What is the rarest Corvair made?
In broad terms, the rarest Corvair production model is commonly cited as the 1962–63 Turbocharged Spyder, with production in the low thousands. Other ultra-rare variants, depending on how rarity is counted, include cargo and passenger vans (Greenbrier and Loadside) and the utilitarian Rampside/Loadside pickups, which sold in far smaller numbers than the standard passenger cars.
Rarity in the Corvair lineage is a matter of production totals by year, body style, and option combinations. While the Turbo Spyder tops many lists as the rarest readily identifiable model, collectors also point to the short-lived van and pickup lines from the early 1960s as contenders for the title — each with limited surviving examples and unique appeal for enthusiasts and historians. Production figures vary by source, so counts are often approximate rather than exact.
Rarity in the Corvair lineup
To illustrate which Corvair variants are considered the scarcest, this section highlights the main contenders by body style and year, reflecting how rarity is typically evaluated by collectors and historians.
- 1962–1963 Turbocharged Spyder — The high-performance, turbocharged version of the Corvair, marketed as a premium variant. Its limited production run and the low survival rate today have made it a staple in rarity discussions among Corvair collectors.
- Greenbrier and Loadside vans (1961–1964) — Cargo/people-moving vans derived from the Corvair platform. These models are notably scarce compared with passenger cars, contributing to their rarity appeal.
- Rampside and Loadside pickups (1960–1964) — The pickup variants offered utilitarian practicality but in comparatively small numbers, making them harder to find in any condition.
These entries capture the core sources of rarity within the Corvair family, though exact production totals vary by year and body style, and some limited-run configurations or prototype concepts are even rarer in private collections.
Turbo Spyder details
The Turbo Spyder emerged as a focal point for enthusiasts seeking performance from the mid-century rear-engine platform. Introduced in the early 1960s, this variant combined lightweight chassis with a turbocharged engine, a combination that limited production and limited availability has only intensified its status among collectors.
Vans and pickups details
The Greenbrier and Loadside vans, along with the Rampside and Loadside pickups, represent Corvair’s forays into commercial and utilitarian models. Their sales volumes were modest compared with the passenger cars of the era, and today they are prized by niche collectors for their distinctive styling and historical significance.
What rarity means for value and preservation
Scarcity interacts with condition, provenance, and originality to shape a Corvair’s value in today’s market. Models with both low production totals and strong historical interest—such as the Turbo Spyder and the early van/pickup variants—tend to attract premium prices among collectors when well-preserved or expertly restored.
Summary
Among production Corvairs, the Turbo Spyder (1962–1963) is widely regarded as the rarest standard car variant, due to its limited run and enduring collector interest. The cargo and passenger vans (Greenbrier/Loadside) and the Rampside/Loadside pickups are also extremely scarce and frequently cited as contenders for the title of “rarest Corvair” depending on how rarity is counted. For enthusiasts, rarity is as much about historical context and survivability as it is about numbers, and provenance can matter just as much as production totals.
What is the most valuable Corvair?
The most expensive second-generation production Corvair is the 1968–69 Monza two-door convertible, which has a #3 average value of $18,600. The 1966–68 Corvair Yenko Stinger two-door coupe, on the other hand, carries a #3 value of $36,000.
What is a 1964 Corvair worth today?
Typically, you can expect to pay around $8,100 for a 1964 Chevrolet Corvair Monza in good condition with average spec.
How much is a 1961 Corvair Monza 900 worth?
Typically, you can expect to pay around $5,250 for a 1961 Chevrolet Corvair Monza 900 in good condition with average spec.
How much is a Yenko Corvair worth?
Typically, you can expect to pay around $36,000 for a 1966 Chevrolet Corvair Yenko Stinger in good condition with average spec.
