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Truck In A Box: 1964 Chevrolet Corvair Rampside


We’ve all seen stacks of shipping containers and old trailers around and wondered what treasures and junk are forgotten inside. What could be more exciting than an interesting collection of vehicles? In this case, the owner died in 2010 and left his collection of cars stored away and forgotten. The family has no interest in them so everything is being sold, including this Rampside, a 1969 Imperial Lebaron 2 Door Coupe and a 1965 Lincoln Continental Convertible and are listed on eBay. This little truck is an older restoration and was last registered in 1989. It has a new battery and fresh gas so it runs but it will need the usual mechanical restoration. It looks to be in beautiful condition and has the desirable 4-speed transmission.

It sure looks nice after a good wash. Up close there are likely the usual flaws and scratches in the paint, but it sure looks nice from here.

Inside it is completely stock. The restoration done in the 1980s looks like it has held up well. It’s nice to see the shifter

Here you can see the unusual configuration of the bed. It’s not perfect but it certainly looks nice. This configuration could be really handy for lots of applications, especially with the stepped floor.

The engine looks completely stock and rather clean and tidy. The underside of the engine is likely an oily mess from the leaking pushrod tubes, but modern O rings would help. It will need the usual tuneup work, but won’t take much to make it a dependable driver.

This side isn’t as pretty but there’s no sign of rust. New bushings all around, perhaps polyurethane, would make it drive a little nicer.

This little pickup looks like it’s almost ready for daily driving. It’s not to everyone’s taste, but it could be a fun and perhaps useful truck. They are reliable and easy to work on. It’s a truck the younger crowd has never seen and would get lots of attention. The wire hubcaps and tonneau cover need to find a new home. Besides the 1980s look, the hubcaps are also noisy. There must be many wheel choices that would look great on here. Adding AC would not be an easy task. Wouldn’t this be a cool truck to use for swapmeets?

Comments

  1. Avatar leiniedude Member

    Nice rig, although I am surprised it took seven years for the family to pull the trigger on the sale. I like the hubcaps and tonneau cover. Plus the tonneau cover keeps the yahoos from throwing there empties in the box. I am confused about the caps making noise, do they whistle?

    Like 0
    • Avatar jdjonesdr

      I’ve have one or two in my day with a rickety-rickety sound, but easy enough to fix. I think it looks good with them. I must be old.

      Like 0
    • Avatar Steve65

      Rattle, probably. The spokes and center cap can loosen up.

      Like 0
  2. Avatar Bill T

    Very nice. We had a few come through the shop back in the day. I had a 64 window that we built up to tow my 61 to shows. Dad dropped a built up 66 140/4/4 in, changed the rear to 3.89 axle and upgraded the brakes, tire and rims. I sold my 64 in haste to an friend in 1987 and to this day wish I could find it and buy it back. Of course when I search for the person, his name is so common that it’s like finding a needle in a haystack, and I don’t have the VIN# so… everything happens for a reason. I hope the new owner of this 64 knows what they are getting into as many parts like the gas tank, shift tube, suspension, rear engine door just to mention a few are unique to this year. I bet it sells for $15-17K.

    Like 0
  3. Avatar Joe

    Novelty vehicle. Classic, their value is in the rarity and utility. Wish i could afford it. Good luck.

    Like 0
  4. Avatar RayT

    It’s already bid over $10K. Good thing I’m holding out for a Greenbrier!

    Like 0
  5. Avatar Steve R

    When this seller lists a car it’s always interesting. Several of the cars he’s had up for auction have been profiled here. He does the same thing every time, they are started with a low opening bid and have no reserve. I’m actually surprised this car, of the three he currently has listed was the one profiled, I assumed the 2 door Imperial would have been. If he has an ongoing deal with this family to help them dispose of the fathers car collection I’m sure he will have more interesting cars listed in the near future.

    Steve R

    Like 0
    • Avatar Backyardfind

      Appreciate the comment Steve. Stay tune within the week for some cars coming out of this collection including a 1960 Lincoln town car limo, 2 60’ Lincoln convertibles, skyliners plus some really cool other stuff. Thanks!

