old car fan Posted June 10, 2023 Share Posted June 10, 2023 Going to look at a 63 convertible, factory turbo 4 speed car tomorrow. Project. I know nothing about these cars,anything special to be aware of? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twisted Shifter Posted June 10, 2023 Share Posted June 10, 2023 (edited) 1 hour ago, old car fan said: Going to look at a 63 convertible, factory turbo 4 speed car tomorrow. Project. I know nothing about these cars,anything special to be aware of? Yes... Ralph Nader! Edited June 10, 2023 by Twisted Shifter (see edit history) 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old car fan Posted June 10, 2023 Author Share Posted June 10, 2023 He was a punk. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pfeil Posted June 10, 2023 Share Posted June 10, 2023 1 hour ago, old car fan said: He was a punk. Shake down artist. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kings32 Posted June 10, 2023 Share Posted June 10, 2023 They are great cars if the are done up good . I have done a couple .Hwoard 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marty Roth Posted June 10, 2023 Share Posted June 10, 2023 (edited) We've had 4 prior, and still have our '65 Monza 4-speed convertible. Can be excellent, affordable, and dependable. Ignore the nonsense about Nader - this was better than comparable VW and Porsche, and the '64 had improved rear suspension - although not up to the major improvement in '65 new axle design. Great product and club support ! Look for rust and rust repair Edited June 10, 2023 by Marty Roth (see edit history) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hemi Joel Posted June 11, 2023 Share Posted June 11, 2023 (edited) Nothing really different than other old cars except the engine: buyer beware, check for rust, Bondo, completeness, operation and condition of all components. Clarks corvair is the main supplier, and their catalog is full of good info. The turbo engine is different, more heavy duty. I don't know the numbers to check, but you'll want to research and verify that the engine is correct. Not a standard engine with a turbo slapped on. Same for the distributor. They are nice driving cars. With a tiny 2.6" stroke, that like RPM. 3800 rpm on the freeway is no big deal. I did a fly in, drive home from Arizona to Minnesota a couple years ago in my dads survivor 63 Spyder convertible. Just like any 60 year old car, they need some work to keep them going. My fly in drive home story is on the HAMB if any one has some time to kill and wants to read it. It might give you some Corvair learning and motivation. https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/fly-in-drive-home-in-my-late-dads-car-attempting-2000-miles.1244124/ Edited June 11, 2023 by Hemi Joel (see edit history) 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank DuVal Posted June 11, 2023 Share Posted June 11, 2023 Lots of good information on what to look for when shopping is found on this page: http://corvaircenter.com/phorum/read.php?1,268278 Check the Corsa website [ corvair.org ]for a club near you. Also a post on corvaircenter.com may bring up an earlier owner to ask questions. 1963 The Spyder is an option on a Monza, so it will have a Monza 900 body plate. Look for the turbocharged option code. Also the spare tire bracket has to have a bump on it between the two hold down bolt holes and if it still running a generator the voltage regulator needs to be mounted at an angle (just a flat piece of metal on the upper two mounting holes to accomplish this). If not an Oakland built car the Spyder option will be 3C on the body tag. If Oakland built, it will be X. See: 1963 Fisher bodytags ACC line. (WR, OA and VN)The Letters are listed in groups. Letters following a number is in that group. The code letters are listed in the order they would appear. Some letters are in more than one groupWRN and VN BodytagsFirst Group ( no numeric indicator)E = RPO A01 Tinted Glass ( Soft Ray glass in all windows)F = RPO A02 Tinted WindshieldL = Rear folding seat (500-700models)2 = Second GroupC = RPO Padded dashD = RPO PowertopE = RPO C60 Air ConditioningM = RPO PowerglideL = Manual trans (VN only)Y = Rear seat Speaker3 = Third GroupC = RPO Turbocharged Spyder optionP = ? (VN only) might be Comfort and Convenience -- as with '65, may indicate two-speed wiper and washer (carryover from FS Chevys built in same plant)Oakland bodytags (It appears that the 1962 OA codes carried over to 1963)Does not use group numbersW = Tinted WindshieldE = Tint glass allP = padded dashA = ACX = Spyder optionK = Rear seat speaker? More questions? Ask me. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old car fan Posted June 11, 2023 Author Share Posted June 11, 2023 Thanks,some great information, keep you posted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Bruce aka First Born Posted June 11, 2023 Share Posted June 11, 2023 16 hours ago, old car fan said: He was a punk. Earned a good living be a punk. Ben Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TTracing Posted June 11, 2023 Share Posted June 11, 2023 Ours is a good driver I did the 4 speed conversion my self its not simple and ours is not a original spider or turbo car and has a 67 140 hp motor 4 one barrel 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank DuVal Posted June 11, 2023 Share Posted June 11, 2023 Interesting, you put the Spyder script at an angle to shoe it isn't a real Spyder? Yep, 140s can run good. No wait for turbo lag to go away. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John348 Posted June 11, 2023 Share Posted June 11, 2023 (edited) I am into the full size Chevrolets of the same era, but I do see Corvairs for sale often in very good shape and not for a lot of money, with the cost of paint and other supplies it seems like one could be under water real fast with a project. I saw a nice 64 at a cruise night Tuesday, non turbo 4 speed, yellow black interior, convertible, he was asking $22,500. Which I thought was to much, it was nice but not that nice. Something to consider Edited June 11, 2023 by John348 (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
