Jay Eitel's V-12 'Jaguair' Corvair

Jay is a little unhappy with the overall weight of his Monza 'sleeper'; 3469 lbs (1574 kg). One way or another, he'd like to trim 200 lbs from the total, and he knows how he'll do it. His plans call for the replacement of the air-conditioning compressor with a more modern, lightweight unit.

The starter can also be changed out to save weight. It is from a 421 Pontiac V-8, and is unnecessarily heavy. He will replace the half-shafts with lightweight forged aluminum Corvette items, and is considering swapping out the fake-out 14" steel wheels with alloy wheels. Jay says he could also replace the "too heavy to lift" Corvair bucket seats, but is reluctant because that would compromise his objective of having the car look like a Corvair inside and out.

Jay Eitel's Jaguair (rear view)

He's also been watching with interest as the auto industry moves toward ceramic/aluminum brake rotors on some of the more exotic models. Replacing the disk brakes with ceramic/aluminum rotors and 4-piston aluminum calipers is another weight saving possibility.

It's easy to understand why Mr. Eitel was honored by the AETC for innovation, and after speaking with him, I know why he was also honored for SPIRIT. During our conversation, I was inspired by his youthful enthusiasm and his eagerness to share his wealth of knowledge. Such qualities are unusual enough in a younger man. Jay is 83.

Pictured at right is Jay's classic 1933 Marmon V-12, one of only 390 built. When I called him, he was working in his garage, preparing the Marmon for an event at Pebble Beach.

Later, competing in a new class for the best preserved and un-restored car—a class created with some pressure from the Europeans, who are trying to stop the "over restoration" of great antique cars—the Marmon took first place, winning the first FIVA award.

Remarkably, Jay's interests extend to motorcycles, too, and he sent along a picture of his modified chain drive Harley 1200 Sportster, which is built on a 5" shortened wheelbase and is lightened to 450 lbs. Hold on tight!

Thanks to the following members of the Virtual Vairs Internet e-mail Corvair discussion group who helped make this feature possible: Jim Burkhard, Seth Emerson, Jerry Jorgenson, Mike Mann and Kent Sullivan.

Photos by Jay Eitel