Tim Allen’s Chevrolet Corvair Corsa Drag Races Mazda MX-5

Spoiler alert! Doug Demuro surprises us.

The Chevrolet Corvair was well-known for being dangerous at all speeds. After safety concerns were addressed, however, Corsa was made. The Petersen Automotive Museum has recently raced the Corsa against the 2008 Mazda MX-5 to see which vehicle is the fastest.

The Miata’s rear-engined classic has more power than the Miata, with 180 horsepower (134 kilowatts) and 166 horsepower (124 kW), but it is clear that the Miata has modern technology. The Mazda easily outperforms the Corvair in the first run. Both vehicles are very similar in weight, which surprised us.

Tim Allen's Chevrolet Corvair Corsa Drag Races Mazda MX-5

Unfortunately, the Mazda won the second and final race between them. Although the Corvair was allowed more time to roll than the Miata’s, it could not match the convertible. Modern tires would have made a huge difference in each stage of the race, we’d bet.

Despite disappointment for the classic, this video ends with a demo racing between an Audi RS6 – with Doug demuro behind it – and a Bugatti Chairon. The Quattro all wheel-drive system of the RS6 could not match the performance of the competitors in the other lane from a standing start. Although the Chiron is more suited for a half-mile race than the RS6, it doesn’t affect the final result.

Tim Allen's Chevrolet Corvair Corsa Drag Races Mazda MX-5

Although it was difficult to determine who won the second race with Doug, the Bugatti finished closer. All races show how quickly vehicles have advanced in a short time.