I love Corvairs, especially the Spyders! I learned to drive stick on a friend's mom's '63 black convertible, which she let us drive to our early tee time at the golf course so she wouldn't have to be up at the crack of dawn. Great memories! BTW, they restored it and still own it, all these years later. Great episode!
Riding in a Spyder with a good driver was a sublime experience. One of my high school buddies actually convinced his father to buy one (dark green coupe, three-speed manual, “wire” wheels) as the family car for his two parents, three kids family. My friend also got to use the car, of course. I remember going out to a Friday night football game in an adjacent town one night, and as the short guy of the three of us, my buddies sat in the front bucket seats while I was relegated to sitting in the middle of the rear seat (the era before universal seat-belt usage). Sitting in that position (right near the engine!) listening to the sound of the air-cooled engine’s fan as the driver went up and down through the gears as we negotiated a bunch of S-turns on the twisty road to the adjacent town was something to experience. My friend even claimed to have outrun a cop car once, and he wasn’t the BSing type. So sad that the Corvair was allowed to die. It was a far superior car (brilliant Ed Cole design (other than the swing axles!); unfortunate death in a plane crash) to the VW Bug which it was created as a bulwark against in the first place, and probably even the Porsches of that era. Ralph Nader’s screed and the astonishing success of the Mustang were other factors in its demise. Also owned a Corvan in the late 1960s. RIP Corvairs.
Always loved these cars! And they were no more dangerous than any other car on the road at the time. Yes, there was some inherent issues with the rear suspension, but it was like it would flip if you sneezed hard, you really had crank it around to do it. WYR: 1) Corvair, by a bunny hair over the Studebaker. 2) Corvair, hands down!
Bought one of these as a coupe in 1974 for my future wife for $25. She used it as a daily driver till her new 1977 Camaro came along. All it needed during our ownership were pushrod tube seals and shock absorbers. It was very reliable.
@@robertverhasselt2412 yeah our vair was bought 194 or so from GMAC CREDIT CAR 63 SPYDER TURBO convertible FOR LIKE 2100 BUCKS. USED ABUSED KEPT IN GARAGE up to 1981. Or so for like 6k..instrument panel was beautiful brushed ALUMINUM with alot of gauges
Hi Justin, you have done it again! You have produced the most accurate video on RUclips in regards to a VERY underrated automobile that received a VERY bum rap. I am 64 years old and I have been an ASE Master Automobile Technician MOST of my life. The Chevrolet Corvair came out in 1960 at the same time as the Ford Falcon and the Plymouth Valiant also did. By the way, the Corvair, Falcon and the Valiant all had six cylinder engines (at the time). These car(s) where nicknamed by the automotive news media as the "the new compacts". Their where already two American manufactured compact vehicle(s) in production at the time, such as the American Motors - Rambler American and the Studebaker Lark, but they did not sell very well. Chevrolet Motor Division of GM (General Motors) wanted to also target a "third party" such as the "Volkswagen Beetle subcompact" the VW Beetle was, four cylinder rear wheel drive, air cooled, horizontally opposed "pancake" or "boxer" rear engine as was the Porsche 356 (4 cyl), the Porsche 912 (4 cyl) and the Porsche 911 (6 cyl). In the long run, In 1962, Chevrolet Motor Division came out with the Chevy II/Nova to better compete with the Falcon and Valiant because there out selling the Corvair two to one. The Corvair station wagon "Lakewood" did not sell to good and was dropped in 1962 for more room in the final assembly to produce the Corvair Monza convertible which sold much better. The deluxe Monza trim package out sold the base model(s) 500 and 700. My late grandmother drove a 1964 Corvair 500, and my late mother drove a 1963 Corvair 700. There where two generation(s) of Corvair(s). First generation: 1960-1964, were all two door or four sedan(s) except for the convertible of course. Second generation: 1965-1969 where all hardtop(s) except Monza convertible, or should I say "soft top". The convertible was only available on the Monza trim level as was the Corvair Spyder 1964 and below "first generation" and Corsa 1965 and up "second generation". The Spyder and the Corsa could be ordered as a convertible. The mechanical difference(s) from the first generation and second generation Corvair where much the same, except for the rear suspension. In 1964, GM added a heavy duty transvers leaf spring "like used on the Chevrolet Corvette" to limit the mount of rear suspension travel. By the way the Corvette is equipped with IRS (independent rear suspension) also. 1n 1965 saw two universal joints per drive axel instead of just one, this made it so the rear wheels could only travel up or down vertically, instead of tucking under on hard turns. I my opinion the Chevrolet Corvair was a automobile that competed only with it's self. The closest automobile to the Corvair is a Porsche 911. Please reply. Dave...
Agreed. Nader was a shortsighted jackass. This was an excellent little car with an admittedly major flaw, but one that was easy to address. Look at the cars from the 70's, the era of automotive malaise, and ask yourself this. Were we better off having moved away from cars like the Corvair, or did we in fact, give up ground to imports by focusing on large, ugly, inefficient land yachts? Nader set us back at least a decade or two.
@@dennisbethards3231 It's certainly possible. There was the Mustang a few years later. But if we're being honest, aside from some excellent marketing, the original Mustang was nothing innovative, just a dressed up Falcon. Like lipstick on a pig. Ya know, the more I think about it, the more I believe that you are on to something...🤔
I bet that Ralph was probably a crap driver. I read his book, "Unsafe at any Speed" I think he also wrote one about the tyres on some sort of Ford SUV, (Explorer?), which was probably more relevant to safety. If you can drive a VW Beetle, (the rear engine one), like a complete lunatic, then how could this be any worse?@@dimitriosfotopoulos3689
My first car was a '64 Monza, standard tranny, I LOVED that car - it was passed on to a cousin & served him well & was finally retired in the early 70's. I didn't care for the updated style & was thoroughly disgusted when folks started pooping on them... thanks for the memories!
I got a 63 base model when I graduated high school in 1967. Drove it through the bayous and woods and was FAST on the highway. It was hot because the back windows didn't open and having two carbs was a pain. I let it go when I got drafted in 1969. I really love the Greenbriers.
My brother in law, who was a US airman based in the UK in 1963, had one of these. My first ride in it, at the age of 11, was epic and is still one my most abiding memories. And, it really impressed the neighbours who were used to small, slow British cars at that time.
Very nice, fair representation! That body looked straight as an arrow.I have to point out a few errors, tho. First, the Powerglide automatic was never available with the turbo engine, 3 or 4 speed only. Those were wire wheel covers (which were incorrect for a 63, but still they look nice. Real Kelsey Hayes wire wheels were an (expensive) option. My first car was a black 62 Monza, bought for $40. I also had 2 64 Monza convertibles. WYR: All of them, altho I would pass on the Rambler American. No idea on the name that tune!
Our family had a 64 Monza Convertible with a 110hp and 4sp transaxle. My mom worked at a tire store (bookkeeper) and was given a free set of Michelin tires for the Monza. It was funny my 5' and a smidge tall woman trying to convince service station attendant the tires weren't flat. ;-D
For the WYR, I'm going to go with the Corvair in both categories, mostly because I have a 1966 convertible ("late open" in Corvair-eze). That being said, the Karmann Ghia convertible is cool ( the coupe is just cramped and S-L-O-W-W-W), the Studebaker is nice, particularly with a V8, the Pontiac has a rear transaxle like the Corvair as well as the Half-a-389 4-cylinder and a "rope" driveshaft connecting the two, the Rambler and Falcon are pleasant but conventional, and the Spitfire has Italian styling with little British roadster fun. A shame we don't have this kind of variety anymore. Good video! By the way,, this year's Corvair International meet is July 21-24 in Dayton, which isn't too far from you.
I’m going to the Hudson meet I believe it’s around that same time it’s an Erie Pennsylvania.. I wish I had a hudson lol going to drive the Chevy truck up there =) I want to cover an early tempest they are so different Thank you so much for sharing all that information and insight. Greatly appreciated. Also great choices.
Corvairs were very common cars when I was young. Their main attraction, (their uniqueness in the American market,) ended up costing them in the long run. Many people did not know about or understand their unique tire pressure requirements. Corvairs were also known for oversteering in turns during an era when most U.S. cars tended to understeer. Many Chevrolet dealer mechanics didn't like working on Corvairs. They were just too different. As Corvairs got older, many of them lost their drivetrains to dune buggy projects. Overall, I thought they were interesting cars.
