Vehicle Description
1968 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 automatic 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 is a consignor described "project car", and
albeit a big one! It has a 164ci flat 6 cylinder engine which our
consignor states starts every time and has had some work done to
it. Other parts come with the car, (see one of our sales specialist
for complete list), and it will need some major TLC to be brought
back up to snuff. There are plenty of areas of invasive rust, rust
bubbling and surface rust throughout this exterior of the car. The
interior is in a beginning state of restoration and will also
require plenty of attention, only after structural unibody issues
are thoroughly addressed.
Exterior
A previous respray of Butternut Yellow drapes the exterior of this
sporty air cooled car. There are many areas of scratching, chipping
and a few dents and dings, and plenty of invasive rust throughout.
Chrome is fair with loss of shine and dimpling creeping in. A black
padded canvas convertible top moves up and down, however has some
rips and tears, particularly along the cloudy plastic window
surround areas. Shiny chromed wire wheel covers with faux knockoff
hubs are wrapped in black wall tires circa the last century.
Interior
Looking good for the door panels, and front buckets and rear bench.
These look to have been completed, and show as originals once did.
The floors have plenty of surface rust and no carpeting. The dash
is in a state of initial wiring with no gauges or electronics as
well as any knobs or pull functions. A rally steering wheel is
attached.
Drivetrain
This car came with a 164ci flat 6 cylinder and it is not known if
this one is original to this car. The consigner states this runs
although our efforts which included a jump pack, starting fluid,
and some tinkering were rendered useless for getting to actually
run. A 2-speed Powerglide automatic is bolted to the mill and a
3.55 geared axle puts the power to the pavement.
Undercarriage
The unibody and undercarriage has many areas of surface rust, and
the rockers are suffering from structural damage particularly near
and around the wheel wells. All independent coil spring suspension
is on, and drum braking is for all the corners.
Drive-Ability
While the car not start for my test drive, and needs plenty of
interior work to actually drive safely, our consignor states the
car starts every time. No test drive was administered.
Innovative for its time, rear engine, unibody construction, smaller
more compact car, and the Monza upgrade, wheel this car in your
garage and start the work. When it rolls out you'll be the proud
owner of a classic like none other of its time.
105678W104446
1-Chevrolet
05-Corvair Monza
67-Convertible
8-1968
W-Willow Run, MI Assy Plant
104446-Sequential Unit Number
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 600 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.