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Apr 19, 2020 20:20:45 GMT
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Don't forget there's a complete model range of these:
*Coupe
*Two Door Sedan
*Four Door Sedan
*Convertible
*Estate
*Van
*Single Cab Pickup
I'm probably missing at least one model above and I say they're as safe as any other ass-engine design out of Europe at the time, and I've owned several of those. My Karman Ghia tried to kill me more than a handful of times, and very nearly succeeded once...
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Apr 19, 2020 20:25:35 GMT
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Still learning...still spending...still breaking things!
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Apr 19, 2020 20:44:20 GMT
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Get it bought, before I do and get into trouble with wife. I really like the look of them in 2 door and keep going back to your friends advert.
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1984 Fiat 126 Brown - SOLD  1993 Audi 80 - work hack 1994 VW Golf 1.4 L - SOLD 1997 VW T4 Syncro pickup - looks like new project 2005 Audi A3 Sportback TDI - daily / euro trip bus |
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I've never owned one, but since I'm into small rear engined Fiats I like to read up on them and find out as much info as I can. First of all, regarding Nader. The 1st gen Corvair was no worse than rear engined Fiats, VW's , Imps, Renaults, etc. The 2nd gen was a lot better with some Corvette rear suspension tech sprinkled on it. Apparently, Nader chose the 'vair as his victim because GM had compiled so much info on it. Not because it was so much worse than was out there at the time. I own the book... I think its dull, repetitive, light on actual info, and if GM had not tried to bully themselfs out of the situation ( which backfired in spectacular fashion ), I don't think it ever would have become a best seller. Its interesting as a historical landmark, but as a book, I don't think its worth the paper its printed on. Also, it seems strange to seek car buying ( and building ) advise from a guy who doesnt have a drivers license ( which I'm told he doesnt ). So it seems to me its a perfectly fine example of the cars produced in the era. And a great starting point to start modifying from. I'd go one of 2 ways.. I'd get the 2nd gen 'vair with the better looking coupe body and better rear suspension, and put a mid engined Small Block Chevy in it. They used to sell kits to do that, back in the day. But If I'd build one today I'd probably use a Porsche transaxle. Or I'd build a 1st gen Corvair, inspired by the one Carlo Abarth had for a while. So modify the heads for twin triple throat Webers, cam, exhaust, wide Abarth design Campagnolo's, lowered, etc... And a couple of Abarth badges.  |
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They used to say that the original AC Cobra wanted to kill you too,
Wouldn’t stop me from owning one, only my bank balance does that
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ChasR
RR Helper
motivation
Posts: 10,189
Club RR Member Number: 170
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As stated, Nadar did victimise the Corvair. It was if you think about it, very European in its design as well. The comments about GM are not surprising ; The US have always been a very protectionist society. You only have to look at their 'run of the mill' cars compared to something European to see that  . Many other cars would have suffered the issues the Corvair did, including the Triumph Herald and Spitfire based cars (Vitesse, GT6), as well as the Mercedes W108, and that's before I mention the Beetle! Yup, the all had swing axles! Believe it or not, some gentle lows can get around the problem as it will make the rear wheels less likely to 'tuck-in' on cornering  . You know what to do . |
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Last Edit: Apr 20, 2020 6:14:30 GMT by ChasR
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ovimor
North East
...It'll be ME!
Posts: 807
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The Corvair shape was taken by Rootes design team as 'inspiration' for the IMP shell design.
OVIMOR
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Knowledge is to know a Tomato is a 'fruit' - Wisdom, on the other hand, is knowing not to put it in a 'fruit salad'!
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Apr 20, 2020 11:39:49 GMT
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Apr 20, 2020 12:11:17 GMT
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Wow, nothing like peer pressure to buy one LOL  The thread title was a bit tongue in cheek - I'm not actually over bothered about car safety features, or the lack of. I was just curious if anyone had any real experience of them - how they drive, how they handle, what to look for, parts availability and what can be done to them. If I got one then a whack with the lowering stick would be one of the first jobs on the list. While not cheap, they are not silly expensive and don't seem to suffer the 'scene tax' that affects air cooled VW's and a lot of 60's Yanks. And you don't see many about, which is a plus as far as I'm concerned. My last Yank was a '67 Mustang which was cool and a great car, but rock up at a car show and there will be a dozen of them lined up. The Chevy Corvair just has a great look, particularly in 2 door flavour. The only dark cloud on the horizon is that this lockdown makes it hard to travel to see stuff and more importantly, hard to use whatever I did buy until restrictions end and (not wanting to be pessimistic or cause a massive on-line argument) that could be some way off so I might just be getting a pretty driveway ornament  |
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Currently driving a 1972 BMW 1602 as my daily. Don't ask about previous cars - there have been way too many and I stopped counting at 160!
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Paul Y
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,948
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Apr 20, 2020 12:30:13 GMT
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Not owned one but driven one. If you have driven an early 911, Beetle, or too a lesser extent, Herald etc then you will be fine. Slow in fast out, turn in on the brakes and you will be as good as gold. You have to drive them, its not particularly fast but I enjoyed it from memory - would love to have a go in a Turbo one as that would be exciting with turbo lag being overcome mid corner. Just like an early Porsche! Good choice. P. |
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Apr 20, 2020 15:52:52 GMT
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owned 2 of them!
A 65/66 convertible with manual box,loved it, spent hours and hours ensuring it was clean and shiny and mechanicly as good as it could get,easy to work on easy to get spares then (77) only problem t ever had was a slightly slack steering box which was an easy fix and a tendency to throw the cooling fan belt at high revs,twin carbs were a bit of a pain to sort the linkages out to get it smooth,but worth the effort, it had plenty of power,slick box, strong axle and was a hoot to drive every day,kept it for 18months before had to part with it for a new additon to the family was ok in the rear for 2 kids but not with 3! regretted it ever since, but never seen one at a good enough price to buy again,
then along came the auto coupe for just 500 quid,, coupe with auto was just not the same car, I hated it with a vengeance,it nevr drove as well as the convertible, sludgepump gearbox ruined all the fun to be had with it,persevered for 4 months but swapped it for a falcon saloon in the end,just did not bond witht he couple the same way i did with the red convertible!
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Last Edit: Apr 20, 2020 15:54:13 GMT by rwdrules
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Apr 20, 2020 19:25:55 GMT
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They built some rather rapid ones in Australia  |
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 Here’s mine love it 😍  When I picked her up 😍 |
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shin2chin
Part of things
Making curse word cars slightly better
Posts: 820 
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I think they look cool, always read about people putting the engines in VWs. It's definitely different so as always to these type of threads I say BUY IT!
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1977 PORSCHE 2.0na 924
1974 VW Beetle 1600
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I like them the only thing stopping me is my terrible track record with American cars and loosing money on them plus finding a nice one at a realistic price this is the last one that got me a wee bit excited   sadly it was too expensive for me and in the USA |
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. You know what to do 
