<VV> <Aarrgghh!!> Autoweek ~ "ill-handling Corvair" -, Really ?

[jvhroberts at aol.com]

 Ah, so, if he were active today, he'd be called Sheldon.... lol


 

John Roberts
 

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Steven J. Serenska <corvair at serenska.com>
To: virtualvairs <virtualvairs at corvair.org>
Cc: jvhroberts <jvhroberts at aol.com>; hallgrenn <hallgrenn at aol.com>
Sent: Tue, Jan 22, 2013 4:05 pm
Subject: Re: <VV> <Aarrgghh!!> Autoweek ~ "ill-handling Corvair" -, Really ?


              
John:
      
    
    
              
 I think the whole hullabaloo had to do with two things:
                      1. Nader was using this car to further his career. 
                          2. Corvairs were somewhat less                            forgiving of idiots,                                hence my soggy rear tire                                  comment. 
        
    
    
    I agree with you comments, but I would add an Item #1.5 to your    list: GM tried to put out the fire with gasoline by hiring a private    detective to dig up dirt on Ralphie boy.  Worse, when they couldn't    find any dirt, they attempted to manufacture some (e.g., by trying    to set him up in a compromising position    with a call girl).  Worse still, they were dumb enough to get caught    red-handed.  Apparently, GM and its private eyes hadn't allowed for    the possibility that Ralph Nader was as asexual as a potato and did    not rise to the bait.
    
    If you haven't read it, the book "The Investigation of Ralph Nader"    by Thomas Whiteside is a reasonably unbiased account of the whole    affair.  The book is neutral toward the Corvair but really makes GM    and their management team look like a bunch of dunderheads.
    
    There are several copies available on www.abebooks.com for the    princely sum of $1.00.  Not a bad read.
    
    Steven J. Serenska