<VV> Open debate vs Corsa's having standard 3 speed and 4 speed optional

[Frank DuVal]

I test drove a poorly painted, to cover up bad body work, 66 Corsa 
Convertible about 6 years ago here in Virginia.

It surprised me at having a 3 speed transmission.

I looked at the body tag, and there was no code for a 4 speed 
transmission. At the time I was told there was no 4 speed code in 66, so 
it was not a definitive mark of being a factory 3 speed.

I passed on it. It was on ebay and sold to someone in California. 
Anybody here buy an ugly blue Corsa with a three speed?

Frank DuVal


On 3/20/2016 3:21 PM, Rick Loving via VirtualVairs wrote:
> Does anyone have any solid proof one way or the other regarding the 65 or 66
> Corsa only being available with a factory 4 speed trans?.. (or did I miss it
> when this was covered previously?)
>   
> We know the 62-63 Spyder option and 64 Spyder was only available with the 4
> speed...and GM stated it..
>   
> but for the Corsa, it isn't so clear....so does anyone know of a documented
> factory original Corsa with 3 speed? (ie window sticker or build sheet?)
>   
> I have a window sticker from a 65 Corsa that lists the M20, 4 speed option
> and a $89.55 additional charge...(does not list any other standard features)
> so this tells me it was an ordered or automatically added option...
>   
> or does anyone have any documents that shows "you" had to order the 4 speed,
> along with the Corsa package...
>   
> According to a 1966 Brochure I have, it states the following...
>   
> Exact verbiage from the 1966 Dealer brochure for the Corsa..
>
> Unique because of standard features you get with Corsa alone. Like the
> Turbo-Air 164 Engine with 140 horsepower. Like the appearance touches that
> set Corsa apart from it Corvair brethren. Both sport coupe and convertible
> flash distinctive nameplates and series insignia, new wheel covers with
> Corsa emblem, bright metal shift lever and base. Rear cove area is silver
> painted as well as covered with bright metal. Restrained refinements, to be
> sure; intended to beautify without altering the clean-cut concept.
>
> Like the businesslike instrumentation the driver is faced with: special
> speedometer, trip odometer, manifold pressure and cylinder head temperature
> gauges, electric clock with sweep second hand. Tachometer, too (Lets you
> select the best engine speed to shift gears for maximum efficiency and
> economy.)
>
> Also unique because it's the only production car in the world you can order
> with a factory-installed supercharged engine. We call this exclusive 180-hp
> Corsa engine the Turbo-Charged 164.
>
> Get the feeling that Corsa completely upstages it fellow '66 Corvairs? Not
> at all. Here are just a few of its traits that run in the whole family,
> Monza and 500 included. Still the only U.S.-built car with rear-engine
> design. Unsurpassed ride and handling qualities. A new fully synchronized
> 3-Speed as standard transmission. (Means you can stab into low at slow
> speeds without stopping, just as your can if you order the 4-Speed version.)
> New comfort and convenience items now standard on every '66 Corvair: outside
> rearview mirror; padded instrument panel; padded sun visors; windshield
> washer and two-speed wipers (glare-reducing); backup lights; and
> shatter-resistant inside rearview mirror.
>
> New-style taillights. A new engine air exhaust grille. New dual rear seat
> belts to match those up front (color-keyed, of course). Curved frameless
> side glass affording lumberjack shoulder room. And a refined four place
> ignition switch that won't let you flip the key into the "accessory"
> position unless you really want to.
>
> Then, too, there are many niceties Corsa has in common only with the Monza.
> Plush front bucket seats, for example. Fold-down rear seat in the Corsa
> Sport Coupe. Richly carpeted floors; dual-spoke steering wheel with horn
> ring; convenient armrests.
> Black-texture instrument panel trim plates; instrument panel dual courtesy
> lights in the Corsa Convertible. Luggage compartment mat, automatic interior
> lights, glove box light. And many more.
> Oh, yes, one thing you can't get with either '66 Corsa. Bored.
>
> Additionally..In regards to trans.
>
> TRANSMISSIONS: Big news for '66 is the standard 3-Speed : transmission, now
> fully synchronized. As with the optional; 4-Speed version, you can shift
> into first gear at slow speeds
> without breaking stride - no need to come to a full stop. Both transmissions
> feature all-helical gear design; short-throw floor-mounted shift lever; and
> shift and clutch linkages affording quiet, precise shifting and minimal
> pedal effort.
>
> >From EXTRA cost section..
>
> ENGINES: 110-hp Turbo-Air 164 (available for all models except Corsa);
> 140-hp Turbo-Air 164 (standard for Corsa, available for all other models);
> 180-hp Turbo-Charged 164 (available only for Corsa models). TRANSMISSIONS:
> Powerglide is available with 95-, 110- or 140-hp engines (except for Corsa
> models); 4-Speed available on all models.
>   
>   
> Rick Loving
>   
>   _______________________________________________
> This message was sent by the VirtualVairs mailing list, all copyrights are the property
> of the writer, please attribute properly. For help, mailto:vv-help at corvair.org
> This list sponsored by the Corvair Society of America, http://www.corvair.org/
> Post messages to: VirtualVairs at corvair.org
> Change your options: http://www.vv.corvair.org/mailman/options/virtualvairs
> Archives: http://www.vv.corvair.org/archive.htm
>   _______________________________________________
>