57k Original Miles: 1963 Chevrolet Corvair Monza 900 Club Coupe
While it received largely undeserved adverse publicity during its later life, Chevrolet’s decision to develop and produce the Corvair was a bold move that paid dividends in the showroom. Our feature car rolled off the production line in 1963 and is 1-of-254,571 Corvairs across all derivatives built during that model year. It presents well for an original and unrestored survivor and needs nothing but a new owner willing to continue treating it with the respect it has obviously received throughout its life. If you feel you might be that person, the Corvair is listed here on Craigslist in Tillson, New York. All you need to do is hand the owner $13,000, and this beauty could be yours. I must thank Barn Finder T.J. for referring this beauty to us.
There are many factors for buyers to consider when they launch themselves on the adventure of buying a classic to park in their garage. Finding a tidy and solid candidate can be challenging if a project build is not viable. That is what this Corvair offers, and the included documentation adds to its appeal. The buyer receives the original Window Sticker, Hand-Written Order Form, Dealer Invoice, Owner’s Manual and envelope, and a virtually complete Service History since Day One. That makes it a tempting proposition, but its overall condition helps its cause. The seller says the car has no history of accident damage or rust repairs, suggesting that its Saddle Tan paint is original. It presents well, holding a healthy shine that should attract favorable comments. The panels are as straight as an arrow, while the glass is flawless. The exterior trim looks excellent for a survivor, and the car retains its original wheels and spotless hubcaps.
The seller’s interior shots are disappointing because they don’t provide a clear overview of its condition. That is a shame as they describe its condition as nearly perfect. The dash and pad are excellent, and this shot of the seats shows no signs of wear or physical damage on the Saddle vinyl upholstery. The remaining upholstered surfaces continue a consistent trend, and the crack-prone wheel has no problems. It is refreshing to find no aftermarket additions that could detract from the interior’s originality. The buyer won’t find the interior loaded with luxury appointments, although the factory clock and AM radio are welcome touches.
The Corvair broke new ground in American automotive engineering. While the prevailing trend focused on front-engine/rear-drive platforms, Chevrolet borrowed a page from Volkswagen’s playbook by opting for a rear-mounted air-cooled motor. This car features its original 140ci flat-six that produces 102hp. The two-speed Powerglide transmission may stifle overall performance, but this classic should cover the ¼ mile in 20 seconds before winding its way to 97mph. Neither figure sounds astounding, but the Monza should happily cruise all day at highway speeds. The seller claims it has a genuine 57,000 miles on the clock, and with the service records they hold, confirming that claim should be easy. It runs and drives well and is a turnkey vehicle where the buyer could fly in and drive home.
Chevrolet produced the 1963 Corvair in a head-spinning variety of models, with an impressive 117,917 buyers selecting the Monza 900 Club Coupe. Rust claimed many of these classics, while others were driven into the ground when resale values were hit by the fallout from Ralph Nader’s book, Unsafe at Any Speed. That was vastly unfair because the Corvair’s handling traits were no more dangerous than those exhibited by the iconic Volkswagen Beetle. This Monza looks like a gem, and the seller’s price is about what you might expect to pay for a rust-free survivor of this standard. It has only been on the market a few days, and it will be interesting to see how quickly they find a buyer.
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Comments
My mother had two of these with automatics and with the 140 engine they don’t give much away to the stick shift configuration. Nice car.
My late sister’s coupe had the P-glide. It wasn’t as bad as I expected; in fact, it wasn’t bad at all. My other sister had a Monza convertible with the 4-speed, and it didn’t really feel that much faster.
Wider rear wheels were installed on the coupe, and it could be hustled through the mountains quickly. Much, much fun! The other sister never checked her tire pressures, making her convertible the first (of several) cars I spun out, fortunately without damage except to my ego.
We’ve come a long way from the days when Corvairs — especially the first-gen cars — were considered worthless!
