 Why must all new cars have the engine in the front? Shown above is pen and ink drawing of the rear engine 1965 Chevrolet Corvair. Based on a GM water color, this illustration by the author shows that rear engine cars can be stylish as well as practical.
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This is a
web site devoted to Chevrolet Corvairs, NSU 1000s, Hillman Imps, Type 4
Volkswagens, Fiat 600s, Renault 10s, Simca 1000s and all other rear-engine
passenger cars.
To access the pages that make up this site, please click on the hot links to
your left. As you scroll down, you'll also find hot links at the bottom of each
page. Enjoy!
Back in the 1930s, rear engine cars were considered the wave of the future.
Great automotive engineers like Hans Ledwinka and Ferdinand Porsche believed
that, by putting the power-train in back of the rear axle, cars could be made
lower, lighter, cooler, safer, roomier, cheaper, more aerodynamic, better riding
and better handling.
After World War II, a number of European auto manufacturers put the theory to
the test by designing and producing millions of rear engine passenger cars for
the masses. Not to be outdone, Chevrolet introduced its all-American rear
engine car, the Chevy Corvair.
By the 1970s, rear engine cars fell out of vogue. But they are not forgotten.
In this web site, you'll find a variety of articles celebrating rear engine
cars. Come on in, spend some time here, and check out the links! You'll find
lots of people all over the world who love their rear engine cars!
To
your right is a see-through drawing that illustrates the concept of a rear
engine car. Shown are the front suspension, rear suspension, and power train in
relation to the body structure. The car is a Fiat 600. Note that the
engine is aft of the rear axle. Illustration from Cars of the 50's and 60's, by
Michael Sedgwick, Random House, NY 1983.
Legal Stuff. All rights reserved. Address all correspondence to Allan V. Lacki, Red Bat 01@verizon.net.
All text is the author's original product. A number of photographic images were copied from other sources. We made reasonable attempts to obtain permission beforehand. Sources are consistently acknowledged throughout.
Some words, model names and designations mentioned herein are the property of various manufacturers. We use them for identification purposes only. This web site is the author's personal web site and is not affiliated with any other legal entity.
While much of the information contained herein is wholly factual, the web site also includes some rather bombastic attempts at humor. <grin> The author disclaims any liability in connection with the use of information contained in this web site…