History
Barry Shields is the owner of this convertible. He will hopefully have time to send in a more complete history of his car soon. In chatting with him on the phone for a few minutes, I learned that he has owned the car since 1970 and that it has been stored for 15 years! He got it out of storage in the summer of 1998.
Barry reports that the car is in good shape overall, with some rust on the underside. He has recently coated the underside with oil.
Information from the tags
Vehicle identification tag
- Vehicle ID number: 610767001620 (6 = 1966 model year, 10767 = model [Corsa convertible], 001620 = 1620th Corvair built in Oshawa that year)
Body tag
- Body number: 261388 (1388th Corvair body built in Oshawa that year)
- Build build date: 11/09/65, first shift
- Paint: Cypress Green metallic (code J)
- Top: Black (code 02)
- Trim: Black (code 758)
- Options: power top (code C06), turbocharger (code L87), 4-speed transmission (code M20)
Other codes
- Engine code: T1015RL (Original engine is gone)
- Transmission code: Unknown at this time
- Differential code: Unknown at this time
- Alternator code: Unknown at this time
- Starter code: Unknown at this time
- Distributor code: Unknown at this time
- Carburetor code: Unknown at this time
- Turbo serial number: Unknown at this time
- Voltage regulator code: Unknown at this time
- Ignition coil code: Unknown at this time
Build sheet information
Unknown at this time.
Information from GM Canada archives
The summary sheet verifies the information contained on the VIN tag and body tag and provides the original engine code. The summary also contains a few pieces of information not found anywhere else:
The summary sheet verifies the information contained on the VIN tag, body tag, engine block, and build tag. The summary also contains a few pieces of information not found anywhere else:
- Options (not found on body tag): tinted windshield (code A02), front and rear deluxe seat belts (code A39), front seat headrests (code A82), Positraction (a.k.a. limited-slip differential, code G81), 7.00x13 whitewall tires (code P54), AM pushbutton radio (code U63)
- Production date: 11/15/65
- Shipping date: 11/15/65
- Delivered to dealer: Alex Irvine Motors, Ltd., Scarborough, ON
Restoration & Maintenance
In September, 2008, Barry sent a note about his car:
"I just had a complete brake job from master cylinder to shoes. All parts are brand new and it is great for peace of mind. I have started to drive the car on a regular basis for the first time in 30 years and am really enjoying it. We now live in Kingston, ON and the car always draws attention and a few offers to purchase.
My daughter's research got me motivated to replace the well-running 140 HP engine with a proper turbo engine. It is ironic that my wife was pregnant with my daughter in 1973 and, on the way to her gynecologist, when she ignored the red light indicating the fan belt had come off. She continued to drive at highway speeds until the engine seized up.
I kept the turbo, carb, etc. but needed to leave the block when I moved out west. Years ago I acquired a 180 turbo engine of questionable ancestry which had been converted to carburetors. I am now in the process of rebuilding this engine for installation in #1620."
In September, 2010, Barry sent a new photo (fourth one below) with a description:
"This picture was taken in front of the house last fall. My wife is in the doorway. In the back seat of the Corvair is Bogie, a 6 year-old, pure black German Shepherd. The Corvair is, by far, his favorite ride—top up, or preferably, top down."
Pictures
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