1960 Chevrolet Corvair Futura concept car - photos

[IntheGroove]

At what speed did it become unsafe...

[BuffaloJohn]

At what speed did it become unsafe...

Parked?

Wasn't it unsafe at any speed?

[Frank S]

Parked?

Wasn't it unsafe at any speed?

As per the ramblings and vengeful actions of Ralph Nader it was. The 63 through 85 corvette had a similar independent with a traverse mounted rear spring suspension, but the engine was up front. the 61- 63 Pontiac Tempest had what we called a rope drive a small diameter drive shaft stretched between the engine and the transaxle also independent rear suspension conventional leaf springs. The Military jeep M151, M151A1& M151a2 had coil spring rear independent suspension, and not to forget the Volkswagens. Just to name a few of the various vehicles who all shared some similarities in their rear suspension. I don't know who came up with the first upper lower control arm or the rear coil over strut suspension which solved once and for all the Delima of rear wheel tucking, but many vehicles today have independent suspension.
Nader's gripe was much deeper than just the Corvair, He started his career long vendetta against certain vehicles and made a name for himself as the self appointed God of safety issues because he was passed over for a promotion at one point in his early years, this was according to an older engineer I once met at the General Motors testing facility in Rochester Ny. back in 1990.