[SCG] 63 Spyder air cleaner housings (cross post from VV)

[Ramon Rodriguez III]

Hello all,

I've been trying to clear up some confusion on black vs chrome air cleaner
housings on 63 Spyder optioned cars.

So far I've had a few knowledgeable Corvair guys tell me they were all
chrome, and a couple others have said they were all black!

I've started collecting data on individual cars with known histories and so
far I've got one built in Oakland, CA (February)  with a chrome air cleaner
housing and one built in Willow Run (May) with a black air cleaner
housing.  I've found another one with a black housing but I'm waiting for
the factory code and build date.

In browsing the internet I have seen the 63 Spyder with both chrome and
black air cleaner several times each but obviously it is very likely that
some would not be original.  I've seen unrestored (in bad shape) examples
online with both chrome and black as well.

My theory right now is that maybe Oakland built 63's had chrome and Willow
Run built cars had black..... I'm anxious to see if that pans out =)

I have found that the 1963 Spyder ad "cart before the horse" does depict
the 63' Spyder with a black air cleaner housing.  This could be a
pre-production mock up that is not correct but it does have 63 tail lights,
and I'm fairly sure that it has 63 upholstery and rear air grill.

The 1963 dealer brochure in describing the Spyder options says "The
installation is a joy to behold:  beautiful workmanship; chrome-plated
induction tube, fuel and oil lines and dipstick; single side draft
carburetor; special camshaft and an exhaust-driven turbo-supercharger"
Note that it does not mention the chrome plated air cleaner housing.

Also of note:  The 1964 brochure uses nearly the exact text as above, also
not making mention of a chrome plated air cleaner housing, and even more
strange on page 3 it shows the Spyder engine room and the air cleaner
appears to be black!   The tail lamps in the same photo are 64 style but I
highly doubt the 64' ad photo would have a black air cleaner housing if the
63's were all chrome.  Presumably a 1964 model year promotional photo would
be using rather late 63 parts at the oldest.

I do not find any mention of the change to a chrome air cleaner housing in
any of my Corvair books, including "The Corvair Decade".


Thanks for any info!

-- 
Ray "Grymm" Rodriguez III
Lake Ariel, PA
1966 Corsa 140 coupe (daily driver)
1965 Corsa 180 coupe (under construction)
1965 Corsa 140 coupe (for sale/under construction)
1963 Monza PG coupe (daily driver)
1962 Monza PG coupe (under construction)