66-69 Corvair differences

[Oldcarfan27]

Historians:

What changes were made to AMTs last gen Corvairs? Does the 69 look pretty much like the earlier issues?

[StevenGuthmiller]

I’m no expert, but I believe that there is little difference from ‘66 to ‘69, except for marker lights, upholstery patterns and wheel covers.

 

 

Steve

[High octane]

That should be '65 to '69 Corvairs, as the Corvair was completely redone for the 1965 model year.

[Snake45]

49 minutes ago, StevenGuthmiller said:

I’m no expert, but I believe that there is little difference from ‘66 to ‘69, except for marker lights, upholstery patterns and wheel covers.

 

 

Steve

And body emblems. I know the '66 was marked Corsa; not sure about the '65. 

The '66 kit also included a turbocharger for the engine that isn't in the reissues. I'm not sure when that was dropped, but it's gone now. 

[Mark]

Like everyone says, only emblems and interior upholstery patterns differ year to year.  The side markers first appeared on the '69 kit, as the '68 offering was a '67 minus stock wheels.

A while back, I converted one of the '69 kits to a '66 Yenko Stinger.  The Yenko cars didn't have any Corvair script or emblems, and mine has a gutted interior so I only had to deal with the inner door panels (and I probably could have gotten away with plain aluminum panels for a racing version).

[Khils]

18 minutes ago, Snake45 said:

The '66 kit also included a turbocharger for the engine that isn't in the reissues. I'm not sure when that was dropped, but it's gone now. 

    Just a little tidbit of information......if the turbo option is of interest to anyone....it is available here.

[Oldcarfan27]

3 hours ago, Khils said:

    Just a little tidbit of information......if the turbo option is of interest to anyone....it is available here.

Oooh, that's cool to know! I wonder if it ever found itself in any other kits?

[Exotics_Builder]

I'd have to check the kits I have to be sure.  But somewhere along the line, the automatic shifter is on the dash board as well as a stick shift.

 

[ChrisBcritter]

6 hours ago, Exotics_Builder said:

I'd have to check the kits I have to be sure.  But somewhere along the line, the automatic shifter is on the dash board as well as a stick shift.

That was only in 1967 (and I'm looking for that dash); still had the clutch pedal:

I have photos from '65-'68 so you can see the differences. Now if you want to switch to Powerglide, as far as I know, the only source is Ed Roth's Road Agent.

12 hours ago, Snake45 said:

And body emblems. I know the '66 was marked Corsa; not sure about the '65. 

'65 was marked Corsa as well, both on the dash and front fender (below and to the right of the gas door):

 

[magicmustang]

9 hours ago, Oldcarfan27 said:

Oooh, that's cool to know! I wonder if it ever found itself in any other kits?

It's in the "Piranha" tow (Man from Uncle spy) car. Minus the top/front generator fan belt? 

Edited March 2, 2021 by magicmustang

[Oldcarfan27]

21 hours ago, StevenGuthmiller said:

I’m no expert, but I believe that there is little difference from ‘66 to ‘69, except for marker lights, upholstery patterns and wheel covers.

 

 

Steve

Steve, I've seen your builds - I would beg to differ with your expertise! Your research is top drawer!

[StevenGuthmiller]

1 hour ago, Oldcarfan27 said:

Steve, I've seen your builds - I would beg to differ with your expertise! Your research is top drawer!

Well, I haven’t spent much time on Corvairs. ?

 

 

 

Steve

[bbowser]

My first car was a '66 Monza, PG auto on the dash.  I believe the taillights were slightly different between years as well as emblems and such.  My dad wouldn't let me park it on the driveway because it leaked oil so bad, o-ring seals at the ends of the pushrod tubes.  $5 parts, had to pull the heads to change!

[Motor City]

The '65 and '66 Corsa had an optional turbocharged engine.  The previous generation's turbo model was called the Monza Spyder.  GM dropped the tri-power (excepting '67-'69 Corvette 427) and turbo engines after '66.  But you could probably have a dealer install a turbo kit on the '67-'69 Corvair.  The silver rear panel was unique to the '65-'66 Corsa.

[Snake45]

1 hour ago, Motor City said:

 The silver rear panel was unique to the '65-'66 Corsa.

Great detail, thanks! Last year I came into a restorable (I hope) '66 body with the Corsa emblems intact, and I'm hoping to restore it as a stock Corsa. 

[Motor City]

Snake,

An original '65 or '66 kit is the ultimate build for stock.  I only have a '63 promo.

[dimaxion]

As the '65 MY was headed to the Assembly line from the Tooling Shop . The edit came down for every costs expenditures are to be approved .   Expenses restricted only to keep up with then New Government restrictions . NO development costs allowed . Once Amortization was fully recovered the plug was to be pulled .  The '69 MY this happened . The Dealerships had 30 Days return for Credit on al the Parts Inventory . 

