Let me describe a car to you. This car has a relatively light unitized body and features a rear-mounted engine. That engine features air cooling and everything rode on an independent suspension. If it sounds like I’m talking about the Porsche 911, I’m not. I’m actually talking about the Chevrolet Corvair. But one car remains an icon while the other is history.
Jason wrote about how Chevy used a Porsche 356 for its rear-engine testbed before Porsche came out with the 911. Hangover Grenade:
If your car is a German rwd boxer 6-cylinder with a tendency to oversteer and kill you, it’s an endearing classic.
If your car is an American rwd boxer 6-cylinder with a tendency to oversteer and kill you, it’s a scathing book, a lawsuit and a senate hearing.
Now, to be clear, the Corvair and the 911 weren’t entirely similar. But their core concepts aren’t too far apart.
Texas A&M University would later vindicate the Corvair in a NHTSA-funded study that found it to have handling no more unsafe than its contemporaries. Sadly, the study came long after production ended, too late to make a difference. Today, Corvair fans keep the history of the Corvair alive.
Anyway, Fredzy:
I love it when clickbait turns out to be something that made you happy you clicked. Like if you baited a fish to bite the hook with a worm, caught it, explained a really interesting fact to the fish about worms that it might remember for a while, then tossed it back in.
Jason also wrote about the car that inspired Playboy magazine. SAABstory:
Somehow I expected the Playboy car to have bigger Dagmars.
Alexk98:
I’m going to chose to believe the alternate timeline where Hefner saw the headline “PROOF OF STAMINA” on the Playboy car ad, and that was the inspiration that struck.
Stryker_T:
It really is no wonder why they sent you that “hot dog massager” machine.
Thomas wrote about the Mercedes-AMG GT 53 4-Door Coupe EV. Max Power:
Mercedes Streeter to Mercedes:
“Why should I change my name, they’re the one who sucks!”
V10omous:
Mercedes-AMG GT 53 4-Door Coupe EV
You know, upon reflection, “Fathom” isn’t so bad after all.
Speaking of the Fathom, Jason wrote about that, too. Professor Chorls:
It’s the courier and I refuse to accept otherwise.
Have a great evening, everyone!
Always have a soft spot for Corvairs, they were all built in Ypsilanti Michigan, which has a cool little museum (Ypsilanti Automotive Heritage Museum) in what was once the last functioning Hudson dealership. also Preston Tucker lived there for a bit, and they have a funny looking water tower!
Is that an AI-altered image at the top of the post? It sure looks like it.
The photo is from an advertorial in Autoweek in 2018
https://www.autoweek.com/news/g1678391/gallery-porsche-classic/
Looks like an early 1973, built in 72 with European headlights. After January of 73 there were bumper overriders
Torsion bar cover seems to be MIA, and that rocker trim is a bit outré but common.
In that case I suspect it’s Photoshopped or otherwise digitally edited. There’s some extraneous apparent chrome trim (e.g. tail lamps, between front bumper and fenders) and there are visual elements that just aren’t really resolved at all. Plus the missing torsion bar covers.
911’s never had a swing axle rear suspension like Corvair’s, which add all sorts of weirdness to handling at or beyond the limit.
Not to brag, but as I was typing that comment I knew it was going to be COTD.
Anyone else want to know Torch’s thoughts about the car in the topshot’s taillights? It looks to have red rear turn signals but an amber side marker.
“baited a fish to bite the hook”
Oh, like baiting a…marble rye? Ha ha
GEORGE: Come on!
JERRY: [grunting as he throws bread into the air]
GEORGE: [grunting] Hey! Hey, wait a second. I got an idea.
GEORGE: Come on! Come on!
JERRY: Wait a second! I never baited a hook with a rye before!
Your hook is too small. This is for, like, a muffin. All right. Take it away.
[George finally gets rye into apartment, turning around to discover everyone
staring at him]
Oh no how did I get a COTD
Congratulations…now they just need to bring you back for some articles!
That would be awesome
I’m working on it! I have a lot of backlogged silly van content and tangentially related robot content.
Sounds amazing! Thank you
Yay! Robot Content!
Nader actually goes to some of those Corvair events too LOL
That’s like flicking boogers at Death.