Is this the car where the whole roof and sides rise up as one unit to allow access?

Sure is and I have a picture of it like that. I'll put it up later tonight.

Was the Corvair really as bad as Nader made it out to be?

Sadly it was to a point. With the engine back as far as it was, the Corvair was probably the most tail happy car ever built. However saying that in the same breath with these concepts and the fact they were built for handling, I have no doubt if Nader hadn't stuck his nose where it didn't belong it would have been no time these would have been competing directly with the small European roadsters. Then eventually have given the more modern MR2's and Lotus Elise's a run for their money during the 80's.

What exactly was he trying to achieve? He's coming off as if he's the bad guy here.

A politician's forte. They all can't help but invade into people's lives and regulate everything about it. Nader was one of those like what the New York Mayor, Micheal Bloomberg is today. Oh well this was unsafe for you, we need to ban it.

Why this car reminds me to mach 5

This concept car looks pretty advanced for 1962-3.

Probably something to do with that wild front prow.