Was The Corvair Really That Unsafe? Politics And Perception

In the 1960s, Ralph Nader took the American automotive industry by storm with his book Unsafe at Any Speed, where he singled out the Chevrolet Corvair as the most dangerous car on the road. Nader’s sharp criticisms focused on the Corvair’s unconventional design, particularly its rear-engine placement and swing-axle suspension system, which he claimed made it a “one-car accident.” Nader pointed out several key issues with the Corvair, starting with its unique suspension system. Unlike most cars of the time, the Corvair used a swing-axle design that required precise tire pressure settings—settings that many owners weren’t aware of or didn’t maintain. This led to serious handling problems, especially when the car was loaded down or driven at high speeds… read more >