Nader killed the Corvair

[JohnnyRingo]

24. The earliest models suffered wheel hop

On a tight turn at speed the independent rear suspension would wind up with tension called wheel jacking. When it released, the rear wheel would break traction setting the car up for an out of control situation and a chance for rolling. It was an easy fix though and later Corvairs handled like a sports car, at least an American sports car. Racers installed an anti-sway bar, something GM could have done themselves.

The Triumph Spitfire had a similar problem in the early marks and went on to be very popular. While the Corvair was an easy and inexpensive fix, GM did what corporations do, they went on a propaganda offensive against Nader. The Corvair was likely discontinued because it became an enduring symbol of a death trap, the same reason Ford killed the Pinto nameplate.