One of these dropped over a '78 Malibu chassis with a tripower 348 and a Hurst-shifted four-speed? I'm kinda hell bent on doing this, although it may start out with a single carbed SBC. I got started on this idea wanting to put a 5.0 'Stang drivetrain in a Falcon but I already had too many Chevy parts on hand! That and I fell in love with the early Corvair styling. Now, let's see, I just need a Corvair, a W-motor, a Malibu chassis... Oh yeah, and to graduate college and start making money. This '61 wagon is where I initially got the idea. It's the one I know is on a Malibu chassis. I'm not too big on the wheels and tires or the high-back bucket seats, but I'm in love with the concept. This late model just reconfirmed to me that it could be done. Again, however, I'm not so in to the more contemporary "street rod" approach taken with this car. Different wheels, tires, seats and valvecovers, though and it would look like it was done at the factory. PS This last car, according to the website from which I swiped the image, is owned by a fellow named Jim Stolt of Sandwich, Illinois. Anybody know him or how I might get in contact with him? I think its possible this one wasnt done the same way as the wagon.
even though ive never seen a wagon im sure they are rare..i think thats the best lookin one..but i think a malibue chassis is to big espacially the width. maybe 2wd jap pickup truck would fit better
Personally I'm a big fan of the sport coupes in the early series... and after that the four-doors, actually. The sport coupes remind me of '61 bubbletops. My resources end at '75, so I can't tell for sure, but all online resources have indicated to me that the tread on a '78-'83 Malibu chassis is 55". A Corvair has a 54" tread. Other suggestions have been early S-10 or Chevy LUV. I hadn't thought about the Japanese pickups, good idea. Anybody got one and a tape measure?
Saw pics in a mag (MIGHT have been Rod Action) that showed a guy putting a later Corvair onto a GM perimeter frame. I'd suspect it was a Malibu but can't swear to it. The frame just fit between the rockers and he welded it solid...then framed out the floor with small tube and built it from sheet. I'd bet the Malibu floor could have been cut to fit and welded to the 'Vair rockers/Malibu frame even easier. If I were doing one I'd go the same route and say fawk the bodymounts. The car is originally unit body and fabricating proper mounts to fit the frame AND line up with the strong areas of the body could be a tough engineering exercise. The rockers are the strongest part of the car and tabbing the front and rear body to the frame is a no brainer considering you can weld the custom floor to the frame as well. A little extra road "feel" isn't gonna hurt...but it sure does simplify the buildup! One point to consider is the rear distributor...you will most likely need a kit to mount it out front like a Ford setup.
You better talk to Ralph Nader first and see if that would make them safer. Wasn't he the one responsible for there demize? The Wizzard
That's a myth, actually, but one that Nader successfully rode to prominence. NHTSA actually tested the Corvair and several other cars in 1971 and issued a report stating that it was no less safe than other cars of the 1960 to 1964 era. Nader actually probably prolonged the Corvair, as the Mustang is what killed it, GM just nursed it along without change after 1965 to show that they weren't caving to his pressure. I've been researching these things for way too long.
If you do find a corvair and are just gonna trash the drivetrain, I'd be interested in it... Mid engine Bisquit... nah. Jay
[ QUOTE ] One point to consider is the rear distributor...you will most likely need a kit to mount it out front like a Ford setup. [/ QUOTE ] They make such a thing?? And what's wrong with clearancing the firewall, ala Camaro guys with HEI or Model A guys? The last pic seems to show a rear dizzy, but admittedly that is a late model.
I'm pretty sure the Corvair was built on the same platform as the Olds F85 and Buick Special, so it should be easier to graft on the front engine parts from one of them than it would be to adapt a frame to a uni-body car. Besides, in the current bullet nose Studebaker thread someone mentioned that Monte frame is weak.
YUP! You can get 'em. The car I mentioned need one...the guy said it landed dead under the windshield! That was a backyard build too. Didn't seem like he had extra money to fling around on unnecessary parts... EVERY build is a different set of rules though. Go chainer and run a distributorless ignition!!!
