Transmission Code

[dedeangelo]

Is there any place on my '63 Monza that I can find a code that specifies the type of manual trans the came with the vehicle? Thanks in advance for any and all help.

[bbodie52]

Corvair Body Tags, as displayed below, can be confusing and somewhat inconsistent. According to the GM Heritage Center documentation (copy attached), in 1963 the standard transmission was a 3-speed manual. The Powerglide Automatic was designated as RPO (Regular Production Option) M35, and the 4-Speed manual transmission was RPO M20. The ACC line on the Body Tag would show code "M" in the second group for a car receiving a Powerglide automatic transmission, and code "L" for a manual transmission. HOWEVER, in 1963 code "L" seems to have been used in the Van Nuys (Los Angeles) production plant only. In 1964 it appears that code "L" designated the manual transmission for all production plants. So was your 1963 produced in VN (Van Nuys) or WRN (Willow Run, MI)? What is also unclear: was the ACC code 2L only applicable to the 4-speed manual transmission RPO option M20, or would code L designate any car with a manual transmission (3-speed or 4-speed)?

I would like to say that ACC code 2L would indicate the RPO M20 4-speed option, and no transmission code in the 2nd ACC group would indicate the standard 3-speed configuration. Code 2M appears to indicate the Powerglide RPO M35 option at all production facilities.

So a guess, if your 1963 Corvair was produced in Van Nuys and carries ACC code 2L on the body tag, the original manual transmission was a 4-speed manual. If the ACC line shows no transmission code in the second group, it was probably a 3-speed manual (Van Nuys only). If your car was produced at Willow Run, apparently no transmission code was stamped on the tag unless the car was receiving an automatic transmission.

Confusing?



1963 Fisher bodytags ACC line. (WR, OA and VN)
The Letters are listed in groups. Letters following a number is in that group. The code letters are listed in the order they would appear. Some letters are in more than one group
WRN and VN Bodytags

First Group ( no numeric indicator)
E = RPO A01 Tinted Glass ( Soft Ray glass in all windows)
F = RPO A02 Tinted Windshield
L = Rear folding seat (500-700models)

2 = Second Group
C = RPO Padded dash
D = RPO Powertop
E = RPO C60 Air Conditioning
M = RPO Powerglide
L = Manual trans (VN only)
Y = Rear seat Speaker

3 = Third Group
C = RPO Turbocharged Spyder option
P = ? (VN only) might be Comfort and Convenience -- as with '65, may indicate two-speed wiper and washer (carryover from FS Chevys built in same plant)

Oakland bodytags (It appears that the 1962 OA codes carried over to 1963)
Does not use group numbers
W = Tinted Windshield
E = Tint glass all
P = padded dash
A = AC
X = Spyder option
K = Rear seat speaker?

The only other clue that I can think of might be the backup lamp switch arrangement in the manual transmission car. A Corvair with a 3-speed manual transmission was equipped with a backup lamp switch in the shift linkage tunnel, while the 4-speed has a backup lamp switch screwed into the bottom of the transmission itself. (Shown on the Clark's Corvair Parts catalog page and shop manual illustrations below). There may be some evidence of the original backup lamp switch arrangement in your car, showing a backup lamp switch in the tunnel (3-speed) or only wiring connecting to the bottom of the 4-speed transmission.

[dedeangelo]

Brad... You have given me some options. The car was produced in Willow Run and the body tag is empty for ACC. The car is a Monza convertible with a 102HP motor and a 3-speed. I have been trying to determine if it was built with the 3-speed or was swapped out at some time. I'll check the backup lamp switch arrangement and see if I can get an answer there. You help is much appreciated. Thank you.

[bbodie52]

Personally, I have never seen a Corvair with a 3-speed manual transmission. I know that they are out there, but the Powerglide or 4-speed seemed to be much-more popular. I would guess that most 900 series Monzas with 102 hp engines, as a "top of the line" car – especially a Monza convertible – would have been purchased with the 4-speed or automatic. Few owners who opted for a sporty Monza convertible would be satisfied with a stock, low budget 3-speed transmission. Since your Monza has a 3-speed, I suspect it was substituted at some later time for a faulty 4-speed.

[terribleted]

I have seen only seen one 3 speed manual Monza that I can recall. I have seen a number of 500 and 700 series with this trans. The 3 speed manual Monza I recall was a red Convertible. The story behind the 3 speed was that the car was bought for a daughter and the 3 speed was specified too keep the cost down as well as somewhat limit the performance for a young driver.

[Mwmwall]

My first Corvair, a 64 Monza ragtop, was a 3-speed. I was always jealous of the guys with the 4-speeds.

[BruceWeeks]

My second car was a 1960 sedan 80 HP - 3 speed, then in 1977 I bought a 1965 500 coupe 95 HP - 3 speed. Wasn't looking at codes back then so I can't comment on what they might be.

[wingnutandme]

A woman that I have done some work for is in possession of a 1 owner, 1963 Monza convert., 102 HP with a 3 speed. Based on the original purchasers reputation, I am surprised that he popped for the Super Turbo Air.