The Corvair

[RWebb]

what suspension design was used on the Corvair?

[intakexhaust]

Now you Vair guys tell me... LOL! From zooming in it did have the 140 emblem. Only from what I've read and not from other owners, the later year cars are the ones for greatly improved handling.

There was another one I had spotted awhile back, I forget the year but was a drop top with the 180 hp turbo. Priced at $4,500. White with light blue interior, orig. wheel covers. No cherry, ten footer in appearance. They are an intrigue type of car, seemingly way under-valued. Could the ignorance and stigma from back when be the reason?

I look at what my old 911's were to own back then... pricey and in a few years rusted out, leaky pigs, etc. and now the values have gone crazy high. Same with the crappy Ford Falcon... I mean Mustang's.

[Les Paul]

The only pic I have of mine. Bought for 600$ in 73 with a bad engine. Swapped out for a Corsa engine and drove it for 4 years in college. This was the last time I came home from school and had over 1,000 albums 2 huge speakers with 15" subs, and 4 years of college bs. Sold it for 600 to buy some Mags for my MC.

[KevinP73]

Originally Posted by intakexhaust

Now you Vair guys tell me... LOL! From zooming in it did have the 140 emblem. Only from what I've read and not from other owners, the later year cars are the ones for greatly improved handling.

First generation cars had swing axle rear suspension, think Volkswagen and 356, not the best for handling. Second generation '65-'69 had rear swing arms, ala 911, much better.

There was another one I had spotted awhile back, I forget the year but was a drop top with the 180 hp turbo. Priced at $4,500. White with light blue interior, orig. wheel covers. No cherry, ten footer in appearance. They are an intrigue type of car, seemingly way under-valued. Could the ignorance and stigma from back when be the reason?

The collectors market is a greed driven market. Hard to satisfy the greed factor when the best example out there can be had for $12,000 (give or take) compared to what 356s and 911s are bringing. I really believe that those of us who drive and enjoy our Corvairs could care less if Nader thought they were safe or not.

I look at what my old 911's were to own back then... pricey and in a few years rusted out, leaky pigs, etc. and now the values have gone crazy high. Same with the crappy Ford Falcon... I mean Mustang's.

[pwd72s]

Kevin..hope you still have that Turbo emblem I sent you...

[KevinP73]

Originally Posted by pwd72s

Kevin..hope you still have that Turbo emblem I sent you...

I actually do. I needed a horn button on my Dino wheel but couldn't get it to mount without messing it up too much so it sits on my desk with some of the more collectible Corvair stuff I have.

[tevake]

Was it the corsa model that had the slight point to the nose? Oh and the rise in the back fender, sweet!!
Quite the contrast to the earlier shoe box styling.

Took this pic at the Mitty at Road Atlanta, last year there was a big corvair presents, some strong runners on track.

[KevinP73]

Originally Posted by tevake

Was it the corsa model that had the slight point to the nose? Oh and the rise in the back fender, sweet!!

'60-'64 in the background. '65-'69 in the foreground. Monza/Corsa models available in all years if I recall correctly.

[Nostril Cheese]

Originally Posted by Les Paul

Sold it for 600 to buy some Mags for my MC.

My dad had that same bike. Minus the mags. He used to put me on his lap when he rode it. Good times.

[johnsjmc]

[QUOTE=tevake;7370866]
Was it the corsa model that had the slight point to the nose? Oh and the rise in the back fender, sweet!!
Quite the contrast to the earlier shoe box styling.

The spyder was a performance sub model of the first generation 60-64.Think z28 or SS Chevelle. Turbo motor 150 hp. and 2dr 4 speed only..
The Corsa was the sport /performance submodel of the 2nd gen 65-69 Standard car was a Monza.
The turbo engine was up to 180 hp and a new for 65 140 hp NA 4 carb engine was standard in Corsa optional in lesser models..
The standard engine was originally 98hp increased to 110 in 64 .The lower hp 140 Corsa engine was also available in the standard 65-69 cars 2 or 4 door and manual or auto. I think it was anyway because I,ve never owned an automatic .
The Turbo motors were way ahead of their time but instead of a wastegate they restricted boost with a tiny carb. Think athlete breathing thru a straw.
Turbo was used because a huge increase in displacement (the normal American car formula )was not easily available.Last turbos were 1966 or 67. Turbos were subject to fits of detonation,and higher warranty costs . On rebuild they usually had cracked piston skirts and broken rings. Driving them they had big turbo lag followed by a rush of power like a small V8 . Something to be careful with on 13 inch tires in the rain. Not unlike an early 930 but much much less polished
The early cars were 145 cid the 64 up were stretched to 164 cid.
I bought my turbo spyder for $200 in 1972 and sold it as a basket case for $2200 in 2009. hardly an investment.
The 1967 rusted out 911s I bought for $1200 in 1974 was a much better investment but I parted it for about $2500 in 75

[rouxroux]

Originally Posted by KevinP73

'60-'64 in the background. '65-'69 in the foreground. Monza/Corsa models available in all years if I recall correctly.

"Badged Corsas" were only available in '65-66, although you COULD check off options later on to "build" a Corsa. Our '66 Corsa vert was 1 of only 3142.

[Les Paul]

Pretty much a sleeper. Vance Hines all out Pro Stock motor just as the CBX's, 1100 Yamaha's Suzuki 1000's etc were coming out. Won many a stoplight drag race. Sitting out in the garage right now waiting for a miraculous resurrection.

[Oh Haha]

[QUOTE=Les Paul;7370824]



Mine looked exactly like this one. It even had the same wire hubcaps at one point. I ditched those to go with none with black painted wheels. I remember the gear selector for the 2 speed being on the dash. The paint had become dull and chalky but I still kept it clean.

[futurefun]

My lady restored a '62 Monza 'vert. It was cool & fun like her.

[pwd72s]

Originally Posted by KevinP73

I actually do. I needed a horn button on my Dino wheel but couldn't get it to mount without messing it up too much so it sits on my desk with some of the more collectible Corvair stuff I have.

Just luck there, Kevin. Guys, I was walking on some commercial property I'd bought. It was a small wrecking yard some time back. Spotted something shiney half buried in the soil...it was a Corvair turbo emblem. I doubt those are repops...
I knew Kevin was into Corvairs, so I mailed it to him.

[pwd72s]

a '63 Spyder

[johnsjmc]

Sign of an American factory hotrod. Chrome everything. Looks very original except the generator and fuel pump and oil fill cap should not be chromed .

[tevake]

First off thanks for your informative post earlier in the thread. As usual PP crew has come up with in house expertise.

The fact that Corvairs have not found interest in the collector market is a big plus in my view. Keeps them in range cost wise for guys that want to own and use them. Kind of like Porsche SCs so far, relative to other models.

How available are parts for corvairs and is there online sites for support?

The sound of the vairs on track is distinctive and unique. Another voice in the choir of a mixed grid.

Cheers Richard

[pwd72s]

More work than I'm willing to do, but I have four slide carousels full of pics I took at the '71 Porsche parade. Today's "original only" phreaks would be shocked to see all the chromed engine parts on display in the concours...

[onlycafe]

Originally Posted by tevake

How available are parts for corvairs

Cheers Richard

Clark's Corvair Parts - Clark's Corvair - Clarks Corvair Parts