C2: new features

[Oliver S.]

Hello,

I'd like to know which new features were introduced with the C2 that have found their way in car mass production in the U.S. or worldwide. I know of the following:
- motor operated pop up headlights; new at all
- 4 wheel disc brake system (1965); new for U.S cars
But what about:
- independent rear suspension; new for U.S. car mass production?
- dual brake system (1967); new for U.S. car mass production?
And are there any more new features?
Thanks in advance.

Regards
Oliver Schoenhaar

[Tom H.]

Re: C2: new features

Motor operated headlights--CORD
IRS-- Corvair
Dual Brakes-- Many
.....and, the front suspension for the mid-years was(is) from a '63 Chevy full size

ERGO--Not much new under the sun.

[Dave F.]

Side Exhaust? Or did Cord have that too? *NM*

[Donald M.]

first collapsible steering column-1967 *NM*

[Mike Cobine]

Re: C2: new features

I know of the following:
- motor operated pop up headlights; new at all
I believe the Cord were hand operated. I think there were some European with hidden headlights before but not sure.

From a Lotus site:
"1962 - Lotus Elan is introduced. The Elan features a GFRP body mounted atop a now-famous steel backbone chassis, the powerful Lotus twin cam engine of 1558cc, 4 wheel independent suspension, 4 wheel disc brakes and the was the first production car to use hidden headlights."

- 4 wheel disc brake system (1965); new for U.S cars
AMC Marlin had disc brakes also in 1965, and may have been introduced just slightly before Corvettes were out. They may have been only front disc though.

Several European were running front disc and not sure about 4 wheel disc. The Cobra had four wheel disc in '63 definitely.

But what about:
- independent rear suspension; new for U.S. car mass production?
Corvair was much earlier.

- dual brake system (1967); new for U.S. car mass production?
I believe this was a 1967 DOT requirement for all cars. However, Corvette had this on the PB cars in 1965. Not sure if they were first in the US. Saab as early as 1963 introduced a dual diagonal system, which is still unique in the industry.

And if you really want to learn about Corvettes, you HAVE to read this essay:

http://www.free-essays-free-essays.com/dbase/8a/sjf25.shtml

Everything about Corvette