Aircooled flat 6 in the back, convertible...

"Rustholes-Are-Weight-Reduction" (rustholes-are-weight-reduction) 02/18/2016 at 06:58 • Filed to: None

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...probably not what you are thinking about right now. But a serious candidate for my next summer car.

Does anyone know what to look for on a 1963 Corvair? !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!
The description says it has been a daily driver for the last 2 years before it has been imported to Germany, taxes have been paid, so it’s the net price. It also says it is rust free except for some surface rust here and there and a 1 inch hole near the battery. The roof has been replaced a few years ago, it was originally white. It has been repainted years ago and has some rough spots and dents now.

Also, and that’s important: it’s a 4 speed manual!

Rustholes-Are-Weight-Reduction > Rustholes-Are-Weight-Reduction 02/18/2016 at 07:03

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This also seems nice:
http://ww3.autoscout24.de/classified/268…
I wonder if this lovely lady would deliver it to me as soon as.... Freedom!

DipodomysDeserti > Rustholes-Are-Weight-Reduction 02/18/2016 at 07:08

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I just got rid of my Monza coupe with a four speed manual. I drove it all around Phoenix, Arizona, for about a year and it did great with just a few minor repairs. They all leak oil, so just make sure you keep her topped up. Only thing that could be weird is finding parts when stuff breaks, as most of it is proprietary to this car. There are only two big online stores on each coast of the US, but they were a hassle to order stuff from. I wouldn’t want to have them ship stuff to Germany. I had a guy local to me who had four of these things who I would get parts from. I used to get lots of looks driving mine around Arizona. Yours will probably get lots of attention cruising around Germany.

KatzManDu > Rustholes-Are-Weight-Reduction 02/18/2016 at 07:10

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Looks awesome.

Always carry spare fan belts, as they can tend to break and they are at an odd angle.

Depending upon how vintage you want it, you may want to replace the generator with a more modern alternator. Because reliability.

IIRC, make sure the heater channels which allow heat to go from the engine compartment to the passenger compartment are clear. They can clog up, gather moisture, create rust.

And I posted that C3 once before because freedom. Surprised it is still for sale.

Given that the underbody is so clean and you see the beginnings of surface rust, you may want to have it powerwashed/cleaned and then have some rustproof coating applied to keep it from falling apart.

Speed > Rustholes-Are-Weight-Reduction 02/18/2016 at 07:13

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I love Corvairs, but not the 61-63 renditions and their weird swing-axle suspensions. They’ve probably developed a remedy by now, but I always looked for the later version. I guess in Germany it’s slim pickins on these things though.

I’d like to buy a hard top and build a poor mans Outlaw-style Porsche.

Speed > DipodomysDeserti 02/18/2016 at 07:24

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That thing looks so good I think I may retract my swing-axle slander. For a cruiser, one like that would fit the bill.

Speed > Rustholes-Are-Weight-Reduction 02/18/2016 at 07:26

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They sound sort of like Porsches with some exhaust work.

Drag action around the 2:00 mark!

Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street. > Rustholes-Are-Weight-Reduction 02/18/2016 at 07:57

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Post on the Corvair Center Forums. They’ll be able to get you more details. I have a ‘61 could with the ‘64 suspension. I love the car.

PanchoVilleneuve ST > Rustholes-Are-Weight-Reduction 02/18/2016 at 08:11

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I love Corvairs. A family friend had a late 60's Monza 2-door, and the couple times I was lucky enough to drive it I was blown away by how poised and precise it felt. These cars drive amazingly well, even by modern standards.

Frenchlicker > DipodomysDeserti 02/18/2016 at 08:15

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I've always loved these. My mom really loves them so I may get her one some day.

Rustholes-Are-Weight-Reduction > KatzManDu 02/18/2016 at 08:43

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Actually I’m not surprised it’s still for sale. I would at least repaint the bonnet. But hey, sidepipes!

DipodomysDeserti > Frenchlicker 02/18/2016 at 08:46

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In the states they're one of the cheapest classics you can buy. I bought and sold that one running for $1,100

Rustholes-Are-Weight-Reduction > DipodomysDeserti 02/18/2016 at 08:51

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It looks great in red!
Getting parts is mostly what’s holding me back. I have a 1989 Peugeot 505, and that’s already a pain in the a** to get parts for, and I live in France! So getting parts for a semi-obscure american car must be horrible.
But just look at it, it’s gorgeous!

Rustholes-Are-Weight-Reduction > DipodomysDeserti 02/18/2016 at 09:03

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Are they really this cheap? It could be interesting to import one.
The advantage of this one is that it just a mere 3 hours drive from where I live.

Rustholes-Are-Weight-Reduction > Speed 02/18/2016 at 09:05

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From what I’ve read, you would have to switch the whole rear axle to fix it. That wouldn’t be a problem, but getting the parts would be tough in Europe. It would be a cruiser anyway. I have my RX-8 for the fast bits.
Come to think of it, I have a spare RX-8 rear axle that could be used to fix the handling :)

DipodomysDeserti > Rustholes-Are-Weight-Reduction 02/18/2016 at 09:27

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Mine needed a lot of work done and the interior was trashed which is why it was so cheap. The one you posted up is maybe a tad high, but considering you can actually look at it and don’t have to worry about importing it I’d say it’s a good deal. In the states there’s not much of a market for them, so they’re really only worth buying if you really like them. Parts will be a pain in the ass, but the cars are stupid simple to work on, so if you have a dec t machine shop you could probably fab up certain parts. You can find parts on the Internet, but you have to be careful as GM did a lot of parts changes on these things, and they made a van, truck, and wagon version. Nothing really beats these cars as far as weirdness factor goes, which would be especially true in France. I really enjoyed mine, but I have a ‘66 GMC pickup and a ‘73 CL450 and I didn't have enough time for the Corvair.

Elumerere > DipodomysDeserti 02/18/2016 at 09:33

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Wow, what a beauty..

Frenchlicker > DipodomysDeserti 02/18/2016 at 10:40

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The problem is that I live in the MidwesT where anything that is running and deiving and worth owning is at least double that of the West.

DipodomysDeserti > Rustholes-Are-Weight-Reduction 02/18/2016 at 10:51

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Damn. You should take a little winter vacation to AZ and come pick up a car. It was 90F here yesterday.

Speed > Rustholes-Are-Weight-Reduction 02/19/2016 at 11:53

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Doooo eeeeeet!

Maybe it’s a retrofit to swap in the later rear set up. I’ll have to look it up. I always liked the early body style and see them everywhere for cheaper, so maybe that’s an option.