1965 Corsa Crown Conversion

Chuck's gold and black V8 Vair is an original Crown Conversion and was used as the prototype for the Hot Wheels Vairy 8 model car. He has a chrome version of the Vairy 8.

The conversion was begun in 1998 and was running about three years later in late 2000. As with all project cars it is still a work in progress. The body appears relatively stock except for the black powder coated bumpers and blacked out head light bezels with black rocker panels. The car does have a hinged Lexan rear window held down by Dzeus fasteners.

The engine is a classic 283 C.I. small block Chevy bored .030" over, making it a 288 as it were with a set of "fuelie" Vette heads with screw in studs and Crower roller tip rockers. A set of polished aluminum valve covers, and Offenhauser open plenum aluminum intake manifold with a 2" carb spacer and a 650 CFM Holley. The ignition system is the ever reliable GM HEI. Chuck says he makes 325 H.P. at 7500 RPM with this setup.

Gotta love a short stroke high winding Chevy!

The exhaust system has a set of Crown headers and a pair of two chamber Flow master mufflers all ceramic hot coated. The chrome tipped tail pipes exit the center of the rear valence panel.

Cooling the engine is with a front mounted Howe cross flow aluminum radiator laid forward at a steep angle and the addition of a large 16" fan pulling 1900 CFM. Ducted cooling air enters below the front bumper aided by an S-10 front air dam mounted below the opening. Hot air exits out the large "gill slit" louvers cut in to the inner fender wells. Coolant is transported by 1 1/2 " copper pipes. With all this equipment there is still enough room in the trunk for the jack! Additional cooling is by an oil cooler mounted in the engine compartment.

Interior appointments include a roll cage and an aluminum engine firewall cover. The engine compartment is separated from the passenger area by a clear Plexiglas window mounted behind the driver. A custom wheel and a huge set of white faced tach and speedo gauges stuffed in the stock instrument bezel. Also, a set of leather bucket seats from a 1995 Acura  in real leather with shoulder harness keeps the driver in place. The original engine bay is now a functional trunk.

Suspension is Crown springs at all four corners uncut and a set of five way adjustable Tokico gas shocks. The lower arm control arms are attached with a Crown relocating bracket. Sway is controlled by Crown bars front and rear. Transaxle movement is controlled by a custom bracket with rubber mounts at either end.

Front disc brakes are 11.5" with Corvette aluminum calipers and steel braided hose front and rear. Rear brakes are finned aluminum drums . Transmission is a Corvair Saginaw four speed with quick shift adapter. The differential has a steel plate top cover dowel pinned and bolted tot he case for added strength.

Wheels are body color 15" Corvette Rally type with 8" width at rear and chrome center caps. Tires are Dunlop SP-8000 with 225-50-15 front and 245-50-15 on the rear.

For specific comments or questions contact Chuck at  starsilkscreen@hotmail.com