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<a href="https://www.wsj.com/news/types/my-ride" class="bigTop__flash bigTopHide--4 " itemprop="articleSection" style="">My Ride</a>
<h1 class="bigTop__hed" itemprop="headline">
Once Controversial, This ’65 Chevy Survives
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<h2 itemprop="description" class="bigTop__dek">
A car collector will always love his fleet of Chevrolet Corvairs, a subject of ‘Unsafe at Any Speed’ by Ralph Nader
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<span class="bigTop__caption">Christian Mejia, 35, of Thousand Oaks, Calif., out on the road in his 1965 Chevrolet Corvair Monza coupe.</span>
<span class="bigTop__credit">Ian Spanier for The Wall Street Journal</span>
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<span>By</span>
<div class="author hasMenu" data-scrim="{"type":"author","header":"A.J. Baime","subhead":"The Wall Street Journal","list":[]}" itemscope="" itemprop="author" itemtype="http://schema.org/Person">
<span itemprop="name">A.J. Baime</span>
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<time class="timestamp">
April 24, 2018 9:15 a.m. ET
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<div> <em>
Christian Mejia,
35, a property manager from Thousand Oaks, Calif., on his 1965 Chevrolet Corvair Monza, as told to A.J. Baime.</em> </div>
<div>My grandfather,
Dean Haskell,
had a Corvair. When I was in preschool, he would take me to
school in it. I thought it was the coolest car. When he passed away, he
left it to my mom and when I got to high school, she gave it to me. It
was my first car. That’s when it all started. I have been obsessed with
Corvairs ever since.</div>
<div>Chevrolet launched the Corvair in 1959 and
it was unlike any car an American manufacturer had ever made. The engine
was in the trunk, behind the driver. At the time, <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/a-bugs-life-shared-passion-for-vw-beetles-1522761979?mod=article_inline" class="icon none">Volkswagen Beetles</a>
were very popular and the VW had its engine in the rear. Chevy wanted
to tap into that market—affordable, rear-engine cars. Soon there were
Corvair coupes, sedans, station wagons, vans, even a pickup.</div>
<div>In
the early 1960s these were popular cars. In 1964, however, the Ford
Mustang came out, at about the same price, and that basically killed the
Corvair. Also, at about that same time,
Ralph Nader
published a book called “Unsafe at Any Speed,” about how unsafe
American cars were. The book made a special case of the Corvair. Ever
since, the Corvair has had an infamous reputation.</div>
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<div class="WSJTheme__slideshow_5FmPaFdwN0Jil8Ml6zbI2 "><hr class="WSJTheme__slideshow-key-line_2brxkfT7lfg8JgxO__oeLL">
<div class="WSJTheme__slideshow-head-dek-container_2Mt2KEKX7r5FtzywZ1xWPd" style="display: block;"><h2 class="WSJTheme__slideshow-headline_2xGujEj1zRBIQaqUIZYdET">Photos: The Chevrolet Corvair’s Biggest Fan</h2><h2 class="WSJTheme__slideshow-dek_2SlqL8aEoxF2jdghXPpko2">A California collector shows off his favorite Corvair from among the dozen he owns</h2></div>
<div class="WSJTheme__slideshow-outer_2VCzE6v6lzoy4U_uHYesEf">
<div class="WSJTheme__slideshow-main-container_1DeJjyEZvo27Dhq9q2ChVV">
<div class="WSJTheme__slideshow-child_1SCw3QZMOSN2reJLyEPIYh" style="left: -100%; transition: none 0s ease 0s;"><img class="WSJTheme__slideshow-img_XOyra_GV9SXY13HXp4fyA" draggable="false" src="https://si.wsj.net/public/resources/images/B3-AE175_MYRIDE_M_20180423142918.jpg" alt="
The Corvair tackles some winding backwoods California pavement. ‘I know my grandfather would be proud, knowing his Corvair is still on the road,’ Mr. Mejia says."></div>
<div class="WSJTheme__slideshow-child_1SCw3QZMOSN2reJLyEPIYh" style="left: 0%; transition: none 0s ease 0s;"><img class="WSJTheme__slideshow-img_XOyra_GV9SXY13HXp4fyA" draggable="false" src="https://si.wsj.net/public/resources/images/B3-AE160_MYRIDE_M_20180423142907.jpg" alt="
