Chevrolet Corvair

Chevrolet Corvair
1964 Chevrolet Corvair Monza
Overview
Manufacturer	Chevrolet (General Motors)
Production	1959–1969
Model years	1960–1969
Assembly	Willow Run, MI Kansas City, MO Oakland, CA Van Nuys, CA St. Louis, MO Flint, MI Buenos Aires, Argentina (CKD) Mexico City, Mexico (CKD) Caracas, Venezuela (CKD) Bienne, Switzerland (CKD) Antwerp, Belgium (CKD) Port Elizabeth, South Africa (CKD)
Body and chassis
Class	Compact car
Layout	RR layout
Powertrain
Engine	Flat-six

First generation
1962 Chevrolet Corvair Monza convertible
Overview
Production	1959–1964
Model years	1960-1964
Body and chassis
Class	Compact car
Body style	2-door convertible 2-door coupe 4-door sedan 4-door station wagon 6-door van 8-door van 2-door pickup truck
Layout	RR layout
Platform	Z-body
Related	Pontiac Tempest Oldsmobile F-85 Buick Special
Powertrain
Engine	2,296 cc (2.3 L) Flat-6 2,375 cc (2.4 L) Flat-6 (1961–63) 2,683 cc (2.7 L) (1964)
Transmission	3-speed manual 4-speed manual 2-speed Powerglide automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	108 in (2,743 mm)
Length	180 in (4,572 mm)
Width	66.9 in (1,699 mm)

Second generation
1969 Chevrolet Corvair Monza convertible
Overview
Production	1964–1969
Model years	1965–1969
Body and chassis
Class	Compact car
Body style	2-door convertible 2-door hardtop 4-door hardtop (1965–67) 6-door van (1965)
Layout	RR layout
Platform	Z-body
Powertrain
Engine	2,683 cc (2.7 L) Flat-6
Transmission	3-speed manual 4-speed manual 2-speed Powerglide automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	108 in (2,743 mm)
Length	183.3 in (4,656 mm)
Width	69.7 in (1,770 mm)
Height	52.8 in (1,341 mm)
Chronology
Successor	Chevrolet Camaro

The Chevrolet Corvair is a compact automobile manufactured and marketed by Chevrolet for model years 1960–1969 over two generations.

As the only American-designed, mass-produced passenger car to use a rear-mounted air-cooled engine, the Corvair model range included a two-door coupe, convertible, four-door sedan, and four-door station wagon body styles, as well as passenger van, commercial van, and pickup truck variants.

The Corvair competed with imported cars such as the original Volkswagen Beetle as well as the Ford Falcon, Plymouth Valiant, Studebaker Lark and the Rambler American.

The Corvair's legacy was affected by controversy surrounding its handling, scrutinized in Ralph Nader's Unsafe at Any Speed, as well as a 1972 Texas A&M University safety commission report for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration which found that the 1960–1963 Corvair possessed no greater potential for loss of control in extreme situations than its contemporaries.

The name "Corvair" is a portmanteau of Corvette and Bel Air. The name was first applied in 1954 to a Corvette-based concept with a hardtop fastback-styled roof.

In 1952, Ed Cole was promoted to chief engineer of the Chevrolet Motor Division. Four years later, in July 1956, he was named general manager of Chevrolet — GM's largest automotive division — and a vice president of General Motors. At Chevrolet, Cole pushed for many of the major engineering and design advancements introduced in the Chevrolet car and truck lines between 1955 and 1962. He was the moving force behind the development and production of the rear-engined, air-cooled Corvair. Despite its infamous history, the Corvair was a ground-breaking small car in its day. As chief engineer, he was heavily involved in the development of the Corvette sports car. He is also known as the "father" of the small block Chevy V8, one of the most celebrated engines in automotive history.