Light week this week.
5/14/1969 – Last Corvair build. If you know only a little about automotive history or maybe politics or the consumer safety revolution of the 60’s and 70’s you’ll know the name Ralph Nader. With a little Google’in you’ll find various search results linking him to the demise of the Chevy Corvair (and apple pie and America) – most are not flattering to Mr. Nader. According to most accounts the last Corvair carried 6000 as the last 4 digits of it’s serial number. The car was blanketed by the press when it rolled off the assemble, but then disappeared. There are various stories as to the actual disposition of car #6000 but it remains a mystery. We do know it was a two door, hard top, Monza, Olympic Gold was the color and it likely had a Service 140 replacement engine.
I’m seeing the Corvair but can’t help notice the Nova’s on the rail car.
The last Corvair convertible was #5997 which was a Forest Green Monza that has come up for sale a few times.
The last Corvair ‘vert.
If you are a Corvair fan you’ll enjoy this read: 1969 Corvair: Finger Tip Facts by Corvair historian Dave Newell.
5/17/1868 – Horace Dodge was born in Niles, Mich. Horace and his brother started out working in a boiler plant and invented a dirt proof ball baring and begin producing bicycles (1897). In 1901 they began production automotive parts which led to a contract in 1902 to build transmissions for Oldsmobile. The following year they refused a contract renewal with Olds and began producing engines for Ford. By 1913 the Dodge boys were producing trucks, ambulances and other vehicles for the military. The produced their first commercial car in 1917.
Dodge Half-Ton Military pickup
1913 Dodge Brothers Touring car.
Thanks for reading. If you have an auto factoid, drop me a note.
Tim
