1966 Chevrolet Corvair Fitch Phoenix pictures and wallpaper 1966 Chevrolet Corvair Fitch Phoenix pictures and wallpaper 1966 Chevrolet Corvair Fitch Phoenix pictures and wallpaper 1966 Chevrolet Corvair Fitch Phoenix pictures and wallpaper
1966 Chevrolet Corvair Fitch Phoenix pictures and wallpaper 1966 Chevrolet Corvair Fitch Phoenix pictures and wallpaper
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Just as Ferry Porsche envisioned a sports car based on the Volkswagen, John Fitch envisioned one based on a Corvair. The result was the beautiful and nimble Fitch Phoenix. The Phoenix was built on a 95-inch wheelbase (13 inches shorter than a stock Corvair's), with an overall length of 174 inches. The elegant steel-bodied roadster weighed in at only 1,950 pounds, allowing the 170-hp Weber-carbureted Corvair engine to propel the car from zero-to-sixty mph in 7.5 seconds. Top speed was estimated to be in excess of 130 mph. The acceleration and top speed capabilities of the Phoenix were matched by an upgraded braking system, with Girling discs at the front and stock Corvair drums on the rear. Staggered wheels (175R/14 in front and 185R/14 in rear) further enhanced performance. Although the fender humps are a key design element, they also provided a place to stow the spare tires. For those who weren't concerned about flat tires, the humps were a delete option. Despite critical acclaim, General Motors' decision to cease production of the Corvair scuttled hopes of Phoenix production, since there would no longer be a source of engines and parts. This prototype is the sole example.
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.

1966 Chevrolet Corvair Fitch Phoenix

Year1966
MakeChevrolet
ModelCorvair Fitch Phoenix
Engine LocationRear
Drive TypeRear Wheel
Production Years for Series1960 - 1969
Weight1950 lbs | 884.5 kg
Combined MPG0.00

Performance
0-60 mph7.5 seconds.
Top Speed132 mph | 212.4 km/h Similar top speeds

Engine  
Engine ConfigurationO
Cylinders4
Aspiration/InductionNormal
Displacement164.00 CU IN. | 2688 cc. | 2.7 L.
ValvetrainOHV
Horsepower170.00 HP (125.1 KW)
HP to Weight Ratio11.5 LB / HP (Vehicles with similar ratio)
HP / Liter63.0 BHP / Liter
Fuel TypeGasoline - Petrol
Fuel FeedCarburetor
1 Weber carburetor
BlockAluminum
Vehicles with similar horsepower and weight

Standard Transmission
TransmissionManual


 
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