F85, Buick Special and the Pontiac Tempest were all the same car minus trim differences. And that old 185/215 aluminum engine is the same one that's in more recent Land Rovers.
The front frame is WEAK in a Corvair! Wouldn't even bother trying to use it as a basic platform for a front engine...even with a suspension change. Gonna have rust issues anyway in Mich. Strength of the Malibu frame is a non-issue if its welded to the rockers for additional support. I've repaired a few back halfs on those due to rust in the rear...they'd be EASY to box anyway.
[ QUOTE ] F85, Buick Special and the Pontiac Tempest were all the same car minus trim differences. And that old 185/215 aluminum engine is the same one that's in more recent Land Rovers. [/ QUOTE ] They actually did mock up a Pontiac version, called the Polaris, but the F85/Special/Tempest are distinctly different cars. The Tempest does use a similar rear transaxle, though, from '61-'63, so maybe that's why you think that.
Check this car out; some serious engineering and fabrication went into this one: http://www.corvaircorsa.com/V-12-01.html
Yep. Kinda dispells the myth that the Corvair front suspension doesn't work, doesn't it? Impressive piece of engineering.
1960 Pontiac Polaris, definitely not a Tempest. Just think, if they'd made this, would we have ever had the GTO? Maybe we'd have a '65 Firebird instead.
[ QUOTE ] Kinda dispells the myth that the Corvair front suspension doesn't work, doesn't it? [/ QUOTE ] Is that directed at me? Sure looks like it... No sweat. I don't mind an opposing opinion from someone who's ability I respect. Let me know when he gets here OK? I don't care how fantastic the engineering is on that v12 Corvair, the frame is the stuff nitemares are made of when it comes to a front engine conversion! It is miniscule. I believe you need to examine the v12 builders motive in creating that vehicle before you begin to make plans to build something along the same lines using a stock front unibody. His driving force was to remain totally stock in all aspects of external and internal structure unless absolutely necessary to make a change. THAT was the personal challenge he made to himself...not the attempt to create the ultimate Corvair road car. The vehicle is at once a combination of clean work and major compromises. It starts, runs and moves...therefore its construction parameters have been met. Reliability, durability and safety are another issue entirely as they were never really part of the build plan. Those are things he just tryed to fit in...and where many compromises lie. Have you had a good long look under the body of a clean Corvair lately? I have. Just two months ago I went over some potential suspension issues with a friend who is building a mid-engined Corvair. Place a V8 between those little rails? Sure it can be done...but I won't be doing it. I guess what I'm trying to say is... Don't try to rub my nose in the dog **** when YOU haven't even had a good look at the ****ing dog...and possibly wouldn't know one if you saw it anyway. I edited it for others.
Bill, you may very well be right, but I'd say this is still solid evidence that the thing can be made to work if you want to invest the time and effort. I don't, though, as my plan all along has been to use a different frame. Probably the reinforced G-body. Had you provided all of the evidence you just listed initially, rather than offhand rejecting the notion, I might have been a little less flippant in my answer. However, sarcasm begets sarcasm.
Mojo...I'm sure the front crossmember/suspension could be made to work very well. It's the frame rails that are the issue! They are tiny, and to add a front engine you would need to rip out the existing trunk floor...along with reshape the firewall, thus weaking the unibody structure even more. A tube chassis could be formed to hold the stock suspension and I'd bet it would all work nicely. Its a little more involved than just fabbing mounts in this case unfortunately. [ QUOTE ] Had you provided all of the evidence you just listed initially, rather than offhand rejecting the notion, I might have been a little less flippant in my answer. However, sarcasm begets sarcasm. [/ QUOTE ] Considering you apologised in a private message I didn't expect to see this response on the post...But it does offer insight into your mindset. If you think people who are trying to offer help deserve a "flippant" response from you then I guess your reared up a little different than I am. Rereading my posts I see no sarcasm or "OFFHANDED" rejection of anything until the post where you had me pissed off. I stated why I don't like the idea of running the stock front Corvair frame as a front engine car quite clearly. If you expected or require a full "stress to failure" analysis of the vehicle I guess I did come up short. Unfortunately, I can only use my eyes and 30 years as a car builder and collision repairman to aid me in making my snap judgements. An engineering thesis is a little over my head. Obviously...its you who deserves the apology. Too bad this went this route...I thought this was a fun post for a little while. I'm done with it.
