Chevrolet Corvair Super Spyder Concept, 1962 Corvair Super Spyder Concept | Conceptcarz.com - Pictures, Pricing, Information, Wallpaper, History

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The Chevrolet Corvair, introduced in 1960, presented a very accommodating platform for designers to use to stretch their imaginations. The platform, with its rear-mounted, horizontally-opposed 6-cylinder engine and transaxle combined with a four-wheel independent suspension system, would provide the basis for four remarkable concept cars from the GM Design Studios, then under the direction of Bill Mitchell. The earliest of the Corvair concepts shown at Amelia Island is the 1962 XP 785 Super Spyder. Built on a 1961 Corvair platform with its wheelbase shortened 15-inches, the Super Spyder had some of the original car's appearance when viewed from the front....but it was a different story when viewed in profile.

In this pose, the close-coupled two-seater with its racing-inspired windscreen, extended fiberglass tonneau cover, head rest that tapered into the engine cover and three chrome exhaust pipes exiting behind both rear wheels, took on a look distinctly its own.

The Corvair came on the scene in 1959 and featured a flat-six engine mounted in mid-ship. Even with putting the engine in the middle of the vehicle, the weight distribution was not evenly distributed. The engine sat behind the rear axle and this actually caused handling problems. The vehicles main competition was the VW Bug and the Porsche 911. It was originally built to compete with the Bug, but with the flat-six engine, it was more in the Porsche 911 league. But with the poor handling, it was in an undesirable class of its own. The handling issues were addressed in 1965 when new suspensions with upper and lower control arms were added. But when comedian Eddie Kovacs was killed due to over-steer, public confidence and sales plummeted. Chevrolet tried to save the Corvairs by introducing media campaigns that focused on the new suspension. Race drivers were used to demonstrate the cars ability. However, it was not enough and Chevrolet finally ended production of the Corvair in 1969.
The front of the vehicle did not have a grill. This was because the engine was air-cooled, so a grill was not needed.

The car came with fifteen different color options on the outside and eight on the inside. The retractable room was foldable, and an automatic option available for an additional charge. In 1962, a turbocharged version was added to the line-up in attempt to boost sales and improve the image of the vehicle as a sports car. A top speed of 115 mph could be ascertained with the turbocharger with a zero-to-sixty time of about 10.8. In 1966, the vehicle received styling updates and was named the Corvair Corsa. Drum brakes were always used. The vehicle came in a variety of gearboxes such as a three-speed manual, four-speed manual or an optional two-speed automatic. The body was integral chassis with two-door steel body.

The name Corvair came about by breeding the Corvette and Bel Air together, two trademark names of Chevrolet.

The Chevrolet Corvair was introduced in 1959 and remained in production for ten years. It was an economy car that had its engine mounted in the rear which offered superior handling and exceptional performance, especially for the Monza model. An update to the styling in 1965 left the vehicle with a design that was very European. It was slightly wider and sat lower to the ground. Its body was described as a 'Coke bottle'. The Corsa and Spyder were now the top-of-the-line models in respects to performance and style, a title taken away from the Monza.

The Corsa models were equipped with a 140 horsepower four-carbureted six-cylinder engine and fixed to a four-speed manual gearbox. It was offered in two configurations, a two-door coupe and power-top convertible. The interior featured a 140 mph speedometer, re-settable trip odometer, 6000 rpm tachometer, analog clock with second hand, and chromed gearshift boot. The exterior was adorned with badging, dual exhausts, and aluminum-finish taillight cove.

1962 Chevrolet Corvair Super Spyder Concept
Year	1962
Make	Chevrolet
Model	Corvair Super Spyder Concept
Engine Location	Mid
Drive Type	Rear Wheel
Production Years for Series	1960 - 1969
Combined MPG	0.00

Engine
Engine Configuration	F
Cylinders	6
Aspiration/Induction	Normal
Displacement	145.00 CU IN. \| 2376.6 cc. \| 2.4 L.
Valves	12 valves. 2 valves per cylinder.
Valvetrain	OHV
Horsepower	150.00 HP (110.4 KW)
HP / Liter	62.5 BHP / Liter

Standard Transmission
Gears	5
Transmission	Manual

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1962 Chevrolet Corvair Super Spyder Concept