[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index] [New Search]
>>I wonder if Chevy's introduction of the Corvair in 1960 was part of the reason that VWoA never imported the T34 into the US. By the time the T34 got going, the Corvair was doing quite well. Anyone who is familiar with both cars will see a resemblance between them. I wonder if Ghia did any of the design work on the Corvair....<< Ghia didn't have anything to do with the design of the Corvair, but the Corvair was very influential on European car design in the early 60s. Ghia's Type 34 design definitely uses the Corvair for inspiration, but BMW, Hillman, and especially NSU also made cars that used the basic Corvair elements of a boxy shape, pronounced high beltline, and large glass area. The Type 34 also has many details that are similar to the 1961 Plymouth, probably due to the fact that Ghia was still a design consultant to Chrysler at the time both cars were developed. A lot has been written about Chrysler designer Virgil Exner's influence on the Type 1 Karmann Ghia design via his close relationship with Ghia in the 50s, so it follows. Speaking of design influence, I would say that BMW must have been looking closely at the Type 34 when developing the 1600/2002 series. There are a lot of similarites in proportion and the rear treatment and taillights are too close to be coincidental. Scott 62 1500 KG 65 1500S Squareback Sedan 01 Golf GL ------------------------------------------------------------------- Too much? Digest! mailto:type3-d-request@vwtype3.org Subj=subscribe