Alesia L. Ruffin

Personal Info:

20286 Pierson

Detroit, MI. 48219 USA

Member of CORSA
Local Chapter/Club:

1965 Monza Convertible If body tag was read properly this car was made within a week ofter my birth. Sounds like it was made just for me.

I saw my first Corvair when I was 16 and was in love. The car belonged to a neighbor kid who bought it from an old lady for $75, this was 1981 and the car barely ran if it all. Two years later I saw another one running even, owned by a Corvair collector in Ohio. When I told him I loved that car the next day he drove his convertible to work and I about died. Oh my goodness it comes in a convertible?!?!! 23 years later... I am the proud owner of a 1965 (the year I was born, the year I've always wanted) Convertible Corvair Monza. It's not running and that's fine by me because I've always wanted to restore one. The owner says that it turns over just doesn't catch, the floor panel needs replacing, all the parts are there and the top is in good condition. Here's where the problem starts... I know nothing about cars really. My grandpa (r.i.p.) showed me how to change oil, spark plugs and very very basic auto care. He said, "If you're gonna own a car, girl, you need to know how to keep it running." So knowing very little about cars, past the basics but willing to get as greasy as neccessary, how difficult is it for someone like me to rebuild this gem of a vehicle? Just looking at a Corvair engine it looked like that of a lawnmower motor. I live in Michigan.

Last modified on December 21, 2004