1969 Monza Frame Under Conversion

Al's 1969 Monza convertible was a "barn find" as it were, being stored in a barn in NY State until purchased from Ebay for $200. After being a food stash for all the barn residents and improperly stored, the bottom of the car was non existent which made it a perfect candidate for a frame under conversion.

Al built and drove a mid-engine Crown conversion, also a 1969 for a number of years and was hindered by the lack of leg room and the heat and noise ( In our youth we never noticed this! ) thus convincing him this was the way to go.

A 1965 Monza convertible parts car provide some of the essential missing Corvair pieces. It took a total of six different vehicles donating their parts over the course of two years to get the car ready for the 2004 Lexington Convention. The frame, floor and firewall are from a 1985 Olds Cutlass with the Corvair body cut to fit and welded in place.

The interior uses a set of seats from a 1996 Camaro and a set of gauges from Classic Instrument which are vintage looking but operate with the more modern electronic connections of the donor engine. A center console from a 1985 Firebird was also used.

The engine is a 350 (5.7L) TPI small block Chevy. The intake system has an interesting cold air arrangement. The transmission is a 700R4 automatic with over drive which came from a 1989 Firebird.

A set of large front disc brakes from a 1988 Chevy Caprice does the stopping and rear discs from a 1989 Firebird are on tap for future install. The same 1989 Firebird gave up its quick steering box and column. The rear axle, which came from a 1988 Camaro, had a ratio of 3.73 but was replaced with a more civilized 2.73 ratio which, when combined with the overdrive gives a sedate 2000 RPM cruising speed. According to Al, this combination will still leave a pair of black stripes behind the car when the mood hits!

The winter schedule calls for a trip to the paint and body shop. Al put over 5000 miles on the vehicle in the past summer and looks for many more to come.

For specific comments or questions contact Al at  the_kidds@sympatico.ca .