Corvanantics - FC Change History

This page presents a history of changes to Corvair 95 standard equipment and options. It is a work in progress.

Some of the the source documentation for the changes are identified as follows:
AIM - Assembly Instruction Manual
CA - CorvanAntics (Followed by volume and issue)
CNPI - Chevrolet New Product Information booklet
TEF - Truck Engineering Features
TES - Truck Engineering Specifications

Mid-1961

Powertrain

Rear axle shafts are redesigned for greater strength – 62TEF
Rear axle front pinion bearing lubrication improved – 62TEF
The 3.27-to-l rear axle cancelled - 62TEF
Positraction 3.89-to-1 ratio rear axle becomes RPO 481 – 62TEF
New 4-speed transmission gear ratios: 3.65, 2.35, 1.44, 1.0 and 3.66-to-1. -- 62TEF
Accelerator cable extended to carburetor cross shaft (rather than connecting to rod at transmission
Shifter coupling Part # 3795730 (support w/o bushing) replaces 3786168 (support w/ bushing)
Clutch cable redesign – CA14-3
Transmission restraining brackets added -- 61-TechServiceBltn
Valve rotators added– CA 16-1 p 6
Air intake assembly redesigned
RPO 345, 40 amp-hr, 54-plate battery, becomes standard – 62TEF

Suspension, steering, brakes

Rear springs redesigned - "A greater spring rate, achieved through larger pitch and wire diameters, results in less rear end 'wander' and subsequent more positive
vehicle control"– 62TEF

Body

R1254 handle, primary locks and safety catch for the R1254 rampgate – 62TEF
R1205/06 2-stage intermediate door strikers introduced that incorporate two grooves to receive the lock bolt, rather than the single groove previously used -- 62TEF
(?) R1205/06 roof panel trim pads for the load compartment of the Corvan and Greenbrier are discontinued (… for the remainder of the model year??) – 62TEF
Front door front edge rubber guard deleted – CA16-4
Front seat heater distributer redesigned – CA22-6
Intermediate seat floor mounting plate redesigned (to prevent accidental release) – CA15-6
Intermediate door handle design changed (to prevent forced opening) – CA19-5-6; CA21-2
Cowl data plate screwed on instead of riveted (~January; FC registry research)

1962

Powertrain

Engine automatic chokes introduced / eliminate dash choke call-out 62TESprelim
(mid-62) Transmission filler plug hole repositioned higher to raise fluid level by 5/8 inch – 63TEF

Suspension, steering, brakes

(mid-62) change to master cylinder with thumb-screw lid
master cylinder floor plug hole diameter increased; new larger floor plug (#3817968; 3.628" dia.)

Electrical

wiper motor redisign
FOA 130, single speed washer eliminated
(mid-62) Hermetically sealed heater blower motor – 63TEF

Body

Two-tone dash instrument panel becomes standard equipment
Push button intermediate door lock replaces twist lock on inner panel– 62TEF
Outside side door lock eliminated – 62TEF – compare 61AIM & 62AIM
Rear side door handle relocated from door side to inside – 62TEF – compare 61AIM & 62AIM (see picture at top of this webpage)
R1205 right side auxiliary seat introduced– 62TEF (see CA24-2)
Full foam and spring front seat cushion, part of the Custom Equipment – 62TEF
R1205/54/44 red interior deluxe trim color introduced
R1205/54/44 white color insert on cab doors becomes part of custom equipment - 62 TEF
"Chevrolet" name plate added to rear door of R1205/06 (it was already present on tailgate of pickups)- 62TEF
RPO 545 two-tone Pure White exterior color introduced
Deluxe spare tire cover changed from color-keyed to charcoal – CA16-2
Rear corner insert material changed – CA16-2
Ash trays added as R1206 deluxe feature on side doors
R1206 Turquoise and Fawn interior colors substitute for Blue and Charcoal
Dash ash tray lettering deleted – 62TESprelim
Added Rain gutter trim along front window
(mid-62) Intermediate door hinges modified (June 1962) -- P & A 34
(mid-62) Narrow-band white wall tires replace wide band – 63TEF
(mid-62) Truck-style tires (6PR & 8PR) made available or all models – 63TEF
(mid-62) Engine access door support bracket replaced with rubber-coated chain – 63TEF

1963

Powertrain

Special crankcase ventilation made standard – still listed as RPO in 62TESprelim (9/28/62) – see detailed explanation in the 63SEPP
Pre-oil bath air cleaner, made RPO K47

Suspension, steering, brakes

Front suspension improved ball joints – 63TEF; 63CNPI
Brakes now are Self-adjusting – 63TEF
Extended lubrication of suspension – 63CNPI
(mid 63) Redesigned fuel tank (with 2" dia hole) –CA14-3 & CA16-3
(mid 63) Redesigned shifter – CA14-3 & CA16-3 "We may occasionally cuss the late series Corvair shift linkage because of the little parts that wear out, like the pins, shims, and bushings. But the engineers at Chevrolet designed it that way for a reason: to accommodate flex in the body structure and to isolate the shift tower from power-train vibration. And this remains a goal for linkage designers today."(the fifth wheel, Feb 2012, Lehigh Vall Corvair Club)

Body

Front directional lens color changed from clear to amber
New instrument panel trim plate (alternating dull & bright metal) – 63TEF
New dispatch box design– 63TEF
Dispatch door made B78 (and then reinstated as Std) – 63TEF
R1205 rear door window removed – 63TEF
R1205 RPO D32 mirror made standard – 63TEF -- installation shown in 63AIM p100
R1205/54 rear engine grill made part of RPO Z60 – 63TEF
R1205 all door check-arm seals and retainer eliminated – CA 18-2 & AIMs – originally to be replaced with cloth webbing on all load doors (63CNPI) but this was cancelled – 64AIMp133
R1206 rear door check arm seals and retainers eliminated - 63 AIM
Jr-West Coast mirror made RPO D29 – 63TEF
7½" x 10½" outside rear view mirror no longer a dealer option
New seat trim treatment for deluxe R1206
New side front door name plates
(mid 63) VIN plate changed to include "DD" for delivery date – CA10-6

1964

Powertrain

95 HP engine made standard (replacing 80 HP)
110 HP engine made RPO L62
gasoline gauge changes from part # 5643032 to 5644545
3:55 axle replaces 3:89 as standard gear ratio - 64TEF

Suspension, steering, brakes

Change to master cylinder with snap-on cover
master cylinder floor plug hole diameter increased; new larger floor plug (#3844970; 4.125" dia.)

Body

Rear ash tray moved to center of front seat (no longer on each intermediate door)
Shallow dish 17" steering wheel made standard – CA28-3
Deep dish (Monza) steering wheel with horn ring added to RPO Z60 – CA28-3
Front-grille vent added with lever under dash – 64AIM p96
Engine access door redesigned with recessed license plate mount
Added front end undercarriage splash guard – 64AIM (sheet B28) & 65 AIM
(mid 64) Front seat belts made standard – CA28-3
(mid 64) Seat belt with retractor made RPO A49 – CA28-3
(mid 64) R1206: 100 MPH speedometer replaced 80 MPH unit – CA28-3
(mid 64) R1205/54: Shift points removed from 80 MPH speedometer – CA28-3
Rear door hinge redesign and elimination of rear door bumpers – 63AIM#136 (but seems to be a '64 change)

1965

Powertrain

Factory installed alternator replaces generator
Changes to FC transmission gear ratios: CA22-2

Suspension and steering

Body