<VV> <late spoiler>

[Sethracer@aol.com]

In a message dated 3/5/04 6:52:31 AM Pacific Standard Time, pottsf@msn.com 
writes:
This is a fascinating bit of Corvair history. I haven't noticed any
difference in the handling (at speed) of my 66 with or without its (stock)
spoiler. Can you point to any source for this fact (California headlight
laws, etc.)?
     How much did GM raise the front of the car to comply with California
law? Did they raise the back, too, or did they leave the car "tilted"? Did
they raise ALL Corvairs, or just the ones delivered in California? Was this
done with the springs, or some other way? What was the requirement (height)?
Is that still the requirement?

It is fascinating to read about it, not so much fun to live it. In 1973, to 
rest my 1965 Corsa Turbo-140, and avoid the 10 MPG mileage for a commute to 
school, I picked up a 1965 fader-blue 110/PG 4-door. Bone stock and a bit tired, 
but it ran fine. I was stopped in a California "road-side" inspection that 
they used at the time. The CHP officer (it might have been a San Jose Policeman) 
wrote me up for my headlight centers being too low ( the rule was 24" to the 
center of the bulb.) I took it to a gas station smog/light/brake inspection 
station near me, run by a guy who knew Corvairs. He told me about the exemption 
written in for the Corvair. I went to the local CHP office to get the "fix-it" 
ticket signed off. After about a half-hour of the local officer talking on the 
phone to Sacramento, he acknowledged the exemption and signed off the ticket. 
For many years after that, I kept the signed off ticket in my glove 
compartments of the Corvairs I had lowered to race in Autocrosses. I never had to 
"whip-it-out" again. All the 66 models had a taller front spring as stock, and 
always sat higher in the front. I believe the stock spoiler does, indeed, make a 
difference in the highway handling, especially in cross-winds. But use the 
67-68 Camaro front spoiler. It looks almost stock (It IS a Chevy part, after all) 
and even more effective than the stocker, without being obtrusive or too 
crunchable. As to the California headlight law, I believe the Federal Motor Vehicle 
Safety Standards have superceded most of those type of laws. - Seth Emerson