This 1965 Corvair Corsa is owned by Scotlea Hot Rods founder Dr. Patrick Hagerman. This is probably the most famous, and most long-term project we have. This car has appeared in Hot Rod Magazine twice, Super Chevy magazine twice, and once in Popular Hot Rodding. It was his first car which he started building at his father's chassis shop when he was 14. It was driven throughout high school and college with a Buick V6 and 200-4R trans up front (where else?), and it served him well. When money started becoming available, the Corvair switched from daily duty to fun car and a mild 350 small block chevy replaced the 231 buick. A few years of that fun and Patrick decided that he wanted to build the car from scratch (again), so he gutted it from the firewall back, built his own framerails, triangulated 4-link suspension, and dropped a 95 LT1 and 700R4 in the engine bay (up front).
https://www.scotlea.com/current-projects/item/70-1965-prostreet-corvair#sigProGalleria90f217f188
After toying around with this setup - which is almost done, Patrick decided that he was going to do what he wanted back in high-school - an 80s style Pro-Street car - complete with the biggest tires he could fit - so out went the rear suspension and new set of tires rolled in. This took a complete back half, sectioning the quarter panels, more roll bars, etc. A standard 4-link setup was first installed, then removed and replaced with a triangulated 4-link. Air-ride replaced the coil-overs as well.
https://www.scotlea.com/current-projects/item/70-1965-prostreet-corvair#sigProGalleriaafbd02ff5a
A custom built 9" was put together with 3.73 gears, Wilwood brakes, and Moser axles. Sheetmetal work is started - including those huge tubs.
https://www.scotlea.com/current-projects/item/70-1965-prostreet-corvair#sigProGalleria23dcf5eabf
Sheetmetal work is done. Trunk is completely enclosed, bottom of quarters smoothly transition to bottom of trunk. Note the side-exit exhaust. Off to body shop to get the back-half smooth.
https://www.scotlea.com/current-projects/item/70-1965-prostreet-corvair#sigProGalleriaa0640e679b
Looking solid now...
https://www.scotlea.com/current-projects/item/70-1965-prostreet-corvair#sigProGalleria048fc4a640
Of course, everything has to be modified now - including the dash. It was brought out 4 inches into the cabin - mainly to make room for the Vintage Air unit to fit underneath. The stock recessed gauges have been flipped to extend out of the dash now in separate pods. A full-length console was designed to hold the stereo, switches, more gauges, shifter, and two glove box areas. And Yes, that is a rebuilt LT1 in the engine bay - ready for lots of custom touches itself.
https://www.scotlea.com/current-projects/item/70-1965-prostreet-corvair#sigProGalleria33bb0aa891
After a few trials, and a few errors, the dash and console are done - dash is even base-coat painted! The trunk is filled with a fuel cell, battery, and air tank for the suspension. You can't see it, but the car is full wired as well.
https://www.scotlea.com/current-projects/item/70-1965-prostreet-corvair#sigProGalleria752dfe69e8
Well here's the twist, about 14 years have passed since the last work on the car. Why? Life, kids, growing business, etc.
But now it's out of storage and ready for completion, with just a few changes since trends have changed, parts have advanced, etc...
The first big change was replacing the brand new never fired LT1 & 700R4 with a all new all aluminum LS3 from Blueprint Engines, backed by a 4L65E. Pulling down 559hp, it's an upgrade.
https://www.scotlea.com/current-projects/item/70-1965-prostreet-corvair#sigProGalleriaceac21a790
Since I was in a "let's replace it mood", out went all the old wiring (that again, was brand new), plumbing and fuel cell. Also decided to return to coil-over suspension, ditching the airbag idea.
Moving forward now, the old fiberglass Camaro spoiler had to go. New one is all steel and welded to the body.
https://www.scotlea.com/current-projects/item/70-1965-prostreet-corvair#sigProGalleria544401f4db
Same idea with the hood...the old cowl hood was too small to fit everything under it. This time around, a Goodmark steel cowl hood fits the bill, so it's welded in place, leaving lots of room underneath for the front mounted air filters behind the grille.
https://www.scotlea.com/current-projects/item/70-1965-prostreet-corvair#sigProGalleriae00ad8b522
Also decided to ditch the 90's era rocker panel extensions and go back to the factory curves...
https://www.scotlea.com/current-projects/item/70-1965-prostreet-corvair#sigProGalleria78ada7b4c2
The front of the car has long been a problem - what kind of grille looks good in a car that had no grille from the factory? Well, I think we finally figured it out, and it will look really good once it and the bumper are rechromed. The lower air dam and intake openings were also reworked to allow maximum airflow.
https://www.scotlea.com/current-projects/item/70-1965-prostreet-corvair#sigProGalleria3a8a63c595
On to the interior, the floors, firewall and package tray were completed and coated in Por-15 then sealed up. A drop cover was built to enclose the steering column and make that area flow better...
https://www.scotlea.com/current-projects/item/70-1965-prostreet-corvair#sigProGalleriae051b3f467
Finally, the engine bay was finished up, body work begun to smooth out the firewall and wheelwells. This car is a true unibody, meaning the front fenders and wheelwells are welded and part of the car - they don't come off - it's solid!!
https://www.scotlea.com/current-projects/item/70-1965-prostreet-corvair#sigProGalleria863c969115
Bodywork time....
https://www.scotlea.com/current-projects/item/70-1965-prostreet-corvair#sigProGalleriaba84cb76f3