<VV> R.I.P. Pinky, but other design studies were saved ?

Mon Nov 30 14:24:01 EST 2009

If the Astro I, Monza SS and GT were to be 'dumped' at this point in time,
I'm sure they would be sold through the Barrett Jackson auction, just as
so many other GM prototypes have been, in the last year or so.

But these cars were seminal prototypes for later Corvette studies and I'm
also sure that the Corvette Museum would be the eventual recipient.
While you might think that they deserve to be at the Corvair Museum,
bucks talk, and the Corvette group would likely have more standing, or
members who would be able to pay well for them at an auction.

Each of them is a 'million dollar prototype' and would likely, not go for
less.

Mel

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Charles Lee" <Chaz at ProperProPer.com>
To: <virtualvairs at corvair.org>; "Tony Underwood" <tony.underwood at cox.net>
Sent: Monday, November 30, 2009 1:57 AM
Subject: Re: <VV> R.I.P. Pinky, but other design studies were saved ?

>I remember "Pinky" being found on a car lot, being sold as a "used car" and
> someone bought it (for the KH wheels ?)
> This was an unofficial 'design study' if I remember correctly ?  Built for
> Mitchell's wife to drive ?
> Or was it a true 'prototype' for the upcoming convertible ?
>
> Has anyone else heard that (around 1977) GM had no plans of their own to
> preserve the Astro I, Monza SS and GT, an other 'design studies'.
> These cars were scheduled to be scrapped - not into screen doors and
> refrigerators, but into pretty much 'dust', since it was too expensive to
> keep them (according to my phone conversation with I-can't-remember-whom).
>
> I asked him if it was possible to donate them to Corsa, but our
> gleam-in-our-eye museum was 'built' yet, and would not be secure enough
> anyway ("Why is security a problem if they're being scrapped ?" - Response
> "Design Security")
>
> However, they have apparently reconsidered 'disposing' of these beautiful
> prototypes so unceremoniously, since they were saved from the crusher, and
> exist to this day.
>
> I believe I may still have some letters relating to my communications with
> GM, but that was back around 1976-78 or so ?
>
> Can anyone corroborate any of this memory dump on my part ?
>
> Unfortunately, "Pinky" was not an official prototype, and didn't even get
> this consideration.
>
> Charlie
> Former BOD from New York, circa 1978
> Charter Member since 1969
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Tony Underwood" <tony.underwood at cox.net>
> To: <virtualvairs at corvair.org>
> Sent: Sunday, November 29, 2009 10:55 PM
> Subject: Re: <VV> R.I.P. Pinky
>
>
>> At 07:44 PM 11/29/2009, peter koehler wrote:
>>>As a note of clarification, "Pinky" was the first Corvair
>>>convertible that GM built. He started off life as a 1960
>>>model year 2 door coupe. The roof was cut off and a
>>>folding top was engineered by GM. Many other features
>>>found a trial on Pinky, including a 3 speed automatic
>>>transaxle - depending on who you talk to.
>>
>>
>> According to those who should know, Pinky did indeed have a 3-speed
>> automatic transmission.
>>
>>
>>>I talked to the
>>>last person who drove Pinky back in the early '80's. He
>>>assured me that there were two upshifts from a standing
>>>start = a three speed automatic transmission. Pinky
>>>suffered Michigan winters and road salt and was a rusty
>>>mess when this fellow parked him.
>>
>>
>> ..still shoulda been saved.   ;)
>>
>>
>>>The car was sold for a
>>>mere pittance and the new owner only had eyes for the
>>>Kelsey Hayes wire wheels that Pinky was still wearing.
>>
>>
>> I was acquainted with someone who had a serious interest in the
>> wheels.   Gawrsh that was a long time ago...
>>
>>
>>>The
>>>wires were removed and put on a Spyder and Pinky was sent
>>>to the scrap heap. This was no later than 1983. I really
>>>don't think there is any chance that any part of Pinky
>>>still exists - with the exception of the Kelsey's. It is
>>
>>
>> Now, according to scuttlebutt the transaxle did...  somebody salvaged
>> it and I was told it ended up in the classifieds in the Communique
>> many years ago.   Or, something like it with three speeds.   It got
>> sold to somebody, whatever it was.   The rest of the car was pretty
>> sad and nobody bothered to save it, vanished into
>> history...  probably was turned into a storm door and a
>> refrigerator... if there was that much metal left on it.
>>
>>
>>>nice to dream, but this one is probably just a dream that
>>>will never be full-filled. Sorry for the cold water. -
>>>Caveman Pete
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> I await comments on those who may have seen that Communique
>> ad...  need to dig through my Communiques, see if I can find it.
>>
>>
>> Smitty...?
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> tony..
>> _______________________________________________
>> This message was sent by the VirtualVairs mailing list, all copyrights 
>> are
>> the property
>> of the writer, please attribute properly. For help,
>> mailto:vv-help at corvair.org
>> This list sponsored by the Corvair Society of America,
>> http://www.corvair.org/
>> Post messages to: VirtualVairs at corvair.org
>> Change your options:
>> http://www.vv.corvair.org/mailman/options/virtualvairs
>> _______________________________________________
>>
>
> _______________________________________________
> This message was sent by the VirtualVairs mailing list, all copyrights are 
> the property
> of the writer, please attribute properly. For help, 
> mailto:vv-help at corvair.org
> This list sponsored by the Corvair Society of America, 
> http://www.corvair.org/
> Post messages to: VirtualVairs at corvair.org
> Change your options: 
> http://www.vv.corvair.org/mailman/options/virtualvairs
> _______________________________________________
> 