When Christian Mejia was a toddler, his grandfather drove him to preschool in this 1965 Chevy Corvair Monza. Today, Mr. Mejia owns this Corvair and 11 others."></div>
<div class="WSJTheme__slideshow-child_1SCw3QZMOSN2reJLyEPIYh" style="left: 100%; transition: none 0s ease 0s;"><img class="WSJTheme__slideshow-img_XOyra_GV9SXY13HXp4fyA" draggable="false" src="https://si.wsj.net/public/resources/images/B3-AE159_MYRIDE_M_20180423142907.jpg" alt="
Mr. Mejia has made this 1965 Chevy a ‘resto mod.’ It has been restored, then souped up to look smooth and modern. The door handles have been removed and new wheels added."></div>
<div class="WSJTheme__slideshow-child_1SCw3QZMOSN2reJLyEPIYh" style="left: 200%; transition: none 0s ease 0s;"><img class="WSJTheme__slideshow-img_XOyra_GV9SXY13HXp4fyA" draggable="false" src="https://si.wsj.net/public/resources/images/B3-AE162_MYRIDE_M_20180423142907.jpg" alt="
The 1965 Corvair’s headlights. While Mr. Mejia has purchased over two dozen Corvairs in his time, this one he got free—a hand-me-down from his grandfather and mother."></div>
<div class="WSJTheme__slideshow-child_1SCw3QZMOSN2reJLyEPIYh" style="left: 300%; transition: none 0s ease 0s;"><img class="WSJTheme__slideshow-img_XOyra_GV9SXY13HXp4fyA" draggable="false" src="https://si.wsj.net/public/resources/images/B3-AE163_MYRIDE_M_20180423142907.jpg" alt="
A close-up of the modern spoked wheels Mr. Mejia put on this old car."></div>
<div class="WSJTheme__slideshow-child_1SCw3QZMOSN2reJLyEPIYh" style="left: 400%; transition: none 0s ease 0s;"><img class="WSJTheme__slideshow-img_XOyra_GV9SXY13HXp4fyA" draggable="false" src="https://si.wsj.net/public/resources/images/B3-AE164_MYRIDE_M_20180423142907.jpg" alt="
European-inspired, the Corvair has been called ‘the best European car made in America.’ With its rear engine, it was so unique when it was launched that it made the cover of Time magazine in October 1959."></div>
<div class="WSJTheme__slideshow-child_1SCw3QZMOSN2reJLyEPIYh" style="left: 500%; transition: none 0s ease 0s;"><img class="WSJTheme__slideshow-img_XOyra_GV9SXY13HXp4fyA" draggable="false" src="https://si.wsj.net/public/resources/images/B3-AE167_MYRIDE_M_20180423142913.jpg" alt="
More detail of the Corvair. In the 1960s, Chevy made Corvair coupes, sedans, even vans and pickups. This specific model is a Corvair Monza, a sporty coupe named for the Monza racetrack in Italy."></div>
<div class="WSJTheme__slideshow-child_1SCw3QZMOSN2reJLyEPIYh" style="left: 600%; transition: none 0s ease 0s;"><img class="WSJTheme__slideshow-img_XOyra_GV9SXY13HXp4fyA" draggable="false" src="https://si.wsj.net/public/resources/images/B3-AE168_MYRIDE_M_20180423142913.jpg" alt="
More detail of the car. Mr. Mejia has modernized some of the interior."></div>
<div class="WSJTheme__slideshow-child_1SCw3QZMOSN2reJLyEPIYh" style="left: 700%; transition: none 0s ease 0s;"><img class="WSJTheme__slideshow-img_XOyra_GV9SXY13HXp4fyA" draggable="false" src="https://si.wsj.net/public/resources/images/B3-AE166_MYRIDE_M_20180423142913.jpg" alt="
‘I’ve never driven any other model like it,’ Mr. Mejia says of the Corvair. ‘It’s so unique, and it handles so well.’"></div>
<div class="WSJTheme__slideshow-child_1SCw3QZMOSN2reJLyEPIYh" style="left: 800%; transition: none 0s ease 0s;"><img class="WSJTheme__slideshow-img_XOyra_GV9SXY13HXp4fyA" draggable="false" src="https://si.wsj.net/public/resources/images/B3-AE165_MYRIDE_M_20180423142913.jpg" alt="
The vehicle’s interior. Mr. Mejia added some of the gauges himself."></div>
<div class="WSJTheme__slideshow-child_1SCw3QZMOSN2reJLyEPIYh" style="left: 900%; transition: none 0s ease 0s;"><img class="WSJTheme__slideshow-img_XOyra_GV9SXY13HXp4fyA" draggable="false" src="https://si.wsj.net/public/resources/images/B3-AE169_MYRIDE_M_20180423142913.jpg" alt="
Mr. Mejia replaced the automatic transmission with a four-speed manual. Here you can see the stick shift."></div>
