<VV> Monza GT practically abandoned in Nowhere, PA in 1976 ... was : two seater Corvairs
Charles Lee
chaz at properproper.com
Thu Oct 18 13:08:25 EDT 2018
Back in 1976, I found the Monza GT practically abandoned, slated for
demolition, in Nowhere, PA...
I was driving home from a CORSA convention (in Pittsburg?) and while looking
for a gas station, I passed by an open parking lot on a cloudy Sunday
afternoon.
I made a few phone calls and wrote a few letters to ALCOA (where I found the
car) and they had it "on loan" because it was slated to be scrapped as was
their custom.
So I called GM who confirmed ALCOA's story, and I asked if "we" (CORSA)
could have it rather than destroying it, but that would require a certified
museum, which we did not have at the time.
A few years later, the car showed up at the Detroit CORSA convention, and I
was edified to see GM had at least changed their mind and restored it nicely
for THEIR museum?
Skip ahead to 2016, 38 years later, and I went to the grand re-opening of
the Petersen, and "What to my wondering eyes did appear?"
My old friend the Monza GT was waiting patiently right in the opening foyer
for our reunion!
https://www.facebook.com/SirCharlz/media_set?set=a.10204920503824987&type=3
Sadly, automakers considered "dream cars" aka "prototypes" as "sketch pads"
and routinely destroyed them because (a) they took up too much space to keep
them all, and (b) did not let anyone have them to prevent their ideas from
being pirated.
I even got to "drive" GM's Corvair Custom Prototypes (Way back when~)
https://www.facebook.com/SirCharlz/media_set?set=a.10204679443758636&type=3
Charles Lee
-----Original Message-----
From: VirtualVairs [mailto:virtualvairs-bounces at corvair.org] On Behalf Of
James P. Rice via VirtualVairs
Sent: Tuesday, October 16, 2018 10:16 AM
To: virtualvairs at corvair.org
Subject: <VV> two seaters and Corvair Enthusiasts: VVD,V165,I16
Harry: I remember both the Pontiac and the Corvair two seaters from when
they were new. The Corvair made the cover of Car & Driver. Guess this
makes me old.... VBG!!!
At the CORSA Convention in Detroit in 1979, the Concourse was at the GM Tech
Center. While talking to Chuck Jordan, the care take of the GM show cars
(Dick Hutcherson?) came by. I asked him what happened to the Corvair 2
seater in your post. He said it was crushed. I asked why. He said
"Because we didn't know it would be famous."
Scott: There are more than 4000 Corvair enthusiasts. At the Cedar Rapids
CORSA Convention many years ago I was told by a "CORSA official person" Cal
Clark told him they have more people on their mailing list in Iowa than
CORSA had members at the time. Corvair people, being a independent lot,
generally are not joiners. Sadly.
Thanks for the posting.
Historically Yours,
James Rice
Message: 1
Date: Mon, 15 Oct 2018 18:54:05 -0400
From: "harry yarnell" <harryyarnell at verizon.net>
To: <virtualvairs at corvair.org>
Subject: <VV> FW: Long Forgotten GM Concept cars
Subject: Long Forgotten GM Concept cars
So you think you know your GM concept cars. Ever seen either of these
stillborn GM two seaters? Both cars look way beyond the concept stage.
It's a shame neither make it into production.
1961 Pontiac Monte Carlo (click on the link below)
https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/dealer/pontiac/unspecified/1837550.html
?refer=blog
1963 Two Passenger Corvair
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------------------------------
Message: 2
Date: Mon, 15 Oct 2018 19:10:47 +0000 (UTC)
From: Scott Morehead <moreheadscott at yahoo.com>
To: virtualvairs at corvair.org
Subject: <VV> OPGI Catalog
Several folks have indicated that they have received the latest Corvair OPGI
catalog. I just finished perusing that catalog and was curious.? I noticed
an update on Clarks website with more reproduction parts - Guessing they are
buying from other vendor(s) and not necessarily reproducing them. ?
Also, noticed OPGI catalog have a lot of (ASSUMING) Clarks reproductions.?
We know that many of the interior/exterior parts are multifaceted and apply
to other GM vehicles (Door handles / Mirrors etc) - IS OPGI then buying the
door sills, headlight bezels etc from Clarks and then reselling to the
public (maybe drop shipping - doubtful) - It is doubtful that OPGI would
reproduce for Market with some 4K Corvair enthusiasts.? Especially, the
quantity necessary for a production run.
Anyone have any inside info.? Just curious
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