Dummy early lovers, was: <VV> dummy Late lovers

[Shaun]

I want an overbuilt body structure, but whatever, Mark. We all know you're
the guy with a convertible that you never put the top down.<G>

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "airvair" <airvair at richnet.net>
To: "Shaun" <shaun_mcgarvey at shaw.ca>
Cc: <virtualvairs at corvair.org>
Sent: Sunday, March 20, 2005 3:25 PM
Subject: Dummy early lovers, was: <VV> dummy Late lovers


> Simpler is not always better, if they improve it. I won't argue about
> the merits, or rather lack thereof, of GM's rust protection efforts.
> It's a subject that wasn't taken seriously by auto companies until the
> '80's, as ALL cars earlier than that rusted out badly, even early
> Corvairs. It's that the early and late Corvairs rust out differently. I
> once pulled the entire front end off a Monza wagon while trying to move
> it, simply from rust. I've even seen a Greenbrier collapse in on itself,
> the frame broken in five places. No car is immune.
>
> The early Corvair was built with an unknown structural requirement in
> mind, being it was GM's first venture into unitized bodies. As it turned
> out, it was overbuilt. It will still rust out, sometimes worse than a
> late (like in the floorboard and fender areas) but since it was
> overbuilt, it still holds more of its overall structural rigidity. The
> late model was merely the first progression towards more sane structural
> needs, and the idea of capitalizing on the unit body's promise of
> structural integrity WITH the light weight of a frameless chassis. As I
> said, rust protection wasn't taken seriously. The wheellip problem that
> you fault the late models with are nothing compared to the ENTIRE
> (linerless) fender rot problems of early Corvairs.
>
> As far as the "like every other GM car" element goes, you obviously
> haven't driven enough late model Corvairs AND its peer group cars to
> know better. Yes, it doesn't drive like an early Corvair's tail-happy,
> bouncing rowboat ride. It's more sophisticated and civilized, but still
> far removed from (and better than) "other GM cars." It simply drives
> better (IMHO) than either the early Corvair OR other conventional cars.
>
> I consider late models better on the issues of styling, ease of repair,
> and overall pleasant ride and handling. The early wins only the point of
> an overbuilt body structure.
>
> Finally, it's debatable as to the merits of a gas heater. Especially in
> this time of skyrocketing gas prices, why would a gas-guzzling feature
> be desirable, when you already have built-in engine heat for free? And
> why pay for the privilige of throwing it away?
>
> -Mark
>
> Shaun wrote:
>
> >In my eyes, simpler is better. I don't mind Lates, but around here they
all
> >have that disgusting rustout around the bottom corners of the windshield.
> >When they get bad, the entire wheelwell lips rust out along with the
hinge
> >post for the front doors, all seriously compromising the structure.
Earlies
> >rust, but in non-critical parts of the structure.
> >The fact that GM designed out the 'fun to drive' factor so Lates drive
just
> >like every other GM vehicle is another reason I like Earlies better.
> >Out in my driveway right now is about the ultimate daily driver Corvair.
> >It's a restored 1960 700 4dr with a '64 95hp/pg and complete '64 front
and
> >rear suspensions.
> >If any of the 1960-only parts need replacing, they are dirt-cheap, and
the
> >icing on the cake? A gas heater!
> >
> >
> >
> >>Earlies aren't "superior." Just unsophisticated. Proof is that you don't
> >>have to pull the axles out of a late model in order to drop out only the
> >>engine. As a result, engine removal (like in a clutch job) is much
> >>simpler on a late model.
> >>
> >>-Mark
> >>
> >>Shaun wrote:
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>>Late Models require a diff to be mocked up so the lower control arms
can
> >>>
> >>>
> >be
> >
> >
> >>>connected to it.
> >>>The superior Earlies only need you to remove the yokes from the rear
> >>>
> >>>
> >axles
> >
> >
> >>>and slide an appropriately sized piece of tubing over the two axles to
> >>>
> >>>
> >keep
> >
> >
> >>>them in line.
> >>>
> >>>yea, Vairily ... Shaun 'Late Earlies are best' McGarvey
> >>>
> >>>
>