If you've always wanted to own a classic car, but you don't have all that much throwing around money, where do you start? How about a good-looking car that's a joy to drive and comes with a notorious history?
The Chevrolet Corvair was developed in response to the Volkswagen Beetle, in that it had an air-cooled rear engine, but with more familiar American styling. It was produced from 1960 to 1969. At first marketed as a family car, in '65 it was retooled as a sleek sports car. Then consumer advocate Ralph Nader published his book Unsafe at Any Speed. One of the eight chapters of the book directly criticized the Corvair for its swing-axle suspension design. No matter that the 1965 Corvair models had dispensed with this type of axle, the damage was done. The name Corvair and the word "unsafe" were forever linked. Even after tests in 1971 proved that the swing-axle model Corvairs were as safe as the next car, the model was done.
Is that why you can get a Corvair at a decent price in the 21st century? Thomas Hundal at the Autopian explains the pros and cons of the Corvair model and how you can get your hands on one for far less than others are paying for cars of the era. And these cars come with a cool story, too.
(Image credit: Olivier.benquet)
