Tell me all things related to the Corvair found an all original 66 Monza ready for paint for $1200. Needs brakes finished as well, which is easy enough...
My brother in law had one. Most of the ones that are left....that aren't restored....are rust buckets. That's about the extent of MY knowledge about them..
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04:58 PM
normsf Member
Posts: 1682 From: mishawaka, In Registered: Oct 2003
Hello 66' is a very good year last of the turbo cars 180hp and still get a monza 140hp four carb, and has the updated rear suspension. They made a million Corvairs till 69' convertables are very nice with seating for four yet. Clarks Corvairs has many hi perf parts and there are many clubs. For me the 66 vert turbo 4spd and if you can find one with air, Whow. With anything buy the best one you can that someone else has dumped a ton of their own money into and you will save yourself a lot of work. Though to get a really nice turn key one that is all done and beautiful expect to pay a lot for it, nice ones go anywhere from $5000.00 to $15,000.00. Just depends on how much work you want to do your self. Same with a Fiero, LOL. http://www.corvair.com/user-cgi/main
[This message has been edited by normsf (edited 01-19-2011).]
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05:00 PM
partfiero Member
Posts: 6923 From: Tucson, Arizona Registered: Jan 2002
You will need to find an air flow gauge to balance the carbs, a must. And you will need a 40-50lb weight in the very front of the trunk. Don't haul a trailer. And most of all you will need an "Unsafe At Any Speed Ralph Nader" air freshener!
[This message has been edited by partfiero (edited 01-19-2011).]
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05:02 PM
Khw Member
Posts: 11139 From: South Weber, UT. U.S.A. Registered: Jun 2008
Air cooled engine in the trunk with 1 belt if I remember correctly. They came as more then just the car, a van was also available. My father has a Corvair van. It's in pretty rough shape as far as I know, atleast it was last time I saw it.
My father also butchered up a Corvair when I was a baby that he turned into a dune buggy (I don't have any pictures of it though).
It's been awhile but I seem to remember something about over steer being a problem on the 60-63 models. That's the only "bad" I can remember about them.
I've seen a few restored Corvairs that I thought were really neat. If I ever got a older vehicle to restore I'd want to get a Corvair.
You will need to find an air flow gauge to balance the carbs, a must. and you will need a 40-50lb weight in the very front of the trunk. Don't haul a trailer. And most of all you will need an "Unsafe At Any Speed Ralph Nader" air freshener!
Hello well now dont scare him off, the Corvair is a nice car to learn on and when set up right they handle well. With all old school cars it will take some work. Overall a fun car, with as many querks and misconceptions as our Fieros
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05:08 PM
Xerces_Blackthorne Member
Posts: 6163 From: Mertztown PA Registered: Mar 2008
Well, I'm in the market for a new, fun daily driver. I miss the mid engine layout (although from my limited knowledge of Corvair's, they are arguably not mid engine), and I want something again (like my Fiero) that depending on where you live not many are seen as daily drivers. Plus it would be a great project for me for school, and I'd most likely set it up as a rally car in the future. Hill climb rallys and what not.
That said, more info is always appreciated
And Mike, how'd I know you'd be first to post in this thread hehe. It was the fact that the car is in Fremont, right?
I am to understand they handle snow well? My step father had one when he was younger and said it did great in the snow, just like our wonderful little Fiero's True?
[This message has been edited by Xerces_Blackthorne (edited 01-19-2011).]
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05:08 PM
Xerces_Blackthorne Member
Posts: 6163 From: Mertztown PA Registered: Mar 2008
I really am half tempted to buy it Even if I don't keep it, it'd still make for a nice project and a decent investment I'd think. Running and driving with a new paint job, I'd guess at around $4500 easy should I finish and sell...Any thoughts?
I love the styling cues too. Dare I say, more than I love the notch back Fiero's...something classy about the Corvair that screams "James Bond in the US"
[This message has been edited by Xerces_Blackthorne (edited 01-19-2011).]
There's one rusted to hell out by my old shop; they guy that rents the building out owns it. I would LOVE to get my hands on the engine, what a fascinating setup! It could be worth a bit of cash as well, it seems like everything is still there, all the way down to the carbs.
