1961 CHEVROLET CORVAIR RAMPSIDE 6 cyl 3 Speed Manual

1961 Chevrolet Corvair Rampside

Chevrolet’s 1961 Corvair Rampside Series 95 pickup was part of a line of trucks aimed squarely at the competition from Volkswagen. Its unique side loading capability was complemented by good performance and agile handling and, in the upscale Deluxe version offered here, chrome bumpers, grille and hubcaps, and a color-keyed interior to match its two-tone brown onWhitepaint. Like its passenger-car counterparts, this 1961 Rampside features a rear mounted 145 ci air-cooled flat 6 engine, mated to the rebuilt 4-speed manual transmission.Unfortunately, the motor is locked up and not original to the truck. Originally a California truck, it lived for the last 10 years in Nevada. It is practically rust-free truck, with the exeption of 2 spots, in front of the right rear wheel well and behind the left fron wheel well. Odometer shows 39500. Highlights to this cute and fun truck are: - Series 95 Corvair Rampside Pickup - Unique side loading capability. Rear mounted engine - 4-speed on the floor - Chrome bumpers - Wheel covers - Whitewall Radial tires with new spare and tools - Original in White and green. Chevrolet introduced the Corvair lineup for the 1960 model year as the first of a series of generations of passenger compact cars. Chevrolet introduced a more utilitarian style of vehicle the following year under the model designation "Corvair 95". The Corvair Ramp Side pick-up was only in production from 1961 – 1964. In appearance and design, the vehicles were similar to the competing Volkswagen Transporter, which was essentially a bus-like adaptation of the Volkswagen Beetle that moved the driver over the front wheels (Forward control), also commonly defined as a cab over vehicle. The Corvair air-cooled horizontally opposed 6-cylinder engine was located in the rear of the vehicle under a slightly raised cargo floor. It was similar in principle to the 4-cylinder engine of the Volkswagen, but unusual for most contemporary cars. The 145 cu in (2,375 cc) engine developed 80 hp (60 kW) at 4,400 rpm. Engine size was increased to 164 cu in (2,683 cc) for the 1964 model year, raising output to 95 hp (71 kW). Unlike the Corvair cars, the Corvair Rampside had a 95" (2,400 mm) wheelbase and were thus known as "95s." They came standard with a three-speed manual transmission but could be ordered with a two-speed Corvair Powerglide automatic transmission (distinct from the usual Powerglide) eventually a four-speed manual was also made available. There were essentially two different bodies available in the 95 series: the van and the truck. A Corvair truck could be ordered as a "Loadside" or "Rampside". The Rampside had a side ramp to be used for loading and unloading cargo (were-as the Loadside offered only the fold down tailgate). These were used by the Bell Telephone Company, because loading and unloading of heavy cable drums was eased by the side ramp. General Motors stopped producing the Corvair Rampside in 1964.