Modified 1966 Corvair Monza with Mid-Mounted
A no-reserve auction features a 1966 Chevrolet Corvair Monza with a mid-mounted 350ci V8 and a 4-speed manual transaxle.
A 1966 Chevrolet Corvair Monza with a mid-mounted 350 cubic inch small block V8 is now for sale. The car is being offered at no reserve, according to a listing detailed by Silodrome.
This radical modification replaces the car's original air-cooled flat-six engine. Power is sent to the rear wheels via a 4-speed manual transaxle. The seller states that an oil change and shifter adjustment were completed in preparation for the sale.
The Modified Powertrain
The engine is fitted with a Holley carburetor, MSD ignition, tubular headers, and a dual exhaust system with Flowmaster mufflers. While the original Corvair engine produced around 140 bhp, a typical 350 Chevy crate engine makes closer to 290 bhp and 326 lb ft of torque. The seller notes the specific output of this engine is unknown.
Moving the engine from behind the rear axle to a mid-mounted position alters the car's weight distribution. The factory Corvair Monza had a 36/64 front/rear weight distribution. The heavier V8 is mounted further forward in this build, which the source suggests should aid in handling.
Exterior and Interior Changes
The car is finished in red and rides on lowered suspension with 15-inch American Racing Torq Thrust wheels and Hankook Kinergy ST tires. Exterior revisions include updated lighting, hood pins, and the removal of the front bumper. The seller mentions the front-left turn signal and parking brake are currently not working.
Inside, the interior has been stripped of its carpets, door panels, headliner, and sun visors. It now features black bucket seats sourced from a Camaro, a center console with cupholders, an aftermarket steering wheel, and auxiliary gauges. Neither the original push-button radio nor an aftermarket head unit is functional. The odometer shows 65,000 miles.
Historical Context: The Corvair Monza
The Chevrolet Corvair debuted in 1959 as an unconventional American compact car with a rear-mounted, air-cooled flat-six engine. Conceived by Chevrolet chief Ed Cole as a rival to the Volkswagen Beetle, it featured four-wheel independent suspension and unibody construction. The sportier Monza trim, first shown in 1960, unexpectedly became the model's strongest seller.
Major developments for the Corvair line included the introduction of the turbocharged Monza Spyder in 1962 and a comprehensive redesign for the 1965 model year. The 1965 Corvair introduced a new fully articulated rear suspension and the performance-focused Corsa model. Sales declined rapidly after 1965, influenced by the Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro, as well as criticism from Ralph Nader's book "Unsafe at Any Speed." Production ended in 1969.
A 1972 investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration concluded the handling of the 1960-1963 Corvair was "at least as good as the performance of some contemporary vehicles," both foreign and domestic. The car being sold is a 1966 Monza coupe, a model from the second generation.
