If you're looking for one of the nicest-driving Corvair convertibles you'll find, this 1965 Chevrolet Corvair Monza deserves a serious look. From everything I know, I am only the third owner. I'm a classic car enthusiast with a small collection, and I purchased this car a few years ago as part of an estate acquisition when buying another collector vehicle. As much as I enjoy owning it, I simply don't drive it because I already have six other classic convertibles. It's time for someone else to enjoy it.
This Corvair is remarkably well preserved. While I cannot guarantee the 16,988 miles are original, everything about the car—from its overall presentation to the engine compartment, trunk, and undercarriage—suggests it very well could be. If not, the car has been babied and painstakenly restored to like new condition. Mechanically, the car is outstanding. It starts right up (with a couple of pumps of gas + the auto choke), idles incredibly smoothly, and is soooooo quiet (due to being a rear air-cooled engine.) It drives like new, shifts beautifully through the 4-speed manual transmission, and feels tight and confident on the road. It truly has the feel of a well-cared-for car. The paint has an excellent shine and presents beautifully. There are only a couple of very tiny imperfections that are difficult to find unless you're specifically looking for them. The interior is equally impressive, if not more impressive, and the undercarriage is exceptionally clean. Overall, I would confidently rate the paint, interior, and underside a strong 8 out of 10.
In the interest of full disclosure, the only issue I'm aware of is that the previous elderly owner hit Walmart shopping cart return in a parking lot with the front of the car. There was a minor repair performed that I can see at the front latch underneath,,, but it was repaired professionally from what I can tell--- and had to seriously look for it. The only reason I looked for it was because the hood has a very slight bow//misalignment. I've never attempted to adjust the hood hinges or improve the fit, as it has never bothered me, and maybe the hood could be pushed/pulled to position,,, but I am not a body guy to try it. Other than that, I know of no significant issues. The white convertible top is in nice condition. I've personally never driven the car with the top up, but I inspected it when I purchased the car, and it is in the same amazing condition as the rest of the car!
Highlights: 1965 Chevrolet Corvair Monza Convertible - Air-cooled flat-six engine - 4-speed manual transmission - Believed to be a 3-owner car - Exceptionally clean engine compartment, trunk, and undercarriage - Beautiful paint and interior - Starts, runs, and drives exceptionally well - White convertible top in nice condition - Honest, well-preserved collector-quality driver Finding a Corvair Monza Convertible in this kind of condition is becoming increasingly difficult.
This isn't a restored trailer queen—it's an honest, beautifully preserved classic that's ready to be enjoyed. If you're looking for a clean, reliable, and highly enjoyable vintage convertible, I don't think you'll be disappointed.