My mother would love a Corvair more than any other car. From what I've heard, the later models are better; something my mother goes on about the early ones tipping over. They are really neat little things. Small as a Fiero and similar engine placement (although the Corvair is considered "rear" mounted engine instead of mid-mounted).
They sell pretty cheap up here. There were a couple listed on CL for less than a grand and I see one now listed for $500 with the motor pulled. Rust is the big factor, as with all old cars. The one sitting behind the shop is HORRIBLE. Floors are nearly gone, trunk is just about gone, huge dent in the front hood.
I'd pick one up for sure if found cheap
Dave
------------------ BAZOOKAFIERO's Junk
“Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then he is not omnipotent. Is he able, but not willing? Then he is malevolent. Is he both able and willing? Then whence cometh evil? Is he neither able nor willing? Then why call him God?”
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05:19 PM
PFF
System Bot
Khw Member
Posts: 11139 From: South Weber, UT. U.S.A. Registered: Jun 2008
Hello look here, gives you an idea on prices. Now these are nice ones and from 65-66 which are the Performance years. Though I believe you could still get the 140hp four carb till 69, not sure.
If I do buy one, it'll most likely be this one or another 2 door Monza. I saw a completely restored one on CL about 2 years back in PA going at about $7500, and IIRC it was a 65... So should I buy this one and finish it (or not), I can and probably will come out with at least my initial investment, if not more I would think...
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05:27 PM
Raydar Member
Posts: 40686 From: Carrollton GA. Out in the... country. Registered: Oct 1999
Just make sure there's not a lot of rust. Other than that, you shouldn't have too much trouble finding parts.
Mark Corbin (author of the Fiero Spotter's Guide) is also into Corvairs. (It's even in his email.) I heard him make the statement that you could build a complete car, from scratch, with aftermarket parts. Starting with nothing.
Hello well now dont scare him off, the Corvair is a nice car to learn on and when set up right they handle well. With all old school cars it will take some work. Overall a fun car, with as many querks and misconceptions as our Fieros
The first three lines are good advice, I owned a couple. After the trailer swung around and hit both quarters, I put a parking block in the front. Made a huge difference. Last line was a joke!
The early Corvairs were Swing-Axle rear suspension. That's what got Ralph's panties in a bunch. Transitions to SUDDEN oversteer at the limit when the outside rear tire tucks under and the swing axle "jacks" the whole rear up in the air. Makes Fiero bumpsteer look like a benign feature. Ralph kinda had a point.
The later cars were sweet handling, but remember, they're REAR-engined, not MID. The weight is still behind the rear axle, so oversteer will happen at the limit. Being a Fiero driver, you're no stranger.
The Corvair engine rotates opposite to every other GM motor. That meant, when you swapped in a small-block Chevy, you HAD to turn the transaxle around and make it mid-engine. Not really a problem, if you ask me. In the heyday of these swaps, Crown made the Corv-8 conversion kit, and somebody made a heavy duty mainshaft for the transmission to make it capable of handling 400 HP.
And I've never sat in one, much less owned one. Dang, I squirell away lots of useless facts.
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05:43 PM
Xerces_Blackthorne Member
Posts: 6163 From: Mertztown PA Registered: Mar 2008
What? This coming from you? And you argued with me when I said the Lotus, which wasn't in nearly the shape this Corvair is in, was a bad idea
Your opinion is invalid in these discussions Rick
LOL Zeb, good info to know
Now if only I can convince Litespd to have a look see for me Nudge nudge, wink wink, right Mike
I'm just saying. You got yourself into that VR4 which i said was a bad idea and you wernt able to finish it. You were talking about getting yourself into a 1G eclipse which i said was a bad idea. now your talking about getting into somthing from the 60's and in another thread you stated your having trouble getting calipers for a school project you have.
Just because its a cheap car to get doesn't always mean you should buy it. pass it up and get what you need done done before moving onto a difficult project.
Originally posted by pontiackid86:Just because its a cheap car to get doesn't always mean you should buy it. pass it up and get what you need done done before moving onto a difficult project.
That's actually good advice. Under pretty much any circumstances. There are SO many snide comments I could add here, but I won't.
