The straight shifter started with the ’60 Monza, in which the three-speed was of course the only manual transmission available. 61 Monzas with buckets and 3-speed continued to use the straight lever.
GM Proving grounds photos are attached, showing the shifters for both years. These aren’t prototype cars. They’re ordinary production cars selected for testing. Note the lock nut under the 60 shifter knob, and that the 60 knob has the 3-speed shift pattern embossed on it while the ’61 doesn’t. I don’t have a 62 3-speed bucket photo that I can think of right now.
I believe the reasoning for the straight 60 Monza shifter was that a middle front seat passenger would be an unlikely event. The only reason I can think of for continuing the 60 Monza shifter into 61 and 62 for bucket seat 3 speeds might have been to use up stock on this unusual application.
Information provided by Dave Newell
Photos provided by Dave Newell and Larry Claypool
- I am finally getting around to starting the restoration of my 1964 Corvair Monza Convertible - originally owned by John Glenn when he was still a NASA astronaut and living in Texas. As the first step, I am documenting the "numbers" - Here are some photos. I will add more…
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- All Corvair engines produced after November 29, 1963 were equipped with Blower Belt Guides, as noted in Technical Service Bulletin #982, dated March 18, 1962. This TSB also gives instructions for adding blower belt guides to earlier engines (1961-64). Thanks to Dave Newell for providing scans of this TSB.
- I did some research into early Corvair shock absorbers and made a table to summarize my findings. The part and stamping numbers come from my March 1, 1964 parts book. The Piston travel numbers for all except 1964 rear shock come from GM’s Vehicle Information Kits - we have a page on…
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Media Photo AlbumVideo - Factory Exhaust SystemVideo - Tunnel area ASCE Inspection Summary Date Inspected: 07/23/2014Odometer 17495.2 original milesYear: 1964Model: MonzaBody Style: 2 door CoupeExterior Color: Ember RedInterior Color: Red and WhiteEngine: 110 HPTransmission: 4 speedRear Axle: 3.27Positraction: NoVIN: 40927W176657Build Date: 12DStyle: 64-0927Body Number: 36226Trim: 727Paint: 922-QACC: W2LP3C5V Inspected by:…- This page links to the Stock Corvair Group's operating policies.The policies can also be accessed directly from the items on the Policies menu. Annual Stock Corvair Event Policy Newsletter Policy Stock Assessment Manuals Policy
- This page links to Taking Stock, the newsletter of the Stock Corvair Group. The newsletters can also be accessed directly from the items on the Newsletters menu. Vol. 1 -- Issue 1 Note: Users with Subscriber access to the site can only see the first newsletter, as a sample.
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