1965 Chevrolet Corvair

CA. 4-SPEED Convertible

6 - Cyl.

Manual

105675W261742

Clear

Gasoline

Beautifully Restored Corvair Monza Convertible 1965 Chevrolet Corvair Monza Desirable Red Exterior & Interior with White Convertible Top Completely Restored Inside & Out and a 4-Speed TOO!! ___________________________________________________________ HISTORY / GENERAL INFORMATION The Animals were on the radio with their mega-hit House of the Rising Sun. It was autumn of 1964 and the leading edge of the baby boom was looking for fun, fun, fun, along with America's "I Get Around," Beach Boys. There were lots of upbeat ditties on the radio from The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Mamas and Papas, The Kinks, The Zombies and The Shangri-Las. AM radios ruled the street, from Sunset Boulevard in L.A. to Woodward Avenue in Detroit, and Yonge Street in Toronto. Gas was cheap and everybody was cruisin' the burger joints, drinking root beer, and trading news of the soon to be released '65s. Ford had cleverly jumped the gun a few months earlier when they introduced the monstrously successful 1964½ Mustang, which could be ordered with a 271 horsepower, 289 cubic-inch V-8. John Delorean's Pontiac GTO rumbled the main drags of North America. Hip, young dudes were ordering 350 horsepower, 327 Chevelle's, and the Dodge boys were burning up the drag strips. Hot Rod Magazine, Motor Trend and Car and Driver kept us up to date on new developments in the secret shops of Detroit. The big three were working on big blocks that made it possible for a car to top 70 mph in first gear! It was an exciting time. With so much heavy metal available, nobody quite understood why I was so crazy about the Corvair. The new super cars were awesome at acceleration in a straight line, but I liked going fast around corners. The low-slung Corvair was quick and nimble on the narrow, twisting, coastal roads of the Canada's Province of New Brunswick. The sneak previews I had seen in magazines gave me great confidence in the new Chevrolet Corvair. Even hard to please car magazine scribes were excited. Little did I know that by the spring, I'd be cruising south to Boston on Interstate 95, behind the wheel of a new Corvair listening to The Rolling Stones. In October of 1964, an article in Car and Driver compared three competitive models - the 1965 Corvair, Ford Mustang and Plymouth Barracuda: "And it is here too, that we have to go on record and say that the Corvair is - in our opinion - the most important new car of the entire crop of '65 models, and the most beautiful car to appear in this country since before World War II." When the pictures of the '65 Corvair arrived in our offices, the man who opened the envelope actually let out a great shout of delight and amazement on first seeing the car, and in thirty seconds the whole staff was charging around, each wanting to be the first to show somebody else, each wanting the vicarious kick of hearing that characteristic war-whoop from the first-time viewer. Our ardor had cooled a little by the time we got to drive the cars - then we went nuts all over again. The new rear suspension, the new softer spring rates in front, the bigger brakes, the addition of some more horsepower, all these factors had us driving around like idiots - zooming around the handling loop dragging with each other, standing on the brakes - until we had to reluctantly turn the car over to some other impatient journalist. We were actually annoyed about having to drive the new Sting Ray and the new Impala SS with a great, storming 409 to propel it. We said we'd give you a comparative opinion, and there it is. We liked both the Mustang and the Barracuda - for different reasons - and they're very good cars. They have speed and handling and they're the right size - excepting the Corvair's, they're the best of their kind. The '65 Corvair is an outstanding car. It not as fast as the others, but we love it." David E. Davis Jr., Car and Driver, October 1964 ABOUT THIS 1965 CORVAIR CONVERTIBLE - COSMETIC CONDITION Simply stated, this is a, extremely nice example of the increasingly rare Corvair convertible. We often see Corvair Monza's listed for sale but typically they are, to put it mildly, in less than good condition. Rarely do we see an example of a nice Monza convertible that someone has taken the time (and invested the money) to properly refurbish to a high standard. This is one such example. This car is an original Monza and it appears as if all of the significant "coding" is correct. The cars VIN number reflects that it was produced as an original Monza 110 horsepower car and the trim tag even shows that the car was originally red in color when it came from the factory in the mid 1960's. Even the engine number ("Suffix") of "RD" indicates that the car is correct for the twin carbureted engine (110 horsepower) and a 4-speed transmission. The car retains its correct configuration after over 45 years and, from what we (and our local Corvair expert/enthusiasts) can tell has not seen any modifications or changes from stock. Photographs of the VIN # along with the ID plate (rear engine compartment) are included in the listing for your consideration. While the numbers support the cars originality, a benefit to true enthusiasts and collectors, it is the cars overall condition that makes it especially appealing. When the Corvair was