1963 Chevrolet Corvair

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 title verified 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 rebuilt engine 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! Drivetrai