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Topic: Corvair Aficionado Anyone?

in Forum: Non-Vette Automotive Discussion


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Corvair Aficionado Anyone? (1/10)
 2/16/14 9:09pm
daveo76
Former Member

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Vancouver, WA - USA

Vette(s):
1976 Silver/Firethorn. L48, 4spd. Original 2 bolt, vortec heads, 9.4:1 CR, Speed Pro Cam: 224/224@0.050, 112 LSA, Eagle Steel Crank.


Joined: 8/25/2005
Posts: 857

Anyone have one now or previously?  Or know a bunch about 'em?  I've been thinking about a "next project" (assuming I gain permission) but I want it to have a back seat so I can take more than one family member on excursions.  Muscle or pony cars are always intriguing but since everyone wants one they are ridiculously expensive these days.  Must not be many people that want Corvairs though - they are surprisingly affordable compared to their same age relatives.  And they're pretty interesting little cars with an independent rear suspension, rear mounted, air-cooled flat six, some with turbos, 4 speeds, etc.  Decent fuel economy for an old car and I think a Corvair might look pretty cool in the garage parked next to a Corvette (nope, not getting rid of the Vette!)  After looking around online a bit I was surprised at what $10K would buy (darn near done) and $5K will buy a nice driver that just needs a little more to make it great.  

I'd probably go with a '65 or later.  Not that I give a rat's behind about what old Ralph Nader lied about, but it seems like the mods they did in '65 made it a much better car.  '67 - '69 are hard to find so I'm probably looking for a '65 or '66.  2 door coupe (or rag top) with a four speed.  Any thoughts or advice?  Or to talk me off the ledge? 


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1976 Silver/Firethorn.  L48, 4spd.  Original 2 bolt, vortec heads, 9.4:1 CR, Speed Pro Cam: 224/224@0.050, 112 LSA, Eagle Steel Crank.
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Re: Corvair Aficionado Anyone? (2/10)
 2/16/14 10:55pm
F4GaryGold Member
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Grapevine, TX - USA

Vette(s):
1972 LT-1 convertible with factory air.


Joined: 8/26/2006
Posts: 1406

Had a 65 turbo convertible in college and my dad had a 4 carb before that.  Nader's book was about the swing axle cars, I think 4 link rear came out in 64.  I'd go with a 65 or 66 Corsa.

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Re: Corvair Aficionado Anyone? (3/10)
 2/16/14 10:57pm
NorskyLifetime Member
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West Burke, VT - USA

Vette(s):
SOLD - "The Toy" - '70 Convertible
SOLD - "The Beast" - '90 ZR-1 (#682)
SOLD - "Betty" - '28 Ford Model A Tudor
Still have - "BLKBRRD" - '78 Pontiac Trans Am


Joined: 1/23/2002
Posts: 7189

Don't know alot about them but have always liked the looks after the styling change for the '65 model year.  See a few of them around.  A turbo'd coupe would be a sweet ride.  At the Back-to-the-50s car show last summer saw several setup in the "gasser" style with 502ci big blocks in them.  They actually looked quite ridiculous IMHO.
 
Many years ago in the old Sports Car Graphic magazine there was a feature on an outfit on the west coast who modified two coupes into mid-engine setups.  They dropped the engines into the rear seat area turning the cars into 2 seaters.  One had a 327ci and the other a 427ci.  Guess the one with the 427ci was a real brute.  The writers of the article all preferred the 327ci as it was a better all-around performer.
 
Keep us posted on the project.


______________

Jim Olson 

"The Toys"...!!!  Save the Wave!

Where I've been in a Corvette...!!!

Re: Corvair Aficionado Anyone? (4/10)
 2/17/14 9:53am
Case75
Former Member

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, - Canada

Vette(s):
1975 Corvette 383 stroker w/Patriot 190 heads, Eagle stroker kit, Comp 279TH7 cam, DUI distributor, Edelbrock 7116 intake, Edelbrock 1806 carb, Hedman Hedders, TH400 w/TCI Breakaway 2400 stall, Transgo 1-2 shift kit.


Joined: 6/19/2012
Posts: 230

My first car in high school was a '66 Monza coupe with the 110 and a powerglide. Madeira Maroon with a red interior. Loved that car. My brother in law had a '65 Monza coupe with the 140 powerglide and a '66 Monza convertible 110 powerglide. My brother had a '68 500 coupe with the 95 and powerglide. I know where there is a '65 Corsa coupe 140 4-speed for sale around here that needs some work but is all there. There's a fellow that comes to our cruise nights with a '65 Monza coupe with the 140 and 4-speed; white with a red interior.

Corvairs are my second car love after Vettes. Watch for rust in the cowl area at the base of the windshield, I've seen it so bad that the car nearly split in two. Oil leaks from the pushrod "O" rings are common but there are better quality "O" rings now. Clark's Corvair Parts is a great resource. Been in business forever.

