1960 Corvair Is Named
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In the 50-year lifespan of Motor Trend, no more widely recognizable symbol has emerged from its pages than the words "Car of the Year." Since its first appearance in 1949, Motor Trend's Car of the Year award has become the longest-running award program in the automotive publishing world. "Car of the Year" remains the most prestigious and coveted prize in the industry. |
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retrospect, one of the most controversial cars ever to be named Car of the Year was the
'60 Chevrolet Corvair. Its appropriateness for the award as the most significant
engineering achievement of the model year made it a natural choice. The Corvair,
a revolutionary departure from previous domestic car fare, introduced a number of
innovations to the American scene, including a rear-mounted, air-cooled aluminum flat-six
engine, rear transaxle, and four-wheel independent suspension with front and rear
components each mounted to their own subframe (subsequent models included convertible,
wagon, and even minivan). Seldom do you see this many significant technological strides on
one vehicle.
The Corvair enjoyed moderate popularity in its early years, but suffered from some supposed handling problems that inspired Ralph Nader to make it the focal point of his consumer safety campaign against Detroit, labeling the Corvair "Unsafe at Any Speed." This untimely attack sounded the death knell for GM's smallest car, and it was retired from production in '69. The ensuing controversy led to the formation of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and a greater government involvement in consumer products of all kinds. Excerpts and Photograph from Motor Trend Magazine Online Past Motor Trend "Car Of The Year" Winners 2007 Toyota Camry2006 Honda Civic 2005 Chrysler 300 2004 Toyota Prius 2003 Infiniti G35 Coupe / Sedan 2002 Ford Thunderbird 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser 2000 Lincoln LS 1999 Chrysler 300M 1998 Chevrolet Corvette 1997 Chevrolet Malibu 1996 Dodge Caravan 1995 Chrysler Cirrus 1994 Ford Mustang 1993 Ford Probe GT 1992 Cadillac Seville Touring Sedan 1991 Chevrolet Caprice Classic LTZ 1990 Lincoln Town Car 1989 Ford Thunderbird SC 1988 Pontiac Grand Prix 1987 Ford Thunderbird 1986 Ford Taurus LX 1985 Volkswagen GTI 1984 Chevrolet Corvette 1983 American Motors Renault Alliance 1982 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 1981 Chrysler K-cars, Dodge Aries/Plymouth Reliant 1980 Chevrolet Citation 1979 Buick Riviera S 1978 Chrysler, Dodge Omni/Plymouth Horizon 1977 Chevrolet Caprice 1976 Chrysler, Dodge Aspen/Plymouth Volare 1975 Chevrolet Monza 2+2 V-8 1974 Ford Mustang II 1973 Chevrolet Monte Carlo 1972 Citroen SM 1971 Chevrolet Vega 1970 Ford Torino 1969 Plymouth Road Runner 1968 Pontiac GTO 1967 Mercury Cougar 1966 Oldsmobile Toronado 1965 Pontiac Motor Division 1964 Ford Motor Company 1963 American Motors Rambler 1962 Buick Special 1961 Pontiac Tempest 1960 Chevrolet Corvair 1959 Pontiac Motor Division 1958 Ford Thunderbird 1957 Chrysler Corporation 1956 Ford Motor Company 1955 No Award 1954 No Award 1953 No Award 1952 Cadillac Motor Car Division 1951 Chrysler Corporation 1950 No award 1949 Cadillac Motor Car Division
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