼ mile was a leisurely stroll that took 21.1 seconds, and the car ran out of breath at 91mph. The Corvair was unlucky enough to find itself the scapegoat of a safety campaign by Ralph Nader. His book, “Unsafe at Any Speed,” shone a light on the 1st Generation Corvair’s rear suspension design and tarnished the car’s reputation to the point where even the updated 2nd Generation cars were viewed with caution by some potential buyers. Admittedly, the swing-axle rear end that Chevrolet developed for the first cars was not great, and it did have its shortcomings. However, if the owner maintained the tire pressures set by Chevrolet and drove with the care and attention that any car deserves, it was no more dangerous than the much-lauded Volkswagen Beetle. The seller says that this car was driven into its current location more than 25-years-ago and hasn’t fired a shot in anger since. It isn’t clear whether the engine turns freely, but it would be worth inspecting the car thoroughly before hitting the key. Having said that, there’s a possibility that it won’t take a lot of work to coax that six back to life.
If the exterior of the Corvair is a surprise, the interior is even better. The carpet has been removed from the front passenger side, but that appears to be the only fault to note. The red vinyl on the seats is flawless, with no evidence of wear, splits, or tears. The dash is spotless, as are the door trims. There have been no aftermarket additions, and the factory radio remains in situ. I believe that cleaning everything thoroughly and spending $170 on a new carpet set would have this interior looking stunning. Once again, this is something that the new owner could tackle without the need for professional help.
The engineering of the Chevrolet Corvair was bold and daring, and the car deserved to be a sales success. For the 1961 model year, Chevrolet sold 337,371 vehicles, making it the Corvair’s most successful year throughout its short life. Of those, 109,945 were the Monza 900 Club Coupe, like our feature car. That didn’t make them particularly rare when new, but natural attrition has seen these numbers dwindle over the decades. It isn’t clear how many remain, but someone has the chance to revive a survivor that has been sitting for more than two decades. I’d love to see it returned to our roads, and it makes me wonder whether we have any readers who would be willing to accept the challenge.
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Comments
It’s hard to tell from the crappy pictures if this was repainted to hid rust repairs. The 900 was the highest trim level. It probably has the 102 hp engine with the powerglide. Like Adam states a good cleaning might reveal a real gem. The Corvair is a great starter vehicle for someone who wants to get into a classic. Who would have thought parts support would be so strong for an economy car. One thing for sure Corvair owners are very passionate about their cars. This looks like a good one to buy.
I believe the trim levels were 700, 900 and Monza. This looks like a restored car that was stored long term. Chances of the motor turning are pretty good, due to being air cooled and due to all the oil that usually covers Corvair engines inside and out. I’ve owned a ’61 700, a ’62 Monza and a ’66 four door HT with factory air.
The trim levels were 500, 700, and 900 the latter becoming the Monza. This is probably the 82 hp model ( auto trans, 80 with a manual). 102 hp had a distinct emblem. My first classic was a 500 club coupe with an 80hp engine and I once got it up to 100 on a straight away. At about 40 the engine could hardly be heard because of its’ rear placement.
see image of 102 badge here:
https://ssl.corvair.com/photo-index/C2237.jpg
Might be looking at this wrong but the air cleaner indicates the 4 carb engine. Two carb engine in our ’65 had a different air cleaner and resembled the 2 carb engine my mother’s ’62. The automatic make these cars great to run around in traffic situations. Pretty peppy despite the low hp rating. This is going to be a nice car for a good price.
That is the style of air cleaners 61-64 used for the dual carb set up. These had to clear the deck lids on the wagons and FC vans. People have put the 140hp engines in a early and I have seen some modify this style air cleaner to cover both carbs by using the later style crossover.
http://corvaircenter.com/phorum/file.php?1,file=169307,filename=P1060066_2019_06_02_03_24_48_UTC_.JPG
You are looking at it wrong….its a 2 carb engine.
Thank you kind sir for the information. Know lots of things but didn’t know that.
I have to admit, other than flat tires the exterior appears in fine shape as well as the interior. No rust seen, and I can only hope no bondo patches are present. This is probably THE best “barn find” I’ve seen where Corvairs are concerned. Someone is going to get a beautiful project to resurrect!
I’m not so sure if a ten year run can be considered a short life.
Maybe you should….10 years, Total Production 1,835,170 Units in 2 doors, 4 doors, Loadside/Rampside Trucks, Monza and Lakewood Station Wagon, Corvan Panel and Greenbrier Vans.
Name a more versatile platform in that time period, with those kind of numbers in a US production car. Best of Luck.
I thought I was needing my eye checked but it was the pictures never cared for these cars one fan belt wonders
At $3,300 with 6 days remaining, this little beauty should go for at least double that.
Despite the crappy photos.
One thing to keep in mind when purchasing these cars, You need a long reach with twin venturies and plenty of know how to balance these carb setups. Get these 2 carb set ups out of balance and you won’t get far. These carbs have to be perfectly balanced for the engine to run smooth. I had a 61 and very few mechanics could balance the carbs correctly. Word to the wise.
grandmaw had one in the day. Fun car. B4 out of production didn’t the vette designed suspension come into it (no? steer linkage?)? Some upgrade but by then they’d gone onto an unappealing face change or mid model re-make?
Boxer 6 / air cooled is enuff for me to B interested. Looks like 2 carbs, not much more to put in the supercharger? Any thing it needs is available by my neighbor “Clark” here in W.MA. Her vert hada oil leak onto the heater apparatus which smoked us out of the cabin pretty quickly…
I’d want to ask it the barn has a dirt or cement floor, could make all the difference.
For 3700. someone is getting a real peach… I’d love to own this car!
corvairs had a high accident/death toll just like the Beetles, due to the split swing axle that couldn’t handle higher speed turns on asphalt.. I won’t tell you how I know….
Learned to drive in a Monza
sold this Sunday for $4,550.
George… What you synced the carbs with is called a Unisyn. Clear tube with a plastic ball in it marked with increments on a base put on top of the carb. Set so the vacuum reading is the same on both carbs and you’ve got a tuned engine. Biggest thing tuning multiple carbs is balancing the linkage between the carbs first, then fiddle with the jets.
I bought a 61 Monza 900 from a friends mom in 1970 for 30 bucks . . Clutch was bad .. had to pull it home with a rope .. dropped the engine and put a clutch in it and drove it around for a while . . I still have the original owners manual . . I built a dune buggy with a shortened pan and a Myers Manx knock off body .. I used a Hadley Engineering transvair kit to use the entire Corvair drive train . . From what I could gather , the 61 Monza 900 with 4 speed had 98 horsepower . . It was quite adequate . .