This venerable 1965 Chevrolet Corvair Corsa, a coupe variant, formerly belonged to Duane Luckow—a past chair and adjudicator for the Corvair Society of America’s Concours. Under his stewardship approximately a quarter-century ago, the vehicle underwent a series of cosmetic and mechanical rejuvenations. Propulsion is facilitated by a 164ci Turbo-Air flat-six engine, ensconced at the vehicle’s rear and coupled with a four-speed manual transaxle alongside a PosiTraction differential. Adorned in a soothing Mist Blue hue over matching blue vinyl, the car boasts an array of features including a cushioned dashboard, front bucket seats, safety belts, and a climate control system complete with heating and defrosting capabilities, not to mention an AM/FM audio system equipped with a Multiplex unit and an additional rear speaker. In September 2020, the current dealer secured possession via BaT, and now, this historical Corvair is available from a Floridian location, accompanied by its original manufacturer’s documents and a pristine South Carolina title.
Previously coated in factory-standard Mist Blue (D), the vehicle received a new layer of paint around the year 2000. It sports a chrome luggage carrier, a polished silver panel above the taillights, lustrous exhaust terminations, and distinctive Corsa insignia, supplemented by bumper enhancements at both ends. The accompanying photographic gallery illustrates minor imperfections in the paintwork.
Beneath its framework, 13-inch steel wheels are clad in simulated wire wheel covers and knock-off hubs, encircled by BFGoodrich Silvertown whitewall radial tires. A full-sized spare nestles within the engine bay. The Corvair’s chassis benefits from a completely independent suspension system and is equipped with drum brakes on both the front and rear. It is noted that a rapid-ratio steering assembly was installed during its refurbishment phase.
Inside, the front bucket seats and rear bench are dressed in blue vinyl, harmonizing with the dashboard pad, ceiling liner, door panels, and carpeting. The cabin’s comforts include a heating unit, a windshield defrost mechanism, an AM/FM sound system with a Multiplex feature and a speaker in the rear, a cigarette lighter, storage pockets on the doors, textured rubber mats on the floor, and headrests sourced from a later model.
A two-spoke steering wheel is central to an instrument cluster displaying a 140-mph speedometer, a tachometer with a 6,000 rpm limit, an analog timepiece, and dials indicating fuel level, manifold pressure, and cylinder head temperature. The odometer, limited to five digits, registers 9,000 miles, of which roughly 50 have been accrued under the current proprietorship. The total distance traveled by the vehicle remains indeterminate.
At the heart of this historical machine lies a rear-positioned, air-cooled 164ci Turbo-Air flat-six engine, originally rated at 140 horsepower and 160 lb-ft of torque, configured with four single-barrel carburetors.
Motive force is transmitted to the rear wheels via a four-speed manual transaxle and a Positraction differential.
The trim tag provides the following production details:
- 04B – Produced second week of April
- Style 65-10737 – 1965 Corsa coupe
- Trim 733 – Blue vinyl upholstery
- Body WRN – Built in Willow Run, Michigan
- Paint D-D – Mist Blue
- Option codes – Tinted windshield and side glass, four-speed manual transmission, padded dash, rear speaker, custom deluxe seat belts with retractors, RPO Z01 comfort and convenience group, spare tire lock