1966 Chevrolet Corvair Monza Coupe

Corvair was the brainchild of Chevrolet General Manager Ed Cole, said Corvair Preservation Foundation historian Dave Newell and technical adviser Larry Claypool.  Cole began the project in 1956, ordering parts and blueprints under the guise that it was for GM's Australian division, Holden.  This is similar to the surreptitious development of the GTO package for the Pontiac LeMans.  Cole considered front- and rear-engine placement and 4 and 6-cylinder air and water-cooled engines.  He settled on a 140-cubic-inch, rear-mounted, flat 6, air-cooled engine, powering a 15-foot, five-passenger car.

For consignment, an engineering marvel for its era and was called by Car and Driver “…undoubtedly the sexiest-looking American car of the new crop and possibly one of the most handsome cars in the world.”.  Almost 2 million Corvairs were made during their 1960-69 run.  This 3 owner consignor stated all original consignment has good paint, an interior that looks about as good as it could without being restored, and just a wonderfully detailed engine bay.   This was the second year for the Fisher Z body and it addressed the Nader false accusation of the suspension being unsafe with a rear suspension that now resembled the Corvette.  A mere 62,393 title verified actual miles are clocked on the odometer.

Exterior
Garage kept all its life, this car comes to us wearing its consignor-stated original Sandalwood Tan paint that retained a good shine despite the age.  Some crazing, chip offs and a few areas of light surface rust are making an appearance, but otherwise the finish remains nice and clean.  Steel panels retain their factory set gaps and are within assembly manual specification.  The chrome and trim work is still nicely shined, the glass is good, and the sexy sweeping lines come at us and show with lots of WOW factor.  From the slightly veed out nose with outboard dual headlights in shiny ribbed bezels, to the thin chrome bumper with upright guards leading the way to the slightly inward canted tail panel we are firmly in mid 60's design.  Speaking of the tail end, stainless trimming highlights the back and held within are a foursome of stand out tail lights with chrome bezels and chrome center dress ups.  Just below is another shiny guarded bumper and below that we see the roll pan with its silver venting for the air cooled engine.  Standard wheel covers are wrapped by plain black wall tires and specs out at 13-inches with 185/80 rubber.

Interior
Fawn vinyl buckets with smooth bolsters and broad tuck and roll inserts are in front and a rear bench sporting the same pattern as the front buckets make up the passenger seating.  The bucket seats have some soiling and light wear, but they are the originals and the back bench presents like new.  The original unrestored dash is up front and shows off with a trio of deep inset gauges within a black bezel and a right mounted dash shifter that bleeds 1960s!  A chrome insert dresses the factory AM radio in the center panel, along with the ashtray and lighter as well as the ignition.  On the passenger's side more black for the glove box panel and there is a crack free padded topper on for a little extra pizazz!  Gold carpeting is on for the floors and it's nicely preserved, and above the smooth white vinyl headliner remains tight with only minor soiling.

Drivetrain
To the back of the car we go and see a 164ci flat 6 cylinder engine with dual 1-barrel carburetor attached.  A 2-speed Powerglide automatic is the rebuilt transmission and a 3.55 axle is on.  As noted, the engine is low mileage and looks the part with a conversion to electronic ignition and newer pushrod tube seals.

Undercarriage
Plenty of years of patina make up this undercarriage.  Little to no surface rust is noted on the unibody and a few bottoming out scratches are seen in the metal.  All is structurally sound underneath with drum braking seen on the corners.  Providing the ride is fully independent suspension on both the front and rear and we see a like new stainless steel exhaust for the exhale. 

Drive-Ability
This car starts nicely and performs like it should for the Monza trim.  Bias free panic stopping, and handling is nimble for this rear engine car.  The only flaws to note are a clock that doesn't keep time and a consignor stated leak from the fuel filler tube when the tank is filled to capacity.

A 3 owner car that was cared for in a very fastidious manner when it came to the maintenance, and always kept this car in the garage.  All original with a few faults, and a nice original interior.  Just a smidge of some TLC and you will have a fine working example of the 1966 Corvair Monza.  Chevrolet's venture into the air-cooled rear engine sports car market.

105376W184647

1-Chevrolet
05-Corvair Monza
37-2 Door Hardtop Sport Coupe
6-1966
W-Willow Run, MI Assy Plant
184647-Sequential Unit Number

Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display. This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.