What is a Chevy Corvair?
The Chevy Corvair was a compact car produced by General Motors from 1960 to 1969. It was a unique and controversial vehicle that stood out from the typical American cars of its era. The Corvair's distinctive rear-mounted, air-cooled engine and distinctive styling made it a standout in the automotive market.
The Corvair's Unique Design
The Chevy Corvair was designed with a rear-mounted, air-cooled engine, which was a departure from the traditional front-engine, water-cooled layout of most American cars at the time. This unique design gave the Corvair several advantages, including improved weight distribution, better traction, and a more spacious interior.
The Corvair's styling was also distinctive, with a sleek, aerodynamic body and a wraparound rear window. This design was influenced by European sports cars and helped the Corvair stand out from the boxy, chrome-laden American cars of the era.
The Corvair Controversy
Despite its unique design, the Corvair was not without its critics. In the early 1960s, the car was the subject of a high-profile safety controversy, with some claiming that its rear-engine design made it prone to handling issues and increased the risk of rollovers.
This controversy was fueled by the publication of Ralph Nader's book "Unsafe at Any Speed," which criticized the Corvair's safety record. While the Corvair's design was not without its flaws, many experts have since argued that the car was no more dangerous than other compact cars of its era.
The Corvair's Legacy
Despite the controversy, the Chevy Corvair left a lasting impact on the automotive industry. Its unique design and styling influenced the development of other compact and sports cars, and it remains a beloved classic among car enthusiasts today.p>
While the Corvair's production run was relatively short, its legacy as a distinctive and innovative American car continues to be celebrated by automotive historians and enthusiasts alike.
What was so special about the Corvair?
The Corvair was notable for its innovative design, which included a rear-mounted air-cooled engine, four-wheel independent suspension, and a compact, lightweight uni-body. The first generation of the Corvair was introduced in 1960 and offered as a sedan or coupe.
How many miles per gallon did a Corvair get?
He estimates the vehicle gets 20 to 25 miles per gallon, just as it did 58 years ago. Gas cost 31 cents a gallon when it was built. “It's nice to drive; it has a two-speed automatic,” Merando said. “It floats a bit because with the engine in the back, air gets under the front end; people used to put sandbags up front.”
What was the problem with the Corvair car?
In lay terms, the rear end suspension had handling problems. GM made changes trying to correct the problem, adding an anti-roll bar to later models, but that didn't stop the lawsuits or consumer advocate Ralph Nader from pretty much destroying its reputation, ending with its demise in 1969.
Why was the Corvair banned?
The Corvair relied on an unusually high front to rear pressure differential (15 psi front, 26 psi rear, when cold; 18 psi and 30psi hot), and if one inflated the tires equally, as was standard practice for all other cars at the time, the result was a dangerous oversteer.
How much is a Chevy Corvair worth today?
Q: What is the average sale price of a Chevrolet Corvair? A: The average price of a Chevrolet Corvair is $15,846. Have another FAQ about the Chevrolet Corvair? Let us know. .
What is the rarest Corvair made?
The Loadside
The Loadside is the rarest Corvair—just 2,844 were produced in 1961, and a minuscule 369 in 1962. The Rampside was 80 percent of sales, so the Loadside was discontinued after 1962.
What does Corvair mean in slang?
Corvair: meaning a sports car popular in the 1960s, made by Chevrolet. Cuss: or to swear. Dig: or to understand or like something. Fuzz: which refers to the police. Hacked off: or to be angry.
Are corvairs worth money?
The most expensive second-generation production Corvair is the 1968–69 Monza two-door convertible, which has a #3 average value of $18,600. The 1966–68 Corvair Yenko Stinger two-door coupe, on the other hand, carries a #3 value of $36,000.
Why was the Corvair taken off the market?
Under competition from the Mustang and the publicity hit of Unsafe, Corvair sales plummeted by over half in 1966. GM saw the advantages of developing the Camaro, not the Corvair. According to GM historian Dave Newell, Chevrolet had planned on ending Corvair production after the 1966 model year.
How bad was the Corvair?
Unlike many other vehicles, the Corvair utilized a swing-axle suspension system. This specific system on the Corvair caused tire pressure requirements that were not in line with existing industry standards. These unregulated requirements were often not filled by the owners of Corvairs.
