The Chevrolet Corvair: Which Models Are the Most Collectible?

 The Chevrolet Corvair remains one of America's best car's to collect with over 100,000  still on the road in various states of condition. Chevrolet made over 1.5 million of them from 1960-69. The Corvair was America's answer to the German VW and, in fact, was modeled after the Porsche engine and German engineers were hired to help with its production in 1959. The car did have its teething issues from 1960-64, all repaired for the totally restyled sporty look from 1965-69. Yet, its values and design were revolutionary for an American car and even today looks "current".

Getting into classic cars is easy for the Corvair, just visit Ebay or Craigslist and enter Corvair in the search engine. The trick is finding one that, for the money spent, is good value and one that has high resell. A good place to start is the production numbers. For the early models, from 1960-64, the following are the rarest:

1. 1964 Corvair Spyder Convertible- only 4761 were made.

2. 1964 Corvair Spyder Coupe (Hardtop) - only 6480 were made.

3. 1962 Corvair Monza with a 150 hp or Turbocharged motor - 9400 made.

4. 1960 Corvair Monza - 11,900 were made. 1963 Corvair 700 Coupe- 12,700 made.

5. 1962 Corvair Monza Convertible - 16,500 were made.

6. 1963 Corvair Monza with 150 hp or Turbocharged motor - 19,000.

The Corvair 500 and 700 series were the cheapest to buy and have production values of less than 20,000 from 60-64. The Monza Coupe was highest, as almost 500,000 were produced between 60-64. Most had engines with 95-110 hp. The early years also produced Corvair station wagons, trucks, and vans, so those might be worth collecting also.

Late Model:

1. 1969 Corvair Monza Convertible - 521 made.

2.  1968 Monza Convertible - 1400 made

3. 1969 500 or Monza Coupe- 2700 made.

4. 1966 Corvair Corsa Convertible - 3100 made.

5.  1967 Corvair Coupe, 1965 Corvair Corsa Convertible, 1966 Corvair Corsa Coupe - 9700\8300\ 7300 made.

6.  1966 Corvair Monza Convertible - 10,000 made.

The Corsa was the top of the line Corvair and always had a 140hp or 180 hp engine. It was only made in 65 and 66. Any Corsa with a 180hp motor is hard to find as only 9100 were made for the combined years. The Monza Coupe was the most produce in 65-66, with 112,000 made. It dramatically dropped to 9700 in 1967 and 6800 in 1968. Only 40,000 convertibles were made from 65-69.

All of the late model Corvairs, whether a 500, Sedan (4-door) or Monzas had a 110 hp motor unless the buyer wanted a 140 hp.

 Of course, what you buy the car for should be considered, its condition, amount of work it needs and their costs, need to be considered. But, from a production view point, the above should be looked for.