The Worst Cars Ever: Chevy Corvair

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[@roninkraut6873]

This was an excellent car. The drivers didn’t understand how to handle a mid engine car

[@michaeljucius9509]

It was an excellent car, but rear engine. Engine between axles=mid engine behind=rear.

[@gj1234567899999]

Ralph Naders book was totally unfair to the Corvair. It was a hatchet job. Research it.

[@zackhaycraft8159]

Exactly the test he performed was biased against the corvair

[@r.c.reasor4807]

A 1964 Chevrolet Corvair Monza was my first car when I turned 16 and got my driver's license. I paid $200.00 for it back in 1975. I can't say I fell in love with it but it never failed to start and overall was a very reliable little car. I would have liked the car more if it was a 4 speed like my dad had in his 64 convertible. Instead mine had the 2 speed powerglide automatic. Also any time I used the heater it smelled of burnt oil. I found out after I had already sold the car that was easily fixed by replacing the pushrod tube gaskets. Those 2 issues fixed and I could easily see myself actually enjoying my days of Corvair ownership.

[@ericmiller9132]

You clearly have no clue what you are talking about. If you were an actual car guy, you would know that every “myth” about the Corvair is false and that there a lot of Corvairs still around. I hate that youtube has made so many “experts” out of people who are not experts at all.

[@whototeru]

You're pretty clueless. Both VWs and Porsche's use the rear swing axle design and there are MILLIONS of them out there.

[@LittleAnastasia...]

Doesn't make them safe does it? Unsafe at any speed was about car safety. Awful brakes Steering Getting impaled on the Steering column or other interior parts Roof collapse if it rolled over. He was right. The corvair only had a few pages devoted to it FYI

[@whototeru]

@@LittleAnastasia... Yes, I am aware that the Corvair is addressed in Chapter 1 only. Believe what you want, but these cars are beloved in part because of ignorant people who think that different is deficient and therefore, keep these cars available and affordable. There are great parts suppliers and many upgrades to make them or any car from that era safer, more reliable and more efficient. With the exception of an engine build, they are still a great way to enter the classic car hobby! As to your assertions, Corvairs came stock with brakes from the full size cars and the steering is quite responsive and snappy. I suppose anything is possible--being impaled by the straight steering column, which nearly every car had until the 60s, but those little cars out handle any of their contemporaries from the Big 3. Like Porsche cars, they can carry more speed into the corners, you can keep the power on throughout the corner and recover quicker than a heavier, front engine car. A well sorted Corvair is a blast on twisty roads between 20-80mph and 1/20 the cost of a period 911 or Alfa Romeo. Even better, it's usually the only one of its kind there! All I can say is, keep thinking the way you do, so there will be more Corvairs for the rest of us.

[@simeoncastaldo7081]

The second gen had all independent suspension and had a knuckle in the steering column. So your issues were all addressed.

[@Isaac-sv7xt]

They did a final investigation in the 70s and that proved it was no more dangerous than any other car on the road at the time so ya

[@johnkent5042]

A federal investigation in the early 1970s refuted Nader’s claims and concluded that the Corvair handled no worse than other cars of the era. The ‘65-‘69 model featured an advanced, all-new, 4-wheel independent suspension that provided excellent handling. Far from being one of the worst cars ever, the Corvair was one of the very best.

[@davedave4986]

Incorrect. The suspension issue was common to many cars of the time, internationally. "On this day in 1972, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration released the results of a two-year study that concluded that Chevrolet’s 1960-63 Corvair models were at least as safe as comparable models of similar cars sold during in the same period. The report contradicted charges lodged by Ralph Nader, a leading consumer advocate." The late model corvair, 1965-1969, had a true independent suspension, rare at the time, and the coupe could pull more G's than any mass produced car made in the USA at the time. Corvairs are great cars, handle incredibly well and had many features that made them cost 20-30% more to produce than the models they were competing against. They were too costly to build and low profit margin is what ended the car, not other baseless speculative reasons. it came down to money, as usual.

[@stuartjakl]

Why on earth would a Corvair be on any list of being a terrible car? It was a solidly engineered car from Chevrolet. GM knew what they were doing. They routinely beat Porsches in vintage racing. There are so many other terrible cars without adding this to the list. In fact, I would say it's one of the best cars made in the 1960s.

[@ercost60]

Correction: Only EARLY models had a swing axle and different handling. Late models had full IRS and handled great.

[@gj1234567899999]

“Mechanically unconventional…rear mounted air cooled engine”…. The best selling car of all time is the Volkswagen Beetle - a rear mounted air cooled engine. In fact the Corsair was trying to piggyback off the success of the beetle by doing rear mounted air cooled engine.

[@pastorgoof]

All you needed to do to fix the issue was 20 psi

[@i69withgrandmasfr]

IM STILL ALIVE BABY!!!