Love this one, Jay! My first car was a 1964 Monza Spyder convertible, which I drove from junior year of high school through college. It was an absolute blast to drive, and I followed it up with three second generation Corvairs (which I'd love to see featured - they were one of the best handling American cars ever). The swing axle handing was fine if you kept the front tires at the proper inflation (less than 20 pounds) and was even further improved if you added an anti-sway bar to the rear suspension (these became standard late in the '64 model year). One quirk you wouldn't know unless you drove one: those wire wheel covers (not real wire wheels) were so heavy that they developed some serious centrifugal force. Hit a pothole and high speed and they would fly off and roll right next to you for quite a distance. They were expensive to replace, but they looked so sharp that you'd go down to the boneyard and try to find new ones. Keep up the great work, and remember, "You never forget your first love..." Andy
When I was a young man I had an acquaintance that had a few Corvairs. He let me ride in his 66' Monza coupe with a 4 speed once which was a lot of fun. He also once let me drive his 65' coupe with a 3 speed before I was of driving age. He was quite a bit taller than I was and the seat adjustment was broken so I could hardly reach the peddles which was scary but I didn't wreck it. One day I hope to own one myself, of either generation as long as it's got 3 peddles. Thanks for sharing this with us :D
Thank you so much for sharing that awesome story with great memories it’s never too late I don’t know if you have Facebook Facebook but check on Facebook marketplace they come up for very affordable prices on there
@@What.its.like. My pleasure! I do check on facebook now and then but most of them around where I live are pretty rusted out. But I will keep my eyes peeled for a decent driver
63 Studebaker 63 Corvair A vintage Yahoo account for a lover of vintage automobiles. Makes perfect sense. One of the first cars I ever drove when I first got my license was a corvair Monza that was the car my mom drove. It was a two-door black with a red interior. It was a good solid car It had plenty of power and it handled really well. For a high school kid it was a fun car to drive. I don't care what Ralph Nader said I believe that corvair was no more unsafe than any other comparable size car of that era. Nader was just trying to make a name for himself somehow and pick the corvair as an easy target. I got a kick out of the picture that you showed of the convertible with the family inside of it. Nobody was wearing seat belts and it appeared that the sun was either standing up on the back floor or maybe on the seat and looking out of the car. One good bump and he might have been launched right out. It was a different time back then for sure. The Corvair engine was reliable and fairly trouble-free much like a VW engine only bigger with more power. Keep the oil changed and the fan belt adjusted properly and you will have no issues. You just had to keep an eye on the push rod tube seals and the rocker cover gaskets for leaks.
Hahaha yeah I might have to use that in the intro of vintage email account for a vintage car channel totally dig it. Thank you so much for sharing all that insight and information as always.
Hi Jay! AAAAhhhh. . .The Corvair Monza Spyder! Such a cool machine! The later ones Called the Corsa had 180 H.P. in the 164 CID mode. One thing I always wanted to know, was. . .if the back seat folded down on the Convertible, the same way it did on the Coupes and Sedans. That was a pretty cool feature! The Corvair has a pretty small trunk, and in some versions, the spare tire was up in front, which is not a lot of space! So, Chevrolet had the wisdom to make the upper part of the rear seats fold down and form a package/luggage shelf. It even had a little metal piece at the front to help keep any items from smacking into the back of the front seats. I think maybe that they mounted the spare in the front on the '63 you showed. They were mostly mounted in the rear opposite of where the battery is. The jack was mounted up front in the trunk, though. If I remember correctly the mounting piece in front could be equipped with a bolt and you could mount the spare there, where they were for the station wagon versions. If you look closely at the video where you show the engine, there is a heat shield for the turbo on that right hand side. You will notice it has a "dent" in it. It was put in deliberately so the spare tire wouldn't be up against the heat shield when stowed. The Spyder also had that special dash, which is quite cool! If the shifter knob is the correct one on the '63 conv, then it is a three speed. The four speed had a white shift knob. My '64 was a 4 speed and had the white knob. It was the 110 H.P. version of the 164 cu. in. engine. The 1963 has the 145 cu. in. engine. I believe the '61 was the first with the 145 but I am not sure The 1962 was, though because the coupe I had was the 102 Super Turbo Air, with powerglide. Enough Corvair geeking for now! WYR! Hard again! I was all ready to pass up the Falcon for the 'vair, until that Lark Daytona popped up!! HAVE to go LARK there, especially with one of the R series ;engines!! #2, though, CORVAIR MONZA SPYDER for me!
You are correct about the '61 being first with the 145ci motor. I owned a '61 4dr model 700 at one time. Loved that car. Wish I had never sold it or the otherCorvairs I have owned at one time or another. The next one I get will be the last car I buy. They will have to sell it after I die LOL.
Sweet choices =) I just got back from the Gilmore Auto Museum it’s going to be an epic month plus I still have stuff left over from Classic auto Mall that I haven’t gotten to yet If everything goes good, today’s going to be Marmon V6 day the engine episode is going to be the Marmon V16 and I got to do a Marmon V16 car. The car will be first. And then right after will be the episode But it was super hard to even pick that car because in the pipeline is also a 1935 Auburn Speedster 1954 Kaiser Darin 1958 Packard hawk 1950 Studebaker commander bullet dose 1920 Paige 1927 Erskine 1917 Mercer 1926 Saint Clair 1934 De Soto airflow 1937 Studebaker coupe express 1932 Essex six 1937 Packard, 12 1938 Chrysler Royal But it’s worth pointing out I might’ve missed a couple. It’s also worth pointing out that I didn’t get in any of those cars except for the De Soto because that is car that I really want to buy one day I was blown away by lots of space in that car, even though , it’s a smaller version the Chrysler air flows bigger
My dad bought a used '60 in 1961. I learned to drive in it. I loved it even though it did have those handling issues. My brother flipped it once and I almost did 6 months later. Still, it was fun to drive and I'd love to have a Spyder. I only personally knew of one owned by a fella I met in college. Because of that turbo it invited fast, hard driving and he wore it out in 6 months. But his mom probably bought him another car.
Very nice video. I'm a long time Corvair owner and you gave a nice presentation without falling for all of the misinformation out there. The only correction I have is that the Powerglide automatic was never available in a turbo Corvair. They all came standard with 3 speed manuals although the overwhelming majority were produced with the optional 4 speed.
Happy you dig this episode. I agree there is a lot of misinformation out there. We try our best on this channel to sift through the BS ( which is hard to do sometimes)
For WYR, first scenario it's the Falcon, the second it's a tie with the Pontiac Tempest and the Corvair. These were cute cars. Despite what Ralph Nader said, they were said to be more reliable and less dangerous than rumor had it. I especially liked the second generation Corvair, but sadly the damage had already been done.
Great looking Spyder windshield and vent glass has the same style of the 59-60 Eldorado Brougham in miniature. First choice 63 Lark Daytona , second 63 Tempest Le Mans.
I bought a 1960 four door corvair in 1974 for 100 dollars it had a gasoline heater sounded like a jet engine when you engaged the heater ran really well
Two automobiles I owned in my youth (50+ years in the past) that I profoundly regret parting with, a 1960 Chevrolet Corvair, and a 1964 Ford Falcon Convertible. Also, honorable mention goes to a 1962 Simca 1000, a four door sedan that no average American male could easily ingress or egress, front or rear, that had an engine displacement half that of my present day motorcycle, but it was fun to drive since the clutch pedal had about a 1.25 inch travel, and the throw of the 4 speed transmission wasn't much more.
