This 1966 Corvair Monza convertible is described as a completely restored example that looks, runs and drives like new. We think it looks great cosmetically and that the redone mechanicals and manual transmission noted by the seller only add to the appeal. Alloy wheels (they seem to be genuine American Racing Torq-Thrusts) with modern rubber complete the package. Find it here on Craigslist in the Trabuco Canyon area of Orange County, California for $13k.

The seller says the car’s body was stripped to bare metal and that the small amount of rust that existed was repaired with welded-in metal. The car got a new windshield as well. The body certainly looks straight and in our opinion is among the best-styled cars of the period. The seller says that the car needs a new top, but that’s a purchase we’d probably put off for a while as we’d want to drive it with the top down more often than not.

The interior is said to be all-new including carpet, door panels and seats. The seller also installed a Corsa dash, which has additional gauges and seems like a worthwhile upgrade over the factory Monza unit. Bucket seats were part of the Monza package. Overall, the interior looks quite clean and we like the black/red color scheme. The transmission is a floor-shifted manual and though it’s not noted if it’s the standard 3-speed or optional 4-speed, we hope it’s the latter.

The engine compartment looks tidy and the engine itself clean and well-detailed. The seller doesn’t mention engine output, but going by the twin carbs and the emblem on the deck lid this appears to be the 110-horsepower engine (the standard 95-horsepower engine didn’t have the deck emblem and the 140-horse engine had 4 carbs). The seller says the engine was rebuilt by a Corvair specialist 5,000 miles ago. The seller also notes that the brake system is new and has a dual master cylinder and that the suspension sports new shocks, ball joints, bushings, tie rods and wheel bearings.

Though not as rare or as powerful as a ‘66 Corsa vert, we think this Monza looks great and that it would be a lot of fun to own and drive. The fact that it appears to be ready to use as-is would seem to make it a reasonable buy as well.