This Mid-Engine Small-Block Corvair Is Unlike Anything Chevrolet Ever Built

Corvairs are awesome classics in almost every regard. Offered as a broad lineup of sports cars, trucks, wagons, and vans, the marque appealed to buyers seeking performance, utility, economy, or just something cool. With that in mind, Corvairs become especially cool when you yank the original six-cylinder, throw in a mid-mount small-block 350, and tack on some custom body work. That’s exactly what Tom Goodman did about 45 years ago when he was looking to build the perfect weekend cruiser.

By now, we’ve all heard the Corvair story countless times. Chevrolet created an innovative family of vehicles, positioned as direct competition to European imports. The family of vehicles was very successful despite growing gossip about safety issues. Then a lawyer with no knowledge of engineering or fun declared the Corvair unsafe at any speed.

Since the Corvair utilized a very similar suspension setup to the imports, Texas A&M concluded, through a 1972 safety commission report, that the Corvair was no less safe than any of its contemporary competitors. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration backed that conclusion, even going so far as to say the Corvair compared favorably to its competitors. But alas, Chevy had already moved on to the more approachable and more successful sales juggernaut known as Camaro.

The Art Of The Engine Swap

Isn’t it funny how every generation thinks it invented engine swaps? LS swaps may dominate today’s performance world, but enthusiasts have been stuffing Chevy V8s into places they absolutely don’t belong for decades. This incredible 1965 Corvair roadster is proof.

“It’s a 1965 Corsa convertible that I actually purchased back in 1980,” Tom explains. “I took the six-cylinder out of the back of it and decided to make a little mid-engine car.” The new mill, a stalwart Chevy 350, essentially created a lightweight, mid-engine sports car with genuine V8 performance long before that sort of thing became fashionable. Pairing a .030 overbore with four Weber carbs, MSD electronic ignition, and custom headers, the small-block creates a stout 500 horsepower. Tom says the car has been tracked, but these days, it mostly serves as a weekend cruiser – something I can attest to since, being a big part of the Charlotte car scene, I see this awesome Corvair out almost everywhere I go.

The Right Balance

As you might imagine, installing a small-block directly behind the car’s seats fundamentally changed its personality. Tom reinforced the build with a custom subframe and eventually added electronic rack-and-pinion steering, which made it even better at conquering track days. At this point, the Corvair has a nearly ideal weight distribution, with Tom noting that there’s only about a 50-pound difference between the front and rear. That’s certainly an enviable number and, combined with the mid-engine layout, it gives this Chevy handling characteristics that are far superior to anything designed in the early 1960s.

A Hand-Built Hot Rod

Not only is this Corvair impressive because of its engine swap, but the car also features hand-fabricated modifications to its clean, Chevrolet Torch Red body. Aside from the fiberglass front spoiler, virtually all of this Corsa’s bodywork is steel. The car’s widened fender flares, rear spoiler, and custom engine bay were all fabricated decades ago and still look excellent today. According to Tom, “This car was built about 45 years ago,” and “the metal work is still holding up pretty well.”

Considering the age of the build, that’s an impressive testament to the craftsmanship that went into it. Oh, and in case you’re wondering, the Corvair does have a top for the occasional thunderstorm or cold-weather cruise.

Ahead Of Its Time

These days, it’s fairly common to go to a car show and see vintage Corvettes, old school Camaros, and even select imports converted to small-block Chevrolet power. But back when this Corvair was built, there wasn’t an aftermarket full of swap kits, pages of YouTube tutorials, or online forums that detailed every step. Every piece of this classic had to be measured, carefully fabricated, and essentially engineered from scratch.

That makes this Corsa more than just another engine swap. It’s a functional and fun reminder that hot rodding has always been about building something unique with the tools and talent you have. Even after forty years of turning heads, this mid-engine small-block-powered Corvair still proves that great ideas never go out of style!