Created to compete with the Porsche 356SC Cabriolet, this Chevrolet Corvair Monza convertible is a worthy contender, at a tiny fraction of the price of the German bathtub.
Rare Power Top:
1964 Chevrolet Corvair
Monza Convertible!
Please wait a few moments while our high-resolution photos load.
Mouse Over the Photos to Enlarge.
Powered by an aircooled 6-cylinder Boxer, rated at 110hp, the Monza was ahead of the 95hp Porsche 356SC, and a perfect match for the up-and-coming 1965 Porsche 911 which offered a similar six with the same 110 horses.
One of 31,045 convertibles manufactured for the model year, this Monza is a fine survivor.
The car comes with its original owner's manual.
Huge front trunk is clean and tidy. Full tool set is included, courtesy of the last owner.
Undercarriage presents itself well-preserved, free of corrosion or damage. Finned oil sump covers lend a race car touch.
Note the front sway bar and rear camber compensator spring - this Corvair handles very well, indeed. Ralph Nader, you were wrong!
54 year-old Corvair is a true survivor. The dark blue metallic paint shows a few marks of use and age, despite still being very glossy. A small parking lot mishap resulted in a small scrape and a couple of dings on the right hand side wheel trim, but the overall, utterly pleasing appearance is not affected. Design has stood the test of time; this little Chevy appears as iconic as VW's Beetle.
White convertible top is in perfect condition. Quite rare for a sub-compact, the top is electro-hydraulically operated. It lowers and raises at the touch of a button.
Fabulous! The optional power top in action.
Practical, white vinyl tonneau conceals the lowered convertible top. What an elegant little convertible the Corvair is!
Corvair's dash layout is the pinnacle of simplicity and practicality. From the steering wheel to the gauges and even the AM radio, everything is bone stock and original. There's the usual split in the dash top, near the ash tray, otherwise, the cockpit is in excellent nick.
White, heat-embossed naugahyde seat covers look wonderful.
Nice!
Corvair seats five adults comfortably - there's lap belts for just four, though. Seats, door and side panels, carpeting - everything remains in fine fettle. Windows roll up and down as they should.
Beauty and simplicity: Corvair's sexy rear end.
Clean engine bay houses Corvair's air-cooled flat six power plant (as well as its spare tire, to the right, under the white vinyl cover). This one sports a high performance intake topped by a single 650cfm Holley Carb.
Our Corvair has been driven less than 100 miles since a comprehensive engine rebuild by a very well-regarded Santa Barbara specialist, to the tune of $2,612.00. The block was bored .020 over and fitted with six new pistons, as well as new rod and main bearings. The rotating assembly was then balanced. Now, the engine purrs like a kitty when idling and raises its tone to that of an angry swarm of hornets when the loud pedal is depressed.
New belts, a new battery and alternator, as well as a full set of tune-up parts were installed, too.
No leaks here.
Friday, August 17, was another perfect day in paradise and we were looking forward to a test drive and photo session.
The Corvair starts, idles, runs, drives, handles and brakes wonderfully. Its Powerglide automatic transmission shifts smoothly.
We never imagined that a small convertible like the Corvair could be such an eye-catcher and were thus surprised by the enthusiastic reception it received everywhere we went.
Fully able to participate in today's often hectic traffic, this '64 is a great driver's car. It's frugal, parts are available inexpensively when needed, and its iconic looks are timeless. Possibly the most economical way to get into a classic 1960s convertible, this Corvair delivers plenty of smiles per mile!
Addendum:
We sold this Corvair in Fall of 2018 to a customer in France.
Back to Californiaclassix' Hall of Fame or Home.