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by Michael Gulett –
The Chevrolet Corvair Corsa is a fascinating combination of American design with elements borrowed from European companies. The rear placed air-cooled engine is similar to the Porsche 911 and the body styling looks very much like it came from Italy as the name “Corsa” implies.
The fully independent rear suspension borrowed from the Corvette Sting Ray, provide the 2,400-pound Corvair Corsa easy handling that make it feel more like a European sports car than a typical Chevrolet. It seems that the Chevrolet Corvair Corsa has been under rated and maybe over shadowed by the Camaro which followed. But these are terrific looking and driving sports cars that are a fraction of the cost of a Camaro, not to mention a Porsche 911 or Corvette.
The Chevrolet Corvair Corsa is a great bargain in the collector car market. I remember seeing them on the road when new and always loved them.
1966 Chevrolet Corvair Corsa Convertible
Make: Chevrolet
Model: Corvair Corsa Convertible
Year: 1966
Chassis number: 107676W126715
Exterior: Red
Interior: Fawn
Engine: 6-cylinder with 4-carburetors
Transmission: Manual 4-speed
Odometer: A little more than 29,000 miles
Text and photos by the owner, Bill Cooper
This is a 1966 Chevrolet Corvair Corsa convertible equipped with the standard engine, a 140 HP boxer 6-cylinder with 4-carburetors and the optional 4-speed transmission. VIN # is 107676W126715, I have a clean Pennsylvania Antique title.
It was purchased new on December 3, 1965 at Key Chevrolet, Frederick, Maryland, the original books, keys and GM Protect-O-Plate are included with the car.
Its original exterior color was Aztec Bronze, a color change to what appears to be Corvette Riverside Red was done by a previous owner. The only evidence of the original color I can find is the paint code on the Fisher body build tag.
The interior is Fawn, a factory combination of beige vinyl seats and door panels with saddle tan carpets and interior painted areas (dash, metal areas on doors and trim). When I bought it, the seller supplied a verification stating that the mileage was 23,065 when he bought it and that mileage was actual according to the seller at that time. When I bought the car it had approximately 24,000 miles, the car now has a little more than 29,000 miles which is believed to be original.
The car runs very well, I have driven it from Pennsylvania to Florida and back several times, averaging about 22 MPG on Premium fuel.
Since 2007, the following work has been done:
* Front and rear wheel cylinders, master cylinder, rear brake shoes and brake fluid replaced
* New 185/80R13 Bridgestone Insignia SL tires
* New beige top, rear window, padding and top boot
* New carpets and front color matched rubber mat
* New battery and battery cables
* Complete tune up with Pertronix solid state ignition and Bosch platinum spark plugs installed
* Rebuilt shift linkage with bronze bushings
* Rebuilt stabilizer bar linkage-all new bushings
* Installed Nardi wood steering wheel (original included with sale)
* New windshield washer pump
With the exception of the color change, most of the car is original.
* I have not found any evidence of rust or collision repairs.
* The seats, door panels and interior trim are original.
* The glass is all original, some gaskets have been replaced as needed.
* The car has a manually operated top which folds easily (a power top was optional).
* The instruments all function, the clock is hard to adjust but keeps perfect time.
* The photos show the car with the standard hub caps, the buyer will have his/her choice of these or a set of factory wire wheel caps.
* The High Beam (inside) headlight “bulbs” pictured were an experiment and are NOT included. They will be replaced with the original units prior to delivery.
This is a great opportunity to own a low mileage example of a great driving convertible that also looks great and is priced to sell.
Price: $19,950
Location: West Chester, Pennsylvania USA
Contact: Bill Cooper – Email: barrett356@verizon.net Telephone: 610-662-4808
Sales Brochure
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I am excited to see my favorite car site is acknowledging my other favorite car next to my Iso Grifo.
I recently repurchased the very same 1966 Sprint by Fitch based on the Corsa that I had John Fitch build for me in 1966 from the fifth owner in Utah in 2012. I’ve had it completely restored and have enjoyed showing it at the 2013 Greenwich Concours and we participated in the New England 1000 vintage car rally 2014. It used to be called the “poor man’s Porsche” but it could blow the doors off the early Porsches and maybe even rarer today as so many collectors have focused their attention on the muscle cars. Most of these have gone to the crusher thus few good ones around. Check out Jay Leno’s video for more interesting info as he recently purchased a Yenko Stinger. This car is a blast to drive and gets more high fives than you can imagine!
Byron – thanks for the comments – do you have any photos of the Fitch car you would like to share?
Yes I do. How do I post them?
Byron,
Send them to me by email,
michael.gulett@gmail.com
Just looking at your ad/article. You’ve done a beautiful job with this car. I, too, have a 66 Corsa Convertible. Mine, however, was one of the 350+= made in Los Angeles. One thing I wanted to mention about yours: The interior is super classy. I hope to have mine look this good one day also.
These are unique cars. I have many fond memories of my first car, a ’65 Corsa convertible 140hp Glacier Gray/Black interior. Like many guys, I would like to recreate the experience and am looking for a Corsa convertible that might need some TLC to make a good driver. Everything I’ve seen is either a rust bucket, a Corsa clone or a pricey complete restoration. If anyone hears of one coming on the market drop me a line at bobparrin@aol.com. Thanks and enjoy the ride!
This car has 65 wheel covers.