Here's a cool American car with a very un-American design and styles

What..? When you take a look back at the history of the most iconic American automobiles, the Chevrolet Corvair models would be near the top of that list. Although in its development, the production and sales figures of the Corvair had affected by the "Unsafe at any Speed" controversial writings of a consumer advocate named Ralph Nader who included a chapter on the danger of the rear-engined car in it.

The Chevrolet Corvair introduced to the automotive market as a compact car featuring many new innovations including a 6 cylinder rear air cooled engine coupled with a transmission differential unit and all-wheel independent suspension. (Picture from: JuraganMobilBekas)

Despite all the drama, the Corvair is actually a cool American sports car with a very un-American design. Look at the Chevrolet Corvair concept car of 1954 was an early generation of Corvette and built as a fastback. Well, this Corvair model was made by Chevrolet from 1960 to 1969 and was introduced to the automotive market as a compact car featuring many new innovations including a 6 cylinder rear air cooled engine combined with a transmission differential unit and all-wheel independent suspension.

The American auto manufacturer produced the Corvair in many various styles and one of them was the Corvair 500 Lakewood Station Wagon of 1961. (Picture from: Wikipedia)

Infact, the Corvair is the product of a nine-year research and development program that aims to design a compact car at a low initial cost. Corvair models offer consumer stainless steel hub caps with a circular concave center area with the Chevrolet name on the hubcap which looks good for the consumer market. The horizontal inlet grille on the engine compartment cover will introduce cooling air into the engine and also add design interest to the customer as well.

The American auto manufacturer produced the Corvair in many various styles and one of them was the Corvair Convertible of 1964. (Picture from: Wikipedia)

The early Chevrolet Corvair built in between 1960 and 1964 which had a similar bodywork appearance and was intended as an economy sedan. However, it didn't stop the development of a sporty, coupe version that was introduced long before the Ford Mustang became popular. At that time, Chevrolet introduced the Corvair Monza 900 Club Coupe model which sold for $ 2,238.

The Chevrolet Corvair is powered by the rear-mounted innovative inline air-cooled engine in 6 options from 2,296 cc, 2,375 cc and 2,683 cc. (Picture from: Wikipedia)

Do You remembered to the Chevrolet Corvair Monza GT concept designed by Larry Shinoda and Tony Lapine in 1962? It could be said as the possible Corvair-based sports car. Meanwhile the Corvair sports is carried an innovative inline air-cooled engine in 6 options from 2,296 cc, 2,375 cc and 2,683 cc. The inline engine design allows room for a spare tire, more space in the front luggage compartment.

Interior of the Chevrolet Corvair Monza of 1964 shows the standard steering wheel coupled with the 140 MPH speedometer and trip odometer, fuel gauge and clock. (Picture from: Wikipedia)

This area provides over 15.6 cubic feet of shared space with an optional folding rear seat that can be used by both the passenger and the driver. However, after five years of production, Chevrolet stopped trying to sell the Corvair as an American 'Volkswagen,' and realized that with some adjustments as the anticipation of the consumer demands, slowly but sure then refigured it as a US 'Porsche.' 

The Chevrolet Corvair Monza Coupe of 1968. (Picture from: Wikipedia)

Well, the second-generation Corvair that started out in 1965 already has a decidedly European flair, by applying more than a few styling cues borrowed from the Pininfarina's two design studies. So at that time in general the American auto giant, General Motors wanted to offer a perfect style that could be enjoyed by many consumers as a whole. This can be seen from the model being longer, wider, and lower while offering increased engine power. 

The Chevrolet Corvair Monza Coupe of 1968. (Picture from: Wikipedia)

In these production periods, there's a new top-of-line series called the Corsa, became popular with consumers and was produced in both as the sports coupes and convertibles that replaced the Corvair Spyder. The newly designed Corvair models also provides a wider room and height entrance as well as more legroom in the rear seats for the sports sedan model. While, the convertible models of 1965 also offered a top all-electric mechanism. The Corvair Greenbrier sports car completed the 1965 model lines. 

The Chevrolet Corvair Monza Convertible of 1969. (Picture from: Wikipedia)

The model's popularity led to increased production and sales during the 1965, at that time Chevy dealers managed to sale 237,056 Corvairs.However, in 1967, the Corvair line did not perform well in sale with only over 27,000 cars were produced. Some say that it was influenced by the controversial writings of Ralph Nader which then affected to the consumers' reluctance to buy the Corvair.

Thus the American giant car manufacturer then carried out a gradual elimination of the Corvair until 1969. That was the last year Corvair models were assembled and produced and after that the Corvair nameplate was completely dropped off by General Motors of its production line for good.😭

As quoted of Wikipedia, the Corvair was manufactured and marketed in 4-door sedan, 2-door coupe, convertible, 4-door station wagon, passenger van, commercial van, and pickup truck body styles in its first generation (1960–1964) and as a 2-door coupe, convertible or 4-door hardtop in its second (1965–1969) with the total production of approximately 1.8 million from 1960-1969. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CORVAIR.ORG | MOTORCITIES.ORG | HAGERTY.COM | WIKIPEDIA ]

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