What was the Chevrolet Corvair’s air-cooled engine layout?

The Chevrolet Corvair used a rear-mounted, air-cooled flat-six engine.

Chevrolet developed the Corvair as a compact car for the 1960 model year. Its engineering differed sharply from conventional American cars of the period: the engine sat behind the rear axle, used six horizontally opposed cylinders, and was cooled by air rather than liquid coolant.

The layout helped create a flat floor and a compact front compartment. Chevrolet offered the Corvair as a sedan, coupe, convertible, station wagon, and van or pickup derivative. The engine began at 140 cubic inches and later grew to 164 cubic inches. Turbocharged versions appeared in the Corvair Monza Spyder and Corsa.

The Corvair’s rear-engine design became controversial after criticism of its handling characteristics, particularly in early models. Chevrolet revised the suspension for 1965, but production ended after 1969. The Corvair remains notable because it was a technically distinctive American compact rather than a conventional small car with a reduced-size front engine.