<VV> The Corvair that inspired the Mustang

[Mel Francis]

This discussion reminds me of the car that must have inspired BOTH the 
Corvair
and the Mustang!

In 1955, Chevrolet presented a concept car, The Biscayne, that used their 
new V8 engine
in a chassis with a perimeter frame, which allowed the car's overall height 
to be lowered to 52",
compared to the height of 59" on the 55 Chevy.

It had a long hood, short rear deck, on a 115" wheelbase and the rear veiw 
of the car
previewed the distinctive styling that would show up in the Corvair, some 5 
years later.
The side cove styling was used on the Corvette , but reversed from this car.

The external dimensions were very compact, with an overall length, width and 
height
that were all within an inch of the production Mustang dimensions of 1964. I 
know,
since I was involved in the recent fiberglass restoration of this car and 
took the
measurements myself.

Mel

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bill Elliott" <corvair at fnader.com>
To: "Jim Houston" <jhouston001 at cfl.rr.com>
Cc: "Virtual Vairs" <virtualvairs at corvair.org>
Sent: Tuesday, December 08, 2009 4:27 PM
Subject: Re: <VV> The Corvair that inspired the Mustang


> "Mustang" was the origin of the term; "Corvair" was the origin of the
> idea...
>
> "Big engine" was not necessarily part of the equation... 6 cylinder 
> slushbox
> Mustangs were common and still considered a "Pony Car" (which was really
> just a small fun to drive "performance oriented" car...
>
> Bill
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Jim Houston" <jhouston001 at cfl.rr.com>
> To: "Marc Marcoulides" <hharpo at earthlink.net>
> Cc: <virtualvairs at corvair.org>
> Sent: Tuesday, December 08, 2009 17:23
> Subject: Re: <VV> The Corvair that inspired the Mustang
>
>
>> Has anybody mentioned the source of the term "Pony Car" ??   Mustang =
>> horse = small = pony, so small car with big engine = "pony car" ---
>> right??
>>
>> Jim Houston
>>
>> Marc Marcoulides wrote:
>>> ----, the Mustang was just a tarted up Falcon.
>>>
>>>
>>> but "tarted" very, very well. A success for Ford. The best part of Lee
>>> Iacocca's book is his relating the day Henry fired him. That one chapter
>>> makes reading Lee worthwhile.
>>>
>>>
>
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