Corvette Based Show Cars
By: David Palmeter
1954 Corvair - Motorama Show Car
A Blog about 1954 Corvair Replicas
2008-06-29 - Note from Brett's friend after my 2008-06-22 visit and photo shoot:
----- Original Message -----
From: Seriously Involved Person
To:
David
Sent:
Friday, June 27, 2008 3:02 PM
Subject:
RE: 54 Corvair
David,
It was nice getting to meet you.......I hope you were impressed with what you saw. I pretty much have in my mind now I am going to make at least two myself and I know Brett is going to make one. If you get bored you can always make one, too.
I am starting to gather information about the (Next project) and I already have (some pieces), I think that will be the next endeavor.
2008-05-29 - Big news from Brett and friend posted on Corvette Forum:
"If people are interested we would gladly have a complete kit for them to make a street rod out of a convertible to the hard top version. We are using obviously an original body in order to get everything exactly right. Prints, photo's and a lot of research has gone into getting the car to the point of where you see it today. The goal is to show it at Carlisle this fall in its raw form and then restored form early next year as far as an original car. Kits could actually be made before Christmas if someone has an interest."
2008-05-06 - "Hi David,
Yes, that's fine (for you to post the pictures on your website). I'm just glad
that things are progressing forward. The 55 Chevy windshield frame was an easy
modification and will work perfectly.
We hope to have the car at Corvettes at Carlisle
in August. Not completed, just a roof glued to a body and windshield frame.
Cheers,
Brett"
2008-03-11 - "Just wanted you to know where
we are on the Corvair project. The car has been taken to the shop to have
the hard top put on it. The front windshield and doors have been purchased
and the windshield is being modified according to the prints. Everything
is going fairly well with the project and, yes, it will be at Carlisle in the
fall.
The hood is being modified and the side louvers are being made. The front
and rear Corvair insignia are complete and the trunk bow tie insert being made.
A roof mold from the prototype is being made for future demand, if there is any."
2008-02-10 - "A car and windshield frame will be delivered to the mold maker this next weekend. He will then finalize the front of the roof to match the windshield frame. At this point, the CAD work can be completed for the windshield-roof front match-up."
2008-01-10 - Have been informed today that material for the conversion top has been purchased and drawings digitized. Have also been told recently that this "in progress" car will be at Carlisle.
2007-11-23 - Okay, let's take a breath and say that, over the years, it is possible that a lot of people have discussed doing a 1954 Corvair replica of some sort. To my knowledge, none have ever happened. So will any of the six mentioned below see the light of day? All I will say at this point is that I personally know that two of them are beyond the talking stage and the likelihood of completion seems good at this point. Only time will tell how many actually make it.
2007-11-23 - News arrived of the 5th and 6th Corvair replicas on '54 or '55 chassis are in very early discussion stages. AAT
2007-11-17 - News sent to me indicating that a 4th Corvair modern replica, to be done on a C-5 chassis, is in the very early discussion stages. Something along these lines. AAT
2007-11-11 - Further clarification of the note below. The actual count is one modernized replica planned for the distant future and two folks underway working together to build two accurate replicas. One, to be built on 1954 chassis 471, will be painted the original dark red and the other will be seafoam green like the second iteration.
2007-10-31 - Great news!! Some time ago I had heard of a plan to build a 1954 Corvair modernized replica HERE. Then, in July of 2007, I heard about a project to do an authentic 1954 Corvair replica. Yesterday I learned of a third project to build two actual 1954 Corvair replicas. More info as it is available.
This is Page 1
Click for Page 2 - Corvair Repaint
Click for Page 3 - Several 1954 Show Cars
Click for Page 4 - Corvair Color Info and Scale Models
Click for Page 5 - Nomad Color Info
Top of page and Above - Near final sketches - the emblems and rear quarter window shape are still evolving
Happy mannequins check out the finished product
The above sign apparently says:
Corvair
Experimental Adaptation of the Sensational Corvette Introduced in 1953
- Reinforced Glass-Fiber Plastic Body
- Overall Height - 51"
- Wheelbase - 102"
- Horsepower - 150
- Powerglide Transmission
Above - Another partial view with the same "See the USA
in your Chevrolet" background as in the previous shot.
Close-up of hood louvers
Not-quite-as-happy mannequins in same pose check out the fastback
Color art apparently derived from the above photo
Interior close-up from the above art
Above - Two actual color photos.
Last update to this page: 06/29/08