restored, it was brought back to its former glory without any modifications or changes from stock. No aftermarket wheels, added gauges, sound system or other modifications were added to the car and it remains basically in the same configuration as when it left the factory. The Corvair has been extremely well maintained since its restoration, and it shows. The car has been adult owned and has no signs of ever been abused or mistreated. When restored, the Corvair received a high quality re-paint (refer to Body / Paint / Trim section), new interior, convertible top, top boot, new whitewall tires and significant mechanical updates (more detail to follow below). Overall, this Monza is one of the strongest running and driving examples that we have seen in many years. The photos accurately depict the high quality of the body and paint, interior and engine / trunk areas. The car is free from the typical Corvair rust and even California buyers will be amazed at the lack of rust on the underside, rocker panels, trunk, engine bay, doors and other typically rust affected areas on the Corvair. The bumpers have beautiful chrome, are perfectly straight and free from damage. They do not show the light pitting or discoloration often seen on cars from other parts of the country where exposure to moisture and the elements have discolored all of the exterior chrome and other trim. The car's body is truly in great shape and we continue to get remarks that the car has the appearance of being freshly refurbished / restored. This Corvair is finished in a lovely shade of red, the cars original color. The Corvair received a new, high quality complete re-paint and is absolutely beautiful. The paint has a brilliant gloss, and has received regular professional detailing to keep it polished/waxed, and in the best possible condition. It is rare that we see a Corvair of this vintage with quality paint work. The paint is free from cracking, peeling or any damage. Additionally, there are no noticeable signs of previous body repair, damage or re-painting. The sides, trunk, doors and hood are very straight and devoid of any significant scratches, dents, dings, etc. The Corvair's body is 100% free from any modifications. The body panels line up very well, the door, hood and trunk close solidly. The front trunk and side door locks work perfectly and even original keys are included (along with a spare ignition key). The Corvair is solid, free from rattles and vibrations, and all of the windows and glass is in very good condition. The front and rear windows roll up freely as does the convertible top. The top seals well, the front latches work as they should and the and the frame work operates smoothly. The front windshield is free from any cracks, and in very good condition. The interior is red with red carpet, door panels and a slightly darker red dash board. The Corvair's white convertible top adds a striking contrast and is in virtually perfect condition with no signs of wear and tear, rips or damage. The rear boot is red resulting in a consistent appearance between he interior and the top "boot." The rear window has some very light scratches but is not yellowed or lacking clarity as the photos reflect. The interior is also the stock Monza interior, as is the dash (stock in silver) and the large majority of the other components, many of which have been recovered or replaced during the restoration. The owner invested a considerable amount to re-upholster the seats; both front and back, door panels, rubber trim and other interior components. With relatively new front and rear seats it has the look of a newer car. The seat belts are older, GM (matching red) and in good but somewhat soiled, original condition. They are fully functional and comply with California safety requirements for a 1965 Chevrolet Corvair. The carpet appears to have been replaced and is in good condition with only minor signs of fading. It is covered with coordinating red mats for protection and to enhance the appearance. The dash (an area that is vulnerable to cracking and sun damage) is free from cracks and wears and is in beautiful condition. The shift boot is not torn and the shift knob has a wonderful patina of originality. The gauges in the Corvair are all in place, original and the speedometer and fuel gauge are functional. The radio is he stock, original AM unit that does not work. We have not explored what is involved in repairing it and like the appearance of the original radio. We assume that someone looking for "tunes" would prefer a more current system, in any event. Even the sun visors are in very good condition as are other interior trim items. The windshield wipers and all other lighting systems work fine and even the original windshield washer bottle is in its holder in the front trunk area. The trunk is extremely clean and most important, totally free from other than a very light dusting of surface discoloration that we show in the photos and in the interest of 100% disclosure. There is no rust through and, when the car was restored & re-painted the trunk was refinished but not as a result of rust, but to bring it back to its original cosmetic appearance. It is as nice as any Corvair "front trunk" that we have seen. The original style mat is in place. In the very lower portion of the trunk, but as the photos indicate there is no rust The wheels are stock Chevrolet 14" wheels