1964 Chevrolet Corvair Monza Spyder in Red & Engine Sound on My Car Story with Lou Costabile 

My dad had a Corvair, true story. We were sitting at a traffic light, I was about five or six years old with my two brothers in the backseat. A drunk driver rear-ended us at 50 miles an hour. According to the police officer the only thing that saved our lives with the fact that it was a rear engine car and the weight of the motor protected us.

What a classic American car, that car is about driving enjoyment and having fun, congratulations Chris.

Fond memories of owning and driving this wonderful car! The 1964 model included a rear transverse leaf spring which solved the rear suspension jacking issue. Still, it’s very important to keep strict tabs on your tire pressure! If memory serves, rear tires are at a higher pressure than fronts. Such a fun car! …probably the most European car ever designed and built in America! Enjoy!

My grandfather has a 1964 corvair. It has always been one of my favorites he’s got it in a beautiful speckled blue

A car that GM should've continued to develope IMHO . It is a great car .

I love the Corvair we had one of every kind when I was growing up and one just like that Spider convertible great car

Purchased a Corvair Spyder Convertible in 1968. Loved that car, even with some traditional Corvair problems (heating, fan belt, loose front end). Was 18, 19, went on double dates with top down, laughing all the time. Four speed manual transmission made it fun to drive. Wish I had never sold it :(

Great memories. I bought a 62 convertible in Georgia in ‘65 when I was in the Navy, and was reassigned to a ship in Pearl Harbor that summer. Drove the Corvair cross country to San Francisco, mostly with the top down all the way, and the Navy shipped it to Hawaii. It was a great beach car. People rarely comment on the front "trunk" but the recess in the middle was perfect for a case of beer, ice, ..and it even had a drain in the bottom to let out the melted ice. If anyone’s curious, when the 4 on the floor gearshift was shoved forward to third gear, there was plenty of room in the front seats for two consenting adults to enjoy themselves. 😛 It was also technically ahead of its time... the air cooled boxer 6 cyl engine actually predated the Porsche 911 by a year or two. In addition to lacking power brakes and steering, mine also had a manual top. When I left Hawaii n 1967 I sold it to a shipmate, who failed to go thru the formalities of officially transferring the title, and for a couple of years I got numerous notices of unpaid parking tickets,etc. I’ve never been back to Hawaii but have wondered if I tried to rent a car out there that my name would show up with an arrest warrant for all the laws my car broke. 😊. I’m sure the car succumbed to the salt air years ago but it’ll always have great memories.. aloha. 🌴

Corvairs are such amazing cars! I'm proud to own several Corvairs, earlies, lates, and forward controls! The turbocharged cars are fun, but way more cantankerous and fussy than the regular aspirated ones. I've put over 1,500 miles on my '62 Monza sedan THIS year so far! Would be adding way more miles, but I share driving time with my '65 500 sedan with factory air conditioning and my Rampsides! I love these cars and plan on adding more to my fleet!

I had one of these. 1964 Chevrolet Corvair Monza Spyder convertible. Only year with that aluminum fender trim. I had to look closer to make sure it wasn't the same one. Fun car. 😊

I own a 66 monza convertible and love it

I had one of these puppy's. I absolute loved it. It was so much fun to drive.

The first generation Corvair was available with real wire wheels. In the 70s I acquired several NOS wire wheel sets. In 1979 I brought them to a Corvair convention with other cool and rare Corvair stuff and got a wonderful return on my investment.

I drove a new 1966 yellow Corvair Corsa convertible. Loved it!!

I had a 1963 Chevrolet Corvair Spyder coupe. Fun car to drive.

I owned a new 63....love it....wish I had it back.

Awesome content again fellas. Thanks so much!

Another great episode. I know Eric and Chris...both enthusiastic car guys! Congrats on the purchase; looks like an excellent example of the Corvair. Thanks for sharing this car story, Lou!

I've been wanting a 64 Spyder convertible white interior red exterior for 30 years... This red on red is absolutely gorgeous!

Growing up, our family had a 64 Monza convertible (110 / 4sp), later on I had a 66 Corsa convertible (140 / 4sp). My Mom worked at a tire store and was given a free set of Michelin radials, it was funny seeing mechanics shake their heads when my five foot and a bit mom tried to tell them the tires weren't flat. ;-D I almost blew up a friend of a friends Spyder, not knowing it didn't have a waste gate.

What a fun car and video - thanks Lou!

Would love to own one. Chris is a lucky man.

Another cool car Lou. Thank you. Getting a Corvair Rampside truck is on my bucket list.

Love it! Back in the late 60s my dad had a 63. 3 spd manual on the floor. Some of Naders concerns were real. Exhaust fumes coming in through the rear passenger area, and the front getting light at 50+mph, especially with a head wind. Dad tossed a couple 50 lb bags of rock salt (for the home water softener) in the front and that seemed to keep traction on the front tires.

Nice car...thanks for sharing!