[@jasonligo895]

I was told, but did not confirm, that Chevrolet did improve the rear suspension in its last few years to mitigate much of the oversteer, but it wasn't enough to save it's reputation.

[@davedave4986]

Incorrect. The suspension issue was common to many cars of the time, internationally. "On this day in 1972, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration released the results of a two-year study that concluded that Chevrolet’s 1960-63 Corvair models were at least as safe as comparable models of similar cars sold during in the same period. The report contradicted charges lodged by Ralph Nader, a leading consumer advocate." The late model corvair, 1965-1969, had a true independent suspension, rare at the time, and the coupe could pull more G's than any mass produced car made in the USA at the time. Corvairs are great cars, handle incredibly well and had many features that made them cost 20-30% more to produce than the models they were competing against. They were too costly to build and low profit margin is what ended the car, not other baseless speculative rrasons. it came down to money, as usual.

[@flashg1160]

They improved it every year. In 65 it became independent rear suspension.

[@hankreardon6998]

Corvairs are great cars, had at least one for 45 years. If you don't know shit about cars don't get one. If you're a car enthusiast, you should own at least one, then judge. Watch Jay Lenos video of his '65 Corsa, he'll tell you.

[@timstrobel9220]

My dad had a 62 corvair....it was a nice looking car

[@retr0bits545]

My dad has one that he bought as his first car, a 66 corvair monza. My brother bought for his first car a 68 corvair 140 hp with a power glide transmission. Me, I bought a 41 Cadillac at like 17/18 years on this earth and am 22 now. I still am trying to find a job and some space to get it home from my uncle’s place who is storing it for me.

[@craig0769]

I had a very early 1960 sedan. The only thing dangerous about it were the generic shock absorbers that were put on it at a gas station in the 70’s. They allowed the swing axle to extend further than was designed. Once I installed the correct stock shock absorbers for the rear it handled like it was on rails.

[@zackhaycraft8159]

Fun fact the test Ralph Nader tried was biased towards failure as he used soft ply sidewall tires and equaled the air pressure in the rear tires to the front tires

[@flashg1160]

This was not a terrible car. You have no idea what you're talking about. This was a fantastic car that Ralph Nader who would have no idea what he was looking at if he ever lifted a hood made a name for himself. Check out the rear end of a Volkswagen. Then watch the Chevy commercial.

[@edpoe4622]

Yes, Ralph Nader never even had a driver's license!

[@thearthound]

Ralph Nader was an idiot. The Corvair was an excellent car.

[@stuartjakl]

If you actually read Ralph Nader's book, you would know that he compares the late model Corvair to the early model Corvair. Both are great cars but the later 1965 models has completely independent suspension and not a swing axle design. You erroneously portrayed a late model car in your video.

[@michaeljucius9509]

The largest issue with corvair was an uneducated public. Much like the explorer Firestone fiasco. The car called for different tire pressures front and rear. If adhered to no issues but like the "rollover prone" explorers that clearly called for an extra load tire and 41 psi rear the public blamed the vehicle.

[@kensterfr33k]

i found a '64 corvair spyder turbo 4 speed for 1500 on marketplace 90 minutes from my house. if i had the money to get floor pans and rebuild the motor i wouldve already bought it

[@JosephCowen-ru7up]

It runs very similar mechanicals to a VW Beetle even down to the air-cooled rear engine and the same rear suspension. !

[@josephpelleriniv]

I drive a 65 Corvair Corsa every single day as it is my daily driver. I’ve purposely tried to lose traction and couldn’t. I have taken 90° corners at 35 mph with no issues. I have only briefly lost traction when intentionally trying to do so by turning the car practically sideways in the pouring rain. The car has no issues with handling and people that say it has fatal flaws only regurgitate whatever they hear. The only flaw lies in the cylinder head design which restricts how much power it can make, but does not make the vehicle unsafe by any means.

[@patrickracer43]

The thing with the Corvair's design, it was trying to copy the design of the European cars of it's era yet it ended up inspiring the design of many European cars of it's time

[@bryanst.martin7134]

I drove several as a teen. I don't see where the poor handling came in. A street racer? No. But it was easy to drive. Nader was a Nazi. Take the challenge of Pinto VS Vega. The rear end collision tests were skewed. Unless the Pinto tested against a 55mph collision and the Vega was at 35mph was a fair test to you? I read the fine print at the bottom of the screen.

[@bmint]

I know where two of these cars are right now.. the owner said he will never sell them😢

[@michaelsojka3265]

My father used to race his at Limerock. From what I understand he did pretty well in a car that had horrible suspension and handling. Sounds like you got your knowledge from only Nader. He knew nothing.

[@VB-bk1lh]

The VW Beetle and Bus both had swing axle suspension in the early models. It wasn't until 1968 when they got full independent rear suspension. I've owned and driven both, and never felt either was 'unsafe'. They just handled differently. If you drive any vehicle beyond its limits it can be considered unsafe. I'd have to say that just about any overpowered muscle car handled worse than any Corvair or VW ever built if you didn't know how to handle that power or the deal with vehicle's handling characteristics.

