Vehicle Description
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 White on Green paint. Like its
passenger-car counterparts, this 1961 Rampside, which underwent a
FULL GROUND-UP RESTORATION, features a recently rebuilt MATCHING
NUMBERS rear mounted 145 ci air-cooled flat 6 engine, mated to the
rebuilt 4-speed manual transmission. Originally an Arizona,
rust-free, wonderfully driving and dependable truck. Odometer shows
34,123, with little to known on the rebuild. Highlights to this
cute and fun truck are: - Series 95 Corvair Rampside Pickup -
Unique side loading capability a comprehensive restoration using,
among many things, stainless hardware where moister was a concern,
new & NOS parts, new weather-stripping, NOS windshield, and
contemporary dyed-to-match spray-in bed liner. - Rear mounted
engine - 4-speed on the floor - Chrome bumpers - Wheel covers -
Whitewall Radial tires w/spare and tools - Finished in Green and
White Green and light Gray plaid cloth bench seat Matching green
painted dash with silver accents Aftermarket sunroof - 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 Greenbrier had a 95 in (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. The base version was the panel van
(Corvan) with no side or rear windows. The van was named
Greenbrier. The Greenbrier normally had windows all around and six
doors, although an option was to have eight doors where there were
opening double doors on both sides. The Greenbrier seated up to
nine people with the available third-row seat. The 95s and cars had
an optional heater running off of gasoline from the vehicle's tank.
The Greenbrier also had a camper option. 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 a fold down tailgate). These were used by the Bell
Telephone Company, because loading and unloading of cable drums was
eased by the side ramp. General Motors stopped producing the truck
versions of the Corvair in 1964 and the Greenbrier was the only
remaining 95 in (2,400 mm) wheelbase Corvair for 1965. Eventually,
Chevrolet and Volkswagen would abandon rear-engined vans in favor
of conventional or front-wheel-drive water-cooled engines.
