In 1960, Chevrolet introduced its first compact car, the Corvair. It differed from the rest of the pack by its rear-mounted, air-cooled engine. The line-up was soon expanded to include the Corvair 95, which marketed two versions of a pickup. The Rampside relied on side loading and sold in smallish numbers from 1961 to 1964. The seller has a 1962 edition, which is a roller with loads of patina. Located in Petaluma, California, this project is available here on craigslist for $2,200 OBO.
The Rampside came with a ramp that raised and lowered from the passenger side of the vehicle. We’re told that the vehicles found success with the phone company, which bought quite a few to carry rolls/drums of cable. But maybe other uses were less successful, as they started out at 10,700 units in 1961 but dropped to 4,100 the next year (when this one was built). By 1964, they found fewer than 900 buyers, so Chevy discontinued this iteration of the 95.
Rampsides used the same 145 cubic inch flat-six as the passenger Corvairs. An appliance company once employed this one, and we can see how the side ramp would be helpful in delivering refrigerators. The engine and transmission have taken flight, and the seller was thinking of dropping in a V6, but never got around to it. The odometer reflects 65,000 miles, but we’re told it’s on its second time around.
Should you want to resurrect this with period-correct hardware, the seller has a Corvair powertrain that could be thrown into the deal. The pickup was put on no-op status at some point, so no DMV back fees are owed to the State of California. The rust may not go beyond the surface variety and all doors and ramps open and close properly. What would you do with this Corvair if you bought it? BTW, thanks to Rocco B. for the tip!
Corvair engines are still around and pretty easy to work on. Get a 200 version rebuilt in install. Clark’s offering of the Vair parts is amazing and if they don’t have it the Internet will probably find it. Many years ago put a 110 in a van and it was a great truck even ran on the highway! Well 65 to 70 mph but these aren’t hard to work on actually fairly simple.
Well, thank goodness he has too many projects, a V6/4 speed should garner a whap upside the head, V6/4 sp,,for cryin’ out loud, this vehicle is as rare as common sense, do what now? Not sure about the phone company, perhaps, but coils of wire are really heavy, and these would bend in the middle. No, the name on the side says it all. These were marketed for deliveries of tall items, or appliances, but I doubt much wire. I can’t find any pics showing that, but lawn mowers too, but not a big call. Biggest nemesis? It was a Corvair. Even before you know who, people just didn’t accept the Corvair in a truck mode. As mentioned, few were sold, and fewer yet survived. Corvairs were great vehicles, and an unbelievable find here.
Interesting I think I would get the engine and transmission from a turbo smart for two , because I don’t know how hard it would be to get a original engine and transmission for it.
Much much easier to acquire and install a Corvair drivetrain than to adapt another. The Corvair hobby has excellent support and surprisingly good parts availability.
Russ & Howard…my Saturday morning coffee got cold staring at this contraption! When I look at a truck I always imagine loading a motorcycle onto the back. Totally impossible here!
Many people have asked, “Will the Corvair kill you?” The answer was “Yes, if you let it!”
The love-hate relationship owners had with these vehicle’s innovative but initially flawed handling, often highlighted the contrast between its early 60’s reputation and its later, more refined performance.
I can only imagine the level of sheer horror the cable spool and refrigerator delivery drivers experienced wheeling these around town!
look solid. the name and # on it adds to the vintage look. worth the money @2k. put a drivetrain it and cruise it
Sweet looking Corvair truck. It’s unforgivable that they weren’t offered for very long, having been discontinued after 1965. It would’ve been cool to see a 1966-69 Corvair truck.
I love this truck, and would probably just deal with the rust while leaving the outside as is. But I would absolutely rebuild the existing drive train. My main issue with air cooled engines is …that they are air cooled, which means that in high ambient temps like So Cal they over heat. I would absolutely look into the standard means we use with VWs: big fan cooled oil coolers.
My Dad bought a ‘61 Loadside. (No ramp)
It was a horrible vehicle in all respects. It smoked and leaked oil. The front part of the bed filled with water. If you could get it started, and launched in this condition, the water would slosh over the back and kill the engine. If you turned on the heater or defroster, the cab filled with smoke.
It would make interesting (?) yard art with flowers planted in the back. Check HOA regs before purchasing.
What transmission do we believe this has/had. Not sure what options were available for these. LOVE the unimproved look of this thing..
The VW equivalent is just as rare but sure gets attention at C & C.