Well played PK86.
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06:07 PM
PFF
System Bot
Xerces_Blackthorne Member
Posts: 6163 From: Mertztown PA Registered: Mar 2008
I'm just saying. You got yourself into that VR4 which i said was a bad idea and you wernt able to finish it. You were talking about getting yourself into a 1G eclipse which i said was a bad idea. now your talking about getting into somthing from the 60's and in another thread you stated your having trouble getting calipers for a school project you have.
Just because its a cheap car to get doesn't always mean you should buy it. pass it up and get what you need done done before moving onto a difficult project.
Chill. It was a joke. Hence all the smileys.
Now, I would have finished the VR4, but had other more pressing matters at the point I sold it, main of which was that I needed a roof over my head more than a project car at the time. I still want a 1G DSM, and am eying one up as well as this Corvair.
As for calipers for school: I need something to rebuild as a LAB PROJECT I have to finish. Re read the thread numbnuts Sure, I could go to the scrap yard, pay $25 each for bad calipers, and rebuild them. But why would I when I am most likely going to scrap them? Especially when I don't need to. At least going the route I went, I can help someone out and not be out $75 or more.
And as for the cheap car comment? Too easy. I'll let that one slide, Mr. Look at me!-I''m-buying-a-new-car-after-2-months : I learned that lesson years ago. As of now, I need something to replace the Escort. And If I buy something, I want to buy something I feel will be more fun and comfortable to drive than that damn sh*tbox on wheels Escort (okay, so maybe not a sh*tbox, but still feels like it to me).
[This message has been edited by Xerces_Blackthorne (edited 01-19-2011).]
I really liked the rampside pickup. Picked up and delivered many teletype machines using one. Park at curbside and didn't need a ramp to hand truck stuff on and off.
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06:37 PM
avengador1 Member
Posts: 35467 From: Orlando, Florida Registered: Oct 2001
I really liked the rampside pickup. Picked up and delivered many teletype machines using one. Park at curbside and didn't need a ramp to hand truck stuff on and off.
Heh, how old are you???
The only thing I can say about Corvairs that I know for certain is the belt comes off, and is fairly easy to put back on.
Brad
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06:44 PM
Black Lotus Member
Posts: 340 From: Washington State USA Registered: Jan 2010
Just some thoughts. Had a '65 and '66 Monza and Corsa 140 HP from about '74 to '79. Had mucho mods to the engine rear end, clutch, etc. AutoXed it. TRY to get a '66 Corsa with 140 HP 4 carb engine with 4 speed. This will have the heavier duty "Saginaw" trans (taller first gear), big valve heads, and good dashboard (head temp, tach, boost gauge). A Corvair can be modified to be reasonably fast. Stopped great, but brakes were not so good (drums). Limit handling was exciting and hard to keep on the edge--teaches you how to drive--, but cornering power was quite good. I always thought that the steering box sucked, needs rack and pinion. A '69 Camaro Z28 air dam up front cures cross wind problems. No need to add weight--you could put the spare up there I guess. Extremely pretty car IMO. One of the few American cars back then that was competent on a bumpy twisty road. Nice sounding engine with headers and a hot cam. VERY fast with a big turbo and the 140 HP heads. Always a problems with--Leaky Rochester carbs, pushrod tube O-rings leaked (even Viton, they burn up next to the exhaust stubs), rear wheel bearings are a little weak, stock multi piece flywheel rattles, spark plug boots blow off (when you rev it to 7,500 RPMs . Good support for spares now. I 've been looking at Craigs list for Corvairs myself lately...... Would be fun to turn the engine and transaxle around, reverse the rotation of the engine, with a kit, put Webers on it, and have a mid-engined car!
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06:49 PM
Black Lotus Member
Posts: 340 From: Washington State USA Registered: Jan 2010
Oh yeah, The stock cast pistons would break at the oil rings in a built engine. Mine let go at about 7K RPMS. Forged pistons are the way to go on this engine. Rods and crank are strong.
