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Most Wanted Classic Cars: Chevrolet Corvair (Part 2)

The Chevrolet Corvair was dramatically redesigned in the year 1965, and it featured a coke-bottle styling that would set the trend for many GM automobiles in the next decade. However, the new Corvair did not get a performance upgrade as it was fitted with the same base and optional engines from the previous year. The station, pickup, and panel van styles were no longer available by 1965, and all the closed models became true hardtops.

The 1966 Corvair was very much similar to the 1965 model, but it received a new 4-speed synchromesh transmission that could withstand more stress. Sales of the car began to decline this year as pony and muscle cars, such as the Ford Mustang and the upcoming Chevrolet Camaro, started to gain favor among car buyers. Despite active marketing by Chevrolet, the Corvair failed to regain the popularity that it enjoyed the early 1960s. In 1967, only 27,253 units were produced.

All 4-door hardtop Corvairs were dropped in the year 1968. Only three models were available this year, and they included the 500, Monza Convertible, and Monza Hardtop Coupe. By this time, Chevrolet had stopped all advertisements for the Corvair, and sales plummeted to 15,400 units. Production of the Chevrolet Corvair came to an end in 1969, and the 6,000th car that came off the assembly line was offered as a collector car.