Published August 11, 2005 in issue 0432 of the Hook

When Ralph Nader wrote Unsafe at Any Speed in 1965, criticizing the dangerous design of the Chevrolet Corvair, Corvair sales were seriously affected.

They skyrocketed.

Jim Rice was one of those who got caught up in the Corvair craze, and he's been driving and restoring the cars ever since.

"The last one I restored was a convertible," he says. "I sold it to a private car collector museum in Florida."

Sixty-one-year-old Rice has been driving his current ride for the past 20 years.

"It's fun," he says. "It reminds me of the '60s."

However, Rice has no plans to restore this Corvair.

"You very rarely make any money off car restoration," he says. "Besides, this one's 45 years old and still running."

What drives you? Call 295-8700 ext. 239, then pull up in front of Hook headquarters at 100 Second St. NW and tell us why you love your ride.

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