<VV> Corvette vs. Corvair

[Bill Hubbell]

Much has been written lately about owners of non-Corvair vintage automobiles
"stealing" precious Corvair parts for use on their vehicles.  It has been
suggested that this is an affront to Corvair owners and a threat to our
hobby.  I wish to post the view that it is in fact a great asset to have
Corvair Parts that are shared and desired by other vintage car collectors
(usually GM, mostly Chevrolets).  Were it not for this shared interest it is
most unlikely we would currently have as many reproduction parts as we do,
for it is often the desire for these parts from those groups with more
members and greater financial resources than the Corvair owners that has
caused these otherwise obscure parts to be saved or reproduced in the first
place.

I am certainly not an expert on the subject of shared parts, but I do
believe that at least some of the following parts might not exist today were
it not for their shared GM heritage and the interest of collectors of those
non-Corvair vehicles:

Washer bottles and labels
Ignition parts (distributors, points, etc.)
Door handles (inside and out)
Window cranks
Mirrors
Steering boxes (thanks to the street rodders!)
T-3 Headlight sets
The rivet that goes on top of the vent window upper pivot (thanks to
Corvette owners!)


This list is just a start - I know there are many, many more - would you all
care to add?

So, this is my way of saying, so what if the Corvette owners want to buy all
off the Corvair Tele-columns.  If they get greedy enough, sooner or later
they will get somebody to start reproducing the parts, and then we will all
benefit - just so long as we have documentation of what was stock, so we can
put it all together correctly.

Bill Hubbell
President, Stock Corvair Group