<VV> Modern Corvair vs. mundane FWDs

[Charles Lee]

Good point about the FWD domination today !

The Corvair's problem was that was alone and distinct which made it an easy 
target.

When FWDs started in the US, it was the expensive Eldorado and Toronado, but 
they didn't really succeed because they were different with no real 
advantage.

So-o-o-o, "they" decided to inundate us with FWDs so (a) we wouldn't have a 
choice, and (b) we'd eventually get used to them and (c) most people don't 
know the difference anyway.

>From a handling perspective, FWD is "safer" due to its understeer, which 
means people don't get in trouble as fast.  (Sure now they go off the 
outside of a curved road instead, but even that is less startling since FWDs 
are hard to spin out, which is what makes driving so much fun.

(By "spin out" I mean 180s and 360s, not STOP : "Squeal Tires On Pavement")

Corvairs are harder to spin out that FE/RWD cars, but FWDs are nearly 
impossible, which I think makes them "safer"

Mechanics love them too, because all the expensive stuff is up front taking 
the impact of pot holes, etc with complex CVJs and steering ear in a very 
vulnerable position, so lots of $$ to be made fixing them !

I think FWD is what makes all new cars so mundane, IMHO.

Charlie;

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Vairtec Corporation" <Vairtec at optonline.net>
To: <tkalp at cox.net>
Cc: "Virtual Vairs" <virtualvairs at corvair.org>
Sent: Monday, January 18, 2010 1:08 PM
Subject: Re: <VV> Modern Corvair -- and a quandary


> tkalp at cox.net wrote:
>
>> Part of the problem in creating a true "today's Corvair" is while the
>> Mustang, Camaro, Challenger are noted for their appearence rather than
>> engineering excellence.  To capture the true soul of the Corvair, the
>> new Corvair would have to capture the excellent styling of the Corvair
>> but to be an engineering breakthrough also . . .
>>
>
> Terry captures the root of a problem I have been having for several
> years now.
>
> I am an "old car" enthusiast -- I subscribe to Hemmings, I go to Hershey
> every year, and so on.  But, I am the sort of old car enthusiast who
> appreciates old cars but who does not want to drive them daily.  I want
> the comfort and convenience of a new car.
>
> I was drawn to Corvairs originally when they were new.  Now that they're
> old, they no longer are what I want to drive every day.  They look
> great, and they are great handlers, but they are no way as comfortable
> as a new car.  (Some of this has to do with MY getting old, too.)
>
> Trouble is, there is no new car that appeals to me in the way that
> Corvairs did.  Corvairs appealed to me because of their distinctive
> engineering and their handsome but not in-your-face styling.  Today,
> from an engineering standpoint virtually everything is the same from
> brand to brand and model to model, and aerodynamic considerations have
> rendered most cars to a common template.  Nothing grabs me.
>
> I have a friend who argues passionately in favor of the Chrysler PT
> Cruiser as a distinctive car.  I happen to own one and I like it, and
> I'll grant you that it is distinctively styled and that it offers more
> interior flexibility as a result.  But underneath it is still just
> another FWD econocar. There is no engineering distinction.
>
> What I really liked about the Corvair is that it really did not LOOK
> particularly different, but it WAS different.  You could "blend in"
> driving a Corvair -- I am not a look-at-me kinda guy -- while enjoying
> the driving dynamics of a distinctly different car.
>
> No such choice today.
>
> --Bob Marlow
>
>
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