The picture below features a 1965 Monza in Madeira Maroon beside a Regal Red 1966 Corsa. Note the nose trim differences. The grill bar on the '65 is unique to that model year, while its counterpart on the '66 convertible is common to all '66 and later Corvairs. The same rule applies to the accompanying Corvair script, which is mounted on the trunk lid of the '65, and appears next to the driver's side headlight bezel on 1966 and later models. Note as well, how the wheel arch trim is more massive on the '65.

The red Corsa convertible belongs to Corvair Society of America (CORSA) member John Hopkins, of Northern Vermont. He bought it in 1994, from a guy who had it stored in his barn near Vergennes, Vermont. The top was shredded, it had a blown head gasket, and the flywheel rattled. However, since it spent most of it's life in Wyoming, the body was basically solid, although some panels had started to rust.

John dropped the engine, resealed it, replaced the clutch and flywheel, bolted it back together and drove it trouble-free for a year with the top permanently down. In 1996, he drove it down to the Clark's Fall Classic and filled it with patch panels, carpeting, other new parts before dropping it off at a friend's shop to have the body fixed over the winter months.

By October of '97, it was back together again and John has been driving it daily ever since. The car has a few extra features including a "desert air" oil bath pre-cleaner in place of the 140 engine's standard twin snorkel air cleaner housing. It also has a power top, remote mirror, and convenience lighting in the trunk and engine compartments. It car was built in Los Angeles in October, 1965.

Here's a handsome Danube Blue '65 Corsa. It is equipped with a 140 horsepower, 4-carb engine and 4-speed stick. The luggage rack conjures images of carefree, extended road trips. The door edge guard trim was not a factory installed option, but could be ordered over the parts counter and installed by the dealer.