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06:57 PM
Khw Member
Posts: 11139 From: South Weber, UT. U.S.A. Registered: Jun 2008
So what I'm gathering from this thread is that the post 63's are your best bet for a better handling car. Other then that the engine was good as long as you didn't rod it. Rodding it is possible but there are a few things you'd want to do to help the engine handle it. Nice styling for the year, actually rather atrractive. Front can be a little light, but a air dam or some extra weight up front can fix this. Realtively easy to work on and parts are still available. We've got the coupe. truck. van and station wagon models available to us. The 66 Monza seems most desireable.
All in all sounds like a great car to restore if you can find one without to much rust damage.
Is it possible to retrofit one of these with rack and pinion steering?
Edit to add:
This is what the station wagon looked like, also the one out here that's selling for $500.
[This message has been edited by Khw (edited 01-19-2011).]
After riding in Grandma Rickenbackers pastel blue 1960 Corvair 4 dr with 80 HP auto, ...in a "ditch" game, I can say that I am very prejudiced AGAINST any Corvair passenger car before 1965. I had a friend that got his 1963 Monza on its top at a T intersection. They kicked the windows out and all 4 walked away. I drove a Corvair van around for awhile and I thought it was excellent, for a truck. But then, I wasn't beating on it either. Don't know about rack and pinion conversions, but it's being done. This is a nice site-- http://www.corvaircorsa.com/intro.html
What ya what to know about Corvairs. I was born in the back seat of A corvair after it broke down heading to Allegheny General Hospital near Pittsburgh PA. I have owned at least 40 corvairs and worked on hundreds.
I bought a new 66 Corsa with: close ratio 4Spd, Haevy duty Clutch, Special Performance handling Package, Heavy duty Alternator/Battery,Firestone Wide Oval Tires, High Performance Brakes(now there's a lie)
I used to Gymkhana with it. There was nothing would stay with it in a cloverleaf, It was a ***** to backup from garage to garage. When you stomped on the brakes(4 wheel drum brakes) you had no idea which way they were going to pull.
If you put a lot of weight in the trunk and hit a bump with one wheel at speed it would start shaking the steering wheel so bad it would rip it out of your hands, the only way you could stop the vibration was to bring the car to a full stop. I had this complaint investigated so many times under warranty that the dealer finally involved the GM factory. The Factory rep and I drove over railway crossings at 100MPH and did any number of stupid things to see if he could determine the cause. The front suspension was all rebuilt new shocks,new control arms all to no avail. When the car was not quite a year old I entered an autocross with my car club and during the weekend I had great fun sliding all over the course, burnt all the tread off the tires. I bought radial tires the next week and the vibration problem NEVER happened again.
The Corvair requires 15PSIG in the Front tires and 30 PSIG in the rear many many mechanics and oil changers don't know this. If the air pressure is set at 30PSIG all the way arround there will be no front tread on the road and you will run the risk of massive understeer landing you in a ditch somewhere.
Back in the day the YENKO Stinger was the Corvair to have.
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08:08 PM
Formula88 Member
Posts: 53788 From: Raleigh NC Registered: Jan 2001
Other than the obvious rust issues, everything else can be worked with. I do NOT recommend a 45 year old ANYTHING for a daily driver - especially one that is a unique car with many unusual parts. Corvairs, like Fieros, have their own idiosyncrasies and you have to learn them. -even the 4 wheel manual drum brakes can out stop most cars of the day. Don't worry about braking performance - just do a factory rebuild. -don't overtighten the fan belt. It's a single V-belt that makes 2 90° bends from parallel. If you over tighten it, you're more likely to throw the belt.
Handling on the late models ('65-'69) is much improved over early models and can be modded to be even better. The "Yenko Stinger" (yes, THAT Yenko) was a racing Corvair set up for the Trans Am series and it was known to do unspeakable things to Boss 302 Mustangs.
They handle snow like a VW Bug. Weight over rear wheels.
The Crown V8s are impressive, but it puts the engine in the rear seat (literally) and takes up so much space you lose the front seats, too. You end up with fiberglass seats made into the front of the engine cover. Not nearly as nice as a V8 Fiero swap. But, you are going from a longitudinal REAR engine setup to a longitudinal MID engine setup, so that makes a big difference in engine placement.
