1965 Chevrolet Corvair Convertible

The Chevrolet Corvair is a compact car manufactured by Chevrolet for model years 1960–1969 in two generations. It remains the only American-designed, mass-produced passenger car with a rear-mounted, air-cooled engine. The Corvair was manufactured and marketed in 4-door sedan, 2-door coupe, convertible, 4-door station wagon, passenger van, commercial van, and pickup truck body styles in its first generation (1960–1964) and as a 2-door coupe, convertible or 4-door hardtop in its second (1965–1969) – with a total production of approximately 1.8 million from 1960 until 1969.

The name “Corvair” originated as a portmanteau of Corvette and Bel Air, a name first applied in 1954 to a Corvette-based concept with a hardtop fastback-styled roof, part of the Motorama traveling exhibition. When applied to the production models, the “air” part referenced the engine’s cooling system.

This 1965 Chevrolet Corvair Convertible was powered by 164/140hp 6-cylinder engine with four carburetors paired with a 3-speed manual transmission.

All original interior which shows some age in the form of smudges and areas of dulling on the original vinyl. Bucket seats upfront are original and have had lap belts. The rear bench is all there too in the same color and shows some loose and torn vinyl on the seats. The driver’s seat has a tear on the upper back near the seam for the side panel. The original dash in dark and light blue painted metal houses original gauges, knobs and levers. The original AM radio is within the dash, and just below the ash receptacle has a missing door. Nice dark blue carpet covers the floors.

The Corvair is one of Chevrolet’s attempts to battle the wave of European small car imports reaching the USA during the 1960s ‑ remains the only American designed, mass produced car with a rear mounted, air cooled engine; an accolade that is probably unlikely to be taken away now.