The only two things really wrong with these cars is that America wasn't ready to change it's approach to motoring in the way a rear-engine car requires, and that cost-cutting led GM to not make sway bars standard equipment. This car was advanced engineering in so many ways and was a precursor to the 'pony cars' which were yet to come. Many hot rodders got shamed by these, especially the 2nd Gen Monza turbo. They were not without faults as the pushrod tubes leaked which if left alone caused engine bay fires, and if the belt adjustment wasn't kept up with as it wore, they were prone to 'throwing' the fanbelt off at high revs. There was also a problem with engine and exhaust fumes entering the cabin when the windows were closed in the winter. Back then styling was everything and safety wasn't on the plate at all; imagine your forehead against that dashboard top edge or the steering column crushing your chest in a frontal crash. But this was all cars of the time, not just the Corvair, and it's long lifetime on the market proved it's value and worth. The 1st gen Spyders and the 2nd gen Monza turbos ate up the sports car competition of the time in the hands of a skilled driver, and the car was renowned for going through snow with ease when other cars couldn't. For WYR Jay has topped himself with making it tough to choose. The Falcon was Ford's sleekly-styled lightweight entry and the initial design they used for many successful smaller cars. The Lark was one of the most economical cars to buy and own that the US ever built and stylish for it's time. The Karman Ghia was one of the most beautiful car bodies ever built though it didn't have much more going for it. And while the later Monza turbos were even faster, this Corvair takes the spotlight for innovation and performance. All were awesome cars in their own way. For the second round, the Pontiac was also a study in car engineering and innovation, though the transmission was a bit weak and the 'rope' driveshaft problematic. The Rambler was a solid economical car which was very popular in it's day, perhaps the most value for the money ever offered in the US market at the time and AMC would continue that tradition. The Spitfire epitomized what the English sports car was all about, minimalist and unrefined but great fun to drive. Once again the Corvair shines in all the places these other cars do but offering more where they were lacking. As a footnote I do love the Falcons which came in flavors from cheap to fast to family-friendly, and the Tempest was probably the best-handling car built in the US at the time; the first of many great cars coming from DeLorean's leadership. These were underappreciated cars for their time but to me rank right up there with this Corvair as cars I'd like to own.
Great choices I really tried to make the choices hard so it makes you think because those would’ve been the options back in the day as well as now you could look for any of those cars ( not you specifically, but in general lol ) Thank you for sharing all the information and insight greatly appreciate it.
@@What.its.like.Thanks for all you do for us Jay, and for being genuine in the way you do it. That's a rare quality in people today. I's have been here sooner but my notifications stopped so I reset them and will check for your vids manually more often. Don't know if you're a railfan, but there's some sad news there today which I just found: RIP Shoestring.
I tell you guys that I’m just a regular person because I am I love meeting new people I love hearing their car stories. I just try to treat people the way that they would like to be treated try to live by the golden rule…
wyr Falcon wyr corvair Turbo on one of these would be fun regardless of what Ralph Nader said. I think they has a Ray jay turbo in them. I laughed about the back seat not having enough room for an adult but they still put in a ash tray. Thx Jay
I remember as a kid (mid sixties) there was a kit advertised as a kit to make your Porche fast. Now remember in this era Porche was 4cyl, this kit adapted a Corvair engine to your Porche.
Thank you so much for sharing that I wonder if that’s why Porsche made a pancake boxer 6, I also find it interesting that the 911 is remembered as one of the greats but this pre dates it and doesn’t share the same light
@@What.its.like. That very well could be what forced them to make the change. I had a friend who while stationed in Germany he had a brand new 62 Chevy Impala SS 409 dual quad 4spd (just like the song). He told me that the fast cars of the time were Jags and Mercedes. On the Autobahn he told me that a Jag or Mercedes would come up on him, flash their lights and attempt to pass, he would downshift, and leave them in the dust. Also on a sidenote the army made him remove the SS badging. I guess the term SS was still a sensitive topic in 62.
I had a "64 Spyder convertible - red 4 speed with white top and interior. I loved that car, and the only problem I had was I drove it pretty hard and I kept breaking clutch cables. Then an old lady in a Buick ran a stop sign and T-boned me (fortunately on the passenger side) but the car was trashed.
It does not have "wire wheels" Those are wheel covers. Nice bodywork and paint on that one, good color for it also. At about 23,000 dollars, well worth it. WYR 1: Ghia and Corvair WYR 2: Corvair,and Spitfire. I had a 64 Spyder for about 4 years fully restored. Handling? Easily cured with an aftermarket camber compensator from Empi back in the day. Today many parts still available through Clarkes Corvair parts. Great folks by the way. You should check it out and their RUclips vids.
To be fair I said wheel covers originally but saw in the ads that they were wire wheels for 63 even tho those we’re definitely covers I edited that part out should have left it in Great choices =) This car was laser straight I’ll have to check out those videos Corvair people are super nice
I think this is a very nice example for a good price. I don't recall seeing turbo Corvairs on the road when I was a kid. I've never been a Corvair fan but I had a neighbor and a coworker who had them and they loved them and said they were very reliable. I have nothing against Corvairs, I just like a lot other cars from this era much more. In the firs scenario I'd choose the 1963 Studebaker Lark Daytona by a mile and in the second the 1963 Pontiac Tempest, although it took me a second to choose between that and the Spitfire.
Apparently the last ever Chevrolet Corvair of 1969 had an engine number or chassis number of 6000, or had 6000 as part of a larger number or alphanumeric code for the engine number or chassis number. What a legend if it still exists. For comparison, Jaguar still have the last ever Jaguar e-type.
I've always preferred the second generation Corvairs. My favorite Corvair would be the 1967 4 door, which would be last year for that body style. My picks here would be the Studebaker and Rambler, although my next pick would be the 1963 Corvair.
Back in '68 I worked in a shop that specialized in a/c, automatic transmissions, and Corvairs. Never liked them much though... They ran so hot the cork valve cover gaskets would become hard and start leaking in no time. And blowby- GM called for 10w30 oil, but they really should have used straight 30. Anyway, that aluminum grill below the rear bumper was always soaked in oil. And don't get me started on engine fires!
In every case, I will choose the 1963 Corvair Monza Spyder.!!! The Corvair Monza Spyder was my first car. I drove it to High School my Sophomore, Junior, and Senior years 1968 through 1971. The car was a hand-me-down from my Mother who in 1967 received a new Ford Galaxie 500 from my dad! 👍🏽
i was 18 years old buying a new car was very exciting. i went to my local Chevy dealer and ordered the car, thinking that was the thing to do. took a month to get the car i called the dealer every week it drove me crazy waiting. the car was quick but after a year i traded it for a split window corvette much better.
Thank you so much for sharing your experience. It’s crazy that you only had to be 18 years old to buy brand new car back then not too many 18-year-olds can say they can buy a new car now I was 21 when I bought my first new car, and I still regret that decision to this very day…
Had a 63 Monza Spyder as my first car. Great car. to bad GM killed the rear engine air cooled car. And yes as a young driver I had some occasions where I could have got in trouble but that little car always pulled thru.
These corvairs were great cars way ahead of their time and ruthlessly destroyed by Ralph Nader for the wyr ill take the corvair and the triumph. I have to say I was totally distracted by the Lincoln capri parked next to the corvair and would love a video on it, it looks like a qolden anniversary 53 with the gold trim ?
Since I had the 1963 tempest unfortunately not a convertible, I'd have to go with that one but I sure do like especially the second generation of corvairs. I'll have to say the 326 V8 in the Pontiac was pretty powerful probably too much for a 16 year old kid but I survived the swing axles.
Another great job Jay,I wish Tucson,was closer,would love to have my 72 F-100,my C-10,and a clean low mileage 97 LeSabre Custom featured,as always great work and good research,and presentation. I am hoping for a look at the last family of GMC engines, V-6,V-8,and the V-12. I'm crazy but the 63 Corvair,or the American.
There’s tons of space in the front for 6 foot tall people it’s not a compromised car whatsoever in the front seat, but in the backseat if you have friends that are tall, the car might not be the perfect fit but if it’s just you and significant other and a couple kids maybe a dog it will work perfect..
I had a black/black 61 Spyder. Even the Corsair Club said that that was impossible. I totaled that one and stuffed my driveline in to a later black/black Spyder body. Years later I found out that in 1961 Chevrolet had released 150 Spyders to company executives for real world testing.
That’s crazy I didn’t know that. Thank you so much for sharing that information. I would love the stuff, a turbo engine into the wagon model .. I think that would be really cool
Nice job on the narration of this video. So tired of listening to AI voices with messed up facts! Thanks for taking the time to research and present the information on this Corvair. Very thorough look at that a nice looking 63 Spyder. BTW: My choice would be the '63 Spyder.
For WYR I'll take that fine looking Studebaker Lark Daytona convertible, and also the Triumph Spitfire. For the song, at a wild guess I will go with "Right Place, Wrong Time", by Dr. John (The Night Tripper) but I would not be surprised if it is something by Pink Floyd that I had never heard before.
