1965 Chevrolet Corvair Coupe

Chevrolet introduced the unconventional Corvair in the fall of 1959, as 1960 model. In a departure from the standard automobile design of the times, Chevrolet installed a rear mounted, air cooled six cylinder engine and moved the trunk to the front. Originally available only as a coupe or sedan, the line was increased in 1961 to include a station wagon and a van. The convertible was added in 1962 but, only in the Series 900, Monza, and Monza Spyder models. While the Corvair was well received by automotive enthusiasts, (Motor Trend proclaimed it “Car Of The Year!” in 1960), the American public was unsure of its’ unusual engineering. Coupling that with the negative publicity of Ralph Nader’s book (well before the time it was published, Chevrolet had corrected the Corvair’s short comings), it was no wonder that the Corvair was outsold by the competition. Chevrolet executed a major restyle of the Corvair in 1965 and the basic style of the Corvair was to stay the same thru the end of production in 1969. Presented here is our 1965 Corvair Monza coupe, with the horizontally opposed, air cooled six cylinder engine. It displaces 164 cubic inches, produces 110 bhp and is coupled to an automatic transmission. The bucket seat interior is trimmed in black vinyl and the exterior is finished in white. It has the standard equipment found on the Series 500 models (turn signals, electric wipers, heater with defroster, twin sun visors, color keyed rubber floor mats, front seat belts, and cigar lighter were all standard on the Series 500) plus full wheel covers, rocker sill moldings, carpeting, courtesy an glove box lights, front and rear arm rests, and backup lights. For entertainment this Corvair has the factory AM radio in the dash and an aftermarket FM stereo under the dash. We have always liked Corvairs as they represent a niche in the American automotive world. Unjustly attacked in the late 60’s these Corvairs are great fun to drive. They are responsive and economical . . . and that makes for a fun combination.