Low-Mileage 1969 Chevrolet Corvair Is So Original It Still Has the $150 Discount Coupon

The rear-mounted drivetrain wasn't the Corvair's only similarity to the European-made Porsche. It also had an independent suspension with coil springs at all four corners. The Corvair was a pretty innovative car, and American buyers responded by purchasing over 1.8 million units over ten model years.

The Corvair was a big hit from day one, selling over 250,000 examples in its first year on the market. Sales exceeded 300,000 units in 1961 and remained high in 1962. Chevrolet delivered over 200,000 cars per year from 1963 to 1965, and an additional 109,880 units in 1966. Sales dropped below the 30,000-unit mark in 1967, and, only two years later, Chevrolet axed the Corvair.

The final-year Corvair is the rarest of the bunch, with only 6,000 units produced. These cars aren't particularly sought after today, but this red hardtop is a bit special. That's mostly because it's a very low-mileage and unrestored survivor.

Number 4,543 of the 6,000 examples produced in 1969, this Corvair still sports the factory Garnet Red paint. And it's not one of those classics that displays weathering or rust spots. This Chevy was babied for its entire life, and it's pretty much flawless.

The black interior is in similar condition. Sure, it's a tad simple with no fancy options to run by, but I bet it's been a while since you last saw a 56-year-old cabin in such incredible shape.

What about the engine? Well, the unit is obviously original and numbers-matching, and everything under the hood appears to be factory correct. The Corvair packs the Powerglide automatic transmission, while the 164-cubic-inch (2.7-liter) flat-six delivers the standard 95 horsepower. Not quite as impressive as the optional 140-horsepower version, but still fun to drive.

However, it's the mileage that earns this Corvair the "impressive" tag. The odometer shows only 6,626 miles (10,664 km). Interestingly enough, most were recorded by 1971. Specifically, the original owner put the Chevy in storage after only two years and with just 4,655 miles (7,491 km) on the clock.

When the owner passed away in 1993, the Corvair was inherited by his only child. The son kept the car untouched until 2012, when he also passed away. That's when the vehicle was sold for the first time since 1969. The Corvair was revived and put back on the road soon after, covering nearly 2,000 miles (3,219 km) in the last 13 years.

The vehicle is now ready to change hands again and comes with all the original paperwork. Documentation includes the window sticker, the original invoice, the deposit receipt, and the receipt for its first oil change. Impressed? Well, then you should also know that the sale includes the $150 coupon that the original owner received upon placing the order.

Yup, Chevrolet offered all 1969 Corvair buyers a $150 discount toward any new Chevy up through the 1973 model year. That's 6,000 coupons, totaling $900,000. That's one expensive "thank you" note. Well, it turns out the original owner of this Corvair didn't use it, so now it's a piece of GM memorabilia.

The seller is asking $18,900 for the car, which is slightly lower than the current average auction price for excellent-condition examples (according to classic.com). Is this true survivor worth nearly $20K?