Re: [T3] corvair in a vw

[John Jaranson <jaransonT3@comcast.net>]

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> The problem with the Corvair was not so much that the swingaxle design
> was flawed (it was no more flawed than any other swingaxle, really).
> The problem was that it was a sporty car with radically different
> handling than anything buyers of Detroit products were used to, and
> the low performance of the VWs (and the mindset of VW drivers having
> better assumptions of their cars limitations) of the time was much
> more forgiving.

> > outside of some small circle. OTOH, I never understood why the same 
> > criticism
> > wasn't also leveled at VW, since both used the same swing axle, which 
> > Corvair
> > fixed in '65 and VW fixed in '69.

I think Constantino get it right.  The swingaxle VWs at the time were 
at best 65 hp and most of the Beetles were still 40hp and were not 
marketed as sports cars.  The Corvair started at 80hp and went up to 
110hp quite quickly and then 140hp and could even be had with a 180hp 
turbo.  They were marketed as a sport car and were purchased by people 
that were looking for that kind of experience.

The Corvair just pushed the limits of the swingaxle design a little too 
far.

Later,
John Jaranson
'66 Square (Sophy)
'71 Fasty (Jane - darkside project in waiting)
various parts.....don't we all.
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/jaransonT3/jaransonT3/
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/jaransonT3/2004Invasion/
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/jaransonT3/notavwclub/

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