Stunning Photos of the 1954 Chevrolet Corvair, Praised as a Revolutionary Aerodynamic Design


The Corvair dream car was an experimental two-passenger fastback. It was built with a fiberglass body and was touted as a “new aerodynamic design” for the closed sports car class.

The streamlined roofline swept back into the jet exhaust-type rear opening. It was originally a ruby-red color for the New York City Motorama in January but had repainted in a lighter hue by the time of the Los Angeles show in March.

The roof of the car was interesting in a couple ways. First, it gave a glimpse of the quarter window and C-pillar treatment of the 1958 Chevrolet line, much like the Biscayne did a year later. Secondly, the addition of a fastback roof did not alter the Corvair’s interior layout.

One would have expected that it would have had a finished-off cargo area, perhaps even equipped with fitted luggage, as was a common practice with sports cars at the time. Instead, the body appeared to have the roof grafted right on to a production Corvette, as there is no storage area behind the seats.

The stock trunk area is used with a decklid contoured to the new roofline. The seats had the production fiberglass divider between them, just like a stock Corvette roadster. The area is even body-colored, which actually makes for a very attractive, albeit unusual interior layout for a closed coupe. The remainder of the interior is largely stock, with custom white seat covers and chromed interior C-pillar trim pieces.

Unfortunately for this particular machine, it was the only one of the three that did not reach production in some form. With Corvette sales becoming sluggish during the 1954 model year, it was seen by product planners as too high a gamble. The time for a Corvette fastback eventually did come, though nearly a decade later and on a new-generation machine.


















Related Posts

350-Powered 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air 2-Door Hardtop

Are you ready to take a nostalgic ride back in time with the iconic 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air? This beautifully refurbished two-door hardtop, finished in striking…

Reliving the Allure of a Timeless Classic

The 1957 Ford Thunderbird stands tall as a symbol of timeless automotive elegance, offering enthusiasts a perfect blend of small, V8-powered roadster charm with luxurious options,…

455-Powered 1957 Oldsmobile Golden Rocket 88 Fiesta: A Vintage Beauty Revived

The 1957 Oldsmobile Golden Rocket 88 Fiesta is a classic hardtop wagon that exudes timeless elegance and automotive charm. Restored under prior ownership and acquired by…

1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1: Unraveling a Timeless Legend

In the world of classic cars, few icons hold the allure and power that the 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1 commands. With its muscular build, roaring…

1968 Chevrolet Camaro SYC Yenko 427 Super Camaro

In the 1960s, a new era of powerful, big-block V8 saloon cars emerged in the United States, earning the moniker “Muscle Cars.” Among the notable names…

A Classic American Muscle Icon

In 1997, the 1968 AMC AMX FastBack slipped away, but fate had a different plan. In 2013, it reappeared on the owner’s radar, and this time,…