About the Chevrolet CorvairThe Chevrolet Corvair is now notorious in myth and legend after consumer safety advocate Ralph Nader deemed it Unsafe at Any Speed" in his 1965 book by the same name. Fifty years later, the controversy continues over the validity of the research methodology employed to support this claim. Leaving the controversy aside, the Corvair had its own advocates as well as its enemies. During its ten-year production run, it was a moderately-successful seller for Chevrolet and introduced a number of automotive innovations adopted by Chevy and other brands in the following years.First-generation Corvairs were the first American-made cars employing a rear-mounted engine, a nearly heretical aluminum, horizontally opposed "flat" six-cylinder power plant with an initial 80 horsepower. Subsequent changes raised that to 180 in some models. Engine size ranged from 2.3 liters in the first generation to 2.9 in the second and subsequent "lost generation" of the model's twilight period. Various models of the Corvairs were produced during its life cycle, including two-door... View more convertibles and coupes, four-door sedans, and station wagons. Fuel efficiency information is sparse, but given its power-to-weight ratio, it is likely that the Corvair was a gas sipper. The Chevrolet Corvair debuted in 1959 after a few years in development. During a road test involving two vehicles, one performed extremely well while the other rolled over. The Corvair was designed to meet consumer demand for a smaller compact. Its lower profile yielded better braking symmetry, ride comfort, and traction that were very desirable in an economy car. Moderately successful for Chevrolet, it averaged 200,000 units during its first six years. The release of the Nader book sounded its death knell. Corvair sales dropped from 220,000 in 1965 to 109,880 in 1966, and finally to 114,800 in 1968. The Corvair interior tended toward the utilitarian in order to keep the price competitive. Bench seats were the norm until the introduction of bucket seats in the Monza edition of 1960. Until 1964, buyers had the option of a gasoline heater installed in the front cargo compartment. In 1965, the Corvair received an extensive makeover incorporating some stylistic touches borrowed from the Corvette and Buick Riviera. Streamlined rather than boxy, automotive writers loved it for its enhanced handling and lamented its lack of speed. It is unfortunate that the only "award" the Chevrolet Corvair ever won was inclusion in the first chapter of Nader's book. In reality, it was no less safe than many models in production at the time and in fact had several new safety features incorporated before they were federally mandated. The Corvair was not as sexy as its Corvette brother, but some of its later configurations presaged the later Camaro. Overall, the Corvair was a very innovative machine that foreshadowed later automotive design. View less | |||
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