How rare is this Corsa?

[davemotohead]

The car has been painted at some point, I think the YY code on the build tag is lemonwood yellow maybe?

[RexJohnson]

Here is what 2 of my GM parts books say about the Corsa 3sp shift lever. The first book is from Oct 1st 1964 for the 1965 model year and older. It includes Corvair, Chevy II and Chevelle. The other book is from Oct 1st 1967 and it includes Corvair, Chevy II, Chevelle and Camaro. This book covers from '68 back to when each car started. In group 4.006 of the 1965 book for Lever Assy, gearshift control (hand). It lists '65 3sp (exc. Turbocharger, 4/1 BC) as part number 3859284. I'm guessing that the turbo 4/1 would be the Corsa. The Corsa lever is 3861095. In the 1968 book the 3sp lever for non Corsa's is 3872870 and for the Corsa it is 3872871. I had thought that it said chrome next to the Corsa handle but it doesn't. It doesn't say what is different but there is definitely 2 3sp levers listed for Corsa and non Corsa's. For '66 the 3sp lever is part number 3881738 and it says for non Corsa's but the is no listing for a '66 3sp Corsa lever so it is probably one of the GM mistakes. The 4sp lever doesn't include the '66 Corsa 3sp in the description.

[The Light Keeper]

I just found out that this thread. I have a 66 Corsa Convertible with a 3 speed. I didn't know that was a factory thing. So if only 276 '66 Corsa's had 3 speeds How many were Convertibles?
Eric

[flat_six]

I have several data points that indicate that the wedding band tail lights were replaced with the wide band second week of February 1966. That is all Willow Run data.

So would LOS be after that? Who knows...

[66vairguy]

Years ago I saw a discussion on the Corsa three speed. The conclusion was the 3 speed transaxle was the STANDARD on ALL Corsa models so the 4 speed was optional. One fellow ordered a new turbo Corsa and when it was delivered it had a 3 SPEED! He discovered the 4 speed was a Corsa option (dumb salesman missed that upgrade). He ended up liking it as the turbo stayed up on pressure longer with less shifting! Note the 65 Corsa 3 speed had a non-synchro first, BUT the 66 Corsa first WAS synchronized!!

The type of shifter gets confusing as the 66 Corsa 3 and four speed transmissions NEW design used the same shift throw dimensions - so the same shifter would work for both, but was 500/Monza shifter arm painted and Corsa chromed???

In 65 I could not find consensus among the various comments. At one time the early three speed transmissions needed a different shifter to compensate for longer transmission shaft movement. Putting the old 3 speed shifter into a four speed cars shortened the throw!!! In 65 the shifter tube was re-designed, but the transmission, while improved, was basically the first generation type. So were there two separate shifter for 3 vs. 4 speed transmissions???

Anybody got more information - please post.

[RexJohnson]

Not counting what Spyders or Corsas used 3sp shifters were black and 4sp was chrome. Starting in '65 the sides of the chrome 4sp levers were flattened where as the 3sp stayed round like all of the early shifters were. I put a '65 3sp shifter into a '65 4sp car. The 3sp shifter shorten the throw between 1st and 2nd by about 1 1/4". So, yes there are 2 shifters. The '66 and later would still have 2 shifters. A round black one for the 3sp and a chrome with flat sides for the 4sp. These would both have the same throw. The '65 and later 4sps I believe are all the same. The '65 3sp is the odd one. Not all early 3sps had the long throw as I have 2 different black round shifters with different length levers and throws. I think what seat you had made a difference, bench verses bucket.

[jimbrandberg]

I would love to try a turbo with a 66 and up 3 speed.