we lost the belt on a 351C 71 Mustang on a freeway connector, long sweeping turn. We really felt it when it happened, like you said, a kick in the butt. My workmate had a corvair with an LT1 'vette motor behind the seat conversion, made it a mid engine car. Could not keep a rear end in it for some reason.
Dad had a 61 and it leaked exhaust into the cab. Did it have forced air heating across an exhaust like the VW did?
Yep...but it's even worse (I believe, I've never owned a VW). The Corvair picks up heat directly from the exhaust manifolds, so if there is any oil on the engine, you'll smell it when you turn the heat on. I think the VW at least had a heat exchanger.