[78-L] Corvairs &c.-was: half track tapes

[David Lennick]

Thought it was unfamiliarity with where the lighter was located, since it was 
Edie's car and it was new.

(Ernie's "Nairobi Trio" theme was on 78s..boy, we're reaching.)

dl

Steven C. Barr wrote:
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Michael Biel" <mbiel at mbiel.com>
>> P.S.  Yes I know the rear engine on the Corvair is what killed Ernie
>> Kovacs.
>>
> No...it WASN'T the rear engine! It was an independent rear suspension
> (also used on VW "beetles," which likewise would have their rear wheels
> "fold under" in extreme-cornering situations...either suddenly turning
> themselves AROUND, or (worse yet) OVER! Corvairs used this same
> approach...and the Corvair rear suspension was also used on the Pontiac
> Tempest (I owned a '62!)!
> 
> Once I figured out how to use this to my advantage...I could drive up to a
> "T" intersection at c. 30mph and then turn the steering wheel suddenly in 
> the
> direction I planned to continue! The rear end would temporarily lose its
> "grip" and swing outward (called "Drifting" these days?!)...and hitting
> "the gas" once I was pointed along the new choice of roads resulted in
> the front end of my Tempest taking off down that road, with the rear of
> course following!
> 
> Sadly, most American drivers were familiar with their over-weight cars...
> which UNDERsteered (i.e. tried to keep going in the same direction!)
> rather than OVERsteered (like Corvairs, my Tempest and VW "beetles!").
> 
> Steven C. Barr