When you consider the high cost of today's automobiles, an investment of $2,100 in a vintage Corvair as well maintained as this one makes a lot of sense. The lightweight hardtop is fuel efficient and quick, and because of the four-wheel fully independent suspension, it's a great handling car, even by today's standards. Parts critical to the car's operation and maintenance are readily available though a wide network of Corvair parts vendors, and the simplicity of 1960s design means there isn't a lot to go wrong with the car in the first place.

Jim plans to add larger wheels and tires, both for aesthetic and handling reasons, and to raise the car a bit, since it’s low stance makes entry and egress difficult for him. He'll also install an AM-FM radio. He points out that none of these changes require irreversible alteration to the car, and says he will carefully store the original parts for reinstallation in the future, if desired. He says he just can’t bring himself to alter a car which has survived in it’s original condition so well, for so long.

Jim's thoughts on the Corvair: "As I proved on an August afternoon in 1968 by side-stepping the clutch and exploding the bell housing on my Corvair 500, drag racing was never one of the Corvair's strong points, but it never really made it as the economy car Chevrolet envisioned it to be in the beginning, either. The Corvair finally found it's true calling only when it began to be used by the not-so-wealthy masses as their one and only 'Poor Man's Porsche', and that's what mine became to me. My sincere thanks to Gary Aube, whose love and enthusiasm for the Corvair inspired me to become an owner again, and who willingly donates his time and computer expertise to provide Corvair fans the opportunity to share the stories of these remarkable survivors that neither GM or a world full of nay-sayers has been able to kill. It lives on through the devotion of caring owners and admirers, Corvair clubs, dedicated parts suppliers, recyclers, and mechanics, and also those such as Gary, who promote interest in Chevy’s little “forgotten” car around the globe, 24 hours a day, through the miracle of the Internet. The Corvair is truly a car which was too good to kill, and though they tried, it stubbornly refuses to die.”

And why have we billed the car "Cool Cajun Corvair?" Jim's e-mail address provides the answer: 1cajun4corvairs@earthlink.net That's telling it like it is!