1965 Chevrolet Corvair

Super clean Corvair in attractive colors. Rare factory A/C. Recent service so it runs and drives extremely well. Power front disc brakes, power convertible top. Corvairs are under-rated and under-valued so now might be a great time to get in and have fun!

Crocus Yellow with a gray and black interior is a slight variation on the original combination, but the simple Corvair bodywork seems to work best with lighter colors. The convertible is smartly designed with plenty of room for everyone on board and if you haven t driven one of these awesome little cars, you re in for a pleasant surprise. It has a big car feel without the big car bulk and they ride extremely well. This car wears an older repaint that s in very good condition and shows a soft shine that s entirely appropriate to a car that recently celebrated its 60th birthday. There s no evidence that this was ever a rusty car and the bodywork lines up quite well from panel to panel. As a unit-body convertible rust is the enemy, so the excellent door gaps demonstrate that the structure underneath is in great shape. Interesting details include the louvered deck lid to help cool the engine, the familiar four-headlight front end, and enough chrome to make it look upscale, not basic. Everything is in very good condition with a combination of original and reproduction parts, so it has a consistent look that works rather well.

The gray and black interior takes a few liberties on the original formula, adding cloth upholstery instead of sticky vinyl. Wide bucket seats are all-day comfortable and the gray cloth makes sitting in the sun a lot easier. Newer carpets are in excellent condition and include heavy-duty floor mats for extra protection. The lack of a transmission tunnel means the interior feels incredibly spacious for a mid-sized car and even the shifter for the PowerGlide 2-speed automatic is discreetly tucked into the dash to maximize space. Factory gauges amount to the basics, but a set of auxiliary gauges have been added under the dash to keep a more careful eye on the engine. And you ll note that this Corvair has ultra-rare factory A/C, which is operational albeit modest given the necessities of the system s installation. There s also an upgraded radio head unit with modern USB connections, so feel free to take your music with you. The snug-fitting black power convertible top is in excellent shape and the forward-mounted trunk is shockingly spacious even with the spare tire stashed there instead of on top of the engine.

Speaking of the engine, it s the familiar air-cooled 164 cubic inch flat-6, which, in dual carburetor guise makes 110 horsepower. But what might surprise you is the amount of torque on tap; the gutsy pancake six really digs out of corners and pulls the lightweight ragtop around with real gusto! It also makes a pleasing air-cooled whirr that makes the Corvairs stand out from their V8 siblings and you can see that the engine bay is tidy and well-maintained, if not detailed for show. It wears a correct air cleaner assembly, that big Frigidaire A/C compressor, the condenser with electric fans stashed up against the front firewall, and a few other details that make it look right. Recent service includes a tune-up and brake work, so it runs and drives extremely well, and the front brakes have been upgraded to power discs for excellent stopping power. The PowerGlide 2-speed automatic is a nice match for the six, shifting right when you need it to and letting the six s torque do most of the work. Ride quality is shockingly supple and the Corvair just ignores bumps and road imperfections. And forget all that nonsense about Ralph Nader, because the 65s were redesigned with a rear suspension that mirrors the Corvette so it s a tidy handler without any spooky antics. And please take a moment to note just how clean the underside of the Corvair really is. This is definitely not a rust belt car! Modest steel wheels with wire hubcaps wear fresh 175/80/13 whitewall radials that are only a few weeks old.

Corvairs have been affordable fun for decades and are now starting to see some increases in interest and value. Compared to a six-cylinder Mustang, they re just as fun and offer comparable performance for less money. And they remain affordable to maintain with easy parts availability and simple hardware that s easy to keep in top shape. Combined, they make Corvairs like this convertible great cars to own and drive. Call today!

Harwood Motors always recommends and welcomes personal or professional inspections of any vehicle in our inventory prior to purchase.