Turbocharged Drop-Top! 1964 Chevrolet Corvair Spyder
In the 1960s, Chevrolet offered two compact cars, the Chevy II and the Corvair. The former was thoroughly conventional by Detroit standards (front-engine, water-cooled), while the latter was anything but. Like the VW Beetle, the Corvair had a rear-mounted, air-cooled engine, and – after 1962 – could be equipped with a turbocharger. That resulted in the performance-oriented Spyder, like the seller’s car, from 1964 (the last year of Spyder production). This example is not only turbocharged but also a convertible, making it even more rare. In need of a restoration of sorts, this Chevy is available from an estate sale in St. Louis, Missouri, and offered here on eBay. $8,500 is the magic number, though offers will be considered.
When you ordered a Spyder, you got it either as a 2-door sedan or drop-top using the more upscale Monza trim. And it only came with a three or four-speed manual transmission. In 1962 and 1963, the standard Corvair engine was 145 cubic inches and delivered 102 hp. With the TRW-produced turbocharger, the output grew to 150 hp and stayed at that level even when the displacement was increased to 164 in 1964 (but torque went up). We’re told that Chevy sold nearly 40,000 Spyders in their three-year run, of which fewer than 5,000 convertibles materialized in 1964 alone.
We’re told that this Spyder is generally solid but does have body and paint issues thanks to some poorly done prior work. There is some filler in the driver’s side rear wheel arch that could have been applied better, and the paint on the rear quarter panel has bubbled itself away. The curved portion of the decklid has been bitten by the rust bug, perhaps due to an earlier leak. There’s a hole there that will need attending to.
The vehicle is said to be complete but is not in running condition. While the engine turns freely, a new starter will be needed to make it fire up. Also, one rear brake is locked up, so it won’t roll on its own until that’s corrected. This Spyder has the more desirable 4-speed manual transmission. And the interior may be okay, but we do see some signs that the upholstery needs refreshing. The title is said to be clean but has been signed by the estate of the owner and comes with “stated-filed paperwork”. I don’t know if any of that will present problems at your DMV. If you’re into Corvairs, the ’64 Spyder convertible might be the one to have.
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Comments
Seems over-priced for a non-running car that needs paint and upholstery. I sold a running, driving one a few years ago, that only needed new paint, for less than this one is priced. Yes, I know, should have kept it!
Yeah… a $2500 car, for $8500. No thanks!
Here’s what this guy bought for $16k
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-UyidXpmzA&t=136s
Last year of “Spyder” designation/not the last year for the turbo…
It would take a good 15 K to start the repairs. Rebuilt turbos start over 1000 by themselves. 6-8K for engine rebuild/Machine shop work.
The Interior is crap, the body needs a good 1200 man hours just to get ready for primer and paint.
And it’s worth over 8K?
To the seller maybe.
It’s a 2000.00 piece. Put another 20-25K in it, and you’d have a nice car.
Just my opinion, after 36 years of Corvair Ownership.
It’s dat gat-damned tin worm again…
Like BlondeUXB stated the turbo soldiered on for 2 more years till the end of the Corsa model run in 66 with 180hp. The power increase was made by adding a larger YH carburetor. Unlike Oldsmobile engineers who controlled the boost with a waste gate and used methanol injection while retaining the high compression ratio Corvair engineers chose to lower the compression ratio and restrict the intake with no waste gate. Under boost the distributor had a vacuum retard element to keep detonation at bay. The cars are sluggish performers and there are a number of modifications out there to wake these up. Still the YH carburetor is finicky and has caused frustration with many.
I have a 65 Corsa turbo but the car came as a basket case with a 140HP engine which I chose to keep with performance modifications. I used to be a late model only fan but I have grown to appreciate the early model Corvairs. I fixed up a wagon for a club member and really liked that body style. It’s definitely a smile and thumbs up kind of car.
Too much work needed for this high price! $2000 would be more realistic,but the buyer always sets the selling price!
Jim
left rear fender looks like brake fluid or something was spilled on it and ate the paint.
There are a few differences between the 64 and 65/66 turbo engines. The main difference is the larger F flow turbocharger, vs the B flow used in the earlies. There was also a different camshaft as well as a slightly larger venturi YH carb. The turbo cars are more than sluggish up to 50 or so MPH, the 4 carb 140 HP engine will out-accelerate it. A frequently done modification is to use the early B flow compressor and get quicker boost. I built a 65 years ago with the Crown E-flow turbine, B-flow compressor and used the high compression 140 heads. Quick spool up and more boost. I used a SU carb with a homemade water injection system. Never got the carb needle “tuned” exactly, ran a little fat but with an early MSD (1976 or so) I could keep plugs in it. That car was a riot!
would be a hot seller…at $2000.00.
way over priced.