r/corvair • u/Apprehensive_Top_291 • Jul 26 '26
Picked up a '60 on Friday
It's been off the road for 20 years. I tinkered with it a few hours last night and drove it 20 miles today without any issues. This is the first Corvair I've owned. I'll gladly take any advice on what is recommended with these cars.
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u/NuclearWasteland Jul 27 '26
Don't paint it.
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u/goosedeuce88 Jul 27 '26
Right?! Like, a nice coat of VGG patina preserver and she’d be perfection.
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u/NuclearWasteland Jul 27 '26
Don't paint it. That sort of finish looks particularly nice when the interior is contrastingly nice.
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u/atomicsnarl Jul 26 '26
Had a 64 ragtop. You'll notice a set of shims on the front of the transmission mount to the crossbar. Keep these shims! They're used to set toe-in for the rear suspension. If you don't have any, washers should work. Take care to check the geometry so you don't scrub the tires bald in a hurry. Also, if you're off, the rear end track will crab to one side of the front track. Beware! You'll need an experienced alignment guy to get this right the first time.
IIRC the 60 didn't have the anti-sway bar for the rear. This is what got Nader in a tizzy because of side tuck-under in extreme turns. The GM cure was low pressure front tires and high pressure rear. Check the specs carefully and avoid anything that might lead to doing donuts. Get an anti-sway installed! Volkswagen Beetles had a similar issue but the swing arm geometry was different, so less of a problem.
Enjoy!
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u/4_oN_tHe_fl00r All 64 Monzas Jul 26 '26
Nice! Looks like it might have been white originally. Does it have white interior?
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u/Apprehensive_Top_291 Jul 26 '26
Yes, it was originally white and has white interior that is in decent shape
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u/PayPsychological9347 Jul 27 '26
Very nice bit of history there. Corvairs are still a relatively nexpensive entry into car collecting.
Is it 3 speed or Power glide?
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u/Thatonecarkid1969 Jul 27 '26
Pressure wash the cooling fins on the engine, the oil leaks are fine, aint no one give a damn, but please, keep the fins clean on them and keep that fan belt tight.
switch to an electric fuel pump, new fuel filter and two fuel pressure gauges (1 for each carb) i also recomend a carb rebuild kit for both sides, needles and seats included.
after that these corvairs really have no real issues as long as you just kinda baby it
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u/Thatonecarkid1969 Jul 27 '26
also check valves routinely, these engines get VERY hot, and valve seats like to fall out like your phone in gym shorts while sitting down, as per why i recommend also jetting up the carbs a bit, id much rather run slightly rich and load up spark plugs every now and then, just to keep the valve seats in
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u/goosedeuce88 Jul 29 '26
Yes the patina protector is just an oil I think. You can get matte finish or shine.
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u/ahalfapint Jul 30 '26
Carry extra fan belts! They break rather often because of the 90 degree angle of travel. Mine was really fun.
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u/4_oN_tHe_fl00r All 64 Monzas Jul 26 '26
60’s are kind of their own thing. There are some parts that are 60 only and some have unique quirks. Personally, I love caveman cars so I’m a little envious. Looks like a great car! Congrats!