<VV> Paucity of Corvair mechanics

[Mark Corbin]

The best way to combat this myth is with the truth.

I feel that much of the resistance from mechanics about working on Corvairs
is what it always has been, the fear of the unfamiliar. What we Corvair
owners need to do is to emphasize whenever asked (by the media) that
Corvairs are easy to work on, but just different. And if any mechanic is
competent, he CAN fix a Corvair. It's just that a lot of mechanics (even
today) fear the unfamiliar, and hence tell their clients that they won't
work on Corvairs "because they're too hard" and not the real reason,
admitting to their own fear of the unfamiliar.

I think that if that word gets out, especially coming from Corvair owners,
then mechanics everywhere will begin to look at the car in a different
light. My own mechanic works on everything, including a Brush and a Cord,
and doesn't mind working on my Corvairs at all. In fact, he tells me that
he'd rather work on the old stuff, like the Corvair, because they're much
easier than today's modern stuff. And THAT's the REAL truth in this matter.

-Mark


> [Original Message]
> Subject: <VV> Paucity of Corvair mechanics;Was:  "Have we read this
lately??? "
>
> The on-line "The Truth About Cars" defense of the Corvair prompted
several  
responses on the blog/website, almost all favorable.  A couple of people  
lamented the difficulty finding someone to repair Corvairs as a hindrance
to  their 
owning one or a difficulty in their ownership of one.  I have been  saying 
this for a long time.  I think one of the biggest stumbling blocks  to a
wider 
appeal for Corvairs is the difficulty finding someone to work on  them.  If 
Corvair ownership and, in turn, CORSA membership, is to expand,  we have to
think 
beyond the "guys-like-us" mentality.  Granted, yes, most  current CORSA 
members do their own (often rather extensive) mechanical work but  I would
venture 
to say that the majority of other collectible car owners take  their cars
to a 
mechanic for work.  I think for the preservation of our  hobby, we should
set 
about encouraging talented folks in our midst to go into  business working
on 
Corvairs.
 
I have quoted, below, a couple of the responses to the blog/on-line article

that I am referring to.
 
~Bill Stanley
 
< I was sorely tempted by second gen Corvairs, and actually started 
looking 
for them on Ebay. But then I was told they’re a bitch to get repaired. 
(I 
never did more than tune my own cars).>
 
<Now to find a mechanic that knows something about my car and I'm  set…>