1961 Corvair Rampside
I had been looking for a Rampside for quite some time. Several offers had come in response to the ads I had placed. Most were typical projects and would have required a good bit of restoration. In their day, Rampsides were typically used very hard because they were built to work. Construction companies used them to move everything from shingles, bricks, concrete, tools, and even mini steamrollers! I knew the search for a respectable truck could be drawn out. I had recently sealed a deal on a true project in Massachusetts. It was a 1964 Rampside (last year of production, only 851 produced) with body work in progress, but it had a high performance 140 horsepower engine. That was the truck’s only true saving grace. The same day, I got a message on my answering machine from a gentleman in Albany, New York. He had seen my ad online and informed me that he had a "pretty nice" 1961 Rampside for sale. I decided to call and get the details. What he told me impressed me. Its paint was only 18 months old, it had rechromed bumpers, a new rubber ramp protector, good tires and mag wheels, and recently inspected and regreased wheel bearings. The interior was not original, but was respectable and it also came with a Kenwood stereo. Best of all, it had spent most of its life in San Diego, CA and was therefore mostly rust free. The price he had placed on the truck was considerably less than the projected cost to restore the ‘64, so I thought the 1961 would be a better deal, as well as being closer to home. After a little deliberation with Lynn, and with her blessing, we made the call telling the seller we were interested in buying the Rampside, and headed for New York to tow it home.
Soon after getting it home, I lubricated all of the window and door control mechanisms, rebuilt the glove box and glove box door, restitched the sun visors, touched up some small rust spots, had the heater rebuilt, and had the ramp latches rebuilt as well. It has done its duty hauling Christmas trees, firewood, mulch, lawnmowers, sofas, and many other things in addition to appearing in several local parades. I recently had the pleasure of helping someone move a snow blower. We simply lowered the side ramp and wheeled it into the bed. I looked at the person’s amazed expression and simply said, "you didn’t want to have to lift that, did you?" The side ramp really is ingenious and has made owning this vehicle all the more enjoyable.
Last year, the truck was stripped and body work completed for new paint. While the truck was still presentable, rust was starting to show in all the usual FC places and working at a technology center high school allowed me access to a commendable collision repair/paint shop. Students provided the labor and worked hard to cut out patches of rust, make appropriate repair panels, and fill where needed. One of the most interesting discoveries was a large peeling patch of Bondo on the top of the tailgate that covered a deep dent! The students pulled out the dent, skim coated the top, and prepped it, along with the rest of the truck, for paint. We chose a PPG# 4829 (a 1999 Ford blue color) for the main body, Pearl White PPG# 8237 for the stripe and dash cove area, and Gold PPG# 4016 for the interior. I love having the interior be a closer to original color and not red!
The truck now shows very well and serves duty towing the Scotty camper on occasion. I still use it to move all kinds of things, but I am little more protective of the paint now! Future plans include possible Rhino-lining of the bed area.
Soon after getting it home, I lubricated all of the window and door control mechanisms, rebuilt the glove box and glove box door, restitched the sun visors, touched up some small rust spots, had the heater rebuilt, and had the ramp latches rebuilt as well. It has done its duty hauling Christmas trees, firewood, mulch, lawnmowers, sofas, and many other things in addition to appearing in several local parades. I recently had the pleasure of helping someone move a snow blower. We simply lowered the side ramp and wheeled it into the bed. I looked at the person’s amazed expression and simply said, "you didn’t want to have to lift that, did you?" The side ramp really is ingenious and has made owning this vehicle all the more enjoyable.
Last year, the truck was stripped and body work completed for new paint. While the truck was still presentable, rust was starting to show in all the usual FC places and working at a technology center high school allowed me access to a commendable collision repair/paint shop. Students provided the labor and worked hard to cut out patches of rust, make appropriate repair panels, and fill where needed. One of the most interesting discoveries was a large peeling patch of Bondo on the top of the tailgate that covered a deep dent! The students pulled out the dent, skim coated the top, and prepped it, along with the rest of the truck, for paint. We chose a PPG# 4829 (a 1999 Ford blue color) for the main body, Pearl White PPG# 8237 for the stripe and dash cove area, and Gold PPG# 4016 for the interior. I love having the interior be a closer to original color and not red!
The truck now shows very well and serves duty towing the Scotty camper on occasion. I still use it to move all kinds of things, but I am little more protective of the paint now! Future plans include possible Rhino-lining of the bed area.