1964 Chevy Corvair Significant engineering and safety changes occurred in 1964, while the bodies and models available remained the same.
The lineup remained relatively unchanged for the 1964 model year, with the exception of the engine growing from 145 to 164 in³ (2.3 to 2.7 L) due to an increase in stroke; the base power growing from 80 to 95 hp (60 to 70 kW), and the high performance engine growing from 95 to 110 hp (70 to 80 kW). The Spyder engine remained rated at 150 hp (112 kW) despite the displacement increase of the engine. The Rampside pickup was discontinued at the end of the model year.
1964 also saw a critical improvement in the Corvair's suspension; the car's swing axle rear suspension was tamed by use of an additional transverse leaf spring carrying a high proportion of the rear weight, in an effort to diminish rear roll stiffness and foster more neutral handling attributes. Spring rates were much softer at both ends of the car in 1964 compared to previous models, and the heavy duty suspension was no longer optional, although all models now had an (even larger) front anti roll bar standard. Brakes were mildly improved by finned rear drums.
However, a young lawyer named Ralph Nader had written a book called Unsafe at Any Speed in which the 1960-63 Corvair (accused by Nader of a greater tendency to cause loss of driver control, spin out or even roll over in many situations) was used as a dramatic case study. The Nader book, which was published in 1965, came as a blow to sales of the Corvair line. The sporty, inexpensive Ford Mustang, based on the conventionally designed Ford Falcon and introduced in late 1964 in response to the market pioneered by the Corvair Monza also impacted heavily on Corvair sales, even after the sensational 1965 redesign.
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