1963 Chevrolet Corvair Monza Convertible
Until the 1950s, most American auto manufacturers made one size of car: large. Imports from Europe such as Volkswagen, Renault, and Fiat showed that there was a market in the U.S. for smaller cars, mostly as a second car or an alternative for the budget minded. Led by General Manager Edward N. Cole, Chevrolet designed a revolutionary new car. It was powered by an air cooled horizontal six cylinder engine made almost entirely out of aluminum. The engine was mounted in the rear of the car, driving the rear wheels through a compact transaxle. Suspension was independent at all four wheels. There was no conventional frame; it was the first unibody built by Fisher Body and the styling was unconventional for Detroit, subtle and elegant, with no tail fins or chrome grille
This Monza Corvair has a higher performance engine, which means it is a mid-performance model with 82,972 non-verifiable miles on the clock. The overall car is showing in very good condition, mechanically sound, and true to the 1963 model. Purchased by our consignor over 20 years ago and the beneficiary of a 2 year long restoration in 2007, this car has a new brake system with a dual pot master cylinder, a new fuel system with rebuilt carbs, new upholstery, new carpet, and a base coat/clear coat respray in the correct Palomar Red which is in good condition with no rust or denting. This is a well optioned model, and it's a convertible with a new top. I'm in rear engine heaven, Peabody set the way back machine for 1963 'n let's go.
Exterior
A respray of Palomar Red presents in good condition. Very few dings are present throughout the all steel body, but mostly unremarkable. The respray shows some inclusions of dirt, however they are minimal. Chrome and brightwork, with original badging, are all there and correct, with gaps that are straight and true and there is no rust seen. The headlights and lower bumper are all good, as is the Corvair badge in front. A white convertible top is in very nice condition and has a clear plastic rear window. Tail lighting utilizes chrome rings to highlight the red and white rounded tail light and backup lighting. A clean rear bumper is below and under this are 2 nicely preserved rear roll pan vents and dual exhaust tips. Standard Corvair wheel coverings are wrapped in thin white wall tires.
Interior
A swing of the driver's door reveals a clean utilitarian no frills interior even though we are in the middle trim line Corvair offered up for the time. Door panels are solid black vinyl with various panels in smooth and horizontal and vertical stitched ribbed centers, a black armrest, and shiny actuator and window crank. Some horizontal trimmings break up the different black vinyl panels, and polished buttons adorn the stitch crossings. 2 large black vinyl buckets in good condition stretch across the front, and a large bench is shoehorned into the rear of the car. The buckets have some tuck and roll inserts and smooth bolsters, as does the rear bench. The shifter resides in front and to the right of the driver on the full metal jacket dash in mostly original condition. It shows in a black steel dual eyebrow padded dash top with the brushed stainless instrument panel with a wide speedometer for this Monza edition. On the passenger side is a stainless glove box door under the second black steel eyebrow. Dash central holds an upgraded AM/FM radio done by Mike Hagen to keep you abreast of the latest in music. Deep pile nicely preserved black carpeting covers the floors and shows with minor soiling and fading. What a great well preserved interior.
Drivetrain
Mounted into the rear is the horizontally opposed 6-cylinder 145ci engine. On top we cannot miss the twin air cleaner housings in all their glory, and all this is attached to a 2-speed Powerglide automatic transmission and is fed fuel by rebuilt dual 1-barrel carburetors. The rear axle weighs in at a 3.55 ratio. All fairly clean and nice in this engine bay, as is the same for the texture sprayed front "trunk".
Undercarriage
As I expected from this car, just surface rust and patina is seen. Definitely a ground effects type undercarriage, whether it's intentional or not it still looks great...look ma no driveshaft! Everything presents as showroom, right down to the 4-wheel independent coil sprung suspension, and 4-wheel drum braking. A dual exhaust system is seen with stock style replacement mufflers.
Drive-Ability
I love these cars as they were totally out of the norm for the early 60's. On our test track it ran like a champ, handled like it was on rails, and had bias free panic stopping. The top went up and down with plenty of power and did so very quickly. It was a great experience and made me feel like it was 1963 all over again. Thx Peabody! While Classic Auto Mall represents that these functions were working at the time of our test drive, we cannot guarantee these functions will be working at the time of your purchase.
If you are in the market for a car that was truly groundbreaking for its time, then this beautiful bowtie version of the Corvair is the car for you. It's a sleeper and it's a Monza convertible, and it's a magnetic eye catcher in the wonderful condition it is in. Hurry in down to our Hallowed Halls as this one is going to get snapped up as there is an aficionado waiting in the wings.
30967W261042
3-1963
09-Corvair Monza 900
67-Convertible
W-Willow Run, MI Assy Plant
261042-Sequential Unit Number
TRIM TAG
05A-1st Week May
STYLE 63 0967-1963 Corvair Monza 900 Convertible
BODY WR30382-Willow Run Body #
TRIM 2 712-Black Top, Black Vinyl Buckets
PAINT 948 7-Palomar Red
F-Tinted Windshield
2C-Padded Dash
M-Powerglide
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8 acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person. There is no guarantee of mileage. A $299 Dealer Administrative fee is not included in the advertised price.
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