The second gen body style came out in '65 and the Corsa is the one to get if you can; only made them in '65 and '66. Stay away from the 180 turbo unless you like a challenge. The second gen copied the C2 Vette IRS with the exception of coil springs instead of the transverse leaf spring. The Corvair had some connection to Duntov's mid engine Vette  prototypes and was seen as a way to share parts and keep costs down but it never materialized.

Nader was an idiot; the second gen is an amazing handler for the time...tire pressures were very important and most owners ignored them or garages would put the same pressure front and rear...the rear pressure must be kept much higher than the front.










|UPDATED|2/17/2014 6:53:36 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|


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Build Date: May 7, 1975. 383 w/267 RWHP/310 RWTQ
Re: Corvair Aficionado Anyone? (5/10)
 2/18/14 1:10am
daveo76
Former Member

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Vancouver, WA - USA

Vette(s):
1976 Silver/Firethorn. L48, 4spd. Original 2 bolt, vortec heads, 9.4:1 CR, Speed Pro Cam: 224/224@0.050, 112 LSA, Eagle Steel Crank.


Joined: 8/25/2005
Posts: 857

Thanks for the input guys!  It seems like they have a small (relatively) but extremely loyal following.  I guess if you want a car like that there's not much to choose from, American at least.  Greg, your family could have started it's own Corvair club!

Unfortunately I have the usual constraints: time, money, and, in particular, space for another project so this one is still in the extreme maybe stage, but I'm going to be keeping my eye open for a good driver this summer.  


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1976 Silver/Firethorn.  L48, 4spd.  Original 2 bolt, vortec heads, 9.4:1 CR, Speed Pro Cam: 224/224@0.050, 112 LSA, Eagle Steel Crank.
Re: Corvair Aficionado Anyone? (6/10)
 2/24/14 7:14am
Willis76Lifetime Member
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Rockland, MA - USA

Vette(s):
76, L48, 4spd & 09, LS3, 6spd


Joined: 1/30/2003
Posts: 584

Hi Dave - saw this in my email and thought you would enjoy. Yenko Stinger

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Re: Corvair Aficionado Anyone? (7/10)
 2/24/14 8:55am
Case75
Former Member

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, - Canada

Vette(s):
1975 Corvette 383 stroker w/Patriot 190 heads, Eagle stroker kit, Comp 279TH7 cam, DUI distributor, Edelbrock 7116 intake, Edelbrock 1806 carb, Hedman Hedders, TH400 w/TCI Breakaway 2400 stall, Transgo 1-2 shift kit.


Joined: 6/19/2012
Posts: 230

Willis76 said: Hi Dave - saw this in my email and thought you would enjoy. Yenko Stinger

Great video! I don't know about Dave but I really enjoyed that.



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Build Date: May 7, 1975. 383 w/267 RWHP/310 RWTQ
Re: Corvair Aficionado Anyone? (8/10)
 2/24/14 11:49pm
daveo76
Former Member

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Vancouver, WA - USA

Vette(s):
1976 Silver/Firethorn. L48, 4spd. Original 2 bolt, vortec heads, 9.4:1 CR, Speed Pro Cam: 224/224@0.050, 112 LSA, Eagle Steel Crank.


Joined: 8/25/2005
Posts: 857

Most excellent!  Dave DID enjoy it.  I watched the whole thing straight (except the parts that I had to rewind to hear again) - much to my wife's chagrin since I should be helping with the kids and dishes.  Loved hearing the acceleration shots.  I think I'm hooked....  Although I won't be getting no Yenko Stinger, unless it's a replica.  

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1976 Silver/Firethorn.  L48, 4spd.  Original 2 bolt, vortec heads, 9.4:1 CR, Speed Pro Cam: 224/224@0.050, 112 LSA, Eagle Steel Crank.
Re: Corvair Aficionado Anyone? (9/10)
 3/10/14 10:16am
Willis76Lifetime Member
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Rockland, MA - USA

Vette(s):
76, L48, 4spd & 09, LS3, 6spd


Joined: 1/30/2003
Posts: 584

I saw this in Hemmings about the Corvair and thought I would pass along. I wanted a 64, back in the day and now you got me interested again. Hemmings Corvairs Enjoy 😎

|UPDATED|3/10/2014 7:16:35 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|


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Re: Corvair Aficionado Anyone? (10/10)
 3/10/14 3:57pm
turbo78vair
Former Member

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Franklin, IN - USA

Vette(s):
1978 pace car replica


Joined: 5/3/2008
Posts: 117

Great cars!  Back in the day I had a couple '65 Corvairs.  One Monza hardtop with 110-2 carb set up.  The other was a Corsa hardtop with 140-4 carb set up.  We used to  run autocross and TSD rallys with them. 

IF I would be thinking about a Corvair, I would go for a 140-4 carb.  I would get the best car I could find for the $$ available.  Rust can be a major issue.  Other issues that we had was the clutch cable and fan drive belt. 

Happy hunting!
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