Much like the early Volkswagens, the various rear-engined, air-cooled Chevrolet Corvair models that rolled off the production line during the 1960 are highly collectible today.
In fact, among a certain set of car collectors, these American-made vehicles are quite coveted. And about three dozen such Corvair enthusiasts will be in 91原创 this weekend, sharing their love for these vehicles.
At least 35 Corvair owners from around the Pacific Northwest, and from as far away as Oregon, are rolling into town for a series of events hosted by the Western Canada Crosa 鈥� a chapter of the Corvair Society of America formed back in 1969.
The festivities will kick off with an Econo Run on Saturday, said chapter member Donald Proctor, who headed over from Campbell River a few days early with a 1969 Corvair Powered Ultra Van he purchased in Salmon Arm last year (he owns 11 various Corvair vehicles, ranging from 1961 to 鈥�69).
In keeping with this event鈥檚 50-year history, each participant fills up their tank, and heads out on a 100-mile drive. This time around, the run will start off in 91原创, traverse through Maple Ridge and Mission, and end up back in 91原创. The one who uses the least amount of fuel on the trip wins the run, Proctor explained.
Following Saturday鈥檚 drive, the chapter will be hosting an awards dinner at a Port Kell鈥檚 pub, followed by a show-n-shine car display in the centre of Fort 91原创 village on Sunday, between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.
鈥淲e will be having about 35 Chevrolet Corvair cars on display in downtown Fort 91原创 on Sunday,鈥� he said, noting there are at least four 91原创 owners participating, and a few dozen more coming in from throughout the Lower Mainland, from further afield in B.C., plus likely a few from Washington State.
Proctor is expecting a decent-sized crowd to come out for the Sunday show, noting the group hasn鈥檛 gathered in Fort 91原创 since before COVID.
This particular type of car tends to attract a lot of attention, he noted, expecting quite the turnout Sunday.
鈥淭he Corvair was a very controversial car in the 鈥�60s and 鈥�70s, made famous by the book by Ralph Nader 鈥楿nsafe at any speed鈥�,鈥� he elaborated.
Corvair was the first and only mass-produced American vehicle offering an air-cooled rear engine design, unibody construction, factory turbo-charging, and four-wheel independent suspension. Because of the rear-mount engine, it was said to suffer significant weight imbalance that made it difficult to handle, therefore dangerous to drive with a tendency to spin out of control and roll over.
The suspension system was redesigned in 1964, but General Motors ultimately took it out of production in 1969.
Today, the Corvair is one of the hottest collector car in North America.
Proctor expects there will be all models of Corvair on display Sunday, including coops convertibles, station wagon, truck, and van.
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