Corvair enthusiast looks to buy

Car Collector Corner

By Greg Zyla

Corvair enthusiast looks to buy

Q: I love the old Chevy Corvairs and am hoping to buy one. What do you think about the Corvair as a collector car? They seem to be very reasonably priced. Robert L., New York.

A: Robert, Corvairs are reasonable in price, so if you love them, you're in good shape as far as money needed to fuel your passion. I've always personally liked Corvairs because of the car's unique rear-engine, rear-drive technology, regardless of what Ralph Nader said about the car in his book.Specifically, Corvairs received a "bad rap" from Ralph Nader when he wrote the book "Unsafe At Any Speed," which knocked the car as one of the most dangerous ever built. This wasn't really true, for as long as you followed the manufacturer's recommended tire pressures, 15 pounds in front, 26 pounds in the rear, the car wouldn't "sway" in the rear much at all. However, in Ralph’s defense, we all know how people check their tires pressures, right? In the end, it took a Congressional Investigation and Report to clear GM and the 1960-63 Corvairs of any wrong doing, although the absolution came three years after the car's 10-year production run ended in 1969.Corvairs are neat cars and certainly collector worthy. They'll never be top value collector cars, but models like the Monza Spyder Convertible Turbo or even a regular Corvair convertible or coupe are priced to buy. I remember seeing a Corvair Convertible completely restored in showroom condition in the Auto/Truck Roundup Monthly for less than $10,000 (I believe it was $8,500.)My favorites? The Spyder from ‘62 through ’64 and the Corsa in ’65 and ‘66, the latter a little better looking overall. Corvair’s “flat” six cylinder engines grew from 140 inches in 1960, to 145 in 1961 through 1963 and finally 164 cubic inches from 1964-69.Also, don't forget the Lakewood Station Wagons or the very neat Greenbrier Sports Wagon passenger vans. Good luck in your search for a really neat car from the past. Expect to pay for a near show quality Corvair anywhere from a low of less than $6,000 for a 4-door sedan (yes, under $6,000) to perhaps $18,000 for a restored Spyder Turbo ragtop.

(Greg Zyla writes regularly for Auto Roundup and welcomes reader input at 116 Main St., Towanda, Pa. 18848 or email him at extramile_2000@yahoo.com)

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Beauty only skin deep with cars from the Fifties

Car Collector Corner

By Greg Zyla

Beauty only skin deep with cars from the Fifties

Q: Greg, when it comes to designers, weren’t the cars of the Fifties, compared to those form other decades, ahead of the curve? These cars from the Fifties really changed their looks year to year, while today, a model might not change for three or more years. Clint, an Auto Roundup “old timer” from Washington.

A: Clint, taking everything into consideration, you are correct in your assumption. Additionally, I would also add the decade of the Sixties to the list, too, when Detroit would do quick facelifts and/or complete body re-designs without too much trouble. However, those cars were as close to “beauty is only skin deep” as one gets, because when it came to the actual design updating, the word “mechanical” wasn’t in the formula by any means. As an example, and taking 1957-58-59 as case in point years, Chrysler led the way with its "forward look" cars (which they still promote to this day), and all three years resulted in the manufacturers producing cars that looked nothing like the prior years. Chevy, too, is a good example in 57-58-59, as is Buick in those identical years. I really love the ‘58 and ‘59 Buicks, and the ‘60 model, too. Chrysler made huge design changes from ’54 through ‘57, while over at Ford, the big change years came in 1957 to ‘59 years, in my opinion. Independents like Studebaker is as great an example of re-skinned success than any, as its poor selling 1958 model was re-skinned with a Lark body for 59, and it saved the company! There was no major mechanical difference between the 58 Studebaker and the 59 Lark other than the new body. Other cars I really liked from that era were the ’51 to ‘54 Hudson Hornets and Wasps, ‘53 Kaiser Manhattan, ’53 to ’56 Packards, ’56 tri-colored Dodges, and the ’55 and ‘56 Mercurys. Of them all, the ’56 Mercury two-tone is one of my favorites, as are several of the Chrysler 300 models.The Sixties were similar, too. But always remember that these changes were mostly skin deep, and nothing like today's high tech, computerized wonders.

(Greg Zyla welcomes Auto Reader questions at extramile_2000@yahoo.com or at 116 Main St., Towanda, Pa. 18848).

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Amphicar at home on land or at sea

Car Collector Corner

By Greg Zyla

Amphicar at home on land or at sea

Q: Greg, I look forward to reading your column on collector cars. Back in the 1960's, there was a car that I thought was real cool called the Amphicar. Do you remember them? It didn't last very long and was gone by the time I could afford a car.But, I have one now, and what a fun car (or should I say boat) it is. I have taken it to shows, where it always draws a crowd. Most of the older people remember seeing the car on TV and in movies (Pontiac Moon), but haven't seen one up close. The kids are amazed that it can 'swim' and laugh when they see the twin propellers in the back.The International Amphicar Club has a web page at amphicar.com where you can find the history of the Amphicar, the specs, and where there will be a “swim-in.” Also, the March-April issue of the club’s newsletter "Wheels-N-Waves” has an article about the Amphicars used in the movie “Pontiac Moon.” Also, there is a part about the testing of the Amphicar for the March issue of Classic Motorsports magazine.Finally, I want to mention that my "car" has passed the U.S. Coast Guard 'Vessel Safety Check' in 2008 and 2009 and I proudly display the 2009 sticker. This is the only 'car' they have inspected in the Washington, DC area. Fred Monger, Lusby, Maryland.

A: Fred, thanks for the kind words and great memories of one very different car/boat! For the record, Amphicar was built in Berlin, Germany, from 1961 to 1968, and was powered by a 4-cylinder, 43-horsepower Triumph engine. The total production came in at 3,878 vehicles, of which 3,046 were imported into the United States. To this day, Amphicar is still the one and only amphibious passenger automobile ever mass produced. You’ve got a true rarity on your hands, and I wish you good driving and fishing. (Greg Zyla writes regularly for Auto Roundup and he welcomes reader questions or car related stories at extramile_2000@yahoo.com or at 303 Roosevelt St., Sayre, Pa. 18840.)

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