I was a Freshman in High School in 1964-1965 when this Corvair Monza Spyder came on the market ! I loved it from the first moment that I saw it. I remember telling my Dad that was the Car that I wanted when I became a Senior in 12th grade as my first car ! He would always laugh and tell me that by that time they would have something better on the market !

Nice video! I own a 64 spyder coupe and get so much attention everytime I take it out! A great conversation starter everywhere I go in it!

I had a few of these, incl a new 63 convert. The family mechanic would greet me with a "No no no no!!!!!"

The high flow turbo mufflers were pioneered here.

In my Corvair days, I had amassed five NOS wire wheel sets in their GM boxes for the 1960 to 64 Corvairs. They'd sure look great on this specimen.

I had one in the late 70's and it was near identical to this car. I had constant problems with the turbo seals and later bought a kit from Crown Industries to replace the turbo with a manifold for a 4bbl carb. I then drove the car for one more year and then sold it. Last I knew that owner still has the car.

Just think today Ralph Nader would approve of them today that one is great condition you don't see them around much like I did as a kid

Oh yes I so remember those cars they were as I was growing up in my area here in Ohio made fun of. I knew of the spider version of this car and I had heard they were fast and powerful. My dad always told me though you needed to carry a spare fan belt cause these cars were very hard on them because of the routing of the belts and the twisting of the belts the wore out fast. I love the colors of this car my favorite color on this car and the car sounded very healthy too. The trailer hitch though on this little car makes me wonder what they were hauling and how hard the little motor worked. But all in all a awesome old car lots of memories and I sure hopes he enjoys the hell out of it like he says. Thanks for sharing Lou!

My 1968 high school graduation gift from my folks was a '61 Corvair Monza 900 Club Coupe, white over red, 4-on-the-floor. Slow, difficult to tune, oil fumes in the cabin, terrible steering & brakes, snapped fanbelts...OMG I LOVED THAT CAR and miss it to this day!

Thanks Lou

A cool and different car for sure.

He is right that it's a privilege and honor to be on My Car Story. In a way, it's also important because there will come a day when we will not get to see great automobiles like this one.

Chris George! i am sooo very proud of you!

Working on one now. Same year same model only Yellow with black interior and convertible top.

My dad had a 63 Corvair when I was a kid

Awesome Lou《☆》

Nice selection Lou. Tony Dow from leave it to beaver has his 1962 spider hard top that he was reunited with a few years ago.

Loved mine!❤️

there is a turbo spyder sitting in my yard right now. solid car too

Very cool little car.

lovely car. Love it.

awesome car.

Simply stunning!!

Great looking car Lou. My cousin har a 67 convertible and a 69 sprint built by Finch. John Finch used to race corvairs it wss one of his cars.

The 1964 model was the one I saw the most growing up. They styling is the best, and you saw many 4-door models of that year. I loved the story about how "there would not have been a Mustang if there had not been a Corvair. That's probably true.

You've outdone yourself Lou. I saw lots of these in the late 1960s, kind of abandoned-like in a used Ford car lot. They had several of them at a time. I thought they were kind of cool then, but more as a toy than as an everyday driver.

My dad had two Corvairs. His first was a 62 and he liked it so well he bought a new one in 65. The 65 was a little Monza 4 speed and that's the one my dad taught me to drive in. So now I can actually drive a stick shift, which seems to be becoming a lost art because automatic transmissions are what most people prefer...but I fondly remember driving that little car in my high school daze.....😉✌

Loved your video! I'm actually going to pick up my very first Corvair tomorrow. Believe it or not, it's the same exact color as this one. It's a 1964 Monza convertible. Powerglide transmission white convertible top. Almost identical twin to this except mine is not a turbo. Couldn't turn it down. It was too good of a deal. Runs very well... a little nervous driving a car from Central Florida to Tallahassee about 250 miles away that I don't know.... that's 57 years old. Any advice? LOL sure is a damn nice looking car though! Thanks for your video.

In 1964, the first year for the 164 cid formerly 145 cid, the 500 was 95 hp, Monza was 110 hp, Spyder was 150 hp.

I had a 64 Corvair Spyder coupe. I made a left turn at normal speed and one of the rear tires popped off of the rim. Ralph Nader was right.

Lee Iacocca saw the Monza show car and told his team at Ford to work on a smaller car with bucket seats and 4 on the floor.

Wow, what a beaut!!!

A Convertible Corvair is a beautiful car

Dad had a maroon hardtop. I bought him the same wire hubcaps. Sadly he never put them on and eventually I put them on my 1966. But the Spyder was my dream car. He scared the hell out of me in it on an old two lane road. That thing would haul ass, but at 110 mph, the front end wanted to lift off the ground.

I was expecting to see the gas heater in the front when you raised the hood. The engine sounds ruff. Might be due for a rebuild. It's a good looking corvair. They are fun to drive.