Well, Bill, I'm sorry you feel the way you do. I've explained why I responded the way I did (and it was meant to be a friendly poke, by the way) and apologized for offending you when it became clear I did. I don't see what else I can do. So much for my clean record as far as HAMB drama goes. Anyway, thanks to everyone who contributed to this post. I managed to find contact information for the guy who owns the convertible and I'll start a new post when I find out how it was done. This one's got bad vibes for me now. -Dave
[ QUOTE ] Yep. Kinda dispells the myth that the Corvair front suspension doesn't work, doesn't it? Impressive piece of engineering. [/ QUOTE ] Back around 1969-71 I did work for a company in Massachusetts called,"Autodynamics"(mostly lettering and striping race cars)who built Formula V's,Formula Fords,and had a Group 7 car and a Trans Am car. Just before I left there they hired a guy fresh out of engineering school by the name of Reeves Callaway who was driving at the time a 66 Corvair with a 365 HP 327 in where the back seat used to be.Had fabbed a nice fibreglass cover for the engine too.The transaxle had been flipped and had a Crown ring and pinion and modified Corvette half shafts.Ran Goodyear Blue Streaks all around(great in the rain)and a Corvette aluminum radiator up front.Except for the chin spoiler and Kamm style spoiler on the deck(both in white gel coat)it retained it's faded maroon paint and looked like a beater Corvair with saggy springs. I had the pleasure of going for a ride in this vehicle one night after working late getting a car ready and went down to pick up a pizza.I've ridden(and driven) a fair amount of fast vehicles and the only way I could describe this car is,"A Group 7 car on the street".It accelerated,it handled,it made PLENTY of noise(Turbo mufflers and very short pipes).Went by the local police station at warp speed and by the time they got out the front door to see who it was,we were back in the garage enjoying a hot slice of pizza. I talked with him years later and he wound up selling the car for $2500 to a kid in Arizona and the kid's mother DROVE it all the way out there and the only problem she had was a broken fan belt! Wonder where THAT one is today?
Callaway..................hmm sounds kinda familiar? Cool story. And in a way, this thread is cool in an oddball way. Better than bitching about the latest Disco Channel "show"
Kinda off topic, but here's my story. My cousin used to drag race corvairs...and was NHRA runner-up one year....His plans to trailer the car across country to compete fell through and he drove it to the nationals...I wonder if he woulda done better if he trailered it?...Next chapter, he bought the seventh to the last corvair to come off the line when they stopped making them...I'm not sure if he still has it, havent seen him for decades.
Yeah Safariknut...The mid-engines are supposed to be incredible road machines! Can't wait to get a run in my buddies Corsa! He's running the rad up front as well, even though Mid-Engineering used their rads in the engine space usually. He figures to have it out this coming summer...I'll post some pictures when he gets it on the road. BTW...He used a Mid-engineering kit because it mounts the motor a little further to the rear for more seat room. I wonder did anyone ever flip the stock engine into a mid configuration and hop it up? Considering the speed equipment available, the weight savings over a waterpumper, plus the handling improvements...it might not be as crazy as it sounds!
Good luck Bc327..... Somewhere south of Lansing but before Chartucky along 69 was a old body style wagon. Was next to a small shop. Have Mike get it for you and drag it to his house...(Just to see if his neighbors approve)
The Jalopy Journal
