Video: This V6-Powered Corvair Is No MG, But It’ll Handle Like One

Just when you thought that the road-racing scene only belonged to Germany and the U. K., this Corvair Monza, powered by a 3.1L V6 with dual-Webers, sets all the records straight.

This V6 Monza is set-up with all of the right handling suspension components, enough to make the ’65 Corvair nimble enough to wax a 240Z while sounding like a Porsche. In this video, the Corvair Monza can be seen whipping several other cars, both at the drags and on a road course. What makes it distinctive is the smooth but responsive running dynamic of the V6, putting-out power even in the low revs.

Because the Corvair is light and has the right suspension setup from the box, is doesn’t take much of a motor to get it to move, and the 3.1 liter displacement works perfect for a car this small. The motor sounds as though it has a little bit of a backfire in the higher-RPM ranges, but it still doesn’t have the lag or the “flat spots” that are common with a lot more radically-built V8s, even V6s in the case of some applications.

Running a V6 in this ’65 Monza has also proven to be successful in the sense that the V6 motor offers a platform that accelerates and idles aggressively without being too lopey. In this sense, the 6-cylinder really does sound a lot like a 911 Porsche, in an American car that almost resembles the same concept while sharing a similar curb weight.

Another advantage of this conversion is that the American-made V6 will be a lot cheaper to build than a lot of imported engines of the same or similar displacement, which means that buying replacement parts, should the need arise, will not be nearly as grueling of a process. Overall, the idea of building an all-American platform around a European concept is one that just works, and this V6-powered Monza is living, “breathing” proof.

About the author

Salvatore Alaimo

After graduating from California State University, Northridge, California, Sal Alaimo Jr. has continued with his passion of the automotive industry. Alaimo's been an auto enthusiast since his early years, and grew up learning about cars from his father, Sal Alaimo Sr. If its got a set of fat rear tires and 8-cylinders, Alaimo Jr. is all for it. Today, Alaimo Jr. brings with him a pool of enthusiasm and pride as a contributing freelance writer for Chevy Hardcore.
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