Mid-engine Corvair

[qwikz28]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hKn8idEaZE&feature=c4-overview-vl&list=PL933202463D47A1C2

I watched this video earlier today and am in love. I don't know much about Corvairs, but the idea of a mid-engine old V8 car makes me excited. I have always thought they looked great, too.
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1tOVxFjmXk8/TK0KbNEIOmI/AAAAAAAAFpM/Gqg-wk4-Js4/s1600/Chevy+Corvair+05.jpg
http://thelaststormtrooper.com/rear.jpg

[grazi]

I think they stopped making them because the gas tanks blew up in accidents or something.

[V]

my dad had one. they weren't v8 afaik. they were flat 6 cylinders. they were notorious for being hard to control in rain and other conditions. Ralph nader really disliked them. His book was "unsafe at any speed"

[Featherburner]

They all came with an air cooled flat 6 ranging from 140ci to 164ci and from 80hp to the 180hp turbo Corsa. The early years(60-64) earned the Corvair its bad handling reputation. In 1965 they came out with an all new independent rear suspension that fixed the quirky handling but Nader's book had already done its damage to the brand. There were a few companies that sold kits to install a small block Chevy. I had a 64 Monza with a 4 speed and a posi and that was a blast to drive!

[sweetbmxrider]

I think he just likes that someone did a mid-engine v8 in an old platform. Its pretty sweet.

[ThoR294]

My dad has a 66 white with blue interior... all original... someone buy it plz so I have a spot for my bikes lol

[Featherburner]

My dad has a 66 white with blue interior... all original... someone buy it plz so I have a spot for my bikes lolIs it a turbo car?

[Featherburner]

Don Yenko liked them...

[qwikz28]

I think he just likes that someone did a mid-engine v8 in an old platform. Its pretty sweet.
Yes sir. Didn't know they only came in 6's though. They are crazy unique.

[PolarBear]

Are they really mid-engine? They seem more like a rear engine, but I have only even seen a few

[WildBillyT]

Are they really mid-engine? They seem more like a rear engine, but I have only even seen a few

My understanding is that

A) They are rear engine

and

B) In this one case, Nader was right. The car is cool, and you can come up with ways to correct the issue, but it's half assed by design for the early years. There is definitely something to be said for US drivers not being used to the extra weight in the rear of the car (see the 70's-80's Porsche 911 for further proof) but it's still not good.

[ThoR294]

Non-turbo. I agree with WBT people couldn't handle the car :P

[Stevoone]

I have a '63 Corvair Monza Spyder I've been tinkering with. It's fun but scary on the road. I've gone through the carb and turbo and my next step is to replace the worn steering parts and brakes.

Posted pictures here awhile ago, I have some more I'll have to upload. http://www.njfboa.org/forums/showthread.php?t=56620

[WildBillyT]

NkI-uv8Oaj4

[Featherburner]

Are they really mid-engine? They seem more like a rear engine, but I have only even seen a few

My understanding is that

A) They are rear engineFrom the factory they are rear engine. With the small block conversion they become mid-engine.

[1994lt1]

My grandfather was a huge Corvair guy and it was my moms first car. They never had any issues with handling but from what I've gathered is this: Due to the rear engine design the tire inflation was supper important on these cars. The rear tires were supposed to be set at like 35 PSI and the front at like 20 or 25....or vise versa. When you would go to gas stations back in the day they would unknowingly overinflate the tires making them dangerous and squirrely.