Those are wire wheel COVERS, not wire wheels.lol I remember reading a magazine ad for the Corvair Spyder option. It stated that a 4-speed manual was standard and the only transmission available in a Spyder. It could have been a 1964 ad. Talking about their other model cars, there was another ad stating that you could but an Impala for as little as $2600. It also talked about Chevy's shimmy-less steering wheel. One of the automotive instructors when I was in college had a Porsche 912 which he put a Corvair 150 horse turbocharged engine into. I'd go with the Karmann Ghia. There are all kinds of more powerful VW engines which just bolted in. You didn't have to stay with the 36 or 40 horse which came in it. If you want a real thrill, drop an engine from a Porsche 356 SC in it.
I thought they were wheel covers I said that in the video but saw Kelsey wire wheel option so edited the cover part out and high should have left it in there… that was a bit of second guessing
WYR: 1- Very dirty trick Jay ! As much as I like Corvairs, I’ll have to take that gorgeous Karmann Ghia ! 2- Corvair Note: That Lark looked quite odd as a right-drive car … (you posted a negative-image).
Haha yeah Great choices I flipped the car sometimes if I can’t find the right angle so they’re all going the same way, but yeah it doesn’t look right with right hand drive
I do love this cool little convertible, but it would be a tough choice in the first scenario, i love them all! I'd go with the Tempest in the second. 😎
4:50 I don't know if I'd want to go 103 mph in a Corvair. I know many people said Ralph Nader's book was somewhat hyperbolic, but still, 103 in that car ... not sure.
I personally wouldn't want to go 100+ in any 60's car. The Corvair's issue at that speed, absent some added weight in the luggage compartment, would be front wheel lift off.
Hmmm…. What goes around comes around. The Corvair’s front styling is back!! Look at today’s various EVs. The “grill-less” look is back!!! And many resemble the Corvair!!!!!
You forgot to mention the air-cooled engine. Because of lack of a radiator the heater if not maintained sucks exhaust gas from the engine and distributes it into the passenger area. You get used to not using the heater or defroster.😁
Intro said it was aircooled but did forget to mention heater but have heard mixed things I owned a karman ghia and it was air cooled the heater worked good even on days 30 degrees never drove it in colder weather
@@What.its.like. The heater worked ok, just longer to warm up. It was not safe to use, because of exhaust smell. Still I have a fondness for the car because I learned to drive using it.
My Dad had one of those, it unfortunately got taken out be a drunk running a stop sign...he also had a 66 Spyder, that got taken out by my then teenage oldest brother.... Uh, my lame ISP is giving up on serving email and going to, you guessed it, Yahoo mail, less than thrilled. 63 Monza Spyder Stude a close 2nd 63 Monza Spyder nothing close in the group...
Today's cars have warning/information decals pasted everywhere. If Chevy had placed one inside the car stating the correct air pressures, the handling problem might have been avoided. Sun visor or inside the glove box door would have been perfect places.
Why is it, in the separate car descriptions, are they listed as '4-door', sedans🤔??? The word 'sedan' MEANS, 4-DOORS!!!! Hullo🙄⁉️ And now, speaking of Ralph Nader…………
Most sedans have four doors so that is what most people think of when they hear sedan. Technically, a sedan is not defined by the number of doors but, for the most part, by the design of its interior.
@@MichaelSnoggons American college/collegiate dictionary (since we ain't ((a real, American word)) British limeys, living in England) Sedan: Meaning of a family car, with four doors. Four doors, for the family convenience. A family sedan. Two doors, is a coupé. And only, a coupé. And don't go by, Suckapedia. They're non-academic.
I’m not sure if it was the first car, but it was definitely a car that Ralph Nader didn’t approve of. There were lots of cars that had swing axles back in the day Volkswagen products, Porsche products Tatra T87 was known to be a tricky to handle car. Ralph Nader was just out to make a name for himself, and Corvair was an easy target.
Hahaha try to make the unexpected a reality. I just shot at the Gilmore Auto Museum the last two days so many cool cars coming that is a place that you definitely need to go one day.
Yes, all Spyders were turbocharged. In 62 and 63, the Spyder was an optional package that primarily added turbocharging. In 64, it was considered a distinct model that can be identified by the VIN. Any "Spyder" that is not currently turbocharged likely has either had an engine replacement or is just a clone.
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I still have Yahoo Jay, works just fine. It sounds like Thunder Fingers, Mr John Entwistle (RIP) of "The Who" it could be "Don't get fooled again".
Yeah buddy congratulations you got it thunderfingers on the bass electric guitar =)
Takes a bass player to know a bass player@@What.its.like.
or sound guy...can't miss that bass line!
Lucky it wasn't, Pete Townsend. Those fingers wouldn't of found themselves, on guitar strings then😏…………
One of the most beautiful design in automobile history, with practical dimension for daily life. Thank you very much for the detailed video.
You bet this one was laser straight
I love Corvairs, especially the Spyders! I learned to drive stick on a friend's mom's '63 black convertible, which she let us drive to our early tee time at the golf course so she wouldn't have to be up at the crack of dawn. Great memories! BTW, they restored it and still own it, all these years later. Great episode!
Thank you for sharing that memory =) happy you dig this episode
Riding in a Spyder with a good driver was a sublime experience. One of my high school buddies actually convinced his father to buy one (dark green coupe, three-speed manual, “wire” wheels) as the family car for his two parents, three kids family. My friend also got to use the car, of course. I remember going out to a Friday night football game in an adjacent town one night, and as the short guy of the three of us, my buddies sat in the front bucket seats while I was relegated to sitting in the middle of the rear seat (the era before universal seat-belt usage). Sitting in that position (right near the engine!) listening to the sound of the air-cooled engine’s fan as the driver went up and down through the gears as we negotiated a bunch of S-turns on the twisty road to the adjacent town was something to experience. My friend even claimed to have outrun a cop car once, and he wasn’t the BSing type. So sad that the Corvair was allowed to die. It was a far superior car (brilliant Ed Cole design (other than the swing axles!); unfortunate death in a plane crash) to the VW Bug which it was created as a bulwark against in the first place, and probably even the Porsches of that era. Ralph Nader’s screed and the astonishing success of the Mustang were other factors in its demise. Also owned a Corvan in the late 1960s. RIP Corvairs.
Always loved these cars! And they were no more dangerous than any other car on the road at the time. Yes, there was some inherent issues with the rear suspension, but it was like it would flip if you sneezed hard, you really had crank it around to do it. WYR: 1) Corvair, by a bunny hair over the Studebaker. 2) Corvair, hands down!
Bought one of these as a coupe in 1974 for my future wife for $25. She used it as a daily driver till her new 1977 Camaro came along. All it needed during our ownership were pushrod tube seals and shock absorbers. It was very reliable.
Supposedly, pushrod tube seals made with modern materials have addressed this issue. Thank you for sharing your experiences.
We installed Viton orings at that time. Never had a leak after that!
