Under the guidance of Bill Mitchell, the Corvair Monza GT coupe was designed by Larry Shinoda and Tony Lapine in 1962. Like the earlier design, the GT doors swung upward and were actually a front hinged canopy that extended into the B section; the rear engine cover also hinged at the rear. The engine used was a standard Corvair 145 cu. in. 102 hp (76 kW), flat six with a "two carb-layout." Unlike the production Corvair, the GT engine was mounted ahead of the transaxle, turned around 180 degrees and mounted as a "true" mid-engine layout. The chassis was on a 92 in (2,337 mm) wheelbase, 16 inches (406 mm) shorter than production cars. The overall dimensions were similarly reduced with a length of 165 in (4,191.0 mm), and a height of only 42 inches (1,067 mm), creating a diminutive but well-proportioned sports car.
Besides it's appearance, the Monza GT was full of other innovative features including magnesium-alloy wheels, 4-wheel disc brakes, and fixed seats with adjustable pedals, features that would not find their way into production cars for years.
Some of the styling features of the GT, notably the rear end, were the inspiration for the late-model production Corvair, introduced for the 1965 model year.
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