Ken’S Corvair

I bought my Corvair Monza convertible from a jeweler in Merced, CA. The jeweler, in turn, had “acquired” the car when a “young fellow” could not produce the final payment on an engagement ring. The jeweler used the car as a daily driver to get to his jewelry store. I learned of the car when reading an AutoTrader bulletin found in the motel lobby in San Louis Obispo while I was visiting one of my daughters. It was advertised as a Spyder. It was at that point that I contacted the Merced owner. The owner said he had to sell it because his wife had a new vehicle and that vehicle would live in the garage, not the Corvair.

Original Condition

The “young fellow” I learned had wanted to convert the car to a Spyder and had accumulated a turbocharger, inlet header, and other turbo related parts stored in boxes. The fellow liked red as a color so he hand-painted the red over the original Goldwood Yellow paint.  Originally, the car lived in Alpine, CA. It was, I was told, a “wife’s car” (I forget the name of the original owner). The vehicle was at that time equipped with a white power top, air conditioning, white interior, Powerglide, and 95 hp engine. The a fore mentioned “young person” must have given up on the turbo conversion and when I bought it it had a 110 hp 1965 engine and four speed. I was living in San Diego and did not want to drive up to Merced to see it. A member of CORSA in Fresno offered to see it and give a report. Summed up. “Not bad” “Can be driven” “Restorable” “Runs well” “Some blue exhaust at idle” But he did not drive it.

Notice cutout for Turbo Exhaust

I made an offer, sight unseen, and it was accepted. The owner to get the car to Larry’s Corvair Parts in LA and I would get a ride to Larry’s to drive it to San Diego. In getting from Merced to LA, the Corvair threw the fan belt and the owner was stranded on the shoulder of the highway. I was told later, that within minutes a CA highway patrol officer stopped by offering to help and the owner said he needed a 9/16” wrench to replace the belt (no tools in the Corvair). The officer reportedly reached in the officer’s back pocket and revealed (drum roll, please) a 9/16” wrench he had found earlier in the day. It fit and the belt was replaced. I arrived at Larry’s and drove the Corvair around. It ran but smelled heavily of nicotine. The owner was a smoker. The inside of the windshield was tinted brown. The cigarette lighter did not work. Instead, there was a wire and alligator clip hanging from the dash. To light a cigarette, the owner would clip the cigarette using the alligator clip and then short it out to the dash. Despite this, I closed the deal. The owner got a flight back to Merced. I got in the car and drove it to its new home in San Diego. It was like a time machine. It brought back memories (yes, and smells) of my old high school era 1961 Corvair coupe. With the skilled help of friends in the Coyote and San Diego Corvair Club, I rebuilt the engine, stripped the paint, and fixed minor and major mechanical issues. It had some serious rust and rot issues which I had to have repaired and be prepped. Had a local paint shop apply the Goldwood Yellow paint (but rushed them since I was planning to move).

Some bodywork

I’m still a member of SDCC!

The move was to NJ. I had the Corvair shipped. Joined NJACE. Bought the Clark’s interior kit (now black). Had a recommended upholstery shop install it. Made improvements with and during multiple tech sessions with the great friends from NJACE. Went to local shows. Went to various national CORSA meetings that were within driving distance. Went to others requiring air travel where my boss would allow me to make sales calls and attend.

I’m still a member of NJACE!

Then moved again to CO and retired to live near my oldest daughter and family. Joined both RMC and PPCC.

I’m still a member of both!!

Out of Shop