Wow! Have a look below at Tom Murrie's glistening 1961 Monza. It was in 1961 that the Monza club coupe emerged as the top selling Corvair, outpacing its 4-door sibling by a wide margin;151,738 vs. 33,745 units. The car buying public was serving notice to Chevrolet that it preferred the sportier version. The popularity of the Monza coupe had first become evident with its introduction midway through the 1960 model year, when it was a brisk seller. However, because of its arrival near the end of the model year, sales statistics favored the more available 700 series.

Trunk space was improved in 1961 by relocating the spare tire to the engine compartment and by reshaping the nose, which received a new, slim, chrome plated grill bar. Engine displacement was increased from 140 to 145 cubic inches, and a 98 horsepower engine was made available.

Can you spot on non-stock item on this otherwise pure stock appearing '61? The ribs of the headlight bezels are trimmed in black. This detail did not appear in production until the 1963 model year. The '61 bezels did not have black accenting.

A header in the 1961 showroom brochure declared the Monza club coupe as embodying "Luxury with Sports Car Spirit." The text went on to describe the "leather-soft" vinyl that covered the Monza's front bucket seats, rear bucket-style folding seat and roof headlining. Standard equipment on the Monza included deep pile carpeting, a deluxe steering wheel, cigarette lighter, special armrests and window hardware.