with proper, factory Monza hubcaps that are in excellent condition. The tires are a matched set of period style white walls with considerable remaining tread (as estimated 85A%A+). Cosmetically, the car rates very high and is one of the more attractive Corvair Monza's that we have seen in years. MECHANICAL CONDIITON The Corvair convertible is a very strong running car and an absolute terrific car to drive. In fact, we are going to have difficulty taking the keys away from the owner of Classic Cars Ltd. He, like so many avid Corvair fans had several examples in high school & College and has always enjoyed these cars, especially the manual transmission convertibles! In fact, he has been using the car in the neighborhood and for his short commutes and indicates that the Corvair runs and drives just great. The Corvair recently had an inspection, complete oil service and lubrication and tune-up. Additionally, one of the wheel cylinders was leaking and the front brake pads had approximately 50% remaining on them. However, we had our mechanic replace all 4 wheel cylinders and brake shoes on all wheels to ensure a safe system. The brakes were bled, adjusted and the fluid renewed. The emergency brake was properly adjusted for safety. The car received a clean "Bill of Health" mechanically and it was noted that, previously, the engine received attention to address previous leaking (something Corvair's have a reputation for!). This Corvair is not "marking its territory" and is one of the few that that we have seen that does not seem to leak. The car appears to have received regular servicing, and the most recent owner had a professional mechanic caring for the car. The Corvair has been 100% reliable and offers good performance with its 6 cylinder engine and relatively light weight. The Corvair starts immediately, even after sitting for prolonged periods of time. The car has a very strong engine that does not exhibit any drivability problems. It pulls strongly through all of the gears, shifts smoothly and has excellent syncromesh gears when shifting up and down through all 4 gears. The car has the stock twin carburetors, stock air cleaner arrangement and virtually of the original style components. The transmission, brakes and other major mechanical components are excellent. The car steers well, stops straight and sure and. As a result of the recent, comprehensive brake work, the brakes are excellent, do not pull and stop the car straight and sure. The indication that we have from the last owner is that the Corvair has had two previous owners but as a result of the age of the car, we are unable to verify this or the cars actual mileage although its condition would suggest that it hasn't seen much use. Mechanically and cosmetically, the car rates high and is one of the more attractive Corvair Monza's that we have seen in years. We suspect that the car will be of particular interest to prospective buyers in areas outside of California where these cars are very difficult to find in this rust free condition, along with buyers in other parts of the world. MISCELLANEOUS FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ) 1. Has it received a safety / light inspection? Yes, the car has been checked for turn signals, brake lights, and license plate lights and everything works. 2. What is the total mileage on the Corvair? The odometer currently shows 62,262 and, frankly, the runs, drives and has the appearance of having this low mileage (we were told by the seller that it was accurate / original). However, since we do not have verifiable history of the car back to 1965 we must represent the car as TMU (Total Mileage Unknown). 3. Was the work completed by professionals? Yes, the recent mechanical work was done professionally, and to a high standard. There is no indication that the car has had work by a "Backyard mechanic." 4. What were the results of the independent inspection? The Corvair passed with no the exception of the brake issue (now addressed and repaired) and no other safety issues were reported. 5. What are the cars needs (if any) at this time? The vehicle is in very nice cosmetic condition and, as we have indicated, runs and drives well. The car has been very well cared for over the years and it shows. Of course, as a 1965 the car is not the same as a new car or recent model. It does show the expected minor imperfections consistent with the age of the car but is in far better condition than the large majority of vehicles that we see in this age range. 6. Does the car have seat belts? Yes, front lap belts that appear to be factory. They are fully functional and slightly soiled from use. 7. What is the condition of the convertible top and does the frame work function well? The convertible is absolutely beautiful, free from any damage or flaws. The window is clear and the car was always stored with the top in the up position, covered with a car cover in a garage. 8. Can we have the vehicle inspected? Absolutely, we encourage inspections of this Corvair by serious, qualified individuals, or professional inspection companies. All we ask is that you call us at 925-846-1451 to arrange a convenient time since we are in and out of our offices quite a bit. We are unable to allow inspections 24 hours prior to the end of the auction as we are closed on Sunday. 