<VV> Rear-wheel steering (was transverse engine)

[Tom Berg]

GM offered rear-wheel steering on light-duty Chevy and GMC pickups in the early 
'00s. The axle and steering were made by Eaton (I think) and worked in reverse 
and up to about 30 mph forward. It improved low-speed maneuverability 
considerably (like when making sharp turns while slipping into and out of 
parking spaces), and helped when backing trailers. I tried it at a GM press 
event and was impressed. 


They asked me what I'd pay for it if I were buying a truck and I said $1,500. 
That wasn't enough, I guess, because it became a $2,000 or $2,500 option, but 
didn't sell well and was discontinued. 


--Tom in Ohio
 

Rear wheel steering came, and went. My 300ZXTT has it as well, also discontinued 
on any successive Nissan models. Mazda had it on the 626s, also dumped it. Neat 
idea, but for the VERY small improvement in handling, it wasn't worth the 
nontrivial cost. 84-87 Fieros could have had a rack put in the back, I don't 
know of anyone who tried it. 

Now, for parking... Hmmm... If you had a left-center-right control that only 
kicked in at or near full lock (and most definitely disabled anything above 
parking lot speeds!) could make parking easier. Maybe... 




John Roberts




-----Original Message-----
From: David O'Neal <dnoneal at bellsouth.net>
To: cityhawk at sprint.blackberry.net; 'Virtual Vairs' <virtualvairs at corvair.org>
Sent: Thu, Jan 20, 2011 12:55 pm
Subject: Re: <VV> Transverse engine


Another idea - utilize the front drive unit to provide rear wheel steering?

Honda Preludes had that option many years ago. The wheels only move a few

degrees at speed - would need a computer to control it. Could also have low

speed steering to help in parallel parking, etc.



David O'Neal

65 Monza 110 PG Coupe









-----Original Message-----

From: Karl Haakonsen [mailto:cityhawk at sprint.blackberry.net] 

Sent: Wednesday, January 19, 2011 1:00 PM

To: Virtual Vairs

Subject: <VV> Transverse engine





Anyone ever try putting a transverse-engine powertrain from a front wheel

drive car in the back of a Corvair?



Just curious.

Karl in Boston

Sent from my BlackBerryR smartphone with SprintSpeed



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________________________________

From: "jvhroberts at aol.com" <jvhroberts at aol.com>
To: dnoneal at bellsouth.net; cityhawk at sprint.blackberry.net; 
virtualvairs at corvair.org
Sent: Thu, January 20, 2011 4:04:15 PM
Subject: Re: <VV> Transverse engine