Dream Car Project. Need Information.

[CarProject]

I'm doing a school project about my dream car, the 1965 Corvair Monza Coupe, and I need some information about the car's parts and maintenance.
Where is the best place to buy maintenance things?
Oil, and oil change intervals
What are the max tire and wheel sizes I can use and where can I buy them?
Spark Plugs
Recommended coolant
Best air filter
What kind of transition fluid for automatic and manual change intervals
Does this car have any grease fittings in the front or rear end, where are they, and what kind should I use?
What type of gas is recommended?
Any maintenance or wear issues I should know about?
I would like to put a more modern stereo in it, and where can I find one?
What extra accessories would you recommend?

And how much would the car cost on the modern market with low mileage?

Thank you so much your responses would be greatly appreciated.

[TimeMachineParadox]

All of those can definitely be answered, but it seems like that for a school project you might be requested to research that information yourself

Parts for vintage cars usually come from either small business (Like Clark's Corvair Parts) that specialize in those cars or third party individuals that collected and sell parts as a business

The answers to oils and gasoline have no clear answer because there's lots of varying opinions on what's best to use for what application and how that's changed with modern oils and gasolines.
It's probably best to just go by what was recommended by GM in the service and Owner's manuals from back in the day.

You can view PDFs of the service manuals at https://www.corvair.org/chapters/corvan ... .php#C95RP where the specifications section should give you most of your answers.

[CarProject]

Thank you so much, my dad is a ford guy so it was hard to find that information. We looked all over, but specifics are hard to find. I really appreciate getting sites for me to source my information for my project.

[TimeMachineParadox]

Oops, I didn't think about that the manuals on the site I linked are for Early Models (EM) (60-64)
Here's a link to manuals for Late Models (LM) (65-69) viewtopic.php?t=17994

There wouldn't be large differences in the general specifications you're looking for, but there might be some smaller differences. Wheel size did change

For other information regarding issues/safety you may want to look into Ralph Nader's "Unsafe at any speed". Despite common opinion, the book wasn't specifically about corvairs but the automotive industry at the time.
It's also important to note that the major criticized suspension issue was corrected in the 64 model year with a rear sway bar. The LMs then received a completely redesigned rear suspension that is much closer to a modern independent rear suspension.

[66vairguy]

If you are writing an "essay" about your dream car then it depends on the school grade you are in. Frankly writing is NOT easy for most.

The fist thing is know is how many words the teacher wants (typically not too many as teachers have a LOT of students). You could write books about the Corvair, and many have! I suggest narrowing your "TOPIC". You may want to state WHY the Corvair is you dream car , then elaborate on on that. Remember your teacher may know NOTHING about cars so be careful using technical terms.

As Jay Leno often says ---- one of the interesting things about old cars is the stories from folks explaining why they bought (or wanted) a certain car.

Good luck.

[miatawnt2b]

I'm curious as to what K-20 grade you are in? Additionally I would like to know why a Corvair, why a 65, and why a Monza?
I would also be super cool if you would share your project with the group here when it's complete.

As for the questions you asked, several are simple answers with really minimal research right here on this forum. Other questions have opinionated answers, but still, with a simple search, you can find more than enough information right here for your project.
Good luck, please keep in touch, and hopefully you will continue to maintain interest in Corvairs.
-J

[CarProject]

I'm in 10th grade, so I'm about to get my license, and honestly, I fell in love with this car when I was about 7. I was at a rodeo with my dad and I spilled a milkshake on the hood of a beautiful bright red car (it just so happened to be a 65 Corvair) I felt so bad that I sat next to the car for hours waiting for the owner so I could apologize, and when he finally showed up he just laughed off my apology and gave me a ride around the grounds.

[66vairguy]

I'm in 10th grade, so I'm about to get my license, and honestly, I fell in love with this car when I was about 7. I was at a rodeo with my dad and I spilled a milkshake on the hood of a beautiful bright red car (it just so happened to be a 65 Corvair) I felt so bad that I sat next to the car for hours waiting for the owner so I could apologize, and when he finally showed up he just laughed off my apology and gave me a ride around the grounds.

Great story --- put that in your essay.

[Leotju]

Corvair owner in highschool (Junior) myself. Definitely a cool and unique project idea. Hope it goes well!

[erco]

Very nice to hear that some high schoolers are Corvair fanboys. We Boomers are dying off and it's great to know that you two youts (obscure Cousin Vinny reference) are prepared to carry the torch forward.

Good luck with your cars and essay!

BTW I featured my '67 Monza in college engineering report in 1982. It had just broken a piston, the top came off, cracked at the oil ring slots. In my "Mechanics of Materials" class we were studying fatigue. Aluminum (unlike steel) has a finite number of cycles before cracks inevitably set in and things break. I took photos of the fracture area with a scanning electron microscope and the classic fatigue striation marks were easy to see. I researched air-cooled piston materials and temperatures in a LIBRARY, long before Siri, Alexa and Google. The shape of the oil slot (sharp edge) really magnifies the stresses there. There are two steel anti-expansion struts cast into the piston, further adding their own mechanical stresses. Based on the car's 90K mileage and average speeds, I was able to approximate a number of cycles. Taking all of these factors into consideration, I was able to calculate a failure envelope which neatly showed that my pistons had indeed accumulated enough cycles to put them into the danger zone where breakage was imminent. I got an A!

The same class had taught me how much stronger forged aluminum was than stock cast aluminum, so I definitely put TRW L2206 forged pistons in when I rebuilt the engine.

[CarProject]

Make that a fangirl, but ive had my eye on one that a guy has been holding for me.

[66vairguy]

Make that a fangirl, but ive had my eye on one that a guy has been holding for me.

I know from experience that most Corvair club folks are older men that like nothing better than helping out a young charming women. If you have a Corvair club close by join in and learn who knows their stuff, then ask them check out the Corvair your thinking of buying.

Good luck

[gbullman]

The car I took my driving test on was a 65 Monza 4 door, 4 speed, 110 HP engine so I can relate to your interest / enthusiasm. Your initial questions will find a lot of answers at various internet sites. Some are pretty straight forward, others are debated over and over again.

After about 44 years without one I bought a 66 Corsa convertible in 2020. I read a lot of books, forum discussions and articles to learn the info you are seeking. If you need help getting started let us know what you’ve tried and what help you need.

Good luck with your project.