Saturday, September 28, 2013

Automotif XXI...

Some daily drivers around Broad Ripple...

I'd say that this late-'60s Corvair hardtop sedan was one of the more unusual daily drivers in Broad Ripple but...

...yes, the "Floyd Van" is covered in carpet on the exterior and, yes, it says "10¢ A FEEL" across the hood.
I wish the Corvair sported my favorite vanity plate I've ever seen on one: "F NADER".

18 comments:

Rob said...

All ashore from the the S.S. Date Rape!

Paul said...

Yet. That is a 65 corvair. It was nearing the end of its run at that point. Nader used a 63 in his smear campaign. That was the first victory of the left against big industry. We have been poorer ever since.

SiGraybeard said...

One of my closest friends in high school had a Corvair just like that, only gold colored. Believe that's '67.

I'd do the Stimpy "memories" song, but they aren't really all that good.

Unknown said...

That is the worst rendition of dsotm cover I have ever seen.

Phil said...

What a strange coincidence.

I mean it is unusual enough to even see a Corvair these days but I was at a stoplight yesterday and wound up behind a cherry white one.
I'm pretty sure it wasn't a daily driver because it was a bit..... too shiny.
But I hadn't seen one in a while.

I saw an absolutely pristine all original 62 Corvair wagon down in Eugene Oregon last year. Those are almost as hard to find as a Unicorn.

Paul Schwa said...

I learned how to drive in the family's 1965 Corvair Greenbriar van. What a great car it was! Wish I had one now.

Stranger said...

Oh, the Corvairs were not that bad. The belts were good for at least 150 miles.

I just bought belts by the case, and became proficient in replacing thrown belts on a hot motor. Which was fairly interesting in the safety lane of the 17 mile bridge on I-10.

Stranger

Steve Skubinna said...

Back when I was in college in the late seventies, there were only two acceptable posters for a dorm room door. Dark Side Of The Moon, or Brain Salad Surgery.

The Floyd prism was a very common design element on vans, possibly exceeded only by airbrushed Frazetta knockoffs. You know, bulging barbarians and hot clingy babes in steel brassieres.

And one of the cars I had back then was a '63 Corvair Monza with a 3 speed stick. It was okay, but what I really wished for, and still do, was a '65 Corvair Corsa (turbo, not the 4 carb model).

Tam said...

Somewhere... rolled up in a box in the attic... there is a DSOTM poster with many thumbtack holes in the corners. ;)

Anonymous said...

Actually the Corvair's plate number 666 666 is double plus satanic.

Al_in_Ottawa

Will said...

A highschool classmate had a turbo Corvair. He consistently hit 120mph indicated on the road between the two schools he attended. Weather permitting, of course. I seem to recall a recurring problem with seals on the pushrod tubes. No idea if connected.

Stranger said...

120 indicated was around 108 on my stopwatch for the mooching bro in law's. At speed the normally quick steering 'Vair got downright hairy.

The last two times I took him back to Fort Hood, post OPEC, we went in my Olds. I gave him the choice of riding with me, or cutting himself a fast walking stick.

I do not remember any leakage problems - but there were a number of others.

The last time I drove his was coming back from Killeen after I-10 was finished. I checked the stock of spares, bought a well stocked tool box at a hock shop, and changed the belt four times. The last time in my driveway.

That was about par for the course for the ten years or so he had it. He sold it because his new wife refused to leave home in it. Even as a passenger.

Interesting car. But not one I would care to drive again.

Stranger

Tam said...

Al_in_Ottawa,

"Actually the Corvair's plate number 666 666 is double plus satanic."

The Corvair's plate is double plus edited. ;)

Paul Schwa said...

Stranger, my family had a '62 Corvair Greenbriar followed by the '65 Greenbriar that I learned how to drive in. I guess we were lucky as I don't recall a chronic belt problem. I do remember, though, that there was always a spare belt in the back. Biggest issue that I remember was oil leakage. It was never major, but the two piece block was prone to leaks... just the nature of the beast. We always carried a couple of spare cans (remember those?) of oil. Not a problem if you checked it weekly. Of course, in those days gas stations were actually FULL service. So when the attendant asked "Check your oil?" you just said "Yes."
Again, it WAS real fun to drive!

Anonymous said...

"The Corvair's plate is double plus edited. ;)"

So, actually the editor is double-plus satanic?

Nader knew what should be obvious to all: nobody would ever pay good money for a car with a pancake pusher motor. ;)

Jessie

Sigivald said...

What unknown said.

That's not how prisms work.

Gewehr98 said...

I miss my Corvair. Screw Ralph Nader.

Paul, Chevy killed the Corvair in 1969, so I'd wager a '65 probably wasn't near the end of the run.

Brandon said...

When I look at that Corvair, I see a potential source for a light aircraft engine.

Verification: 42. Yes, yes, but what is the question?