Corvairs gain a foothold

[TonyL]

Good question, of course, my car and others like it "late models" as they are called, fixed the issue, and in the process developed one of the best handling cars of the day. It is indeed a four link independent rear after all.

The cars that earned the notorius rep were the 60-63 models.



There are many "fixes" one being lowering, of course. There were aftermarket systems available in the mid sixties from OTTO and other distributors that changed the geometry as well. But really, all that was needed was an anti-roll bar. That's it. That's the beef. Wasn't an option back then to save cost. If there had been a rear bar, that reputation would certainly never have been born.

look at this Look at the red car with the black stripe at 2:10



That's what a properly set up early is capable of.

[TonyL]

oh and this page

http://autoxer.skiblack.com/index.html

is the first real source of info I ever got when I became interested in these cars. flat out the best entry level resource there is for corvair mods. It answers a load of tech questions, and gives you a real idea of how "shade tree" you can be and still have fun.

[Twentyover]

you people are all CRAZY WEIRDOS.

......
Just out of curiosity--I know the unsafe at any speed thing was grossly misrepresented--but I also would assume there is SOME underlying truth to the old story about some flaw in the original rear suspension's design leading to virtual swingarm travel that can cause trip-rollovers (the original beetle suffered a similar design flaw)--is there now a fix or alternative aftermarket suspension configuration that addresses the issue? Or is it truely a nonissue, maybe something that was addressed after a certain model year?

................

Same rear suspension deficiency was shared by VW Beetle until 1968 or 69, and Triumph Spitfire until about 1970

[TonyL]

I have always been a fan of the sweet 59 corvair myself, It doesnt get much better than that. :

There's no such thing as a 59 vair.

[Norm Peterson]

Just out of curiosity--I know the unsafe at any speed thing was grossly misrepresented--but I also would assume there is SOME underlying truth to the old story about some flaw in the original rear suspension's design leading to virtual swingarm travel that can cause trip-rollovers (the original beetle suffered a similar design flaw)--is there now a fix or alternative aftermarket suspension configuration that addresses the issue? Or is it truely a nonissue, maybe something that was addressed after a certain model year?

Driver error, as in not understanding that the early cars had to be driven a bit differently, is also to blame. The average driver brakes when he gets nervous (or at least lifts). Wrong answer when you're driving a relatively softly sprung swing axle car through a corner . . .

My uncle had one of the early models, I think probably a '62. Fun little car to drive with a little enthusiasm.


About that Subie swap - why not just drop the entire WRX powertrain in as a different sort of mid-engine swap?


Norm

[John Wright]

Driver error, as in not understanding that the early cars had to be driven a bit differently, is also to blame. The average driver brakes when he gets nervous (or at least lifts). Wrong answer when you're driving a relatively softly sprung swing axle car through a corner . . .

There were times when you had to lift...like when you were pushing the front tires, but you're right about not lifting when you get the rear hanging out in a corner.

[trapin]

Go ahead and toot that horn Tony, I have always loved the body lines on the Corvair. I would love to see one done with one of the modern GM V6 engines and a turbo-charger. ....or has that been done already?

[ho428]

Video clip from inside a V8 Corvair at The Mitty

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2jk3js8SGw

[93Polo]

Speaking of mid engine swaps and V8s, there was someone building a V8 Corvair using a Ls1 with 4L60E and a C5 diff as 1 unit eliminating the tq tube on here or lateral-g prolly a couple years back.

Does anyone know what happened to the swap? It was a fun looking project.

The V8 car at the Mitty was cool.

[Bjkadron]

AWD Porsche drivetrain? could be cool...

Aw man!!! I need to quit!!! I already have enough projects!!! I don't need a corvair too!!!

[lamancha82]

my brother cut mine up and gave it to the metal guy cause it was sitting at my parents house to long, he became a total aZz-O that day. plans were a mid engine ls based pro tourer.

[lamancha82]

imma buy another.

[Ron L]

I've always wanted one after seeing (and hearing!) one drive by the local speedshop about 15 years ago. I knew what they were at the time but when I actually saw and heard a modified one in person I was hooked. When Tony's car started to appear in these forums and I did even more research on them I finally made up my mind and sold the fastback. Spending big bucks in big motor mods and over-engineered drivetrain mods just to push around a big front-engine sedan didn't appeal to me anymore. I know, how un-American of me.

I sure wish they made a 4 door hard top so i could take the whole family out to Sonic on friday nights.

I might have one soon, myself. Gonna check it out tomorrow.

[TonyL]

AWD Porsche drivetrain? could be cool...

Aw man!!! I need to quit!!! I already have enough projects!!! I don't need a corvair too!!!

AWD corvair has been done. This car was built a few years back, never "finished" (no rims and tires were ever chosen) and the car was sold to someone in the east.

There was a small article on it in a now defunct and deleted website. Took me all day to find these images.







For posterity, I'll let the original author of the article tell it like it was

We finally got ourselves up Oakland to check out Alan Louwerse's new digs. A great spot right on the water with a truly inspirational amount of funkitude all around the area. Alan has several interesting projects in the works, the Corvair being the closest to hitting the road. The '46 Ford is already there, having been at the Santa Cruz Woodie show the day before we ran up. The Corvair is an wild project: Alan being a Porsche man, it has a 993 engine and trans fit to a 964 front end. The two are connected with a lengthened driveshaft, as the wheelbase is a full 18" longer than the Porsche's! The Corvair was gutted and Porsche front and rear clips were welded inside the openings in the Corvair and tied into the subframes. The stock Porsche climate control system is up forward, and the chin spoiler produces a slight negative pressure to help pull air from the front-mounted horizontal heat exchanger for the A/C. The interior has the Porsche dash and seat fitted, and the wheels (which I think really look great on the car) are Porsche spare wheels from a couple different models.


The business end. The 3.6L is stuffed in there admirably. The car retains its aircooled six-cylinder heritage, but gains more than double the power and an extra set of drive wheels! Alan says the handling so far seems great, but it hasn't been out of the immediate area so there will likely be some shake-down tales to come. We were suitably impressed by the level of weirdness which perhaps exceeds our own.

[Bjkadron]

Sweet.

[showa]

I say a pretty '65 convertible with 19's from a BMW the other day.... Made me think "Corvairs are way cool" again.... So many dreams, so little time....

[rednecknate]

Saw this at breakfast this morning.. sorry only had my phone.. It said 66 turbo on the plate needs a little finishing but had nicely done tan leather interior and nice paint looks like a fresh restore ..

Just realized it was the first time my 8 year old son who's a car nut had seen one.. Because he's like who makes that?? I said Chevy and he didn't believe me He say's "It don't look nuttin like a Camaro it's Wierd looking" I about spit up Laughing...

[vanwyk4257]

I just posted in the projects section, but I'm going to do a resto-mod pro-touring build on a 1961 corvair 95 panel van. I know it sounds ridiculous, but I can envision the finished product and it will certainly be one of a kind.
Tony, your car definitely got me interested in 'vairs, although I never intended to buy a van. This one fell in my lap, it was local and a no-rust CA vehicle. It was too good to pass up.

[showa]

When I was a kid (loooong ago) a friends dad used a mid- V8 powered Corvan to tow his Drag Race "Pie Wagon".... ('57 Chev panel wagon)... That thing was crazy....

[Jarcaines]

I have always loved the lines of the 2nd gen Corvairs. Thanks for posting these pics!