9. Can you provide some "ballpark" costs of shipping costs around the United States? Yes, on a fully insured, ENCLOSED carrier (we do not recommend the more common "open" transporters for a car of this caliber) and delivered to your door, about $1500.00 for most of the East Coast, $1300.00 to some of the Southern States, and around $1000 to points in the Midwest. The cost to Los Angeles would be in the area of $500.00. PLEASE check with us as these are just estimates, NOT firm shipping costs, and rates are changing regularly due to fuel costs, exact locations, and other factors. PURCHASING A COLLECTOR VEHICLE - THINGS TO CONSIDER As always, we recommend that you carefully review the seller's background of any collector car being sold over the Internet. We believe that it is important to ask yourself a number of questions including, but not limited to: - How long have they been in business? - How much experience do they have with collector cars? - How many positive collector car vehicle sales have completed (positive eBay feedback)? - How detailed/complete is the description of the vehicle? - Do the photos show details of the interior, exterior, top, chrome, etc. or are they simply "Glamour Shots" taken from a distance? - Does the seller have a surety bond to protect the financial transaction? - What about insurance, licensing by the state, and a local business license? - Does the seller (if a business) have any DMV (Motor Vehicle) complaints and/or other history of legal action, grievances? - Do they enjoy a favorable local and national/international reputation? - Can the seller assist with funding sources, transport and out of state/country sales? ABOUT CLASSIC CARS LTD. * Classic Cars Ltd. has been in the same, small, California town for close to 20 years. We operate a small, indoor showroom, and specialize in the sale, consignment, and purchase of sports, high performance and specialty vehicles of all types. We have a particular interest in sports cars and unique vehicles. * The majority of our vehicles come from local, private owners and collectors, and many were sold new in California. We appreciate that rust free cars, with excellent documentation and history are especially attractive to our buyers both locally, and around the country. As a result, we do not purchase our collectible cars from "distressed" sales, such as wholesale auctions, salvage sales, or lien sales. We do not sell vehicles with salvage titles, or those that have a history of significant accident damage or repair. * We are fully insured, bonded, and licensed for collector car sales all over the United States/World. * We have operated a "brick & mortar" business in the same small town for over 18 years. * We are fully insured and licensed for collector car sales * Classic Cars Ltd. carries a $50,000 Surety bond to cover financial transactions * We enjoy excellent relationships with a number of transport companies and, as a result, can often times obtain preferred pricing for vehicle shipping. Please give us a call and we will be glad to refer you to suitable transport companies. Needless to say, we would recommend a quality, enclosed transporter that is experience with moving high quality, collectible cars. * We frequently sell vehicles to out of state buyers / out of country buyers, and are proud of our 100% positive eBay feedback ratings on 630+ transactions. Please review our eBay feedback for specific comments on our service to our customers. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION * In addition to the purchase price, California buyers will be subject to sales tax, documentation fee, and DMV transfer fees. Out of state buyers will be responsible for the purchase price of the vehicle with any taxes/fess paid in their respective state. * IMPORTANT: PLEASE NOTE...If the vehicle is delivered or driven in California, sales tax and other license, registration & transfer fees for California buyers. * We encourage telephone calls to discuss in greater details the condition/specifics of this absolutely lovely Corvair convertible. It is difficult to fully describe how nice an example this is, but we welcome "walk around" telephone discussions in order to answer any questions that you may have. * We will be glad to discuss a sale of the car prior to the end of the listing on eBay, and ask that interested parties call us at 925-846-1451 for additional information/specifics. * Please review our feedback on eBay (user name never22many) for our history of successful sales to out of state/country buyers. Our feedback consists of a total of over 630+ positive transactions on eBay. * As with any collectible vehicle of this vintage we are unable to provide a warranty or guarantee of condition. However, we make every effort to accurately represent our vehicles, and highlight both positive items as well as areas that require attention. We ask that prospective buyers consider our eBay history/feedback, standing in the community, length of time in business, and other factors when purchasing a collectible vehicle from Classic Cars Ltd. *Finally, please keep in mind that, as with any used vehicle, cosmetic issues / flaws may be present that add to the "patina" of the car and are a part of even the best restoration of a vintage/collectible vehicle. And, while we are unaware of any mechanical issues that we have not addressed in this write-up it is always possible on older, used cars that latent, unexpected defects