Last modified: Monday, September 1, 2008 1:07 AM EDT The Corvair Club at Tavern on the Square in Plinaville. Debonair with their Corvairs BY JAMES A. MEROLLA SUN CHRONICLE STAFF PLAINVILLE - It's fitting that a guy named Bombardier is the president of a club that specializes in flashy streamlined vehicles they don't make anymore - Chapter 17 of the Corvair Club. Ray Bombardier, 62, is in his fourth term as president of a group of guys and gals who admire classic cars in general, and one particular model in particular. Bombardier's club was founded in 1974, just five years after production ended on the Corvair, itself, making Chapter 17 - the Massachusetts chapter - one of the founding groups of the Corvair Society of America. On the last Wednesday of every month they meet in Plainville, displaying their glistening sleek beauties in the parking lot of the Tavern From Tower Square on Rte. 1. It's a chance for these special car owners and their admirers to return to the splendid vehicles which literally drove their youthful memories. SUN CHRONICLE: Ray, how many members do you have? RAY BOMBARDIER: Our current roster is at 95 members and growing. SUN CHRONICLE: Do you have to own a Corvair or other classic car to join the club? BOMBARDIER: Ownership of a Corvair is not required to become a member; just an interest in the car is sufficient. SUN CHRONICLE: But, Ray, if you don't own one, doesn't that make a guy pretty envious of those who do? BOMBARDIER: Who wouldn't be envious of a Corvair owner? We do have a few members who do not have a Corvair or currently do not have one 'on the road.' We also have members who joined with the sole purpose to locate and purchase one from another club member. SUN CHRONICLE: How often do you have shows in a year? BOMBARDIER: As a single marquee automobile, there are not a lot of 'Corvair Only' car shows in the New England area. The Central New Hampshire Corvair Association has one in May, the Colonial Corvair Club has one in August combined with a VW 'Bug Club' and Bay State probably hosts the biggest gathering of Corvairs at our Clark's Fall Classic event, which is held every other September in Shelburne Falls, with over 70 Corvairs registered for show. However, as a club, we do enter a number of area car shows each show season. Usually, we plan on attending shows that have a 'Corvair Class' or an 'Air Cooled Class' on the judging ballot. One point of interest is that so far this season, our club has come home with a "Best Club Participation Trophy" from three separate mixed-make car shows. We're an active club with a busy calendar of events. The Corvair group as a whole seems to attract a wonderful cross-cut of people from all walks of life. SUN CHRONICLE: There are many classic cars. What is the allure of the sharp Corvair? BOMBARDIER: Folks can't look at our cars without a big grin spreading across their faces. They bring back fond memories of the 'Happy Days' from 1960 to 1969. These cars seem to get better with age. The earlier version, (1960-64), may have handled a little erratic if you took corners too hard, but with today's radial tires, they pretty much stay glued to the road and with their 4-wheel independent suspension, you get a smooth 'big car' ride on back roads or on the highway. Some people are drawn to the car because they can get into the 'old car hobby' with a fine 'turn-key' auto at a bargain basement price. You can still buy a really good, reliable 'driver' for around $3,000 to $5,000 or a 'Show Stopper' for $10,000 to $15,000. The Corvair quietly slipped from Chevy's line-up after 1969. Because of it's quirky nature, the styling, the innovations, the handling, and its uniqueness, the Corvair has a huge group of devoted followers and with suppliers out there with new, used, or remanufactured parts readily available to keep these cars running properly, it's doubtful the Corvair will ever disappear. SUN CHRONICLE: How many did they make? How many are still on the road? BOMBARDIER: The exact total is 1,786,243 Corvair vehicles, but the figure usually given is 1.8 million over a 10-year run. Figures run in excess of 100,000 Corvairs still on the roads. SUN CHRONICLE: What's the best car show story you know? BOMBARDIER: It was July 8th, 2007; a very hot day in Dedham. The Bay State Antique Auto Club's annual car show. There are usually 1,000-plus vehicles drawn to this huge event held at the famed Endicott Estate. There were many classes of cars on the fields ranging from foreign, hot rod, full classics, micro cars; cars from the Brass Era to Detroit's newest offerings. The president of this club has the best of the best of over 1,000 vehicles from all over New England to choose from, to award his "President's Choice Trophy" to. On this particular day, one amazing survivor, a 1960 Cascade Green model 700 Corvair sedan took home top honors. As the current owner/caretaker, Cathy McCafferty, from Anawan Road in North Attleboro, drove up to the reviewing stand to receive this prestigious award, she drove past classic Lincolns, Packards, Auburns; everyone applauding this historically significant vehicle as it is the oldest surviving Corvair still running and registered, in the world! It was built at GM's famous Willow Run plant on the second day of Corvair production in July of 1959; VIN # 428. It was wonderful to finally see one of our club member's Corvairs finally get the recognition and attention they deserve. SUN CHRONICLE: So, any car display disasters? BOMBARDIER: I believe it was the September 2002 Clark's Fall Classic car show out in Shelburne Falls. We had 72 beautiful Corvairs there parked on the side of a hill at Clark's Corvair Parts when all of a sudden there were only 71 Corvairs parked on the hill overlooking busy Route 2. There were several anxious moments when one of the '60 Corvair's E-brakes failed and over the embankment it went. I heard people screaming and rushed to the edge of the steep embankment, looked over and to my amazement and for the grace of God - and one tough shrub - the owner's car was saved from certain major damage. If the car had missed that shrub, it surely would have careened all the way down the hill and crossed busy Route 2. I hate to think what might have happened. That incident cinched the "Hard Luck Award" that year. SUN CHRONICLE: The owners of these cars are usually meticulous about them. Who is the most careful guy you ever saw with his "baby?" BOMBARDIER: Well, we do have one member who has an amazing '69 Corvair coupe that has been transformed into a race car. If you look closer, you will see the ghost flames of another color coming through the candy tangerine paint scheme. Inside, it is fitted with full race seats and supports. It has a professionally built race motor and a very throaty exhaust system. All the vehicles in his three-bay garage are showroom perfect. In fact, he has had very nice wall-to-wall carpet and padding installed in all three bays. Actually, his garage is nicer than many homes. SUN CHRONICLE: Are you going to be buried in this car? Some owners are BOMBARDIER: I saw that piece in the paper some years back about the lady in Barrington, R.I., who wanted to be buried in her beloved Corvair. NO, I love my Corvair as much as the next owner, but I'm not a whack-o. Ray Bombardier would like to invite any interested readers to drop by The Tavern Restaurant on Rte. 1 in Plainville on the last Wednesday of any month to look over these amazing automobiles. If anyone would like more information about joining the best car club going, contact Membership Chairman, Chuck Leonard at 508-238-0455.