They are awesome and unique like the Fiero, but unlike the Fiero they aren't parts bin cars. You will have to source Corvair specific parts for most things and they aren't like a regular Chevy to work on. Air cooled flat 6 with 2 or 4 carbs.
The models are: 500 "base model" 700 900 Monza Corsa
Not all years had all models, and some were combines. The '61 Corvair my parents had when I was growing up was a "Monza 900" - that's the "SE" version, while the Corsa would be the GT.
Nothing else sounds like a Corvair.
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08:21 PM
Cheever3000 Member
Posts: 12397 From: The Man from Tallahassee Registered: Aug 2001
You are now the official Corvair focal for Pennocks.
HAHA (grins) I was just now reading the above post.. If your planing on running a corvair engine. Will I can tell you right now. I can biuld 2 1/2 SBChevys for what it cost to make a corvair engine run with todays cars. But it can be done.
The steering is great. Just need to find the right corvair parts Corsa fast box with after market arms you will think its a go cart.. Yes there is a rack and pinion kit for them. But its no better then A good set up Not worn out parts.
It is true about the 60 thu 63 vairs. Rear tuck can be very dangers. 64 they added a leaf spring with softer coil springs. The 64 car handles Very nice. The 65-69 Rocks as for the redesign of the rear suspension.
Brakes are drum front and back.. They are from a bigger car of that time.(Most people can't work on drum brakes now days) They provide more than enough stopping power. But there is nice kits for disk Front and back.
If you going to V8 it Forget the the Old Way Crown kits and a few others that use the corvairs trans is not worth it. By the time you make it work $$$$ You can use a porsche 911 tran and LS1 engine. http://i31.photobucket.com/...1448095xHZKNa_fs.jpg You end up with a Faster ride and same 40/60
Other than the obvious rust issues, everything else can be worked with. I do NOT recommend a 45 year old ANYTHING for a daily driver - especially one that is a unique car with many unusual parts. Corvairs, like Fieros, have their own idiosyncrasies and you have to learn them. -even the 4 wheel manual drum brakes can out stop most cars of the day. Don't worry about braking performance - just do a factory rebuild. -don't overtighten the fan belt. It's a single V-belt that makes 2 90° bends from parallel. If you over tighten it, you're more likely to throw the belt.
Handling on the late models ('65-'69) is much improved over early models and can be modded to be even better. The "Yenko Stinger" (yes, THAT Yenko) was a racing Corvair set up for the Trans Am series and it was known to do unspeakable things to Boss 302 Mustangs.
They handle snow like a VW Bug. Weight over rear wheels.
The Crown V8s are impressive, but it puts the engine in the rear seat (literally) and takes up so much space you lose the front seats, too. You end up with fiberglass seats made into the front of the engine cover. Not nearly as nice as a V8 Fiero swap. But, you are going from a longitudinal REAR engine setup to a longitudinal MID engine setup, so that makes a big difference in engine placement.
They are awesome and unique like the Fiero, but unlike the Fiero they aren't parts bin cars. You will have to source Corvair specific parts for most things and they aren't like a regular Chevy to work on. Air cooled flat 6 with 2 or 4 carbs.
The models are: 500 "base model" 700 900 Monza Corsa
Not all years had all models, and some were combines. The '61 Corvair my parents had when I was growing up was a "Monza 900" - that's the "SE" version, while the Corsa would be the GT.
Nothing else sounds like a Corvair.
Hey we have a winner Don' Forget the Corvair Spyder Was a Turbo Car Stated to be 150 The Corsa Could Be 140 with 4 carbs or a 180 with a Turbo.
[This message has been edited by billpapps (edited 01-19-2011).]
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08:52 PM
Formula88 Member
Posts: 53788 From: Raleigh NC Registered: Jan 2001
Busted. You're right. The Spyder was the GT model in the early models. (60-64) It had nothing to do with being a convertible.
The Spyder was a 150 HP turbo. The Corsa had either the 140 HP 4-carb engine or the 180 HP turbo engine.
I though I do own a 65 Corsa convertible. It has a 140 engine and 4 speed Warmed up engine with 98mm Big boy Jugs. Otto 30 cam. Lots of head work Still only push little over 200 hp on a good day.