@@robertverhasselt2412 yeah our vair was bought 194 or so from GMAC CREDIT CAR 63 SPYDER TURBO convertible FOR LIKE 2100 BUCKS. USED ABUSED KEPT IN GARAGE up to 1981. Or so for like 6k..instrument panel was beautiful brushed ALUMINUM with alot of gauges
Hi Justin, you have done it again! You have produced the most accurate video on RUclips in regards to a VERY underrated automobile that received a VERY bum rap. I am 64 years old and I have been an ASE Master Automobile Technician MOST of my life. The Chevrolet Corvair came out in 1960 at the same time as the Ford Falcon and the Plymouth Valiant also did. By the way, the Corvair, Falcon and the Valiant all had six cylinder engines (at the time). These car(s) where nicknamed by the automotive news media as the "the new compacts". Their where already two American manufactured compact vehicle(s) in production at the time, such as the American Motors - Rambler American and the Studebaker Lark, but they did not sell very well. Chevrolet Motor Division of GM (General Motors) wanted to also target a "third party" such as the "Volkswagen Beetle subcompact" the VW Beetle was, four cylinder rear wheel drive, air cooled, horizontally opposed "pancake" or "boxer" rear engine as was the Porsche 356 (4 cyl), the Porsche 912 (4 cyl) and the Porsche 911 (6 cyl). In the long run, In 1962, Chevrolet Motor Division came out with the Chevy II/Nova to better compete with the Falcon and Valiant because there out selling the Corvair two to one. The Corvair station wagon "Lakewood" did not sell to good and was dropped in 1962 for more room in the final assembly to produce the Corvair Monza convertible which sold much better. The deluxe Monza trim package out sold the base model(s) 500 and 700. My late grandmother drove a 1964 Corvair 500, and my late mother drove a 1963 Corvair 700. There where two generation(s) of Corvair(s). First generation: 1960-1964, were all two door or four sedan(s) except for the convertible of course. Second generation: 1965-1969 where all hardtop(s) except Monza convertible, or should I say "soft top". The convertible was only available on the Monza trim level as was the Corvair Spyder 1964 and below "first generation" and Corsa 1965 and up "second generation". The Spyder and the Corsa could be ordered as a convertible. The mechanical difference(s) from the first generation and second generation Corvair where much the same, except for the rear suspension. In 1964, GM added a heavy duty transvers leaf spring "like used on the Chevrolet Corvette" to limit the mount of rear suspension travel. By the way the Corvette is equipped with IRS (independent rear suspension) also. 1n 1965 saw two universal joints per drive axel instead of just one, this made it so the rear wheels could only travel up or down vertically, instead of tucking under on hard turns. I my opinion the Chevrolet Corvair was a automobile that competed only with it's self. The closest automobile to the Corvair is a Porsche 911. Please reply. Dave...
Thank you so much for all of that insight and information. Glad you dig this episode.
Love those corvairs despite Ralph
Agreed. Nader was a shortsighted jackass. This was an excellent little car with an admittedly major flaw, but one that was easy to address. Look at the cars from the 70's, the era of automotive malaise, and ask yourself this. Were we better off having moved away from cars like the Corvair, or did we in fact, give up ground to imports by focusing on large, ugly, inefficient land yachts? Nader set us back at least a decade or two.
Ralph was paid by ford to run down the corvair because they had nothing to compare to it
@@dennisbethards3231 It's certainly possible. There was the Mustang a few years later. But if we're being honest, aside from some excellent marketing, the original Mustang was nothing innovative, just a dressed up Falcon. Like lipstick on a pig. Ya know, the more I think about it, the more I believe that you are on to something...🤔
I bet that Ralph was probably a crap driver. I read his book, "Unsafe at any Speed" I think he also wrote one about the tyres on some sort of Ford SUV, (Explorer?), which was probably more relevant to safety.
If you can drive a VW Beetle, (the rear engine one), like a complete lunatic, then how could this be any worse?@@dimitriosfotopoulos3689
I had a 63' Corvair, loved it and it couldn't be killed.
Awesome =)
My first car was a '64 Monza, standard tranny, I LOVED that car - it was passed on to a cousin & served him well & was finally retired in the early 70's. I didn't care for the updated style & was thoroughly disgusted when folks started pooping on them... thanks for the memories!
I got a 63 base model when I graduated high school in 1967. Drove it through the bayous and woods and was FAST on the highway. It was hot because the back windows didn't open and having two carbs was a pain. I let it go when I got drafted in 1969. I really love the Greenbriers.
Thank you so much for your service. Great story thank you so much for sharing those memories as well.
Salute sir! Thank you for your service.
I loved my 63 monza. Picked it up from eBay on the cheap, it turned out to be a good rust free runner.
My brother in law, who was a US airman based in the UK in 1963, had one of these. My first ride in it, at the age of 11, was epic and is still one my most abiding memories. And, it really impressed the neighbours who were used to small, slow British cars at that time.
... still beautiful and still smitten after all these years . . . loved this vid
=) happy you dig this video these cars are super underrated
Very nice, fair representation! That body looked straight as an arrow.I have to point out a few errors, tho. First, the Powerglide automatic was never available with the turbo engine, 3 or 4 speed only. Those were wire wheel covers (which were incorrect for a 63, but still they look nice. Real Kelsey Hayes wire wheels were an (expensive) option. My first car was a black 62 Monza, bought for $40. I also had 2 64 Monza convertibles. WYR: All of them, altho I would pass on the Rambler American. No idea on the name that tune!
Thank you so much for those corrections =)
Great choices
Our family had a 64 Monza Convertible with a 110hp and 4sp transaxle.
My mom worked at a tire store (bookkeeper) and was given a free set of Michelin tires for the Monza.
It was funny my 5' and a smidge tall woman trying to convince service station attendant the tires weren't flat. ;-D
Thank you so much for sharing that story. What a great memory.
For the WYR, I'm going to go with the Corvair in both categories, mostly because I have a 1966 convertible ("late open" in Corvair-eze). That being said, the Karmann Ghia convertible is cool ( the coupe is just cramped and S-L-O-W-W-W), the Studebaker is nice, particularly with a V8, the Pontiac has a rear transaxle like the Corvair as well as the Half-a-389 4-cylinder and a "rope" driveshaft connecting the two, the Rambler and Falcon are pleasant but conventional, and the Spitfire has Italian styling with little British roadster fun. A shame we don't have this kind of variety anymore. Good video!
By the way,, this year's Corvair International meet is July 21-24 in Dayton, which isn't too far from you.
I’m going to the Hudson meet I believe it’s around that same time it’s an Erie Pennsylvania.. I wish I had a hudson lol going to drive the Chevy truck up there =)
I want to cover an early tempest they are so different
Thank you so much for sharing all that information and insight. Greatly appreciated. Also great choices.
Corvairs were very common cars when I was young. Their main attraction, (their uniqueness in the American market,) ended up costing them in the long run. Many people did not know about or understand their unique tire pressure requirements. Corvairs were also known for oversteering in turns during an era when most U.S. cars tended to understeer. Many Chevrolet dealer mechanics didn't like working on Corvairs. They were just too different. As Corvairs got older, many of them lost their drivetrains to dune buggy projects. Overall, I thought they were interesting cars.
Thank you so much for sharing that insight greatly appreciate it
What a great vid! Thanks for remembering the Corvair! My dad collected them so brings back great memories
=) happy you dig this video =)
Love this one, Jay! My first car was a 1964 Monza Spyder convertible, which I drove from junior year of high school through college. It was an absolute blast to drive, and I followed it up with three second generation Corvairs (which I'd love to see featured - they were one of the best handling American cars ever). The swing axle handing was fine if you kept the front tires at the proper inflation (less than 20 pounds) and was even further improved if you added an anti-sway bar to the rear suspension (these became standard late in the '64 model year). One quirk you wouldn't know unless you drove one: those wire wheel covers (not real wire wheels) were so heavy that they developed some serious centrifugal force. Hit a pothole and high speed and they would fly off and roll right next to you for quite a distance. They were expensive to replace, but they looked so sharp that you'd go down to the boneyard and try to find new ones. Keep up the great work, and remember, "You never forget your first love..." Andy
Thank you so much for sharing all of that insight and information. Glad you dig this episode.
When I was a young man I had an acquaintance that had a few Corvairs. He let me ride in his 66' Monza coupe with a 4 speed once which was a lot of fun. He also once let me drive his 65' coupe with a 3 speed before I was of driving age. He was quite a bit taller than I was and the seat adjustment was broken so I could hardly reach the peddles which was scary but I didn't wreck it. One day I hope to own one myself, of either generation as long as it's got 3 peddles.
Thanks for sharing this with us :D
Thank you so much for sharing that awesome story with great memories it’s never too late I don’t know if you have Facebook Facebook but check on Facebook marketplace they come up for very affordable prices on there
@@What.its.like. My pleasure! I do check on facebook now and then but most of them around where I live are pretty rusted out. But I will keep my eyes peeled for a decent driver
63 Studebaker
63 Corvair
A vintage Yahoo account for a lover of vintage automobiles. Makes perfect sense.
One of the first cars I ever drove when I first got my license was a corvair Monza that was the car my mom drove. It was a two-door black with a red interior.
It was a good solid car It had plenty of power and it handled really well. For a high school kid it was a fun car to drive. I don't care what Ralph Nader said I believe that corvair was no more unsafe than any other comparable size car of that era. Nader was just trying to make a name for himself somehow and pick the corvair as an easy target.
