Sad Story: 1965 Chevrolet Corvair Convertible – Sold?

May 5, 2021 Update – We just confirmed the listing for this “Classifind” expired, so with no replacement found we’re assuming this ride “Sold?” While this one got away, please reach out either by email or call Rudy directly if you’d like to be informed when we come across something similar.

As collector car enthusiasts, we can’t imagine anything much sadder than the excitement of buying a classic car only to be struck with health issues immediately afterward and not ever get the chance to drive your new purchase.  That’s the story the son of the owner of this 1965 Corvair Monza Convertible originally listed in April 2021 on Craigslist in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania (Pittsburgh) provides.  If you’re like us, after reading it you’ll be motivated to get out and either work on or simply drive your favorite ride as it’s a painful reminder of how quickly life can change. Sad story aside, this Corvair appears to be a driver quality example offering a bit of sportiness with its floor-shifted three-speed manual transmission example offered at $9,200 currently. Comparing that price against the Hagerty Insurance Online Valuation Tool confirms the son has their father’s Corvair priced between this guide’s #4 “Fair” (Daily Driver) estimate of $6,200 and its #3 “Good” appraisal of $11,900.  Interestingly, the  Collector Car Market Review Online Tool provides a bit more optimistic assessment as in this case the asking price is one hundred dollars more than this guide’s #2 “Very Good” appraisal of $9,100.

Chevrolet introduced a thoroughly redesigned second-generation Corvair for the 1965 model year featuring nicely updated styling yet, more importantly, a new fully independent coil-spring suspension that replaced the original swing axle setup Ralph Nader unfairly criticized in his book Unsafe at Any Speed.  Unfortunately by this time, Nader’s book combined with the huge popularity of Ford’s Mustang led to Corvair’s rapid sales decline.

Check out this Chevrolet Dealer filmstrip from 1965 that attempted to train Chevy salespeople how to win over potential Mustang cross-shoppers with the Corvair:

Reviewing the photos provided, besides hints of paint overspray in the engine compartment, the uneven gap along the driver’s side edge of the “frunk” lid would have us look closer upfront for any signs of prior accident damage. While the inside of the top shows signs of wear, the exterior of it appears to present well and besides, chances are good you’ll only drive this car on nice top-down days anyway.

Here’s the seller’s description:

“Selling due to illness.
1965 Chevrolet Corvair Monza Convertible.
My father bought this car in December of 2019 and went into the hospital 4 days later. He never got to drive this car!
This is an excellent driver/cruise night car.
It is not a show car!
The car had been partially restored at some point before my Dad purchased it. The paint is bright and shiny. The front seats appear to have been recovered with OEM type seat covers and the carpet had been replaced. It still sports the original top and boot! The car runs well and is really fun to drive!
I had the car gone over by a mechanic. He adjusted the carburetors, replaced a few bulbs and that was it! The car has newer brakes and wheel cylinders all the way around. It does have an oil leak and it does burn oil occasionally. The Radio and the heater are the only things not in working order.
It has the 110hp air cooled engine and a three speed manual transmission.
The car comes with a car cover, owners and shop manuals and several catalogs from Clarks Corvair parts.
I have driven the car on occasion but, I don’t believe we have put over a thousand miles on it!
My father had spent most of his life restoring antique cars and after selling his last one he bought this car just to have something fun to drive and fun to drive, it is!“

Show or go: what would you do with this Corvair?  Comment below and let us know!