New Corvair Owner in Michigan

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pweber5
Posts: 5
Joined: Mon Aug 21, 2017 5:59 pm

New Corvair Owner in Michigan

Post by pweber5 »

Hello from Michigan! I never really thought about owning a Corvair, but recently cruising Craigslist I came across the beautiful convertible you see below. I've been looking for an older car both for fun and to learn how to fix cars, and it seemed like a great opportunity to own a very unique piece of GM history (my wife likes it too).

It's a 1966 Monza with Powerglide, and as far as I can tell is the 95 HP model. It's in good shape with only a small bit of rust, and the previous owner said the car was restored in the late '90s/early 2000's. The restoration seems thorough and to factory specs; the VIN plate decodes to match the exterior and interior colors and every part I've encountered looks stock and period-correct. I really love the white interior and the wire wheels with white walls - it's very sharp! I'm a GM employee and when I drive the car to work I get a thrill knowing the car was designed there over 50 years ago.

I have very little experience working on cars (installing a stereo head unit is the biggest project I've done) but I'm hoping to learn how to do basic to moderate projects. I don't think I'll ever rebuild an engine or weld a new floor pan, but I'd like to learn how to perform a brake job, tune a carburetor, and troubleshoot basic issues (I'm currently troubleshooting an electrical issues I'll be posting about soon). I've been reading the Chassis Shop Manual trying to understand the different mechanical and electrical parts of the car. I've never owned a car with a carburetor or a points ignition, so it's been a learning experience so far.

As far as my goals for the car, I want to perform the basic maintenance to keep it running well and looking nice. It's a nice driver and I have no intention of modifying it or restoring it. I plan to cruise around town on the weekend, go to car shows, and put it away in the winter. I'm also looking forward to being part of a forum again, especially one as active and helpful as this one seems to be.

Image
dave t
Posts: 138
Joined: Thu Apr 20, 2017 7:16 pm

Re: New Corvair Owner in Michigan

Post by dave t »

Welcome.
If you like the shop manual, get a factory assembly manual too. To is a book of exploded views
You can really get a good idea of how things are put together on the car.
Tell us where you live. There mozt likely are a few other Corvair owners or a club chapter need you. We are here to help.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Corvair Forum mobile app

pweber5
Posts: 5
Joined: Mon Aug 21, 2017 5:59 pm

Re: New Corvair Owner in Michigan

Post by pweber5 »

I'm in Bloomfield Hills. I've skimmed through the assembly manual but haven't spent a lot of time looking through it.
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bbodie52
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Re: New Corvair Owner in Michigan

Post by bbodie52 »

:wave: :wave: :welcome2: Welcome to the Corvair Forum!

The picture you attempted to share of your Corvair is apparently hosted by a secure website. That prevents it from being viewed on the Corvair Forum. The other method to share a photograph is to select "Post Reply" instead of using "Quick Reply". The "Quick Reply" editor is not a full-featured editor and does not allow uploading photographs. The other editor is full-featured and allows you to modify text using colors, size, etc. and also allows you to upload files and photographs. At the bottom of the editor click on the "Attachments" tab and then click on the "Add Files" button to select images on your hard drive to upload and display on your post. The images will appear when you click on the "Preview" button or when you submit the posting to the Corvair Forum.

The link below will provide you with a list of useful websites that are Corvair-related. Some of the links will lead you to an extensive technical library that will allow you to download shop manuals and other technical references in Adobe Reader format at no cost. There is also a link that will help you to locate nearby CORSA (Corvair Society of America) club chapters. While the Corvair Forum can be very helpful as you work on your Corvair, having local friends and contacts in your region who are knowledgeable about the Corvair can also be very helpful. These family-friendly CORSA chapters often offer picnics, group scenic drives, technical training and assistance, car shows, and competition events that can greatly enhance your enjoyment of Corvair ownership. You will also find a list of essential Corvair parts suppliers. Clark's Corvair Parts is the biggest and oldest Corvair supplier in the world. You will find a link that can provide you with a series of videos that amount to a tour of the Clark's Corvair Parts facilities. I think you will be amazed at the quality of the reproduction components they offer — particularly the interior carpeting and re-upholstery items. Parts suppliers such as this truly make our Corvair hobby possible.

Common and Useful Corvair Websites

:link: viewtopic.php?f=225&t=6007

:dontknow: I would like to encourage you to expand on your initial post and tell us more about yourself. If you can describe your personal assessment of your mechanical skills and abilities, that would help a lot. Members of the Corvair Forum love to be helpful in assisting other Corvair owners with technical support and advice, but it helps a lot if we have some understanding of your technical background and mechanical abilities, Corvair-related knowledge, etc. Helping us to know more about you will help us to write comments to you that are tailored to your needs and experience. Knowing your location is also useful, because knowing where you live can sometimes suggest possibilities.

:welcome:
Brad Bodie
Lake Chatuge, North Carolina
Image 1966 Corvair Corsa Convertible
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