<VV> Information to use in promoting the Corvair

[J R Read_HML]

Looks as if Lonzo got it right - Chrysler Airflow.

>From the wiki on the net:

Breer, along with fellow Chrysler engineers Fred Zeder and Owen Skelton, 
began a series of wind tunnel tests, with the cooperation of Orville Wright, 
to study which forms were the most efficient shape created by nature that 
could suit an automobile. Chrysler built a wind tunnel at the Highland Park 
site, and tested at least 50 scale models by April 1930. Their engineers 
found that then-current two-box automobile design was so aerodynamically 
inefficient, that it was actually more efficient turned around backwards. 
Applying what they had learned about shape, the engineers also began looking 
into ways that a car could be built, which also used monocoque (unibody) 
construction to both strengthen the construction (the strengthening was used 
in a publicity reel [1]) of the car while reducing its overall drag, and 
thus increasing the power-to-drag ratio as the lighter, more streamlined 
body allowed air to flow around it instead of being caught through upright 
forms, such as radiator grilles, headlights and windshields.

Traditional automobiles of the day were the typical two-box design, with 
about 65% of the weight over the rear wheels. When loaded with passengers, 
the weight distribution tended to become further imbalanced, rising to 75% 
or more over the rear wheels, resulting in unsafe handling characteristics 
on slippery roads. Spring rates in the rear of traditional vehicles were, 
therefore, necessarily higher, and passengers were subjected to a harsher 
ride.

An innovative suspension system on the new Chrysler Airflow stemmed from the 
need for superior handling dynamics. The engine was moved forward over the 
front wheels compared with traditional automobiles of the time, and 
passengers were all moved forward so that they were seated within the 
wheelbase, rather than on top of the rear axle. The weight distribution had 
approximately 54% of the weight over the front wheels, which evened to near 
50-50 with passengers, and resulted in more equal spring rates, better 
handling, and far superior ride quality.

Later, JR


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ron" <ronh at owt.com>
To: "John Kepler" <jekepler at amplex.net>; "'J R Read_HML'" 
<hmlinc at sbcglobal.net>; "'Alan and Clare Wesson'" <alan.wesson at atlas.co.uk>; 
"'Virtual Vairs'" <virtualvairs at corvair.org>; "'Stephen Upham'" 
<contactsmu at sbcglobal.net>
Sent: Monday, June 22, 2009 3:51 PM
Subject: Re: <VV> Information to use in promoting the Corvair


> Nope, starting in '49 all Nash cars were unibody!
> RonH
>