Vehicle Description
1963 Chevrolet Corvair Monza Spyder Convertible
Introduced in 1960, the Corvair shattered Detroit's conventional
car mold. It was GM's first unit-body car mass-produced within the
US. It beat Corvette to market as the first American postwar car to
feature front and rear independent suspensions. And the Corvair
became the first mass-produced domestic car to tout a rear-mounted
air-cooled engine. That alone was staggering, to say nothing of the
fact that it was also a compact car that fit snugly into a rapidly
growing market. Conventional wisdom might suggest that such an
unconventional car would muster only marginal sales, but such was
not the case. In just one season, dealers sold 250,007 Corvairs in
three trim levels, which was good for third place behind Falcon and
Rambler and well ahead of the other compacts.
This showroom condition 1963 Corvair Monza Spyder 6-cylinder air
cooled turbocharged car spent over 30 garage kept years with its
prior owner until his failing health forced him to keep the car
parked. Enter our consignor, who went through the mechanicals to
make this a turn key car ready for YOU to enjoy. It does not get
any better than this example of the Corvair. Ralph Nader? This car
asks who's he?!?
Exterior
Near flawless red showing very slight dulling, (nothing a quick
buff will restore back to all but original), and a few scuffs on
the lower valances, with gaps being consistently minded and
rust-free straight steel surrounding the unibody on this car.
Badging is all correct as are the headlights and lower bumper
remaining 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 lights and backup lighting. A clean rear
bumper is below and under this is a slightly dented but nicely
preserved rear roll pan vents and a chromed exhaust tip. When the
top is down a red tonneau covering compliments the white and red
interior. Standard wire spoke and spinner 13" Corvair wheel
coverings are wrapped in thin white wall tires all around.
I
nterior
A swing of the driver's door reveals a clean utilitarian no frills
interior even though we are in the top of the line Corvair offered
up for the time. Door panels are solid dark red vinyl with various
panels in smooth and horizontal stitched ribbed centers, chrome
buttons, a lighter red armrest, and shiny actuator and window
crank. Some horizontal trimmings break up the different red vinyl
panels as well. 2 large red 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 floor shifter sits within
ergonomic reach of the driver, and in front is an original dash in
shiny red and all original condition. It shows in as a red dual
eyebrow dash top with the brushed stainless instrument panel with
tachometer and round gauges for this Monza Turbo edition. On the
passenger side is a stainless glove box door under the second red
steel eyebrow. Slightlyfaded and bunched up deep pile red carpeting
is underneath black rubber mats in front and in the rear. What a
fantastic interior combo.
Drivetrain
These pre-pony pocket performers may not pack the grunt of an LS6
big-block, but they do offer a tantalizing power-to-weight ratio
for a much more affordable entry fee. That being a 145ci
horizontally opposed turbocharged 6-cylinder engine, with a piston
stroke increased to 2.94 inches putting out 150hp. The turbo
boosted horsepower from the standard 120 to 150! A 1-barrel
carburetor that has been cleaned and adjusted handles fuel delivery
splendidly. A 4-speed manual transmission is attached to the
engine. The differential was integral-technically a transaxle- due
to its rear engine rear wheel drive configuration and was set at
3.55:1 for better performance.
Undercarriage
As I expected from this car, no rust, no leaks and all straight
steel painted black. 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 suspension, and 4-wheel drum
braking with new brakes and lines. A like new stock style exhaust
is noted.
Drive-Ability
I love these cars, the problem is so many we have are such a mess,
it's a disappointment. Although this one is an eye catcher and a
welcome change. All working, with high end options, 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. A great experience made me feel like it was 1963 all
over again. Thx Peabody!
Though this car was poo pooed safety wise, (probably unwarranted),
it was a real performer with the Monza and Spyder options and all
at a very reasonable price. Now you can be the beneficiary of all
this painstaking work and attention to detail as there is little to
no fault with this example. Turn the key and drive to a show, pick
up your trophy and plan your next show!
30967W245567
3-1963
09-Corvair Monza
67-Convertible
W-Willow Run, MI Assy Plant
245567-Sequential Unit Number
TRIM TAG
BODY 63 0967-1963 Corvair Monza Convertible
BODY WRN26061-Willow Run Body #
TRIM 1 781-Red Vinyl
PAINT 922 5-Ember Red
03C-3rd Week March
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.
