1963 Chevrolet Corvair Monza SS Concept
Written by Bill Bowman
The 1963 Chevrolet Corvair Monza SS concept car made its public debut at the 1963 New York Auto Show. Larry Shinoda and Tony Lapine, working under Bill Mitchell’s directions at the GM Design Studio, designed the SS roadster.
The SS was based on a shortened Corvair platform with a fiberglass body. The engine, left in its stock location, behind the transaxle was a six cylinder, air cooled Corvair engine that featured a unique intake manifold fitted with six carburetors and a modified exhaust system that exited through special side outlets.With a wheelbase of just 88-inches, the rear mounted engine helped give this short wheelbase roadster a comfortable cockpit, featuring fixed seats with adjustable pedals and the added benefit of a small luggage compartment.
The "U"-shaped windshield was five inches high and swept around the entire passenger compartment to the rear of the doors. Headlights were concealed and the rear fin behind the driver included a built-in roll bar. The SS was equipped with four-wheel disc brakes, magnesium wheels and was only 30-inches tall.