You're right: it's not even a model. The Late Corvair (double entendre, anyone?), 1965 and after, good-looking car, is really difficult to obtain in any kind of model, let alone a 1:43 convertible. I actually spent quite a bit on a sealed AMT Prestige series 1:25 kit. I'm not eager to build a wrong-size car. Any car, really. Maybe I'll settle for pictures. I saw a couple of built-from-a-kit plastic 1:24 models in really bad shape sold as a box of parts. One of them was made into a convertible from the original coupe parts. It didn't look that bad, but when the bidding went over $60.00, I dropped out.

Similar thing in two other auctions: the subject was a 1:43 (only ones I've seen at that scale) late-model coupe in an ugly green, and from the photos, not very well done Sabra brand, made in Israel. They start at $25.00 and when they go over $40.00, I quit. There is one running now, ends in a couple hours, from an Australian seller. Nine bucks shipping and a probable $5.00 money order fee added to whatever the top bid turns out to be. We'll see.

Look there. The models are both Sabra, and identical other than the cut-off roof and gold paint. And the windshield is not in the gold one, yet. I have several sets of special 1:43 wheels and tires to put on the convertible. Can't decide among wires, Alfa mags, and Campagnolos. Perhaps the flashy wheels will disguise the not-very-goodness of the models.

The 1965 Corvair Corsa convertible I bought cost $600.00 in 1972 or so. It had a new (power operated) top, a new gold paint job, good tires and brakes, a 140-horse four-carb engine, and minimal oil leaks. The exhaust system was shot, but the four-speed transmission was excellent. I took it to Harry Bokker at Courtesy Chevrolet to check out a strange sound before driving to San Clemente to show it to Mom. He said Park it. CV joint was going out. We used another car (Kammback, I suppose) to visit Mom. Next day I bought the parts and did a replacement with no trouble at all.

This is one of those cars that captures your heart and misbehaves. We all loved it, but since it was for Margarita to drive once she finished her lessons and licensing procedure, it was not quite the right car. The four-speed was good but the clutch took careful attention to make smooth progress, even for a practiced manual shifter. That was the nail in the coffin. Sorry. Bye, bye Miss American Pie.

While I had it, and before it was obviously on its way out, I had a new exhaust system installed, and bought a finned cast aluminum oil pan and such from J.C. Whitney. The engine really sounded good, and the little leak of oil fumes into the heater system was fixable. I don't remember how long we had it, but when Margarita approached driverness, I traded it on the Valiant. It was a good trade, but it broke my heart. I must have had some kind of thing in my head that said we couldn't have more than two cars at a time. Hmph.

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