Corvair Power

JDMeister

JDMeister

Forum Moderator
Joined
May 1, 2021
Messages
61,370
Reaction score
28,452
I'm pulling out of a fractured memory, not my ass.
So far back I'm ashamed to quote.
Some may remember I've been dunning since 1961.
Nuf Said.
A long time ago a guy, was running a lightweight Corvair powered
"Hill Shooter" rail. Pretty fast.
I had watched him clean the clock of a boat load of big V8s.
"Bill" was an engineer at GM and the head guy at GM parts department.
And, as that allowed him access to "Secret" GM parts, his Corvair was
running Corvette pistons and other clever GM parts.
I was parked at the "Old Glamis Store" when Bill asked for help
installing a NOS system on his hill shooter.
You may agree this was a bit ahead of the time.
Not many had started using NOS in the sand.
Good God almighty, what THE HELL DID HE DO?
A great improvement was achieved.
Years later, I was talking with Gil George.
He knew the story of Bill, was a close friend.
Color me surprised.
Anyway, those were fun times, building and breaking buggies.
I rebuilt my whoop almost every trip.
That's Glamis.
Photo for memories.482244675_1749024912623071_5979237695742336264_n.jpg
 
I have been duning since 1976. Seen a lot of different sandrails and power options, from VW's, to Corvairs, to Rotary's to V-8's. Seen a lot of different tire options from slicks, to knobbies to paddles. I can even remember when everything was spray painted, not a piece of chrome to be seen. Back when you hauled your stuff with a tow bar or T trailer. But for the life of me, I just cannot remember ever seeing a fast Corvair, lol. ;)
 
jailbird141 said:
I have been duning since 1976. Seen a lot of different sandrails and power options, from VW's, to Corvairs, to Rotary's to V-8's. Seen a lot of different tire options from slicks, to knobbies to paddles. I can even remember when everything was spray painted, not a piece of chrome to be seen. Back when you hauled your stuff with a tow bar or T trailer. But for the life of me, I just cannot remember ever seeing a fast Corvair, lol. ;)
Click to expand...
 
jailbird141 said:
I have been duning since 1976. Seen a lot of different sandrails and power options, from VW's, to Corvairs, to Rotary's to V-8's. Seen a lot of different tire options from slicks, to knobbies to paddles. I can even remember when everything was spray painted, not a piece of chrome to be seen. Back when you hauled your stuff with a tow bar or T trailer. But for the life of me, I just cannot remember ever seeing a fast Corvair, lol. ;)
Click to expand...
That being said, how many fast Subaru's were in the 1960s?
Subaru officially entered the U.S. market on
February 15, 1968, with the establishment of Subaru of America in Pennsylvania by entrepreneurs Malcolm Bricklin and Harvey Lamm. The brand initially introduced the small Subaru 360 for $1,297, before launching more successful models like the FF-1 Star in 1970.
Key details regarding Subaru's U.S. entry include:
  • Initial Reception: The 360 was considered too small and slow, but the brand gained momentum with 4WD wagons in the 1970s.
  • Manufacturing: Subaru began producing vehicles in the U.S. at the Subaru of Indiana Automotive (SIA) plant in Lafayette, IN, in 1989.
  • Headquarters: Initially based in the Delaware Valley, the company moved its U.S. headquarters to Camden, New Jersey, in 2018.
 
Last edited:
jailbird141 said:
I have been duning since 1976. Seen a lot of different sandrails and power options, from VW's, to Corvairs, to Rotary's to V-8's. Seen a lot of different tire options from slicks, to knobbies to paddles. I can even remember when everything was spray painted, not a piece of chrome to be seen. Back when you hauled your stuff with a tow bar or T trailer. But for the life of me, I just cannot remember ever seeing a fast Corvair, lol. ;)
Click to expand...
Ejecting the fan belt every time you revved it above 5k doesn't help.
 
I saw a Corvair at Glamis oncst....it had a chrome frame, if I remember right (it was about 50 years ago). We were at the over-look. He hit the throttle, like 3x, for just a moment. On, off, on, off, on, off and he coasted the rest of up the hill.....so, I've seen at least one VERY VERY fast Corvair.

I had a run of the mill rail w/a 2000 Pinto in it....it was on a par w/2 dif 140 Corvairs. The race was always w/in a length or two.....that said. A 2180 was way faster than my rail.
 
Last edited:
If anyone is feeling nostalgic and interested in a good running corvair powered rail for 5k there is or was one for sale by my friend Keith at Woody's dune ranch by the vendor compound at ogilby on Sidewinder road. This one is NA but I think he sold the supercharged and turbocharged ones that he had!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top