<VV> Early Rear Bearings

[Frank DuVal]

I don't know about 12,000 miles (as that was the original warranty 
period when the car was new), but Smitty has gone from Virginia to 
Alaska and back towing a travel trailer with his 64 Corvair (OK actually 
a 62 wagon with 64 suspension and drivetrain). A 12,00 mile trip on the 
North American continent is a large circle and then some.

I can't answer for the "right mind"... ggg

Now if you went through a car as thoroughly as Smitty, none of those 
previous shoddy repairs would be left on the car. I don't think of those 
as part of this discussion, as they should be a concern with a newly 
purchased or unknown car, but not one you consider taking out of town.

I've seen many a high dollar classic car I would not drive down the 
street, owners are cheap in all circles of collecting!

Safety is job one. That's what a post purchase inspection is for.

  Frank DuVal

On 1/8/2012 12:19 AM, Mike McCrae wrote:
> ...I just gotta’ ask here....who in their right mind would embark upon a 12,000 mile trip in a Corvair. These little guys are not high dollar or high value classic cars, so most of the previous owners have made essential repairs to the drive trains as cheaply as possible....the result being that there is an ungodly number of safety issues lurking in the chassis of every Corvair we purchase. I’m  absolutely amazed at  some of the quick fixes that I have found in customers cars, and quake with fear and trepidation whenever I go out to drive test them. YES....YES....YES...change those early model rear bearings....don’t let your children drive them until you do. When that bearing fails and the axle leaves the car, it takes the brakes along with it....yes, the emergency brake as well. The Corvair is incredibly complex when one considers the number of complicated bell cranks, pulleys, cables, fuel lines it takes to drive it down the road.....how many have been changed out or even inspected in the last ten years.
> I’m going to get off my soap box, but some safety matters are often taken very lightly here.
>
> Mike McCrae “Corvairs Only”