I got a kick out of the picture that you showed of the convertible with the family inside of it. Nobody was wearing seat belts and it appeared that the sun was either standing up on the back floor or maybe on the seat and looking out of the car. One good bump and he might have been launched right out. It was a different time back then for sure.
The Corvair engine was reliable and fairly trouble-free much like a VW engine only bigger with more power. Keep the oil changed and the fan belt adjusted properly and you will have no issues. You just had to keep an eye on the push rod tube seals and the rocker cover gaskets for leaks.
Hahaha yeah I might have to use that in the intro of vintage email account for a vintage car channel totally dig it. Thank you so much for sharing all that insight and information as always.
nice monza started a trend. sporty compact bucket seats 4 speed 4 on the floor and turbos
wire wheel covers look like 1964-66 but 62-64 real wire wheels where opt .
Great information =)
Very true. The first sporty model, the Monza, became available in '61. Beat Mustang by 3 or 4 years.
@@srercrcr yes it be came a popular model
Hi Jay! AAAAhhhh. . .The Corvair Monza Spyder! Such a cool machine! The later ones Called the Corsa had 180 H.P. in the 164 CID mode. One thing I always wanted to know, was. . .if the back seat folded down on the Convertible, the same way it did on the Coupes and Sedans. That was a pretty cool feature! The Corvair has a pretty small trunk, and in some versions, the spare tire was up in front, which is not a lot of space! So, Chevrolet had the wisdom to make the upper part of the rear seats fold down and form a package/luggage shelf. It even had a little metal piece at the front to help keep any items from smacking into the back of the front seats. I think maybe that they mounted the spare in the front on the '63 you showed. They were mostly mounted in the rear opposite of where the battery is. The jack was mounted up front in the trunk, though. If I remember correctly the mounting piece in front could be equipped with a bolt and you could mount the spare there, where they were for the station wagon versions. If you look closely at the video where you show the engine, there is a heat shield for the turbo on that right hand side. You will notice it has a "dent" in it. It was put in deliberately so the spare tire wouldn't be up against the heat shield when stowed. The Spyder also had that special dash, which is quite cool! If the shifter knob is the correct one on the '63 conv, then it is a three speed. The four speed had a white shift knob. My '64 was a 4 speed and had the white knob. It was the 110 H.P. version of the 164 cu. in. engine. The 1963 has the 145 cu. in. engine. I believe the '61 was the first with the 145 but I am not sure The 1962 was, though because the coupe I had was the 102 Super Turbo Air, with powerglide. Enough Corvair geeking for now! WYR! Hard again! I was all ready to pass up the Falcon for the 'vair, until that Lark Daytona popped up!! HAVE to go LARK there, especially with one of the R series ;engines!! #2, though, CORVAIR MONZA SPYDER for me!
You are correct about the '61 being first with the 145ci motor. I owned a '61 4dr model 700 at one time. Loved that car. Wish I had never sold it or the otherCorvairs I have owned at one time or another. The next one I get will be the last car I buy. They will have to sell it after I die LOL.
WYR: The Corvair for both. Sorry I’m so late to the party, I’ve been swamped lately. Excellent coverage as always ~ Chuck
Sweet choices =)
I just got back from the Gilmore Auto Museum it’s going to be an epic month plus I still have stuff left over from Classic auto Mall that I haven’t gotten to yet
If everything goes good, today’s going to be Marmon V6 day the engine episode is going to be the Marmon V16 and I got to do a Marmon V16 car. The car will be first. And then right after will be the episode
But it was super hard to even pick that car because in the pipeline is also a
1935 Auburn Speedster
1954 Kaiser Darin
1958 Packard hawk
1950 Studebaker commander bullet dose
1920 Paige
1927 Erskine
1917 Mercer
1926 Saint Clair
1934 De Soto airflow
1937 Studebaker coupe express
1932 Essex six
1937 Packard, 12
1938 Chrysler Royal
But it’s worth pointing out I might’ve missed a couple. It’s also worth pointing out that I didn’t get in any of those cars except for the De Soto because that is car that I really want to buy one day I was blown away by lots of space in that car, even though , it’s a smaller version
the Chrysler air flows bigger
@@What.its.like. Gilmore is incredible. Each time I go there, and it's been several times, I see something I hadn't noticed before. ~ Chuck
My dad bought a used '60 in 1961. I learned to drive in it. I loved it even though it did have those handling issues. My brother flipped it once and I almost did 6 months later. Still, it was fun to drive and I'd love to have a Spyder. I only personally knew of one owned by a fella I met in college. Because of that turbo it invited fast, hard driving and he wore it out in 6 months. But his mom probably bought him another car.
Thank you so much for sharing that story =)
Very nice video. I'm a long time Corvair owner and you gave a nice presentation without falling for all of the misinformation out there. The only correction I have is that the Powerglide automatic was never available in a turbo Corvair. They all came standard with 3 speed manuals although the overwhelming majority were produced with the optional 4 speed.
Happy you dig this episode. I agree there is a lot of misinformation out there. We try our best on this channel to sift through the BS ( which is hard to do sometimes)
I worked with a guy, raised in Milwaukee, and he said his mom had a Corvair, and it was super good in the snow.
=)
For WYR, first scenario it's the Falcon, the second it's a tie with the Pontiac Tempest and the Corvair.
These were cute cars. Despite what Ralph Nader said, they were said to be more reliable and less dangerous than rumor had it. I especially liked the second generation Corvair, but sadly the damage had already been done.
Great choices 2nd generation got rid of the swing axel and were a blast to drive and fast for what it was.. never drove a 1st gen
Great looking Spyder windshield and vent glass has the same style of the 59-60 Eldorado Brougham in miniature. First choice 63 Lark Daytona , second 63 Tempest Le Mans.
Sweet choices =)
Totally agree about the top/windshield
I bought a 1960 four door corvair in 1974 for 100 dollars it had a gasoline heater sounded like a jet engine when you engaged the heater ran really well
Two automobiles I owned in my youth (50+ years in the past) that I profoundly regret parting with, a 1960 Chevrolet Corvair, and a 1964 Ford Falcon Convertible. Also, honorable mention goes to a 1962 Simca 1000, a four door sedan that no average American male could easily ingress or egress, front or rear, that had an engine displacement half that of my present day motorcycle, but it was fun to drive since the clutch pedal had about a 1.25 inch travel, and the throw of the 4 speed transmission wasn't much more.
The only two things really wrong with these cars is that America wasn't ready to change it's approach to motoring in the way a rear-engine car requires, and that cost-cutting led GM to not make sway bars standard equipment. This car was advanced engineering in so many ways and was a precursor to the 'pony cars' which were yet to come. Many hot rodders got shamed by these, especially the 2nd Gen Monza turbo. They were not without faults as the pushrod tubes leaked which if left alone caused engine bay fires, and if the belt adjustment wasn't kept up with as it wore, they were prone to 'throwing' the fanbelt off at high revs. There was also a problem with engine and exhaust fumes entering the cabin when the windows were closed in the winter. Back then styling was everything and safety wasn't on the plate at all; imagine your forehead against that dashboard top edge or the steering column crushing your chest in a frontal crash. But this was all cars of the time, not just the Corvair, and it's long lifetime on the market proved it's value and worth. The 1st gen Spyders and the 2nd gen Monza turbos ate up the sports car competition of the time in the hands of a skilled driver, and the car was renowned for going through snow with ease when other cars couldn't.
For WYR Jay has topped himself with making it tough to choose. The Falcon was Ford's sleekly-styled lightweight entry and the initial design they used for many successful smaller cars. The Lark was one of the most economical cars to buy and own that the US ever built and stylish for it's time. The Karman Ghia was one of the most beautiful car bodies ever built though it didn't have much more going for it. And while the later Monza turbos were even faster, this Corvair takes the spotlight for innovation and performance. All were awesome cars in their own way. For the second round, the Pontiac was also a study in car engineering and innovation, though the transmission was a bit weak and the 'rope' driveshaft problematic. The Rambler was a solid economical car which was very popular in it's day, perhaps the most value for the money ever offered in the US market at the time and AMC would continue that tradition. The Spitfire epitomized what the English sports car was all about, minimalist and unrefined but great fun to drive. Once again the Corvair shines in all the places these other cars do but offering more where they were lacking.