60FlatTop Posted June 11, 2023 Share Posted June 11, 2023 Ray Bishop was a big Corvair collector and a friend since I was about 10 years old. He was our Prudential Insurance agent back in the days when they made house calls. He had a farm in Penn Yan, New York where he once owned about 35 Corvairs. When I was in High School he gave me a '56 Studebaker Golden Hawk and sold his XK 150 Jaguar to move to an apartment in the city. Recovering from that he spent the majority of his life with Corvair cars. In the early 1990s I was talking with him at a local cruise night. He was driving an early 1970s Thunderbird that was his first departure from the Corvairs. He told me quite somberly "You know, by focusing on Corvairs all my life I missed the opportunity to experience a lot of great cars". Seems like the T-Bird was a '73. Now think about that deeply. It is quite a message. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Littlestown Mike Posted June 12, 2023 Share Posted June 12, 2023 On 6/10/2023 at 7:16 PM, Pfeil said: Shake down artist. Not really--AFAIK, he didn't personally profit, but he was everything that makes me disrespect many lawyers---he picked out the quotes he needed to make his case. Often the Report he was citing was very positive on the Corvair. Nader found the one "But...." quote and used it. I was never a fan of the Corvair, but, if you kept the tire inflation pressure where Chevy recommended, the car was safe. It became unsafe when those recommendations were ignored. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty_OToole Posted June 12, 2023 Share Posted June 12, 2023 1 hour ago, Littlestown Mike said: Not really--AFAIK, he didn't personally profit, but he was everything that makes me disrespect many lawyers---he picked out the quotes he needed to make his case. Often the Report he was citing was very positive on the Corvair. Nader found the one "But...." quote and used it. I was never a fan of the Corvair, but, if you kept the tire inflation pressure where Chevy recommended, the car was safe. It became unsafe when those recommendations were ignored. Who says he didn't personally profit? He made a big thing of his $60 a month furnished room in Washington but did not mention that he spent most nights at his brother's house in the suburbs. His brother bought the house for cash shortly after Ralph's book hit the best seller lists. The brother was unemployed at the time. I also got a laugh out of his campaign for striking secretaries. His Nader's Raiders were paid $50 a week to work all the hours God sent, while Ralphy boy took the credit. The secretaries were making $120 for a 40 hour week. Somehow he has made a good living for the last 50 years by being a pain in the ass. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty_OToole Posted June 12, 2023 Share Posted June 12, 2023 The Corvair was unique and I do not use the term lightly. It was like no other GM car and shared very little with them. This is good and bad, good if you like the unusual, bad if you need parts or repairs although there seems to be good support from enthusiasts and specialists. There are a lot of odd quirks to look out for but one of the main ones is to beware of overheating, you can burn up the motor very quickly if the fan belt snaps. Be sure the engine compartment is sealed so hot air can't get back up into the cooling fan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angelfish Posted June 12, 2023 Share Posted June 12, 2023 When I was maybe 5 or 6 years old, my Dad bought me a red t-shirt and on it he stenciled "Unsafe at any Speed." It was my favorite shirt until I outgrew it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank DuVal Posted June 12, 2023 Share Posted June 12, 2023 38 minutes ago, Rusty_OToole said: one of the main ones is to beware of overheating, Lucky they do have snap overheat switches to alert you to the problem. Ignoring the red light is not good! The belts stay on way longer now. Hints for how to do that are found by going to club meetings, reading the forum corvaircenter.com/phorum , and ignoring the wrong advice on Facebook!😁 58 minutes ago, Rusty_OToole said: bad if you need parts or repairs although there seems to be good support from enthusiasts and specialists. Well that is a weird statement. I find waaaaayyyy more parts for Corvairs form the Corvair vendors than I can find for any other make from their vendors (if they even have one, mostly just internet, Carlisle or Hershey searches). Except maybe the Model T and A crowd. 