Thrilled to be a first time Corvair owner!

[Algershick]

This is my new 63 Corvair 700 that we brought home on Sunday. Its got a crease behind the passenger door and some rust in the rockers and bottoms of the fenders as well as the floorboards, but is in otherwise great shape. The motor runs well, and the carbs were rebuilt in the last year. The seats are in great shape, and its got a Spyder instrument cluster. Its eternally stuck in what I believe is 3rd gear, but the owner explained that he thinks that the 4 speed's shift linkage has come loose. He gave me a spare shift control rod as well as a bunch of trim and other extras to take home.








I'm new to Corvairs, but have wanted one for a long time. Its kind of amusing to see that items in this model were shared among other vehicles in the line; I also own a 1963 Chevy II. I really intend on keeping this car mostly stock with the exception of a duel chamber master cylinder

I had an interesting day purchasing this 63 700. My wife and kids loaded up into the Trailblazer to head to the coast of Washington, about a 110 mile drive, to pick this car up. On the way there, my daughters were tugging a sweater back and forth out of boredom and my 2 year old's arm was nearly pulled out of socket! The sellers wife took my wife and daughter to the ER and I spent about 4 extra hours at their home. I know he reads this forum, so if you see this, thank you again for your hospitality! Also, I get asked for Pixi Stix non stop now. haha.

[Corvair.crazy]

Thats a great story! I am assuming it ended well? The kids OK?
The car looks like a great one to start with, congratulations. The gear shift looks like a weird position, so I hope the linkage will fix it. That will make the car more fun to drive.:)

[Algershick]

Thanks, and yes my daughter is fine. His wife was a nurse, and they knew the doctor at the hospital, so she took good care of us.

The car is in pretty good shape! The floorboards are fiberglassed for whatever reason, but on the underside you can see that they aren't rotten through. I still have to add some seatbelts, so hopefully there are mounts already preexisting. The shifter linkage does look strange, because it really isn't attached to anything! It kind of just flops around. He said he thinks the shift linkage rod is disconnected from the transmission on that end. He gave me a spare rod from a parts car, so if its actually broken I have a good part to replace it with.

Do any of you know if, in early models, there is a panel under the back seat that will allow you to get at the transmission? The previous owner gave me some maintenance manuals that made it sound like this is the case, but I"m not 100% certain. Maybe this isn't the proper forum for diagnosis, though.

[PHX65CorsaHT]

Welcome to the forum. There is a lot of excellent advice from from very experienced corvair owners in this forum.
I purchased my first corvair (LM) just 6 months ago. If you have a question do a few searches and you will likely be pointed in the right direction. If you can't find it, ask. Nothing like some rust repair to fill up a few weekends of your time.
Always like the EM spyder dash, really looks good. Washington I see, born and raised in seattle, what part? Since cruising weather is over up there gives you 7 months to make repairs!

[Algershick]

Very cool, late models are what I fell in love with when I was a teenager.

I spent most of my life in Tacoma/Puyallup. I've been out of state for 8 years in the military, but just separated and finally returned home in August. Right now, I'm living in Kent to avoid 167 traffic to and from work.

[Corvair.crazy]

Thanks, and yes my daughter is fine. His wife was a nurse, and they knew the doctor at the hospital, so she took good care of us.

Do any of you know if, in early models, there is a panel under the back seat that will allow you to get at the transmission? The previous owner gave me some maintenance manuals that made it sound like this is the case, but I"m not 100% certain. Maybe this isn't the proper forum for diagnosis, though.

No there is no way that I know of to access the tranny from the inside. The shift rod goes thru the "tunnel" under the car and pokes out in the rear. You will need to jack it up and pull the dozen or so screws that hold the cover in place for the tunnel. Grab a electric drill motor would help. Then the problem will most likely present itself. Thats okay because you should lube the necessary points while you have it apart.

[Algershick]

Alright, I understand now. Thanks for the reply!

[cad-kid]

Welcome, Interesting adventure you had!

[PHX65CorsaHT]

Alger, Kent eh...wife grew up in Federal Way...me Woodinville. Now in Phx x10years. Lot more good driving months down here! Enjoy the ride of Corvair ownership. Make it drivable asap then work on cosmetics is the way to go IMO.