INTAKE
Ward's AutoWorld, Mar 1, 2010 12:00 PM

Once again, Mr. Flint is letting the fiction fly. In his “Buyers Ignoring GM Bankruptcy” commentary (see WAW — Jan. '10, p.40), he continues to perpetuate a myth that just won't die. He calls the Corvair less than successful. Let's look at some facts.

• First year of production, it sold more than 250,000 units.
• Ten years of production, and a bit more than 1.8 million sold.
• It sold as a van, pickup, coupe, sedan, convertible, station wagon and even as an RV.

As a proud owner of a ‘64 Corvair convertible, I won't go into the modified vehicles or the strong Corvair following that still exists.
David Hammelef
Novi, MI

GM sold a lot of Corvairs, and a great many are still running today, more than 50 years later. I happen to own one here in Bolivia. If the public hadn't switched preferences to muscle cars, and Ralph Nader hadn't had a grudge to bear, GM probably still would be selling an air-cooled marvel such as the Corvair.
Richard Widman
Tarija, Bolivia

Early GM penny-pinching prevented the engineers from including a much needed sway bar upfront in the Corvair that led to charges of ill handling (sway bars were finally added in both front and rear).

However, both Canada and U.S. transportation officials tested early Corvairs and declared, “the handling and maneuvering was comparable to other automobiles of the era.” (Note: the Corvair is the only car ever certified by the Department of Transportation to be safe, partly due to Nader's insistence they would find something wrong). The latter 1965-69 Corvairs were enthusiastically declared by automotive magazines to be some of the best handling cars sold in America.

The Corvair's air-cooled engine was (and still is) quite durable and trouble-free (except for the oil leaks after a couple of years which are easily repaired with quality seals).

The Ford Falcon did sell in greater numbers, but the Corvair sold very well until the '64-1/2 Mustang came out and dominated the sporty car market (as it does today). The Falcon was familiar and inexpensive; the Corvair was sporty and not really the econobox GM needed.

To this day, the Corvair survives in healthy numbers and is easy to get parts for. Contrary to Nader, the Corvair handles well and the latter car became known as “a poor man's Porsche” and still is raced as a hobby. Talk to old car hobbyists who have kept this interesting and fun little car on the road after more than 40 years.
Bob Nichols
Los Angeles

It appears the government watchdogs and the press cut Toyota too much slack when the “stuck” gas pedal problem first showed up because of Toyota's “perceived quality,” while not cutting any slack to Detroit auto makers because of their perceived lack of quality.
Joe Chicky
Canton, MI

When I started reading the article about the new “Buick” Regal (see WAW — Jan. '10, p.32), I was elated that GM finally would bring in a German-designed Opel “untouched” by the ego of GM's managers, who seem to ruin good designs in their own interest. However, as I read on, the story states: “Yes, the suspension in the Buick is dialed down from the drum-tight setup of the Insignia (Opel).”

GM managers obviously haven't learned their lesson from the company's failings. They should leave the car as designed and stop continually trying to modify the work of their engineers.
E. Gerber
Houston, Texas

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