1961 Chevrolet Corvair

Monza Coupe

6 - Cyl.

Automatic

Gasoline

1961 CHEVROLET CORVAIR MONZA 900 SERIES CLUB COUPE This is a beautiful example of the top-of-the-line Corvair for the 1961 model year, the 900 Series Monza club coupe, the "sport" version of Chevrolet's iconic car. Model number 09, Body/Style number 0927. The 900-series Monza coupe includes all the features of the the 500 and 700 series, plus an all-vinyl interior and bucket seats (the others, including the four-door Monza sedan, have bench seats with partial cloth), bright chrome trim and special emblems on the sides. Standard equipment on the Monza also includes front armrests, cigarette lighter, right-hand sun visor, backup lights, deluxe steering wheel, and a glovebox light. This is also the only year Chevrolet offered a manual choke on the dashboard for the Corvair, and this car has it. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet_Corvair This particular car was built in General Motors' Chevrolet plant in Kansas City, Missouri in the fall of 1960 and lived in nearby Independence, Kansas nearly its whole life. It was bought in the 1970s by my friend Joel's grandfather, and passed to Joel's father, and finally to Joel. The family put it in dry storage in 1993, and there it sat for 17 years, until this month. It's in remarkably original condition — two of the four headlight bulbs are even factory T3's. Engine and transmission The engine is a 2,375 cc (145 ci) 84 hp (63 kW) horizontally opposed, flat six-cylinder, air-cooled, rear-mounted engine, mated to the two-speed automatic Powerglide transmission. Whether installed at the factory or added later, this particular engine looks like it has the optional high-compression cylinder heads, which would increase the power a bit even over the Powerglide version of the motor, which had slightly more horsepower than the manual-transmission version. You'd have to pull the heads to be absolutely sure. The valve covers are the 4-bolt type, but the heads are 6-bolt. The car is very lightweight even by today's standards, about 2,395 lbs unloaded, which helps make fuel mileage good: they average about 21 mpg on the highway. New parts and maintenance In March, I replaced all five tires with new OEM-size 13" Firestones (including the spare), rebuilt the brakes, including the master cylinder, with new shoes, wheel cylinders, hoses and some steel lines — the latter only as needed — and rebuilt the generator, belt, spark plugs, battery, fuel filters (two), air filters (two) and oil filter, and lubed the suspension, including the rear outboard wheel bearings. I also replaced the transmission pan gasket with a modern rubber replacement to stop any leaks, and the original starter with a modern high-torque mini starter for faster starts (which doesn't require any modification, so you could put an original back in if you like). There's also an extra, brand new battery in the trunk. Condition Odometer shows less than 94,000 miles, which I believe to be original. The parking brake has been restored to perfect working order — important since the Corvair has no "Park" selection on the transmission shift lever to keep it from rolling. The Powerglide transmission shifts well, and the reverse backup lights come on instantly and brightly. Overall, the body is very clean and interior is free of rips and tears. The car was repainted in the original Fawn Beige color with Ditzler Automotive Finish in the 1980s and though it has the tiny nicks and scratches characteristic of a driver, it still sparkles, as it hasn't seen rain or snow for almost two decades. There are some scuffs and a ding behind the passenger door, but overall the body is in terrific condition. The door and quarter windows roll up and down, and the wing windows open and close easily. All the glass is good. Carpet is old and faded, but serviceable. Seats and upholstery are in great condition for their age, including the buckets. The glovebox light lights and the lock locks. Issues The car's major issue is the engine, which I never got into. It will start with some effort, but compression in all six cylinders is very low. I suspect worn rings and valves. It's too weak to drive. The car will need to be trailered or towed. Other issues are: the left turnsignal works great, but the right turnsignal is intermittent. I suspect a bad ground, but haven't investigated it yet. The spring in the ignition key cylinder doesn't spring back. I also haven't been able to lock the driver's door from the outside, but it's fine from the inside. The radio is not original, is missing its surround, and comes on very slowly. The wipers do not park. That's about it. Location, deposit and pickup The car is located in Austin, Texas. I have clear title. You will need to pick the car up in person with a tow dolly or trailer. Bidding starts at $0.99, no reserve. A $99 deposit is due via PayPal 24 hours after auction close. If you win and don't make the deposit in time, expect to see the car relisted immediately. The balance is due on day of pickup, also by PayPal. This car is being sold in "as is" condition. Bidders with zero or negative feedback: email me before the end of the auction to let me know you're serious, or I'll cancel your bid. Likewise, if you win and don't respond for the 24 hours after the end of the auction, expect to have your bid canceled and see the item relisted. Thanks, and happy bidding. Please email me with questions. If you need any more parts for the 1961-63 GM Y-body cars, including the Pontiac Tempest or LeMans, Buick Special or Skylark, or Oldsmobile F-85, Cutlass, or Jetfire, please see my other auctions. I probably have something running. If you win more than one auction, I will combine items to save shipping costs.