Hi Lou, Let me start by saying that I'm a subscriber and fan of your channel and I've thoroughly enjoyed every video of yours that I've watched. I am also a big fan of the Corvair as my brother bought a '64 Spyder back in 1966 and I have many fond memories of the two of us racing around town with it. Today while watching this video about the 1964 Corvair Monza Spyder I decided that I wanted to do something for my brother but I would need to speak with the owner Chris George. Basically I'm looking for him to take a very hi-resolution digital picture of the whole dash from the rear seat and at a specific angle. This way I can blow it up and print it on high quality photo paper, then frame it and send it to my brother. When the picture is taken correctly it gives the perspective of what it's like to be sitting behind the wheel. The reason I want a picture of this particular Corvair is because not only that it's a Spyder and the same year as my brothers, but it is super clean and the interior is red just like my brothers was. So I am wondering if there is some way I can contact you, so that I can give you my contact information to pass along to Chris. Thanks, John

I recently traded my 280z for this identical car minus the spider(turbo) package Loving the car so far and it is 100% unlike anything I’ve ever driven

We had a 62 Monza coupe when I was a kid. 👍

Remember the old joke , How do You recognize a Convair Owner? They always walk around bent over at the waist from having to work on the rear mounted engine! LOL

Sweet 😀

Awesome! Rarely do we get any post on the Corvair, and then you get one of the turbo! How unique... Oddly enough, GM got out of the rear engined car business, after the Fiero.., but the new Corvette will kinda signal the return of the rear-mid engine car to GM.

My Dad had one just like this only it had a hard top.

a nice one. I remember my dad telling me his dad had one, and he told him not to buy it, alas he rolled it going around a corner.

I had one with the gas heater in the trunk . Have you ever seen one??

When I was a little kid, my parents had a 63 Spyder hardtop. Black with a red interior. My mother drove it all the time, but when my father drove it, he could never find reverse because the pattern on that 4-speed was so close. He always parked it where he could pull back out.

nice little car to buy and it seems to have survived the winter salt but perhaps was never winter driven.

These were neat cars. Like the other comments, they should have continued to develop them . My 66 handled pretty good but was slow without the turbo.👍

Back in the late 60s I had 2 convair convertibles 62 and a 65. Loved them both. Alas engine problems and lousy mechanic valve jobs cost me big time

I have a uncle back then that had a corvair station wagon and 2 aunts that also had corvairs also

I had a 65 Corsa 4 1bbl carbs 4 sp fun but would change lanes without permission in cross winds Thanx from the left coast near the Krapitol of California

That's a great looking car and it seems longer than a regular corvair|

Do you have to let those turbos cool off for a minute before you turn the engine off?

classic

I own a 64’ Corvair spider with 30k original miles

Had a 63 and 64

My 64 Spyder had a different steering wheel with a spider in the hub. I owned it back in 1973.

I had a 1963 Spyder in dark metalic

Great car - now the challenge will be finding a great air cooled mechanic! If you find one, send me his name, lol!

Now this is a cool/unique car indeed...Couldn't have been too many Spyder models made with turbos! I have always been intrigued by Corvairs, and thought they would kind of fun to drive also. Never really understood what the handling flaw was that Nader was complaining about, but it is just like any car, it has handling limits that should not be exceeded so you don't lose control. Is that really a trailer hitch on the rear bumper? Sure hope the proud owner will remove that quickly....

Own a 64 Corvair, 4 door.

Great presentation of a great car, Lou! I know. I owned one back in the day. The second car I ever owned. Loved it. No problems... at ANY speed! Ralph Nader was a nut looking for 15-minutes of fame. He cost GM a ton of money, too. Keep up the good work, Lou. ---Jim

I can hear the fan bearing is on its way out. Should be replaced immediately!

Wasn't the Vette originally to be named Corvair?

Algo distinto No es impala En Uruguay hubieron muchos,ninguno se volcó ni tuvieron problemas mecanicos

I had a 64 Spyder coupe. When I made a left turn the tire popped off the rim. I heard that's how Ernie Kovacks died. Ralph Nader was right.

Need some Spyder parts?

Tomato soup can comes to mind, not sure how much of a connection there is here.

I;VE SEEN MANY CORVAIR

personally I perfer the convertible myself that is a sweet ride

In 1964, GM added a rear torsion bar suspension to the Corvair to end the rollover problems. I had a 1963 Corvair Monza convertible that didn't have the torsion bar upgrade and although I drove it very hard as a teenager, I never rolled it or even came close to it. You had to be doing something really stupid to roll even the older Corvairs, IMO.

He's in luck, Lou. His Spyder produces 180 hp (up from 150 in '63. The '64 has a larger displacement....164 c.i. vs 145 c.i.

I SAW ONE OF THESE RUN AGAINST A 327 AN IT KEPT UP

I bought a used one in the 70s. Looks like this one only not as nice. Turbo was great in the CA mountains. Only problem was when a gas station put reg gas in it otherwise a great car. Enjoy..

The Corvair was a car ahead of its time they did not have the materials and general motors did not spend the time to develop the car they got out as Cheaply as passable

i have 6 great cars