<VV> marketing Corvair vs VW, Porsche

[kaczmarek at charter.net]

Folks
 The marketing ideas between VW/Porsche and Corvair are not, imo in any way similar. 

     Originally, of course, the VW was envisioned by Hitler as it was named, the "volkswagen", or People's Car. Before the lefties on the list get apopletic, I'm not trying to glorify der Fuehrer, but every idea the man had was not maniacal. 
     Actually, Hitler respected the ideas of one Henry Ford. Assembly line, the old "any color you want so long as it's black", and economies of scale--as well as Ford's ideas on the evils of international Jewry. A real hero to der Fuehrer. 
But what he envisioned, as did Ford,  was a car any worker could afford to own, that the owner could repair themselves, yet would take the passes in the Alps with aplomb. Perhaps that was the original reason for Ferdinand Porsche to design the "people's car" with the engine over the driving wheels, to make it easier to go up slick mountain roads. 

Ed Cole's marketing ideas were different. Not a "car for the masses", but an American alternative to the VW, in many different configurations, simple, yet flashy, sporty, and economical. 

One would imagine the niche customers of the Corvair to be people on tight budgets, which made it a favorite of students,teachers/professors and secretaries and the like. Easy to park, fun to drive, gas stingy, etc. 
Unfortunately, the engineering drove the cost up higher than Cole would have liked to see it. Hmmm. Tight budgets, teachers, professors, stingy---Sounds like he hit the right group!!! <G>

Hank