My 1966 Corvair Coupe

This is my 1966 Chevrolet Corvair 500 coupe. There were 2 distinct Corvair body styles, early (1960 - 1964), and late (1965 - 1969). Both early and late models were available as 2-door coupes, 4-door sedans, or convertibles. Corvair station wagons and trucks; the panel van, Greenbrier passenger van, and the unique Rampside pickup, were also built during the early model years. All Corvairs had a rear-mounted horizontally opposed 6-cylinder air-cooled engine and 4-wheel independent coil spring suspension. The rear engine placement and advanced suspension gave the Corvair outstanding traction, handling, and braking.

Late model cars all had a 164 cubic inch engine, but they came in a wide variety of configurations. The base engine produced 95 hp. A higher compression 110 hp motor was the most common. The "special high performance" motor generated 140 hp with the help of 4 carburetors, dual exhaust, larger valves, and ported heads. At the top was the turbo motor. It produced 180 hp and 265 lbs of torque. The 65-69 rear suspension was modeled after the Corvette rear suspension of the period. The Corvair's excellent traction, handling, and braking make it a competitive racer, even to this day.

I have owned this Corvair for about 10 years, during which time I have driven it daily and slowly restored it. It is mostly stock, but I replaced the factory 95 hp engine and 3 speed manual transmission with a 140 hp engine and 4 speed transmission. I have also replaced the 13 inch rims with 14x7 inch rims and Comp T/A 215-60 HR14 all season tires. I was rewarded for my labors with a 2nd place trophy in the "late modified" class at the 2nd annual "Fall Classic at Clarks" all Corvair show.

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