Aztec Bronze (Color code M) was available in both the U.S. and Canada. Paints differed, however. Acrylic lacquer was used in the States, but was prone to etching in the harsher Canadian winters, so GM Canada used acrylic enamel. Canadians also had the choice of 18, rather than 15 colors.

According to Kent Sullivan of the CorvairKid Enterprises web site, a comparison of the last page of the '66 U.S. and Canadian Corvair sales brochures reveals Canada had three extra colors in '66: Blue Charcoal, Cypress Green, and Plum Mist. All were metallics. Cypress Green was a U.S. color in '65. Plum Mist and Blue Charcoal appear to have been unique to Canada, but it's hard to tell because the color registration on the sales brochures is poor.

In addition, three of the Canadian '66 colors had different names but were the same color as a U.S. counterpart.  (See table at right.)

Canada/United States

Royal Mist/Danube Blue
Laurel Mist/ Willow Green
Provincial White/Ermine White

There is a long list of minor details that set the Canadian Corvair apart from its American cousin, including "Made in Canada" lettering on the headlight buckets, tail light housings, and the distributor cap.

The ignition coil is unpainted aluminum, whereas U.S. cars used black painted steel cases. Aluminum was reportedly recommended by the Canadian supplier, as a way to dissipate more heat.

There are differences in the cover and content of the owner's manual, air cleaner and windshield washer bottle decals, and there is an absence of a hidden VIN stamp on the Canadian car. The VIN tag is stamped "GM Canada" and the number format is unique.

Another cosmetic difference can be found on the non-remote version of the exterior rear view mirror, which does not include the Chevy bow tie as on the American car.

Front and rear 3/4 views show the true beauty of this heavily optioned '66 Monza Sport Coupe. Too bad we can't step through the monitor screen, jump in, turn the key and take the handsome devil for a ride.

The Aztec Bronze Monza now resides in North Carolina with its new owner, Jim Tucker. Jim bought it from Brown Maloney of Port Angeles, WA, who in turn bought it at a famous car auction in Arizona. Brown collects cars but had never owned a Corvair, and bought it because "it was so striking."

How did the Canadian built car cross the border in the first place? It imitated the habits of another previous owner, Bob Sandowick. Bob is a Canadian snow bird who winters in Arizona. He took the car with him, found he wasn't driving it a lot, and put it up for auction.

Who knows, maybe one day the '66 will be repatriated to its native land. For the time being, though, its in the hands of a friendly neighbor ("neighbour" in Canada) to the south.

Thanks to Kent Sullivan for his assistance in preparing this feature. Visit Kent's CorvairKid web site for a wealth of information on Canadian Corvairs, including a detailed comparison of American vs. Canadian differences in the late model Corvair. The site also features interesting technical articles, including one on a Borg-Warner T-5 transmission/overdrive unit for the Corvair. (See the Links section under the heading Owners & Enthusiasts)

Photos by Brown Maloney