😁 Just call them or use the internet, parts show up at the door! Plus the amount of parts stored away by people that thought they were great cars back in the 60s and 70s that are also available to purchase. And, the fact that being an out of the ordinary car they were saved in much greater percentage than the rest of the Chevrolet lineup, excepting Corvettes of course. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old car fan Posted June 12, 2023 Author Share Posted June 12, 2023 Well,we decided not to look at it after all.Started thinking of all the other projects yet to be addressed. If anyone has any interest, it is on Facebook marketplace. Looks decent from the pictures, hard to tell.Priced at 2000.00.I will try to add the link.Thanks for the replys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JACK M Posted June 12, 2023 Share Posted June 12, 2023 Yes, post the link please. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty_OToole Posted June 12, 2023 Share Posted June 12, 2023 (edited) The fan belt is not a big deal if you keep it adjusted and replace when it gets worn. If a belt breaks or comes off the gen light comes on right away as a warning. Most owners keep a spare belt in the trunk just in case. If you ignore the light or don't see it you can burn up your motor before you go 5 miles. Owners of other sixties Chevrolets can get most parts from their local auto parts store, not so easy with the Corvair but as you say, they are well supported by specialists and enthusiasts. And if you don't do your own work good luck finding a mechanic who understands the Corvair power train. Years ago I had a Corvair and got good at tuning them up and synching the carburetors, today's mechanics don't know what carburetors and points ignition are, not surprising as they have not been used in over 30 years. Edited June 12, 2023 by Rusty_OToole (see edit history) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty_OToole Posted June 12, 2023 Share Posted June 12, 2023 $2000 for a 64 Corvair turbo 4 speed convertible seems like a good deal if there is anything left of it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
West Peterson Posted June 12, 2023 Share Posted June 12, 2023 14 hours ago, Littlestown Mike said: I was never a fan of the Corvair, but, if you kept the tire inflation pressure where Chevy recommended, the car was safe. It became unsafe when those recommendations were ignored. And you know right away when the tire inflation is not correct.... The car acts very squirrelly when the pressures are not where they should be. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty_OToole Posted June 12, 2023 Share Posted June 12, 2023 Recommended tire pressures were meant to make the car understeer like a typical Detroit balloon. I found it best to inflate the tires a little higher especially the fronts. I had a lot of fun driving mine and never got into trouble but I was used to driving a tail happy car after driving Go karts. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old car fan Posted June 12, 2023 Author Share Posted June 12, 2023 1 hour ago, JACK M said: Yes, post the link please. Jack,I have been trying for a hour with no luck,phone is smarter than me. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAKerry Posted June 12, 2023 Share Posted June 12, 2023 I can relate. I can henpeck my way around a computer, but theres no way I can do much more on a phone than call or text. My son does everything through his, I just dont understand, LOL. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JACK M Posted June 12, 2023 Share Posted June 12, 2023 4 hours ago, old car fan said: Jack,I have been trying for a hour with no luck,phone is smarter than me. 1 hour ago, TAKerry said: I can relate. I can henpeck my way around a computer, but theres no way I can do much more on a phone than call or text. My son does everything through his, I just dont understand, LOL. Yup !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JACK M Posted June 12, 2023 Share Posted June 12, 2023 OCF, What part of the country at least? 4 hours ago, old car fan said: Jack,I have been trying for a hour with no luck,phone is smarter than me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old car fan Posted June 12, 2023 Author Share Posted June 12, 2023 (edited) 8 hours ago, JACK M said: OCF, What part of the country at least? Springfield Ohio, still kicking myself for not going. The folks that know,know why. Edited June 13, 2023 by old car fan (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank DuVal Posted June 13, 2023 Share Posted June 13, 2023 (edited) 11 hours ago, Rusty_OToole said: Owners of other sixties Chevrolets can get most parts from their local auto parts store, You mean engine and some suspension parts. That's easy for most cars. And all the Corvair brake shoes, tune up parts, even carb rebuild kits, are at the local stores. Try trim, body panels, upholstery, etc, the really hard to find items. That's where the Corvair vendors shine. 👍 $2000 Spyder, even a clone, that is cheap. Must be the body condition, Ohio is a warning sign. Edited June 13, 2023 by Frank DuVal (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JACK M Posted June 13, 2023 Share Posted June 13, 2023 17 hours ago, old car fan said: Springfield Ohio, still kicking myself for not going. The folks that know,know why. Thank you, To far away. Maybe a good thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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