<VV> the "next generation" of Corvair enthusiasts

[Ray Rodriguez]

     Being "one of the young people"  there are a couple of points I would like to make here.....be warned that this is all simply my opinion, coming from the perspective of a kid in his mid/late twenties (yes, kids are getting older =P) 

     My generation, and as near as I can tell the next younger generation, (I know quite a few younger kids) thinks that the "muscle cars" of the 60's and early 70's are some of the coolest cars on the road.  We were not around when these cars were new and plentiful, but they've become legends of a sort.  Kid's like fast cars, not classy cars or pretty cars... muscle cars are the epitome of fast cars... even if they weren't really that quick in reality compared to todays fast cars.  My point is we don't love these cars because we have fond memories of them from when we were young, its because they have a "coolness factor" that doesnt wear off like a late model car does when it gets to be a few years old.  Now, it is possible that the enthusiast contingent I'm describing isn't big enough to keep the muscle car market where it is once the baby boomers are all in retirement homes, but I think its possible.

     That being said, the problem with the Corvair is that it isn't generally seen as a performance car, and therefore.  The four carbs and turbo's will attract a few members of generation "x", but only the oddballs will be attracted to Corvairs as a rule.  Any time a young person see's my Corvair and show's some interest their first question is either "is it fast?" or "How fast is it?"  (I'm sure some of you have encountered this yourselves).  When my current project is completed I will finally have a Corvair that I can reply is "fast" and maybe attract a few more young people to the marque, but the reality is that the Corvair will never be a "muscle car" and therefore will probably not gain much attention from the next generation of car enthusiasts.  The simple fact is that Corvairs didn't come with a V-8, and that eliminates it from contention for most young people's interest... their values will likely not go up as a result.

    Now don't get me wrong, I do all I can to attract other people to Corvairs... but most of my friends and aquaintances shake their head wondering what is wrong with me... and NONE of them can understand why I prefer my Corvairs to the bright red 400hp 1968 Corvette convertible I had, or even my old 1970 Chevelle.....   Sure I get lots of approving looks and comments from the older folks, but I don't expect I'll get any approval at all from the young people untill I can respond "yeah its fast".

    CORSA has been talking a lot about attracting the younger generation to Corvairs.. I'll tell you a secret....  If you want to attract the younger crowd to Corvairs you have to do it with Turbo and 140 coupes and verts, performance modded, with chomed engine compartments, wide wheels and tires, and a little less shiny body trim.  With proper funding I could build you a fleet of Corvairs to make us young folks drool.  Most of the Corvairs you see restored are more or less stock... they are very "classy" looking, but that will do nothing to attract the young folks, we want our cars to look "bad-ass".  

     Let me link a sample picture of what kids want.. this is a photoshopped pic of Ray Coker's car.. I photoshopped off the stripes to make it look more similar to what my car will be like when it is finished.  My other concept is for a late coupe or vert in medium blue metallic, with ghosted flames and 16" chrome wheels with wide tires etc.... maybe I'll build that one next *wink*.  

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f90/Swiftblade13/meledgewoodphotoshop2.jpg

     Here is a photo of an early that caught my eye at the Corvair Ranch.  This car also appeals a bit to the young, but would require a 140 or a Turbo to seal the deal.

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f90/Swiftblade13/DSCF1113.jpg

     The cars that appeal to us probably don't interest most of you much, and vice versa.  The only solution I can think of?  Build a small fleet of custom Corvairs done up to suit the tastes of the young, and take them to all the major car shows the kids attend (chevy does this with their new models)...  and be sure to let them know how affordable they are.



Ray Rodriguez