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.