Royce Hildreth doesn't love his car because it's quirky, unique or offbeat – although it is certainly all of those. Hildreth, 36, loves the way it makes him feel on leisurely backcountry drives. It's also the sound of a Padres game on its original AM radio and the way his 3-year-old son holds up two hands full of fingers and exclaims, “Ride in Daddy's car this many times!”
J. DANIEL JONES
Royce Hildreth said his 1964 Chevrolet Corvair Monza "Goldwood Yellow" convertible now runs as sweetly as the day it rolled off the production line.
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The Corvair holds a special place in automotive history, particularly for Chevrolet. A technological marvel when introduced, it was Chevy's first “compact” car; its first, and only, air-cooled engine; its first car with four-wheel-independent suspension; and its first “unitized” body, with an integrated frame and body.
So why does a tech-savvy family guy immerse himself in technology that was current long before he was born?
“On my walking route to class at Chico State, I often saw a black, late-model Corsa. I thought it looked cool, like a Camaro – but different,” said Hildreth, who lives in the Carmel Mountain Ranch area.
“One day, the driver happened to be there. I asked him what it was and he told me – at length,” which Hildreth has found to be a common trait among the Corvair faithful.
“It's a Corvair thing – we love to talk about our cars,” Hildreth said. “Plus, that Corvair was awfully interesting – but being a starving student, it was certainly a 'one day' automotive option.”
One day he'd get around to owning one. And that day came when Hildreth graduated from college. He was working in local television and living in Pacific Beach.
“Being a young guy, and finally having some disposable income, I decided I needed a 'beach car.' I wanted a convertible Corvair, and having done some research, I knew I wanted the 'early body' version,” he said.
The 1964 “Goldwood Yellow” beauty that Hildreth owns is his second “early” Corvair Monza convertible.
“My first one was a good '20 footer.' It looked good from 20 feet away, but was a real rust bucket,” he said.
When it got demolished in a collision with a Buick, the insurance money bought the pristine example that Hildreth now owns.
“The body and interior were perfect. But the engine was a bit tired and I thought I could rebuild it myself,” he said. When his first attempt resulted in a seized engine, Hildreth contracted with a Chula Vista backyard builder, Jack Martin, who is famous for his knowledge of the unique Corvair power plant.
“I told him I wanted to help in every step of the rebuild. He said, 'Fine, it'll just take more time and more money,'” Hildreth said. “It was worth it. I know every nut and bolt of that engine and it runs as sweet as the day it rolled off the line.”
During the eight-month rebuild, Hildreth's girlfriend, who would become his wife, used to kid him about spending every weekend on the car.
“But when it was finally finished, we went everywhere in the 'Vair,'” he said. “One of our favorite dates was taking a long drive to Julian, listening to a Padres game. When we took our engagement photo, being with the Corvair was a given.”
So if you're driving along a backcountry road during baseball season, and you happen to pull up next Hildreth, just ask him the score. He'll know it and be happy to tell you.
If it's not baseball season, just ask about the car. He'll be just as happy to tell you about it – at length.
J. Daniel Jones is a freelance writer, video producer and old-car addict. E-mail Jones at
producer@itsallaboutthecar.com.
