Vehicle Description
1969 Chevrolet Corvair 500 Coupe
Finally, a Corvair description that will not mention its biggest
critic. We are well past those days and the Corvair enthusiasts'
community is large, active, and fervent, despite what anyone thinks
of the cars. That's because the rear engine cars are unique, fun,
and in 2024, ultimately classic. When the Gen 2 cars came out in
1965, Car and Driver called them "the most important new car of the
1965 models and the most beautiful car to appear in this country
since before World War II.". Chevrolet also produced Corvair ramp
side pickup trucks, station wagons, panel vans, and high
performance models with the Yenko Stingers.
For consignment, a 1969 Chevrolet Corvair 500 coupe. The car was
restored in 2006 and has since placed second in an air cooled car
show as well as garnering other awards. This is a final year
Corvair in a year that produced just 6,000 examples and the top
dollar models were priced at $2,641.
Exterior
Garnet Red was one of fifteen colors available for the Corvair in
1969 and suits the body style well, especially as the four tail
lights blend in, encircled by silver trim. The headlight bezel is a
distinctive eye shaped background to quad headlights, pointing
inward to a grilleless fascia underlined by a chrome bumper. The
rather upright windshield leads to a sweeping roofline and steeply
raked rear window and long rear hood. Metal work including the
window trim, mirrors, and door handles are in fine condition and
the 13-inch wheels wear Chevrolet dog dish hubcaps with beauty
rings. The paint is gleaming and aside from some missing paint on
the 110 emblem, we see only non noteworthy flaws on the
exterior.
Interior
Simple black door panels are intersected with a band of aluminum
trim and a silver plate embossed with Corvair. Split and full bench
seats in black vinyl are in very good condition and are equipped
with headrests and lap belts as well as shoulder belts mounted to
the ceiling, while the rear bench mirrors the textured design and
is in excellent condition. Two speakers reside on the rear shelf
and hint at a more modern sound system. Finger grooves encircle the
black plastic 3 spoke steering wheel while a trio of circle gauges,
including a clock, face the driver. To the right, the entertaining
mini shifter is dash mounted followed by the center stack which
houses an AM/FM radio with aux port. It's here we note some
separation of the dash cover and the plastic molded plastic
dashboard and some usage marks on the metal doored glove box. The
floor is covered with a black rubberized material while the black
stitched headliner appears to be in flawless condition. The frunk
is clean and contains the brake fluid reservoir and window cleaner
tank.
Drivetrain
Under the trunk lid, we find a 164ci flat 6 cylinder drivetrain
rated at 110 horsepower. It is fueled via dual 1-barrel carburetors
and achieves momentum via a Powerglide 2-speed automatic
transmission. Power stays at the rear wheels and 3.55 gears while
the power is controlled by drum brakes on all four wheels. Headers
have been added.
Undercarriage
Generally clean and dry underneath with typical surface rust but no
invasive rust was noted. The dual exhaust has a short trip from the
headers to some glasspack style mufflers then out the back on each
side of the rear bumper. Independent suspension with coil springs
are in the front while semi trailing arms with coil springs are in
the back.
Drive-Ability
This writer's passion for cars was sparked by an aunt's '65 Corvair
with split bench seats and the dash mounted shifter. I can remember
the cigarette in her left hand while she shifted down into drive
with her right. The car had a smell, beyond the cigarettes, and our
car has that familiar 60's smell. That said, we took it around the
test loop where the car performed well, the little 164 buzzing in
the background, and the diminutive 13-inch wheels handling every
turn like a track car. It's no wonder Yenko saw fit to build some
SCCA winning track cars with this layout.
The airy interior, the low sleek profile, the happy front fascia
and of course, that flat 6. They've been called a lot of things
over the years, and "terrific" is the one we like best. This is a
very fine example of a final year Corvair and we suspect will be
very desirable, so don't fall asleep at the wheel on this one!
101379W703060
1-Chevrolet
01-Corvair 500
37-2 Door Hardtop Sport Coupe
9-1969
W-Willow Run, MI Assy Plant
703060-Sequential Unit Number
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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.
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