<VV> Re: vv diff between Corsa and Monza

[Sethracer at aol.com]

In a message dated 12/19/2005 6:11:55 PM Pacific Standard Time,  
tampatexan at tampabay.rr.com writes:

>I  got a response from bigwavedave regarding my survey of Corsa/Monza 
differences  saying that the Corsa shifter is slighly quicker (shorter throw) than 
the  Monza.  I've heard other people say this but I can't find any written  
evidence of this.  It doesn't mention it in the brochures (of course they  may 
have just not mentioned it or I've missed it in my senility) and Clark's  
doesn't list a different part for the Corsa vs Monza.  There is a chrome  vs black 
painted shifter arm but it seems the painted one was used on the  500's, not 
Monzas.  Can anyone confirm this difference in shifter  throw?
>
>He also says the rear grill on a 65 is different between  a Corsa and a 
Monza besides the grill inserts.  I thought they were the  same other than the 
inserts.  Again, any  confirmation??
>
>mike



The shifters are all the same between models. All 3-speeds  were the same, 
all 4-speeds were the same - but 4-speeds are different than  3-speeds. If you 
bought a 3-speed equipped Monza or Corsa new and received  a Chromed 3-speed 
shifter, I would love to hear from you, but I have  never seen one. I believe 
that all Monza/Corsa/500 3-speed shifters  were painted Black, 4-speeds were 
Chrome. Of course the shift ball was different  between the 3 and 4 speed. The 
Corsa Shifter did have a pair of special tabs  mounted to let the Chrome cover 
attach. The Monza and 500 used an accordian  rubber boot. (not sure about the 
500s, they may have gone naked!) The lower  grill piece on the 500 and monza 
(in 1965) was unadorned and had  a pair of small grille openings stamped into 
the center parts of  the lower section. The whole section was painted body 
color, including the  stamped portions. On the Corsa, the grill is different. It is 
made from the same  stamping, but the center sections are punched out and a 
pair of anodized  aluminum inserts are screw mounted over the holes. Those 
inserts duplicate  the pattern of the Monza and 500 grille, but are bright 
anodized aluminum and  surround the grills.  In 1966 the grill is the same stamping 
for all cars  with one larger grill opening replacing the two smaller ones. On 
the Monza  and 500, the grille was again painted body color. On the Corsa, the 
center  portion of the grille was painted "cove color" silver, and a large 
anodized  aluminum surround was screw-mounted over the section, with the silver 
colored  painted portions showing through.  After 1966, the covering anodized 
insert  was not used, Some owners report the center portion of the grill being 
 painted silver. After 40 years, it may be hard to pin that one down. But the 
 67-69 grille was the same stamping as the 66.  - Seth  Emerson