I’m driving a customers 63 Convertible right now before it goes back to the owner. I find the early model Corvair so charming and enjoyable to drive I’m contemplating getting one down the road for casual cruising. The PG cars do drive nice but the 4-speed is much more fun. The sellers car has a 145ci engine not the 140 which was 60 only I believe. The 102 engine was the HO version of the N/A engine options or you could get the turbo for 150hp. A few years ago the market would not bear the sellers asking price but in todays market that’s a reasonable ask but definitely on the high side of retail.
The Corvair is finally becoming discovered and deserves to be in any classic owners garage. There are enough of us who can work on them and parts are in plentiful supply. Probably one of the best classics to own on a budget. Just make sure you buy one sorted. Doesn’t pay to fix one that needs a lot of work. Unless you plan to own it for a long time. Engine rebuilds are now 5K to do them right. Still about the 1/3 the cost of a 911 engine but keeping it in context.
Owned a ’62 Monza and a ’66 with factory AC back in the 70’s (high school age) . Fortunately I was a card carrying member of the Corvair club and paid close attention to tire pressures. Despite that, I did a 180 on a wet road. The ’66 was much safer handling wise. The Corvair also had a heater that had no heat exchanger (like a VW has) . If the head gasket or anything else leaked, you were breathing Carbon Monoxide. Once I realized that, I went to the scrapyard and got a gasoline heater from a ’60 model, retrofitted it, and amazed classmates as I sat in the parking lot toasty warm with the engine off.
Very nice find! My parents first new car was a 64 Monza Sedan…yellow with black vinyl. My uncle had a 65 Turbo coupe. I had a 63 Monza convertible project that I ended up donating to “charity” 20+ years ago.
The only nit, maybe shadows, is passenger front fender paint/door allignment.
Someone will get a lot of enjoyment with this find …great colors.
Hm.. first picture: panels don’t look that straight – and, on my computer – fhe front end is a different color..like a repaint of part of the car..Don’t see this as a $13000 CORVAIR..$6500…
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Never had any experience with these , a retired firefighter medic who was a younger guy when there were on the road more told me when they rolled up on a accident scene with one of these they would radio for the coroner before even getting out of the truck because chances were it was a fatality
If you do the research on the web or YouTube you will find with correct tire pressure (not what is in owner’s manual) they were no less safe than any other car on the road at that time. I have been driving mine since 1977 still would choose my 62 over most new cars on road. Things said about the corvair that is now common unibody construction, cab forward design, independent suspension. Things we look for today.
Unsafe at any speed. Like any rear engine car you have to know how to drive or you could get in trouble.
@Gary R
NOW you tell me! Couldn’t let me know that back in 1973 when I demolished a ’68 Porsche 911 wrapped around a telephone pole and cement drain. That was rear engine, and drove like one. Whole ‘nother horse!
Do I see one pic with a green top?
I see one (or two) with grass reflecting off the chrome/stainless. Otherwise, no.
Must love oil leaks. (VC gaskets and pushrod tube o-rings.)
Pretty much a thing of the past with modern Viton O-rings. V/C gaskets can be had in silicone, rubber, or a cork blend which I still prefer and last a while.
Had a 64 W/4 speed, took 2 and made one. Great little car,was a hoot in a blizzard, spun off the road hit a snow bank and it was like a tabogan?
went right up to the top. Trying to get off the belt jumped off, here come da’ hook. Sold it to a ND foorball player
My girlfriend/wife owned two during high school days. I always had her carry an extra fan belt just in case. I think I had to replace one on a trip.
Uncle had a 1959 or earlier Jaguar XK something. I was too young to notice details but it was a cool roadster convertible. Unfortunately he got married and had to replace it with a 1961 Covair. It was a manual, pretty much a strip model.
It was a ok car but a real letdown from the Jag.
Dad had a ’66 convertible in the 80s. Automatic. Never got to drive it.
I gave 30 bucks for a 61 Monza 900 98 horse 4spd that was parked for a bad clutch . . I fixed it and drove it around for a while before pulling the drivetrain to use in my dune buggy . .
IMO, a good condition Corvair is 1 of the most cars for the money – these days.
You can bet i raised my eyebrow at the bumper sticker on this car …
https://images.craigslist.org/01212_d2QMWOGP4oWz_0CI0t2_1200x900.jpg