As a footnote I do love the Falcons which came in flavors from cheap to fast to family-friendly, and the Tempest was probably the best-handling car built in the US at the time; the first of many great cars coming from DeLorean's leadership. These were underappreciated cars for their time but to me rank right up there with this Corvair as cars I'd like to own.
Great choices
I really tried to make the choices hard so it makes you think because those would’ve been the options back in the day as well as now you could look for any of those cars ( not you specifically, but in general lol )
Thank you for sharing all the information and insight greatly appreciate it.
@@What.its.like.Thanks for all you do for us Jay, and for being genuine in the way you do it. That's a rare quality in people today. I's have been here sooner but my notifications stopped so I reset them and will check for your vids manually more often. Don't know if you're a railfan, but there's some sad news there today which I just found: RIP Shoestring.
I tell you guys that I’m just a regular person because I am I love meeting new people I love hearing their car stories. I just try to treat people the way that they would like to be treated try to live by the golden rule…
wyr Falcon
wyr corvair
Turbo on one of these would be fun regardless of what Ralph Nader said. I think they has a Ray jay turbo in them. I laughed about the back seat not having enough room for an adult but they still put in a ash tray. Thx Jay
Hahaha I know right
Great choices
The convertible top structure came down and took up space so the seat couldnt be wider.
A banana yellow 4 speed sedan was my high school car.
That car was mighty zippy
I remember as a kid (mid sixties) there was a kit advertised as a kit to make your Porche fast. Now remember in this era Porche was 4cyl, this kit adapted a Corvair engine to your Porche.
Thank you so much for sharing that I wonder if that’s why Porsche made a pancake boxer 6, I also find it interesting that the 911 is remembered as one of the greats but this pre dates it and doesn’t share the same light
@@What.its.like. That very well could be what forced them to make the change. I had a friend who while stationed in Germany he had a brand new 62 Chevy Impala SS 409 dual quad 4spd (just like the song). He told me that the fast cars of the time were Jags and Mercedes. On the Autobahn he told me that a Jag or Mercedes would come up on him, flash their lights and attempt to pass, he would downshift, and leave them in the dust. Also on a sidenote the army made him remove the SS badging. I guess the term SS was still a sensitive topic in 62.
I had a "64 Spyder convertible - red 4 speed with white top and interior. I loved that car, and the only problem I had was I drove it pretty hard and I kept breaking clutch cables. Then an old lady in a Buick ran a stop sign and T-boned me (fortunately on the passenger side) but the car was trashed.
It does not have "wire wheels" Those are wheel covers. Nice bodywork and paint on that one, good color for it also. At about 23,000 dollars, well worth it.
WYR 1: Ghia and Corvair
WYR 2: Corvair,and Spitfire.
I had a 64 Spyder for about 4 years fully restored. Handling? Easily cured with an aftermarket camber compensator from Empi back in the day. Today many parts still available through Clarkes Corvair parts. Great folks by the way. You should check it out and their RUclips vids.
To be fair I said wheel covers originally but saw in the ads that they were wire wheels for 63 even tho those we’re definitely covers I edited that part out should have left it in
Great choices =)
This car was laser straight
I’ll have to check out those videos Corvair people are super nice
I think this is a very nice example for a good price. I don't recall seeing turbo Corvairs on the road when I was a kid. I've never been a Corvair fan but I had a neighbor and a coworker who had them and they loved them and said they were very reliable. I have nothing against Corvairs, I just like a lot other cars from this era much more. In the firs scenario I'd choose the 1963 Studebaker Lark Daytona by a mile and in the second the 1963 Pontiac Tempest, although it took me a second to choose between that and the Spitfire.
Apparently the last ever Chevrolet Corvair of 1969 had an engine number or chassis number of 6000, or had 6000 as part of a larger number or alphanumeric code for the engine number or chassis number. What a legend if it still exists. For comparison, Jaguar still have the last ever Jaguar e-type.
I enjoyed my Monza convertible...
I've always preferred the second generation Corvairs. My favorite Corvair would be the 1967 4 door, which would be last year for that body style. My picks here would be the Studebaker and Rambler, although my next pick would be the 1963 Corvair.
Sweet choices =)
Back in '68 I worked in a shop that specialized in a/c, automatic transmissions, and Corvairs. Never liked them much though... They ran so hot the cork valve cover gaskets would become hard and start leaking in no time. And blowby- GM called for 10w30 oil, but they really should have used straight 30. Anyway, that aluminum grill below the rear bumper was always soaked in oil. And don't get me started on engine fires!
Great information =)
5:15 WOW, Michael Landon hawking Corvairs? I don't remember that (as a kid).
In every case, I will choose the 1963 Corvair Monza Spyder.!!! The Corvair Monza Spyder was my first car. I drove it to High School my Sophomore, Junior, and Senior years 1968 through 1971. The car was a hand-me-down from my Mother who in 1967 received a new Ford Galaxie 500 from my dad! 👍🏽
Awesome choices. What a great car to have is your first car how cool =)
A fun memory was the day I pulled up to neighborhood auto repair shop in my Vair and the owner came running out, hands waving, saying NO NO NO NO....
Haha I don’t understand why I mean it wasn’t a Mercedes-Benz..
first new car i bought was a 1963 Corvair Spyder. dark green metallic with gold vinyl interior. remember it had graphite brake shoes.
Awesome how did you like it/what did you think of it
i was 18 years old buying a new car was very exciting. i went to my local Chevy dealer and ordered the car, thinking that was the thing to do. took a month to get the car i called the dealer every week it drove me crazy waiting. the car was quick but after a year i traded it for a split window corvette much better.
Thank you so much for sharing your experience. It’s crazy that you only had to be 18 years old to buy brand new car back then not too many 18-year-olds can say they can buy a new car now I was 21 when I bought my first new car, and I still regret that decision to this very day…
Had a 63 Monza Spyder as my first car. Great car. to bad GM killed the rear engine air cooled car. And yes as a young driver I had some occasions where I could have got in trouble but that little car always pulled thru.
Noticed padded dash was missing, transmission options not available on monza spyder. Came out with 4 speed only.
These corvairs were great cars way ahead of their time and ruthlessly destroyed by Ralph Nader for the wyr ill take the corvair and the triumph. I have to say I was totally distracted by the Lincoln capri parked next to the corvair and would love a video on it, it looks like a qolden anniversary 53 with the gold trim ?
5:33 For some reason, GM got into the "vacuum gauges" in the mid '60s. Not entirely sure why.
Since I had the 1963 tempest unfortunately not a convertible, I'd have to go with that one but I sure do like especially the second generation of corvairs. I'll have to say the 326 V8 in the Pontiac was pretty powerful probably too much for a 16 year old kid but I survived the swing axles.
Another great job Jay,I wish Tucson,was closer,would love to have my 72 F-100,my C-10,and a clean low mileage 97 LeSabre Custom featured,as always great work and good research,and presentation.
I am hoping for a look at the last family of GMC engines, V-6,V-8,and the V-12.
I'm crazy but the 63 Corvair,or the American.
Yes that engine family is on the radar most definitely
Happy you dig this episode
very nice video. I was thinking of one for myself and needed to see how it all person fit. It looks like 6’2” goes in the front area normally
There’s tons of space in the front for 6 foot tall people it’s not a compromised car whatsoever in the front seat, but in the backseat if you have friends that are tall, the car might not be the perfect fit but if it’s just you and significant other and a couple kids maybe a dog it will work perfect..
I had a black/black 61 Spyder. Even the Corsair Club said that that was impossible. I totaled that one and stuffed my driveline in to a later black/black Spyder body. Years later I found out that in 1961 Chevrolet had released 150 Spyders to company executives for real world testing.
That’s crazy I didn’t know that. Thank you so much for sharing that information.
I would love the stuff, a turbo engine into the wagon model .. I think that would be really cool
Nice job on the narration of this video. So tired of listening to AI voices with messed up facts! Thanks for taking the time to research and present the information on this Corvair. Very thorough look at that a nice looking 63 Spyder. BTW: My choice would be the '63 Spyder.
Thank you so much happy you dig this episode =)
J "the narrator" @ what it's like
For WYR I'll take that fine looking Studebaker Lark Daytona convertible, and also the Triumph Spitfire. For the song, at a wild guess I will go with "Right Place, Wrong Time", by Dr. John (The Night Tripper) but I would not be surprised if it is something by Pink Floyd that I had never heard before.
