<VV> humped again, was: Modern Corvair vs. mundane FWDs

[jvhroberts at aol.com]

 The 'tunnel' on today's FWD cars is a LOT smaller than the tranny/driveshaft tunnel on FE/RWD cars. However, today's cars are models of packaging efficiency. You need a place to run the exhaust pipe, catalytic converters, etc., and given the packaging, there's precious little space to have these AND a flat floor. 

 

John Roberts
 

 

-----Original Message-----
From: airvair at earthlink.net <airvair at earthlink.net>
To: Charles Lee <chaz at ProperProPer.com>; jvhroberts at aol.com; virtualvairs at corvair.org
Sent: Tue, Jan 19, 2010 1:05 pm
Subject: <VV> humped again, was:  Modern Corvair vs. mundane FWDs


That was just it. The original Toro and Eldo were the only ones that had a
totally flat floor. The big drive into front drive began with the Citation,
and continued thru the "big" car replacements like the Cadillac DeVille and
Buick LeSabre, ALL of which have humps. And yes, all of those humps were
used for the exhaust.

As to structural rigidity, the floor pan is also "humped" transversely
under the seats. So I'm sure that that doesn't figure much into the
equation, though it undoubtedly doesn't hurt.

The Corvair and the original Toro/Eldo are STILL the only cars that were
ever built without a hump (discounting minivans, etc.) My question is why
can't engineers do what has already been shown to be possible? What's
holding them back? Why the mandatory hump? What's so wrong with a flat
floor?

-Mark


> [Original Message]
> From: Charles Lee <Chaz at ProperProPer.com>
> Subject: Re: <VV> Modern Corvair vs. mundane FWDs
>
> I believe the simulated drive tunnel was for (a) exhaust pipes that were 
> harder to put underneath the floor in  the smaller cars that came after
the 
> big FWDs, and (b) for structural strength to cut weight (allowed thinner 
> floor sheet metal) ?
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: <airvair at earthlink.net>
> Subject: Re: <VV> Modern Corvair vs. mundane FWDs
>
> > Back in the days of the Corvair, the front drive Toro and Eldo had
totally
> > flat floors. But ever since the Citation came out in '79, the standard
has
> > been to still have a "conventional car" hump in the middle. What's with
> > that? If the Toro and Eldo could have a totally flat floor, why can't 
> > other
> > front drivers?
> >
> > -Mark
> 

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