      Like 0
  6. Avatar Kevi

    The seller’s 1969 Imperial Lebaron coupe is one sweet ride- and is priced right so far

    Like 0
  7. Avatar geomechs Member

    This is one fine Rampside! I’d definitely lose the wheel covers and get a set of dog dish hubcaps (white) with the Chevy Bowtie. Light it, drive it, and mostly enjoy it.

    Like 0
  8. Avatar jw454

    I seem to recall an advertisement from Chevrolet back in the day that showed a worker pulling a refrigerator up the ramp on a two wheel dolly into one of these. Given what they were I think they were pretty tough little haulers.
    This one looks to be in fairly good condition.

    Like 0
  9. Avatar gto4ever

    This is why I like Barn finds, where else would you find this little truck hiding in a container!! Nice job!! Very cool truck

    Like 0
  10. Avatar Tony

    When I was a kid, gardeners would use these trucks, they could roll the lawnmowers down the ramp and onto the front lawn.

    Like 0
  11. Avatar scottymac

    Wheelcovers were a factory option, and look fine, have no experience with them making noise. Since they’re the same as used on Impala or Malibu SSs, or any other medium or big Chevy, wouldn’t be a problem unloading them. Truck has the stainless trim around the windshield and chrome bumpers, so must be the deluxe version. 1964 would have the 164 c.i. engine, and the it also has the rare oil bath air cleaner. A lot to recommend this one!

    Like 0
  12. Avatar Maestro1

    Somebody buy this but watch the price. They are rare, very individual, and lots of fun. Also utilitarian.

    Like 0
  13. Avatar hank

    I have a 62 Rampy. It’s next on the restore list. Been in covered storage for 10 years. Most examples you find have been outdoors and are rusted all to hell. Took me 20 years of looking *in the south* to find a good one. Mines only got 59K on the odometer, and from the look of it, it’s original. Been garage and barn kept since 85. When I appraised it for the owner I told him don’t take less than 5K for it. But he moved to a gated community and I got it for 1500. Building an engine for my Monza so I can put the correct engine block in it. Upgrades needed (replace Generator with an internally regulated hi-amp alternator), go through the carbs and replace all the suspension bushings and it’s a nice car. I’m planning to use mine to take the garbage cans to the dump. Much easier to get them up the ramp than lift them to the height of the tailgate on a conventional P/U.

    Like 0
  14. Avatar Paul

    I am surprised that some auto maker hasn’t put a ramp like this as a option on a pick up truck over the years

    Like 0
  15. Avatar RicK

    I remember watching Bonanza on Sunday night with my family and seeing Hoss Cartwright leading a calf up the ramp of a Corvair rampside in the Chevrolet commercial during the break. Back about 1977 I traded for a 63 Corvair van that came from the factory with panel on one side and windows on the other side and doors on both sides anyhow the night I got it on the way home it threw a rod because it had such a bad oil leak and ran way low on oil I was so depressed after that it just sat around and I never fixed it and finally it got hauled away for scrap too bad because it was supposed to be super rare with just a handful built in that configuration

    Like 0
  16. Avatar Alexander Member

    For the record, the interior may look “stock” but that front seat looks a helluva lot more padded than factory original and much more comfy too (without the OEM itchy inserts sewn onto nauga-hide sides). The engine looks like it comes with the rare desert air cleaner too.

    Like 0
  17. Avatar leiniedude Member

    Ended: Dec 06, 2017 , 7:30PM
    Winning bid:US $17,099.00
    [ 54 bids ]

    Like 0
  18. Avatar Brian

    Love my Rampside! The most practical truck I’ve ever owned. I helped a friend move a 6′ tall compressor in his Toyota truck one time. What a hassle! Not so in the Rampside. Every time I move, just walk the compressor up the ramp and wrap one strap around it.

    And speaking of truck in a box, mine fits in a Uhaul ;)

    Like 1

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