[FC] Revised Rampside- Retro Corvair

[J R Read_HML]

Which came first, the Loadside or the Rampside?  Loadside was quite 
impractical - had to lift your load over the HIGH back (engine) in order to 
get it to the bed.  Rampside was better because you could load to a LOW 
floor (lower than a full size pickup) and the load capacity was nearly a 
ton.  Neither were all that popular (except in niche markets - like utility 
companies).  The Rampside was only built in any quantity for 3 years - about 
17,000 units - with production going down every year.  That does not say 
popular to me.  I completed high school in 1960 - so you know I was the age 
to be "car" aware.  I though (and I believe many others did as well) that 
Rampside was a strange looking vehicle.  Well, it still is, but now it's 
"cute".

I suppose a modern version could be built today - based on a minivan.  But 
why?  You're talking front engine and drive.  You could build the bed 
(fairly) low all the way around (with restrictions for rear wheels).  You 
don't have the engine in the way for getting the load to the bed - so you 
don't really need the ramp.  If you really want a ramp on it, a slide out 
ramp at the rear could suffice JF.

That all said, I love my Rampside.  Yes it gets many comments (positive). 
More so than the convertible (a very nice car).  My wife asked the other day 
(hope she was not serious), if you could only keep one Corvair, which would 
it be.  Between the convert and the Rampside, I was not able to answer. 
Ended up saying that I like them both - for different reasons.

Attachments are scanned with anti-virus software.

Later, JR
'61 Rampside Standard 4/110
'65 Monza Convertible 4/140
'66 beater Coupe - icemobile 4/140

----- Original Message ----- 
From: <GFrenzie@aol.com>
To: <corvanatics@corvair.org>
Sent: Tuesday, October 12, 2004 10:14 AM
Subject: [FC] Revised Rampside- Retro Corvair


>I have been thinking for a long time, about Chevrolet making an up to date
> Rampside, with front wheel drive. By extending the wheelbase a few inches,
> redesigning the cab, it would work. The Rampside was a very useful vehicle 
> in
> its' day and could be very useful around town today, making deliveries, 
> etc.
> Just my .02 worth.
> George
> ACORN's...
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