may exist. * We always receive questions about the "Buy it Now" price on our vehicles. We will sell the Corvair prior to the auction but ask that interested individuals contact us by telephone to discuss the details of the car. In this way, we can answer any questions that you may have about the car itself, provide shipping information, etc. Thank You! Classic Cars Ltd. (925) 846 1451 Specifications: Body Type / Style:Convertible Exterior Color:Red Interior Color:Red Engine:6 Cylinder Transmission: 4 Speed Manual Mileage:62,262 Drive:Rear Doors:2 Equipment: Convertible Boot Cover Dual Exhaust Factory 4-Speed Factory 6-Cylinder Factory AM Radio Factory Bucket Seats Factory Bucket Seats Factory Seat Belts Factory Spare Heater / Defroster Runs / Drives Very Well Whitewall tires Striking in Factory Red Exterior Matching Red Interior! Very Straight Body Excellent Exterior Chrome & Trim Very Good Panel Gaps / Fit Factory 110 Horsepower Factory 4-Speed Excelent Quality Paint Fropnt Factory Bumper Guards - Beautiful Chrome Gas Door Chrome Guard Perfect Aluminum Headlight Surrounds Excellent Lower Spoiler Straight, Damage Free Front End Right Front Fender Excellent Door Fit & Trim Right Rear, Damage Free 1/4 Panel Excellent Lenses Not a "Leaker"! - Not Cleaned for Photos! Rear Left to Right Left Rear 1/4 Panel Driver's Side Door - No Dents / DIngs Front to Rear - Left Side Period Style White Walls Right Rear to Front - Passenger Side Driver's Side Rear to Front Says it All - Classic Corvair Convt! Close Right Front Corner Close - Left Front Corner Close - Left Rear Corner Close - Right Rear Corner Windshield - No Cracks only Minor Road Chips Excellent Windshield Trim & Stainless Wiper Blades Left Front Headlights - Close Right Front Headlights - Close Right Rear Taillights - Close Rear Left Taillights - Close Original Corvair Hubcaps Matching Tires / Excellent Tread Whitewall Tires Chrome Wheel Mouldings No Rust, Rot or Damage A Really Striking Example! Matching Rear Convertible Boot Budd - VP Customer Relations Excellent Side Glass Clear Rear Window Close-Up Rear Window No Signs of Wear, Tear or Damage Very Nice Top & Frame Lovely Interior Wow!! Left SIde Seats Close Driver's Side Seat Right Side Rigt Side Seats - Close Excellent Rear Seat Left Rear Door Side Panel Right Side Rear Rear & Back of Front Seats Fron Passenger Side - NICE! Excellent Rear Carpet & Mats Very Nice Interior Trim Driver's Side View Really Nice Steering Wheel Great Looking Dashboard Wheel / Gauges - Close Very Close Right Side to Left - Glove Box No Crack / Nice Dash Factory Radio (Non Working) Center Horn Ring Clean Door Jambs Driver's Side Rear Jamb Door Side (Driver's) Passenger Side Door (Rear Portion) Door Edge Window Felts / Trim Replaced Front Trunk (VERY Clean) No Damage This Side Either Front (Mat Removed) Car Cover Included Includes Jack and Lug Wrench Tidy Strong Engine - No Leaks! Runs & Drives Very Well VIN # Rear Engine Compartment ID Plate - Rear Engine Bay NO Rust Rocker Panels Very Unusual, Rust Free Corvair Underside - VERY Rust Free / Straight Recent Tune-Up & Mechanical Work Original Owner's Manual Original Date on Owner's Manual Desirable 110 HP Monza Convertible! Terms & Conditions 25% of the total winning bid is due within 72 hours of the end of the auction. The remaining balance is due within 7 days of the close of the auction. In addition to the winning bid/agreed purchase amount the buyer of this vehicle will be subject to a $195.00 fee for processing/administration. The charge will apply if the vehicle is purchased through ebay or before or after the auction, directly through Classic Cars Ltd. Since this vehicle is listed for sale elsewhere, we reserve the right to end the auction at anytime due to prior sale of the vehicle. We will be glad to discuss the sale of the car prior to the end of the eBay auction. Inspections of vehicles (by appointment only) must be completed within 24 hours of the end of the auction. Out of state buyers are responsible for the high bid and any shipping costs. California buyers are subject to the appropriate sales tax, DMV transfer, and fees associated with the purchase of any used vehicle sale in the state of California. We mail, via Priority Mail, transferable documents within 48 hours of the transfer of funds unless, of course, the transaction is local. While shipping and transportation costs (if appropriate) are the responsibility of the winning bidder, we can assist with locating a suitable transporter. We regularly ship cars all over the USA/World, and can often times locate very competitive rates for transporting vehicles door to door, to a local terminal, enclosed, open, etc. Please call us for specific information/rates to your location. We meet some great people and fellow enthusiasts, and only rarely do we have problems with non-paying bidders. Please be certain that you are prepared to buy the car if you bid, or call us at 925-846-1451 before the end of the auction if we can answer any questions. If you have a "sunglass" rating or fewer than 10 feedback ratings on eBay, please call us before you bid so that we can discuss the bidding process, etc. If we do not hear form you, we reserve the right to delete your bid. Thank You & Happy Bidding Classic Cars Ltd. On Jun-17-11 at 22:03:03 PDT, seller added the following information: Sellers: Delight buyers. Get your own map of past buyers.