Vehicle Description
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.
With so many great cars, you know we have a lot to talk about, and
we do that each week on the Classic Auto Mall Podcast with host
Stewart Howden. Stewart discusses new inventory as well as trends
in consignments and car prices, while interviewing celebrities and
automotive professionals about amazing cars and their history. Tune
in each week to the Classic Auto Mall Podcast wherever you enjoy
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