Corvair Convertible (Or, 'Vair 'Vertible), 2007 Independence Day Parade, Montclair, NJ

            Last year, I photographed automobiles used in the annual Independence Day parade in Montclair, New Jersey, and this year I went back for more of the same.  I treid to take pictures of different cars from the ones I photographed last year, and by gum, I succeeded.  Unlike last year, most of these photos were taken of the cars when they were in the procession, not parked for display afterwards.  Here's the first of my pics.

This is a first-generation Chevrolet Corvair convertible, GM's answer to the Volkswagen Beetle.  Aircooled and rear-engined, like the VW Bug, the Corvair was Detroit's first - and, some say, only - serious  attempt at building a small car that could compete effectively with imported models in the subcomapct segment.

I'll forgo the Ralph Nader connection, as I've explained that at length before, except to say that the Corvair has become a classic in spite of - or maybe because of - Nader's rants against the 'Vair (and, to be fair, he wasn't so fond of the Beetle, either).  This car is a great specimen, decked out in black and bearing a minimum of chrome. How European!

How quickly did GM give up on the subcompact market after the Corvair?  Its last year was 1969. There was no Chevrolet subcompact in 1970.  Then in 1971, the Corvair's successor - the Vega - debuted.  I'll discuss its showroom rot and melting engine later.  Much later!

Taken in: United States / New Jersey / Montclair (show map)

Taken on: July 4, 2007

Tags:

7/4/07

Chevrolet

convertible

Chevy

subcompact

Independence Day

parade

Montclair

New Jersey

Essex County « less

Sets appears in: • Montclair Independence Day Parade

Groups appears in: • Cars • CHEVROLET more » • Montclair, NJ • views 111 • views 333 • views 99 • views 555 « less

Stats: 2,212 views

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