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 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 has a higher performance engine, which means it
is a mid-performance model. The overall car is showing in very good
condition with 84,828 titleverified actual miles, mechanically
sound, and true to the 1963 model. A repainted exterior in white
from a few years ago is in good condition, no rust or denting. This
is a highly optioned model, and it's a convertible with a new top
and a rebuiltengine with less than 100 miles on it along with the
addition of fuel injection. I'm in rear engine heaven. Peabody set
the way back machine for 1963 'n let's go.
Exterior
White covers the metal and overall exterior of the car and presents
in very good condition. Fit and finish is good, body is straight,
and all is in working order. Chrome is in great condition. A new
white canvas convertible top is power up and down and works
smoothly. Seen is a wide stainless trimming on the rocker and dual
headlights. Round taillights are bringing up the rear and these
have backup lights optioned on, and are right behind the engine.
There is another nice bumper below. 13-inch wire wheel covers are
on with knock off style hubs with dish centers and P175/80R13
tires, which is an add on option for the year. Corvair badging is
original and correct. Nice exterior. Screw Ralph Nader I'm hopping
in.
Interior
A swing of the sporty doors and we are greeted with a red painted
metal surround for the door sills, then this then changes to a
horizontal brick embossed center panel. Here the armrest in red
vinyl with a chrome trimming and chromed knobs and actuator lever
are housed. Below is another panel delineated by a thin chrome
trimming and this panel sports thin horizontal ribs. Very mid
century modern if I must say so myself. Slipping inside I rest my
buttocks on wide buckets that practically take up the whole front
row. These are nicely padded and have turks and roll inserts and
smooth bolsters all in wonderful RED! More brick pattern for the
seat tops and throw in a few horizontal chromed buttons to keep
things interesting. In back a nice bench and plenty of romper room
for that 3rd date. Up front a large deluxe optioned red rimmed
steering wheel with a half horn ring and badged center fronts the
original perfectly preserved dash. This has a red dual eyebrow
shaped cowl design for the top and nice use of aluminum for the
dash front panels, which include the instrument cluster and glove
box covering. Some of the controls and options include the padded
dash top, tinted windows seat belts, two speed wipers and a
windshield washer. The centrally mounted factory radio is also in
an aluminum panel and is a super deluxe radio. The rear-view mirror
is a tilt inside glare style new for this year. There is also a
glove box light and a courtesy light, and a centrally located and
dash top mounted clock. Awesome conveniences and add ons, rarely
seen on an early version of the Corvair. Red carpeting is flooding
the floor and normally I'd object, but even the plastic clear floor
mats are classic and go with this car like a duck to water. LUV
It!
Drivetrain
With this very nice example, (one of the BEST I've seen here at my
tenure at Classic Auto Mall and that's saying something as I'm the
4th longest running employee!), anyway I digress, and within the
pristine white painted engine bay is the 145ci horizontally opposed
6-cylinder which was recently rebuilt. It is fed by dual 1-barrel
EFI units and has a 2-speed Powerglide tranny on back. The rear
axle is a 3.89 Posi type. Just a beautifully restored/preserved
engine bay and a pristine spare is residing there as well.
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 coil sprung suspension, and
4-wheel drum braking. 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!
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.
30967L109790
3-1963
09-Corvair Monza 900
67-Convertible
L-Van Nuys, CA Assy Plant
109790-Sequential Unit Number
TRIM TAG
12C-3rd Week December Build
ST 63 0967-1963 Corvair Monza 900 Convertible
BDY VN478-Van Nuys Body #
TR 1 781-White Top, Red Vinyl Buckets
PNT 938-Adobe Beige
E-Tinted Glass All
2C-Padded Dash
D-Power Top
M-Powerglide
3P-Comfort & Convenience Group
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
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