1961 Corvair Rampside Pickup - Fully Sorted And Ready To Enjoy on 2040-cars

Fully sorted 1961 Chevrolet Rampside Corvair pickup

Offered is a really great old truck.  A fully sorted 1961 Corvair Rampside Pickup.  It is ready to use and enjoy.  This is a Deluxe model and has additionally been upgraded with a 164ci 110hp engine from a later Corvair.

I am selling this Rampside for a friend who does not have much experience with Ebay.  He bought it years ago from another of my friends so I have been personally familiar with this truck and borrowed it off and on for around 15 years.  When it first showed up in MO, it was a super solid Texas truck.  Since that time it has had two careful owners who have taken care of, and improved it.

Truck is sold as is, of course, but I would drive it anywhere.  It has been well maintained, running and driving as well as any of the dozen or so nice Rampsides I have had opportunity to test over the years.

I am happy to answer any questions through the ebay system, to talk directly and answer specific questions on the phone, or to text additional pics you might request.  Send me your phone number via the ebay question system and I will call you back.   If you are a qualified buyer and have a good ebay history, I am happy to show the truck in person, and take you, or the friend you sent over to look, for a drive.  My name is Curtis and the Rampside is at my home in Ozark, MO.

Chassis/Rust:  I cannot find any evidence of previous rust or obvious serious collision repair.  Solid, dry, southern truck , with a couple of exceptions.   There is a spot, up underneath on the left side inner rocker panel in front of the left rear wheel that is perforated (maybe 1”x3” and pictured)  This is the only soft metal I can find underneath and the result of a water drain issue.  Everything else you see in the under chassis picks is just surface scale on steel.  There is also some bubbling and cracking worth mentioning in the lower part of the ramp door.  Given the stresses put on the door when loading and unloading the truck and the age of the paint I doubt it is to serious, but still might require some welding if ever repainted.  The bottom of the truck is super solid and just covered with that surface rust and scale that naturally occurs on any vehicle that is used (at least until a dealer gets to it with a wire brush and a can of Krylon LOL)

Paint:  15 or more years old it looks great and was called gorgeous by the many interested admirers at the gas station this morning.  However the truck has been used some (swap meet parts hauler and help a neighbor move kind of stuff) and as a result many touchups and scratches and cracks and the like can be seen on close inspection.  Chrome is the same.  Most good but only that replaced in recent years like the taillights and taillight lenses perfect.  There is staining in between where the factory pinch welds join two pieces of sheet metal at the rocker bottoms but again it is solid, this is factory metal, and  paint this age should not be hiding any surprises.

Interior:  Nice throughout.  Deluxe seat recovered perfectly.  Deluxe model door panels excellent. Carpet excellent.  Dash cover was added for glare but in nice white paint underneath.  Note that the Dash and glovebox are rare items transplanted from a factory Turbocharged Spyder Corvair.  This gives the Rampside a tachometer, head temp, etc.  Oil pressure gauge and other added to center dash are not stock.  In the pic behind the seat note the correct original jack, and then also the often missing engine panels that are supposed to be removed and replaced based on the season. Center console thing is just belted down and easily removable.

Electronics and accessory stuff:  All of the gauges are hooked up and working correctly even the boost gauge although this non turbo engine obviously doesn’t make boost J    Horn and most all electronics work and work correctly.  Lights turn signals etc.  The only thing I can find is that the windshield squirters don’t squirt.  No time to check and repair. Note upgraded headlights, lighter plug in bed by battery, am/fm/cd and speakers behind seat, and all those little details old retired guys do to their trucks.  Heat and defrost work great.  There are no exhaust leaks and the heater hoses and stuff look new.

Wheels, Brakes, Suspension:  Crager wheels have been added in recent years and are in excellent condition.  They wear near new full tread Michelin radials.  I have not taken the brakes apart to look but the truck stops quickly and in a straight line even without a hand on the steering wheel.  Brake lines look new and pedal is high.  Springs have been cut a quarter coil lowering the truck slightly but maintaining it’s full one ton carrying capacity.  All of the suspension is tight and the Rampside drives fantastic. An aftermarket front sway bar has been installed.

Transmission/Clutch:  Tranny is A 4 SPEED, not a 3 speed.  I am not sure if this is because it was a Deluxe or if it was transplanted from a car or ?  Synchros are excellent and you can shift up or down just as fast as you can move the lever.  Flywheel was rebuilt, balanced, and bolted at the time (originals are riveted and often a problem) Clutch and pressure plate replaced at same time.

Engine:  Original 85hp? 145ci engine has been replaced by a 110hp 164ci engine from a late model Corvair.  Much nicer drive with the bigger engine.  Engine starts quickly cold or hot.  Idles right and smoothly cold or hot. Does not smoke and did not leak any oil on the floor last night.  Exhaust is near new.  Engine is fitted with Otto aluminum valve covers and a deep Otto oil pan and pickup.  Nobody can seem to remember what was done to the engine or when, but it feels stock, not modified, sounds and runs like new.  Updated engine included the late model alternator in place of the original generator.   

What I would do if it was mine:   I would replace the wing vent rubber seals.  They seal but are very worn, and maybe rechrome the latch hardware for the ramp door as everybody always wants to see that.  Then just find some stuff to haul as an excuse to drive and enjoy. Also there is a nice vinyl snap on cover for the bed that can not be installed without removing the bet stake ties that stick up.  Would be nice to stitch clearance in the cover so it and the tie points could both be used.

Again.  Great old truck. Ready to use.  Write or call with any questions. 

PS.  I posted a video on youtube.  You can find it by searching youtube for "Rampside Curtis Wood".  Can't really hear then engine because it is relatively quiet and hanging way out back.  Rattling is the camera and wind noise because the windows were down.  Nice day for a drive though.