<VV> the butt of the Corvair enthusiast

[cfm]

Dear Angus:
you were quoted as saying, in your monthly column "The Big Picture" column on page 8 of the August MOTOR TREND about electric cars. In regard to the Chevy Volt he says; 'a lot of folks seem mighty uncomfortable  when GM tries [to innovate and experiment]" adding, "understandably, perhaps,  given past fiascoes like the Corvair, Vega, and Olds diesel.' "

Please refrain from language associating the Chevrolet Corvair as a fiasco. The only fiasco here is when editors of magazines spew information that is not consistent with the styling and engineering legacy of a car like the Corvair. Might I suggest and apology from the editor once he does a little more research and discovers a car like the Corvair is truly a proven, valid and reliable source of transportation for millions of Americans in the past, and what thousands of current enthusiasts still use today. It is comments like this that retard the spirit of American innovation.
Respectfully submitted,
Chris Mann
Port Washington, WI

--- On Thu, 7/3/08, Stephen Upham <contactsmu at sbcglobal.net> wrote:
From: Stephen Upham <contactsmu at sbcglobal.net>
Subject: Anus MacKenzie
To: cfmann at yahoo.com
Date: Thursday, July 3, 2008, 1:45 PM

I used this address to send him a reply.

http://www.motortrend.com/contactus/index.html

Stephen Upham

To Angus MacKenzie:I have not personally read the article that the following exert refers to, but the quoted part is pretty clear."Editor-In-Chief, Angus MacKenzie, writes in his monthly "The Big Picture"  column on page 8 of the August MOTOR TREND about electric cars.   In regard to the Chevy Volt he says; 'a lot of folks seem mighty uncomfortable  when GM tries [to innovate and experiment]" adding, "understandably, perhaps,  given past fiascos like the Corvair, Vega, and Olds diesel.' "     Perhaps a little more research is in order.  The Corvair was one of the most highly engineered cars produced by the Big Three during its era.  It was, and is, a great car.  Unibody construction, four wheel independent suspension, fully independent four link rear suspension '65-69 (borrowing from the 'Vette) that kept the rear tires in true vertical through all cornering maneuvers, telescoping steering wheel options, turbo charged options that developed
 more than one hp per cubic inch displacement, superb handling in all weather conditions, true hard top construction, no need for radiators, water pumps, power steering, or power brakes, a built-in front crumple zone, and many other advances too numerous to mention.  All of this wrapped in a package that can only be described as elegant in the European fashion and that continues to turn heads to this day.    I would suggest that the author read "The Corvair Decade" by Tony Fiore (available from CORSA) to learn more about this truly innovative and unique piece of American automotive history.  
Sincerely,Stephen UphamDallas, TexasVice-President / North Texas Corvair AssociationCORSACorvaireum //
Mid prod. #18732 -1965 Monza Hardtop 110 Sierra Tan, Saddle, zero rust, PG, A/C, original AM/FM, clock , tint, oil bath air filter, bumper guards, day/ night mirror