 

I used the Parts Pac Turbochargers on my '65 and '66 MY Builds . The '63 & '64 MY's are promo type .  For your consideration . Beige -'65 . Reddish - '66 .  Fawn - '63 . '63 is a Modelhause Kit . Yellow -'64 , Craftsman Survivor . Yes , I forgot the Aluminum '65/'66 Back Panel .   Thanx 

[Oldcarfan27]

6 hours ago, dimaxion said:

As the '65 MY was headed to the Assembly line from the Tooling Shop . The edit came down for every costs expenditures are to be approved .   Expenses restricted only to keep up with then New Government restrictions . NO development costs allowed . Once Amortization was fully recovered the plug was to be pulled .  The '69 MY this happened . The Dealerships had 30 Days return for Credit on al the Parts Inventory . 

That's great information and it fits with the GM timeline with the car. Thanks to Ralph Nader!?

[High octane]

On 3/1/2021 at 5:16 PM, Snake45 said:

And body emblems. I know the '66 was marked Corsa; not sure about the '65. 

The '66 kit also included a turbocharger for the engine that isn't in the reissues. I'm not sure when that was dropped, but it's gone now. 

The 1965 Corvair did have a Corsa model and it was badge as so, as I owned one. I was my first new car and special ordered as well.

[Kromolly]

On 3/2/2021 at 6:25 PM, Motor City said:

The '65 and '66 Corsa had an optional turbocharged engine.  The previous generation's turbo model was called the Monza Spyder.  GM dropped the tri-power (excepting '67-'69 Corvette 427) and turbo engines after '66.  But you could probably have a dealer install a turbo kit on the '67-'69 Corvair.  The silver rear panel was unique to the '65-'66 Corsa.

In '65 and '66 the 140 HP Corsa had four single barrel carburetors, not a tri-power.  The turbocharged Corsa was rated at 180 HP,  They were badged with a HP emblem on the engine cover.  Standard Monza was two single barrel carbs rated at 110 HP.

[Kromolly]

47 minutes ago, Oldcarfan27 said:

That's great information and it fits with the GM timeline with the car. Thanks to Ralph Nader!?

Ralph Nader get a lot of blame for the demise of the Corvair, and his "Unsafe at any Speed" campaign certainly did give GM a black eye.  The car had a lot of other issues that played into its demise.  If you didn't keep up with maintenance you could have a catastrophic failure.  The fan belt was one critical item.  Oil leaks, smelly heat inside the car due to heat exchange from the engine, noisy engine in the back, etc. made it less popular as the years went on.  They are cool cars, I'd love to have another sometime.

[Motor City]

18 minutes ago, Kromolly said:

In '65 and '66 the 140 HP Corsa had four single barrel carburetors, not a tri-power.  The turbocharged Corsa was rated at 180 HP,  They were badged with a HP emblem on the engine cover.  Standard Monza was two single barrel carbs rated at 110 HP.

that is correct; I didn't say or suggest that the Corvair had tri-power; what I stated was: "GM dropped the tri-power (excepting '67-'69 Corvette 427) and turbo engines after '66";

 

Edited March 13, 2021 by Motor City
.

[dimaxion]

14 hours ago, Oldcarfan27 said:

That's great information and it fits with the GM timeline with the car. Thanks to Ralph Nader!?

NO Blame lies at the Feet of Ralph Nader at all . Read the Book . If anyone is to blame is Ed Cole and the Bean Counters . The latter more so . Insolent Chariots is another Recommended Read . "The Rear suspension design was banned from every Race Car Organization and Sanctioning Body World Wide in 1953" . I am quoting from Ralph's Book .  Make it cheap as possible !  Thanx 

[dimaxion]

14 hours ago, Kromolly said:

Ralph Nader get a lot of blame for the demise of the Corvair, and his "Unsafe at any Speed" campaign certainly did give GM a black eye.  The car had a lot of other issues that played into its demise.  If you didn't keep up with maintenance you could have a catastrophic failure.  The fan belt was one critical item.  Oil leaks, smelly heat inside the car due to heat exchange from the engine, noisy engine in the back, etc. made it less popular as the years went on.  They are cool cars, I'd love to have another sometime.

The Fix for the "Fanbelt Chukkin" was a small "Bracket" over the Idler Pully to slap the Belt back into place . Hmmm .. 1963 MY ..   635 Potential Oil Leak locations . Most endearing was "It's Raining OIL !" . The FAA would not certify these on Aircraft since WW I was over during 1918 .  Smelly heat is an inherent side effect of the (Cheap) Heating Methods used . Frontal Crashes with Gasoline (consistently flaming) filling the Passenger Compartments . The "Turtle Tendency" and more . The product made it's own Reputation . Thanx  

[gbtr6]

I'm reviving this as I hope to build my first car, a 1965 Corvair Monza. It was a four door, got it in 74 for $75 and it was rust free, only needed a battery. Had a three speed on the floor. I enjoyed it very much, but sold it to get a 1965 Triumph TR4. What are the external differences? Anyone convert a 2 door to four? Or is there a resin body for it. 

 

Perry