Aw that would have been the perfect song choice it wasn’t that song
Great choices =)
Those are wire wheel COVERS, not wire wheels.lol
I remember reading a magazine ad for the Corvair Spyder option. It stated that a 4-speed manual was standard and the only transmission available in a Spyder. It could have been a 1964 ad. Talking about their other model cars, there was another ad stating that you could but an Impala for as little as $2600. It also talked about Chevy's shimmy-less steering wheel.
One of the automotive instructors when I was in college had a Porsche 912 which he put a Corvair 150 horse turbocharged engine into.
I'd go with the Karmann Ghia. There are all kinds of more powerful VW engines which just bolted in. You didn't have to stay with the 36 or 40 horse which came in it. If you want a real thrill, drop an engine from a Porsche 356 SC in it.
I thought they were wheel covers I said that in the video but saw Kelsey wire wheel option so edited the cover part out and high should have left it in there… that was a bit of second guessing
Great vid, really enjoyed!! 👍👍
=) awesome
"Umm....yes. I'll have the 1963 split rear window Corvette Sting Ray please."
WYR:
1- Very dirty trick Jay ! As much as I like Corvairs, I’ll have to take that gorgeous Karmann Ghia !
2- Corvair
Note: That Lark looked quite odd as a right-drive car … (you posted a negative-image).
Haha yeah
Great choices I flipped the car sometimes if I can’t find the right angle so they’re all going the same way, but yeah it doesn’t look right with right hand drive
My dad had one. He was working in it every weekend. My mom hated that car. It finally was stolen and my dad bought a 66 Chevy Caprice. 🤣
I do love this cool little convertible, but it would be a tough choice in the first scenario, i love them all! I'd go with the Tempest in the second. 😎
Sweet choices
Jay I have no idea about the song but as for the cars, #1 the 63 Ford Falcon convertible & #2 the 63 Pontiac Tempest convertible.
It was won’t get fooled again by The Who. Thunder fingers,
Great choices from J in Western Pennsylvania =)
Studebaker Lark Daytona
AMC Rambler
Corvair didn't make it in Texas 🤷 Summer ate them up 😢.
Great Episode
Happy Motoring ✌️🤠
Awesome choices =)
Thanks for the overview of another cool car... I wish you could sound a little less like a SHOCK JOCKEY however, as I'm already awake. LOL
4:50 I don't know if I'd want to go 103 mph in a Corvair. I know many people said Ralph Nader's book was somewhat hyperbolic, but still, 103 in that car ... not sure.
Dang, Ralph Nader is _STILL_ alive !! Aged 90 years!
I personally wouldn't want to go 100+ in any 60's car. The Corvair's issue at that speed, absent some added weight in the luggage compartment, would be front wheel lift off.
Hmmm…. What goes around comes around. The Corvair’s front styling is back!! Look at today’s various EVs. The “grill-less” look is back!!! And many resemble the Corvair!!!!!
Totally agree
I had a 65 Corsa loved it
Awesome =)
Almost bought one they have great power for what they are
iFriends use to love to go Up I-17 to Flagstaff from Phoenix where we lived it never slowed down going up the Mtn@@What.its.like.
Chevy - Chevy very cool little car
What it's like? The thumbnail , minus the roof.
Yes =)
I went to Michigan for a couple days. I did this episode while I was up there couldn’t find a thumbnail that I really liked. ..
1963 Falcon
1963 Spitfire. A 1968 Spitfire was my first car
Awesome =)
What did you think of the spit fire
You forgot to mention the air-cooled engine. Because of lack of a radiator the heater if not maintained sucks exhaust gas from the engine and distributes it into the passenger area. You get used to not using the heater or defroster.😁
Intro said it was aircooled but did forget to mention heater but have heard mixed things I owned a karman ghia and it was air cooled the heater worked good even on days 30 degrees never drove it in colder weather
@@What.its.like. The heater worked ok, just longer to warm up. It was not safe to use, because of exhaust smell. Still I have a fondness for the car because I learned to drive using it.
Happen to love mine ❤
=) what model do you have, monza spyder?
My first new car....I was 18. 😊
Awesome
on question 1 numbers 4,3 reason they don't rust out 2 is just not me, on question 2 #3, no clue.
I'm a wheel cover, hub cap type person myself.
WYR…..Tempest, then tied VW or Corvair. How did the crotch test do in this vehicle? The interior seemed tighter than I remember.
I think it was good wasn’t worth talking about lol =)
Sweet choices
That is a bubble talk and they did those at GM from 59-63
Top yes =) GM did different tops to give the cars different looks
The Falcon and the Monza!
Sweet choices =)
Earth Wind and Fire ...Let's Groove 🤷 ???
Great guess not that song or band
Why the reverse pictures on the Lark, Rambler and Falcon?
I couldn’t find the angle, so I just wanted them all to go the same angle. Otherwise it looks too messy too busy.
20/20 hindsite, I agree with your "point of view". Thanks.
The Vette was originally going to be called the Corvair.
My Dad had one of those, it unfortunately got taken out be a drunk running a stop sign...he also had a 66 Spyder, that got taken out by my then teenage oldest brother....
Uh, my lame ISP is giving up on serving email and going to, you guessed it, Yahoo mail, less than thrilled.
63 Monza Spyder Stude a close 2nd
63 Monza Spyder nothing close in the group...
Today's cars have warning/information decals pasted everywhere. If Chevy had placed one inside the car stating the correct air pressures, the handling problem might have been avoided. Sun visor or inside the glove box door would have been perfect places.
I totally agree cars have warning labels everywhere because people are so happy and don’t have common sense anymore.. don’t even get me started lol
Why is it, in the separate car descriptions, are they listed as '4-door', sedans🤔??? The word 'sedan' MEANS, 4-DOORS!!!! Hullo🙄⁉️
And now, speaking of Ralph Nader…………
Most sedans have four doors so that is what most people think of when they hear sedan. Technically, a sedan is not defined by the number of doors but, for the most part, by the design of its interior.
@@MichaelSnoggons Go open a dictionary, and believe that.
@rogerrendzak8055
Per Merriam-Webster;
Sedan: a 2- or 4-door automobile seating four or more persons and usually having a permanent top
@@MichaelSnoggons American college/collegiate dictionary (since we ain't ((a real, American word)) British limeys, living in England) Sedan: Meaning of a family car, with four doors. Four doors, for the family convenience. A family sedan. Two doors, is a coupé. And only, a coupé.
And don't go by, Suckapedia. They're non-academic.
I will take the Ghia ( my brother had one) and the Triumph, even though it will be broken most of the time. LOL
Hahaha nice choices
Tesla could use some design points from the corvair
Wasn't Corvair the first car put on the Ralph Nader list as bad?
I’m not sure if it was the first car, but it was definitely a car that Ralph Nader didn’t approve of. There were lots of cars that had swing axles back in the day Volkswagen products, Porsche products Tatra T87 was known to be a tricky to handle car. Ralph Nader was just out to make a name for himself, and Corvair was an easy target.
@@What.its.like. So sorry that Ralph didn't orgasm over the Corvair like you did back in the day.
the 63 pontiac Tempest
Sweet choice need to find one of those to cover
Seeing Michael Landon was unexpected...
Hahaha try to make the unexpected a reality. I just shot at the Gilmore Auto Museum the last two days so many cool cars coming that is a place that you definitely need to go one day.
I'm thinking Join Together with the Band by The Who but probably not.
On the right track
I’ll take the Corvair
WYR: All of them.
Sweet
We're all Corvair Spyder's turbocharged?
No only the special ones
Yes, all Spyders were turbocharged. In 62 and 63, the Spyder was an optional package that primarily added turbocharging. In 64, it was considered a distinct model that can be identified by the VIN. Any "Spyder" that is not currently turbocharged likely has either had an engine replacement or is just a clone.
@@MichaelSnoggons Damn, I guess I should have gotten that coupe I saw for $1000.00 then.....🥹
All except the corvare (dangerous at any speed)or the triumph spitfire.
63 Studebaker Lark Daytona for me....
Sweet choices
I wonder how much of that is bondo.
That car looked laser straight
In the first scenario, I would take the Corvair. In the second scenario, I would take the Pontiac Tempest.
great choices
I'll take the Corvair
Great choice