Contest Entry--Chevrolet Corvair, 1964

[medren]

Not shown:  horrible fiery crash.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unsafe_at_Any_Speed

Comments

[franklanguage]

The Corvair was called by one standup comic-I think David Steinberg, but I'm not sure-the "Ralph Nader family mobile."

[fallconsmate]

i actually owned a corvair. it was a SWEET ride. and honestly, i think ralph nader just has a stick up his butt. ;)

Yes

[whoseline_wlsc]

ooo I really like those cars!

[badgerpdx]

They've gone and retested these cars using modern methods you know. There is a youtube video on it. The findings are that the cars, with proper inflation of the rear tires, are actually pretty good handling little cars, and certainly no worse than other cars of the day. The problem was with the inherent oversteer of the rear engine swing axle design~ Compounded with an underinflated tire, caused, as underinflated tires do, handling problems. The later independent arm suspensions were a vast inprovment, but even then...there were aftermarket pieces readily available for all years that made these cars as well handling as anything offered in American and European markets.

I attended the Corvair National Convention two years ago here in Portland, and asked questions...Those guys (and gals) will talk your ears off, and know their stuff inside and out. The car made Ralph Nader's celebrity, but basically was just a scapegoat.

[dan4behr]

Thanks. I was always a fan of the Corvair. You're right. It was somewhat unfairly criticized and none the worse than other cars of it's day..

[medren]

Yeah, I don't really buy anything Nader did/does, but you have to admit, the Corvair brings up negative associations in the public imagination because of that book, regardless of the veracity of Nader's claims.