Curvy Corvair’s crowning glory?

Steve Reed with his Corvair

Steve’s 30-year Chevy chase
A PETROLHEAD who waited three decades to get his hands on a dream American car could see his beloved vehicle crowned Car of the Year.

Steve Reed only got behind the wheel of the classic 1965 Chevrolet Corvair Corsa in February after it was shipped from the United States.

And only months later the Failsworth car nut saw his beautifully restored Chevy scoop a regional heat of the Classic American Magazine Car of the Year competition.

Now Steve (52) and his son, James (17), will be competing against other regional winners at the prestigious Footman James Classic Motor Show at Birmingham’s NEC arena later this year.

Steve, of Woodford Road, said: “I have always loved American cars and I have owned a few over the years.

“I think me and my brother have had about 15 between us.

“I bought the Chevrolet Corvair from eBay and travelled to Southampton in February, where it was imported from Florida.

“This fulfilled a dream of finally owning one more than 30 years after seeing a Corvair in a street in Leeds.

“Before then I was well into British cars and vowed never to buy an American one. That promise was not kept.”

The rear-engined car became surrounded by controversy following its production in the Sixties when five-time US presidential candidate Ralph Nader released a book called “Unsafe At Any Speed” — which criticised the safety records of American automobiles manufacturers in general and in particular the Corvair’s handling.

A subsequent national study discovered the car was as safe as its contemporaries.

Steve said: “It is a bit of an oddball car, but it’s a great one.

“James helps me to keep the car clean and comes along to the shows. I think he’s hoping to get the keys himself one day.”