<VV> Corvairs in magazine

[Rick Norris]

Got my latest copy (Jan/Feb 2013) of Vintage Motorsport magazine and on page
28 in the column titled; Back In The DAY there is an article, Sebring's Race
for Compact Sedans.\One of the photos shows two of the three early models
(60's I think) entered in the race.

The cars were entered by a major Chevrolet dealer Don Allen and had a first
rate crew directed by none other than Zora Duntov. Drivers were George
Constantine, Ed Hugus and Roger Ward. They were said to have an optional
"power pack" camshaft and special stiffer suspension that gave the rear
wheels negative camber. A publication called The Motor (Dec. 30, 1959) had a
comment by Phillip Turner who stated, "The Corvairs exhibited very
nonstandard road holding qualities".  The class was supposed to be showroom
stock but, as Denise McCluggage said, It seems there's showroom and then
there's showroom!"

The insurer of the race demanded the drivers sit in their cars with engines
off, seat belts fastened and doors closed. Someone ran across the track and
open and closed the door for a modified Le Mans start, insuring the seat
belts were fastened. The contemporary magazines reported a boring race with
little overtaking except for lapping. These Corvairs were out there with
Studebaker Larks driven by NASCAR drivers that were clocked at 138 miles per
hour on the straight! That would be exciting. No mention of how the Corvairs
faired.

 

Rick Norris

www.corvairalley.com

Hurricane WV