I’ve never paid much attention to Corvairs until a few years ago. I couldn’t tell you why, but they never did appeal to me. But something changed once I figured out the difference between the early versions (which made me think of a secretary’s car) and the second generation coupes, which looked…well, they look damn sexy compared. The Nader-frightening swing-arm suspension had been ditched for a coil spring setup, the flat-six’s power ratings had been kicked up and the press loved it from the second they saw it. While the cars are considered collectors cars, the low power of the six kept all but the Yenko Stingers from the collector’s table. They are unique and nowadays seeing a clean one outside of a show is a shock. Finding one on Craigslist? HA!!…oh, wait a minute…

Rough Start budget: $5,000. Car purchase: $4,500. Seriously, what do you need…tires? The only downside to the car, if you would consider it a downside, is the Powerglide automatic transmission. Meh…it’s blue, it’s beautiful, and it’s almost a dead-stocker. What more do you want?

Craigslist Link: 1965 Chevrolet Corvair Monza