For many new owners of a recently purchased Corvair (of which there are probably still over 50,000 in operation today) they are angry when they find out, albeit too late, that their $12000 Corsa is really just a Monza, which sells for $2-4,000 less in the same condition.

Buyers of any Corvair built from 1960-69, should know how to decipher the VIN number, usually found fastened to the body frame near the battery. It provides a wealth of info.

Many collectors know the value of a Corsa model (made only in 65-66) is usually higher. For instance, in 1966, only 3200 were made. Monza's were much more popular because they were cheaper by $500-1000. The Monza always had a two carburetor engine (110 hp), the Corsa, a four (140 hp) or turbo (180 hp).

Some collectors want more value, so many will "convert"  a Monza into a Corsa and then sell it as a Corsa! Because the body style is identical in every way but for a few emblems in different locations and the engine, newbies fall to prey to this trick. Savvy Corvair students know that the VIN will tell you the truth.

Any Corsa built in 1966 will have a VIN with an "07" in the 2nd and 3rd digits and a "6" in the 6th digit. The "07" is the code for Corsa. The # in the 6th digit spot is the year, so a 1965 Corsa has a "5", a 1966, a "6". If the car was originally a convertible, there will be a "67" in the 4th and 5th digits, if a 2-door coupe, it will be a "37". So, it may look like:

107676L = a 1966 Corsa Convertible built in Los Angeles, CA.

If your Corsa VIN reads, "05" in the 2nd and 3rd digits, it was originally a Monza and someone has "converted" it into a Corsa. How?

It is all cosmetic. Remove and add the appropriate emblems, change the driver's side of the dash, and interior emblems. That is it. The Corsa dash has two large ovals for a Tachometer and Speedometer plus four smaller ovals for Fuel, manifold etc. A Monza dash has only three large ovals, a Speedo, a fuel and a clock (which is usually not present).

To confuse issues, Chevy allowed buyers to have a Monza with a four-carb engine (140 hp) from 1965-69, so simply do not rely on looking at the engine! You must check the VIN.

The following is a complete deciphering:

Model years -1960-1964 
                    ------------------------------

          Digit Position                   Represents 
           -----------------                    ----------------

             #1----------------------------Year-0=1960, 1=1961, 2=1962, 
                                                                 3=1963, 4=1964

          #2 & #3-----------------------Trim-05=500, 07=700, 09=900 
                                                                         06=Spyder
          #4 & #5-----------------------Model-27=Coupe 
                                                                   35=Station Wagon 
                                                                   67=Convertible 
                                                                   69=Sedan

            #6-----------------------------Plant-W= Willow Run 
                                                                   K= Kansas City, MO 
                                                                   O= Oakland, CA 
                                                                   L= Los Angeles, CA 
  
        #7 - #12------------------------Sequential Production Number

Model years- 1965-1969

                #1-----------------------------Make- 1= Chevrolet 
  
               #2 & 3--------------------------Trim-01=500 
                                                                  -05=Monza 
                                                                  -07=Corsa 
  
               #4 & 5---------------------------Model-37=Coupe 
                                                                     -39=Sedan 
                                                                     -67=Convertible

                #6--------------------------------Year-5=1965,6=1966,7=1967 
                                                                      8=1968,9=1969

                #7---------------------------------Plant-W= Willow Run 
                                                                     -K= Kansas City 
                                                                      -0= Oakland 
                                                                      -L= Los Angeles

               #8 - #13---------------------------Sequential Production Number