<div class="WSJTheme__slideshow-child_1SCw3QZMOSN2reJLyEPIYh" style="left: 1000%; transition: none 0s ease 0s;"><img class="WSJTheme__slideshow-img_XOyra_GV9SXY13HXp4fyA" draggable="false" src="https://si.wsj.net/public/resources/images/B3-AE170_MYRIDE_M_20180423142914.jpg" alt="
Detail of the Corvair’s taillights."></div>
<div class="WSJTheme__slideshow-child_1SCw3QZMOSN2reJLyEPIYh" style="left: 1100%; transition: none 0s ease 0s;"><img class="WSJTheme__slideshow-img_XOyra_GV9SXY13HXp4fyA" draggable="false" src="https://si.wsj.net/public/resources/images/B3-AE171_MYRIDE_M_20180423142918.jpg" alt="
The Corvair in profile with hood and trunk lids up."></div>
<div class="WSJTheme__slideshow-child_1SCw3QZMOSN2reJLyEPIYh" style="left: 1200%; transition: none 0s ease 0s;"><img class="WSJTheme__slideshow-img_XOyra_GV9SXY13HXp4fyA" draggable="false" src="https://si.wsj.net/public/resources/images/B3-AE173_MYRIDE_M_20180423142918.jpg" alt="
Some of the aftermarket suspension gadgetry that Mr. Mejia added to the original 1965 packaging."></div>
<div class="WSJTheme__slideshow-child_1SCw3QZMOSN2reJLyEPIYh" style="left: 1300%; transition: none 0s ease 0s;"><img class="WSJTheme__slideshow-img_XOyra_GV9SXY13HXp4fyA" draggable="false" src="https://si.wsj.net/public/resources/images/B3-AE174_MYRIDE_M_20180423142918.jpg" alt="
Mr. Mejia digs his hands into the Corvair’s original 164-cubic-inch, six-cylinder engine."></div>
<div class="WSJTheme__slideshow-child_1SCw3QZMOSN2reJLyEPIYh" style="left: 1400%; transition: none 0s ease 0s;"><img class="WSJTheme__slideshow-img_XOyra_GV9SXY13HXp4fyA" draggable="false" src="https://si.wsj.net/public/resources/images/B3-AE172_MYRIDE_M_20180423142918.jpg" alt="
Some detail of the engine."></div>
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When Christian Mejia was a toddler, his grandfather drove him to
preschool in this 1965 Chevy Corvair Monza. Today, Mr. Mejia owns this
Corvair and 11 others.</div>
<div class="WSJTheme__slideshow-credit_1_8b9WabQEcQiw8XsWWEK">Ian Spanier for The Wall Street Journal</div>
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<div>[Nader wrote that the car’s rear engine and suspension
combination made it easy for drivers to lose control. Chevrolet changed
the car’s suspension setup due to Nader’s book.] </div>
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<div>I think that reputation is false because, to me, these cars
handle so well. I am not alone. Today, there is a passionate community
of Corvair people. These cars are unique and affordable, and people
still use them to compete in vintage racing.</div>
<div>I
have owned 26 Corvairs and currently own 12, including two rare Corvair
race cars, and I have my own private shop where I restore them. I have
bought Corvairs in Arizona, New Mexico, Indiana and California. Once I
was pulling a Corvair on a flatbed and I met a guy at a gas station. The
next thing I knew, I was at his house in Barstow, Calif., and I bought
five Corvairs for $3,000.</div>
<div>The car pictured here is my first
Corvair, the one that my grandfather used to take me to preschool. I did
some work on it: souped up the engine, did some body work, removed the
door handles for a cleaner look, and swapped out the automatic
transmission for a four-speed manual.</div>
<div>I know my grandfather would be proud, knowing his Corvair is still on the road.</div>
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<span class="wsj-article-caption-content">The Corvair on ‘the Snake’—a famous slice of roadway in Southern California.</span>
<span class="wsj-article-credit" itemprop="creator">
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Photo:
</span>
Ian Spanier for The Wall Street Journal
</span>
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<div>Contact A.J. Baime at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ajbaime?mod=article_inline" target="_blank" class="icon none">Facebook.com/abjaime</a>.</div>
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</font>