[@tonyb7748]

I used to walk by a repair shop that had about 7 or 10 of these cars in the early 90's on my way to middle school. They were parked outside in the rear of the lot, and we often cut through their property to make it to school without having to use the intersection. The cars were almost all ruined and we would hide in them for block wide games of hide and seek.

[@bullithedjames937]

Had a neighbor that owned 3 of the 6 styles of them. He had the coupe the sedan and the convertible. I've seen the van and the side ramp pickup version

[@noahhenning4402]

I love the muscle cars and 70's to 80's cars

[@truckertae9725]

The chevy corvair had some unique trims like a truck,wagon and van Then yenko first tuned vehicl was a corvair called the yenko stinger

[@scottypatterson8771]

I have a 64 corvair and it's the best handling car I've owned

[@reneeandchrisforever]

You mean to tell us that GM took the cheap route instead of doin things properly? Good thing they don’t do that anymore…..oh wait.

[@anthonywestmoreland7707]

My coworker had 22 of these. 10 ran. 8 drove.

[@Chipndales]

I have seen this car driving around at Ocoee FL cars and coffee…full resto, motor work. Love this car😊

[@slim4042]

There are still many Corvair out there on the road including Convertibles !

[@imonaroll9502]

Corvair was the original hipster car. You weren’t a hippie or a square. 😂

[@TamagoHead]

In all fairness, porche had a big mid corner throttle lift problem with snap oversteer.

[@timothylevin2661]

Chevy invested several million dollars developing this air cooled engine which was pretty good

[@mcm730]

The Corvair was vindicated by a study in the 70’s. Too late to save it, but still proven to be no more dangerous than any other car of the time. Great little zoomers, very unappreciated.

[@guyelluzzi2705]

Ralph Nader didn't kill the Corvair, the Mustang did. The whole Nader thing was basically BS and has been disproven by many. It was a revolutionary design, and they handled as well or better than most other cars of the era.

[@user-qf7ud5de9h]

All the birds flew away

[@colddeadhand7414]

Naders book was basically a propaganda piece that inevitably killed an otherwise, pretty good car. I would take a Corvair over their new AFM/DOD engine bullshit any day of the week. Imagine "engineering" a design that will have a high probability of catastrophic engine failure by 120,000 miles just to save 2-5% on fuel economy. 😂😂

[@AdamUnpronounceable]

Try sticking to subjects you actually know about, not just read about somewhere else.

[@Jaysunn00]

Nader was actually fulla Sh-t tho

[@fluffymobster9105]

Actually, they don't handle any worse than a 1988 camaro

[@Vhhhh1234]

It’s not a terrible car it’s a great car

[@dev4statingx90]

Ah yes, the Ralph Nader special.

[@charlesangell_bulmtl]

Ralph Nader Wannabe politlico Some good work to his credit but he screwed the pooch here QUITE unfairly climbing the ladder on Corvair's back Only thing wrong with this car...GM mass production BEAN COUNTERS

[@user-ki2ww9zj1l]

I hate that book

[@danielblaylock5566]

Known as " naders nightmare"..........

[@masjuggalo]

Ive driven one they are pretty cool.

[@ddrewthomas]

Maybe try driving one before you make a 1min video with the shallowness of Ralph Naders "investigative" skills lmao a

[@Banana_Banshee]

They’re still cheap for classic sports cars

[@dennisferrell8710]

Loved this car! Just to far ahead of it's time.

[@dawsonrivers23]

The corvair is a very nice car 👌

[@melissajones-zv8cd]

You dont know what youre talking about

[@Flicky_doodle]

Rear engine, air cooled. Why? Not an engineer but wouldnt it have very little cooling power vs front engine?

[@xfactorautomotive1496]

Another uneducated post. No, the corvair cooled just fine. A corvair will never overheat ever unless the belt fails, just like ANY car. During R&D, GM ran the cars all day in the desert with no overheat problems. None!

[@carico30]

I don't know if it's true but I've heard stories of the engine basically falling out of these while you're driving.

[@stephendavidbailey2743]

London bridge is falling down is also a story.

[@edpoe4622]

I've heard that Manbearpig is real.I'm super serial!!!

[@edpoe4622]

People make shi up about cars they don't like just like Nader did.It's technically possible with an unheard of amount of rust and sabotage in the form of a number of missing fasteners..

[@michaeljucius9509]

Interesting as commonly the old motors are found in homemade eaa type aircraft.

[@xfactorautomotive1496]

Yeah... STORIES. Total bullsh*t

[@chanoleyva8584]

I've only seen one ever at a car show it was fuckin awesome

[@tmdills6]

I have a 64' that my uncle bought new