This photo is reported to have been taken at Ernie Kovak's accident. I'm not sure it was, however. But the rear motor mount on the early Corvairs had a history of failing, and motors did have a habit of literally falling out, so it's possible that the photo is genuine.
I have also seen this photo, also reported to have been taken at the accident scene. Of the two photos, I have always thought this one is the correct photo. When the engines "fell out", they didn't fall completely out, they were usually still connected to the trans-axle, and kept running. An article on the crash mentioned that a photographer at the scene reached into the car and turned the key off, as the engine was still running. Also, the car did not hit a bridge, it hit a steel light pole. Ernie had just purchased the car a few days before he died, and was returning from a party. It was 1:30 AM, and it was raining, and he took a corner a little too fast and the rear end came around on him. It wasn't the Corvair that caused the crash, it was driver error...
The Corvair engines were held in with three motor mounts, two in the front (near the trans axle) and one in the back (near the back bumper). A single castle nut with a cotter pin in it held the back of the engine up on the '61-'64 Corvairs. If someone on the assembly line forgot to install the cotter pin (the car was brand new), the castle nut could come off and the engine would hang down in the rear (but not enough to drag on the ground). GM changed the rear mount on the '65-'69 Corvairs to a different style and the problem was fixed...
National Geographic Magazine November 1953 Come see more ads and other things at https://misforgotten2.tumblr.com/
National Geographic Magazine December 1961 Come see more ads and other things at https://misforgotten2.tumblr.com/
National Geographic Magazine August 1925 Come see more ads and other things at https://misforgotten2.tumblr.com/
I sidestepped the clutch with throttle firewalled on Pops Corvair. I think I pulled a wheelie and sheared the rear motor mount bolt.
That is the correct info and photos that I remember. I remember my '61 Monza coming around on me on a curve in my residential street in dry daylight conditions. No damage but a wake-up indeed.
This is what they look like when the motor "falls out". The two front mounts keep the engine attached to the trans-axle assembly. The only time I have ever heard of the engine completely coming out of the car is if the car was T-boned and the hit was centered on one of the rear wheels, which is going to telescope the axle on that side and potentially crack pieces of the trans-axle to let go of the attached engine...