The first model year of the Chevrolet Corvair was 1960.
Chevrolet designed the Corvair as an unconventional compact for a U.S. market increasingly interested in smaller, more economical cars. Unlike the conventionally engineered Ford Falcon and Plymouth Valiant, it used a rear-mounted, air-cooled, horizontally opposed six-cylinder engine and independent suspension. Production began in July 1959, but the cars were sold as 1960 model-year vehicles.
The Corvair’s public launch came on October 2, 1959. Early versions included four-door sedans, followed by coupes and the sporty Monza trim during the 1960 model year. Chevrolet later expanded the family with the Corvair 95 vans and pickups for 1961.
A common mix-up is confusing the production date with the model year: the first cars were built in 1959, but 1960 is the correct answer to the model-year question. The Corvair remained in production through 1969, with about 1.84 million built.