What were the facts about the Corvair in the 1960s?
In the 1960s, the Chevrolet Corvair was a car that generated significant controversy and debate. Designed as a compact, rear-engine automobile, the Corvair was praised for its innovative design but also faced intense scrutiny over safety concerns. This article delves into the key facts about the Corvair and the issues that surrounded it during that era.
The Corvair's Unique Design
The Corvair was introduced by Chevrolet in 1960 as a response to the growing demand for smaller, more fuel-efficient cars. Unlike traditional American cars of the time, the Corvair featured a rear-mounted, air-cooled engine and a unique, unibody construction. This design was intended to provide better handling and a more spacious interior compared to other compact cars.
Safety Concerns and the Nader Report
Despite the Corvair's innovative design, the car faced intense scrutiny over safety concerns, particularly regarding its handling and stability. In 1965, consumer advocate Ralph Nader published a book titled "Unsafe at Any Speed," which heavily criticized the Corvair's design and alleged that it was prone to sudden and dangerous oversteer.
Nader's report sparked a congressional investigation and a series of safety recalls for the Corvair. The controversy surrounding the car's safety ultimately contributed to its declining sales and eventual discontinuation in 1969.
The Ongoing Debate
The Corvair's legacy remains a subject of debate among automotive enthusiasts and historians. Some argue that the car was unfairly targeted and that its safety issues were exaggerated, while others maintain that Nader's criticisms were justified. Regardless of the ongoing debate, the Corvair's unique design and the controversy surrounding it have cemented its place in automotive history.
Who got the Corvair banned?
A prominent aspect of the Corvair's legacy derives from controversy surrounding its handling, articulated aggressively by Ralph Nader's Unsafe at Any Speed and tempered by a 1972 Texas A&M University safety commission report for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) which found that the 1960–1963 ...
What was the biggest problem with the Corvair?
In his 1965 book, Unsafe at Any Speed, Nader called the Corvair “the one-car accident.” He wrote that a design flaw in the rear suspension made the car likely to flip over when driven in abrupt maneuvers, like, say, avoiding a ball that suddenly rolled into the street.
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.
How many Corvairs were sold in 1960?
More than 200,000 Corvairs were sold in 1960 and for each of several years afterward. The car impressed with GM's first Detroit-built unibody design and all-aluminum, air-cooled, flat-six engine (another first from GM).
How much did a Chevrolet Corvair cost in 1960?
Production notes
| Year | Production | Base price |
|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 253,268 | US$1,984–2,238 |
| 1961 | 337,371 | US$1,920–2,331 |
| 1962 | 336,005 | US$1,992–2,846 |
| 1963 | 288,419 | US$1,982–2,798 |
What are some fun facts about the Corvair 1960?
Corvair is the 1st and only mass-produced American vehicle offering an air-cooled rear engine design, unibody construction, factory turbo-charging, and 4-wheel independent suspension. The 1962 Corvair Spyder and Oldsmobile F-85 Jetfire were America's 1st vehicles offering factory turbo-charging.
How much was a Corvair in 1960?
Production notes
| Year | Production | Base price |
|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 253,268 | US$1,984–2,238 |
| 1961 | 337,371 | US$1,920–2,331 |
| 1962 | 336,005 | US$1,992–2,846 |
| 1963 | 288,419 | US$1,982–2,798 |
What does Corvair mean in the 1960s?
a sports car
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.
How much did a Corvair cost in 1965?
Production notes
| Year | Production | Base price |
|---|---|---|
| 1964 | 215,300 | US$2,000–2,811 |
| 1965 | 247,092 | US$2,066–2,665 |
| 1966 | 109,880 | US$2,083–2,682 |
| 1967 | 27,253 | US$2,128–2,540 |
What is the rarest Corvair made?
The rarest Corvair is the amphibious Corphibian Loadside pickup. One was built. The GM plant in Oshawa, Ontario, built 100 amphibious Corvair Dynatrack articulated vehicles for the U.S. and Canadian Armies. The Australian Army ordered 500 but didn't have the money upfront.
