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YOUTUBE AND OTHER VIDEO LINKS:
Click HERE
to see a Chevrolet promotional video on the original Corvair!
Click
HERE to see a Chevrolet promotional video of the Corvair
ascending Pike's Peak
Click HERE
to see YouTube video of the 2008 Springfest in Helen, GA
Click
HERE to see some awesome Corvair Autocross Racing!
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The Lowcountry Corvair Association is a local chapter
(#294) of the
Corvair Society of America (CORSA)
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July 13-17 - CORSA
National Convention in Jacksonville, FL
October 3, 10am-3pm - Car/Truck/Bike Show hosted by Wal Mart in
Goose Creek
October 8, 7pm - Monthly club meeting at Perkins Restaurant on
Rivers Avenue (Hwy 52)
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HOW THE
LOWCOUNTRY CORVAIR ASSOCIATION
CAN SAVE THE CORVAIR HOBBY
OK, that's a bit of grandstanding, I admit, but
it got your attention! It's not news to anyone in
the Corvair world that our beloved National Club, CORSA, is
losing membership each and every year. Why?
Long-standing members getting up in age, local clubs not
reaching out to the younger car enthusiasts, people getting
involved with (gasp!) another marquis, the list goes on.
Membership dues for CORSA are increasing to cover the loss of
members - there's really no choice if we want to keep the club
as we know it intact. So, why the grand title to this
diatribe? Well, because I have a suggestion...
I, your lowly webmaster, am an average Corvair
nut. I've owned eight of our favorite car in the last
seven years. I drive my cars, too. No garage queen
for me, I want people to see the Corvairs I drive, and possibly
get interested themselves. But I'm no super-mechanic.
I can do most basic engine work (carburetor
rebuilds/tune-up/gasket replacement/bearing replacement/electrical, etc.), but full
engine rebuilds I tend to leave to the pros within our club.
I farm out most bodywork and paint, but I can handle interior
installation. Where am I going with this?
Of the Corvairs I have owned, two of them I've
sold to local folks who have joined, and are active in, the LCA.
Two others I've sold to people who are active members of other
Corvair clubs. These folks had not previously owned a Corvair, but they saw the
fun our club has, and the affordability of these great cars!
Our club has some of the finest examples of our marquis around,
and that's truly great, but I only know of a few "project" cars
currently within our group. My suggestion is this: find a project car,
take some time and restore it to "daily driver" status, and sell it to a local non-member.
Get them involved in the fun we have as a club. This isn't
as nuts as it might seem. Let's break down a typical Corvair project based on some numbers I've accumulated
over the past few years...
SAMPLE CORVAIR PROJECT
Car Purchase:
$500 - 1,000 (body with some rust, no interior, rough
engine may or may not run)
Bodywork / Paint: $1,500 -
2,500 (Local bodyshops - there's a bunch around)
Interior:
$1,000 - 1,200 (Clarks Kit - takes time but is do-able by the
average Joe)
Engine:
$500 - 1,000 (New carbs / reseal engine / alt / misc. work)
Misc.:
$400 - 600 (tires / brakes / etc.)
TOTAL:
$3,900 - 6,300
My last 3 project cars were actually a good bit
less than the low estimate shown here. I've just listed
some worst-case numbers for realistic estimating. Some or
all of the work you can do yourself, but it is amazing how good
of condition older mechanicals often are, even in a "rough"
example. Where can you find one of these projects?
Newspapers / e-Bay / Craig's List / other club members.
Jerry Brown in Manning, SC has numerous possible projects
available for
someone to rescue them. Take a look at a couple below,
just waiting for a new home:
Numerous early models
All of the above are in restorable condition
(I've taken on worse - I won't say which one...). It takes
a bit of vision, time and money, but with the technical
know-how within our group and the very active membership we've
got, we
could have a few of these "back-lot beauties" back on the road
where they belong later this year. It's a great way to "go
green" - recycling at it's absolute best! With the old
cars and used parts floating around our club, we are primed for
some great projects in 2009. Think about it - it doesn't take great
mechanical skill or tens of thousands of dollars. It just
takes a few people who care.
"SEE THE USA, IN YOUR CHEVROLET..." |
