<VV> NHTSA - Corvair...

[Secular]

  AVAILABILITY: NHTSA 

  HS-820 198 Fid. 5/18 

  EVALUATION OF THE 1960-1963 CORV AIR HANDLING AND STABILITY 

  National Hwy. Traf. Safety Administration 

  1972 138p refs 

  The Corvair evaluation included review of General Motors documents and test 
  data, technical literature, ail available accident data, and testing of the Corvair 
  and contemporary vehicles. Input-response type dynamic tests were used. 

  To evaluate the objectivity of NHTSA testing and analysis, a three-man 
  advisory panel of independent professional engineers reviewed results. 

  Evaluation of the data and tests and recommendations from the advisory panel 
  indicate that the 1960-63 Corvair understeers in the same manner as 
  conventional passenger cars up to about 0.4g lateral acceleration, 
  makes a transition from understeer through neutral steer to 
  oversteer in a range from about 0.4g to 0.5g lateral 
  acceleration, and reaches its limit of control at 0.6g 
  sustained lateral acceleration. 

  This transition does not result in abnormal potential for loss of 
  control. Accident data indicate that the rollover rate is comparable 
  to other light domestic cars. The handling and stability of the 
  Corvair are at least as good as the performance of some 
  contemporary vehicles. 

  Source:

  http://tinyurl.com/nhtsa-corvair

  Tony I.