I’ve always liked it when manufacturers produce daring vehicles, and the 1962 Chevrolet Corvair 95 Rampside is one of those vehicles. While it was similar to the Volkswagen Transporter Pickup concept, the Rampside was a more modern design. That it floundered in the sales race and was withdrawn from sale after four years in the market was a shame, but thanks to this fact, they were built in low numbers. That makes them a quirky classic that has developed a strong following in the market. The owner of this Rampside has recently revived it after 15-years and has decided that it needs to go to a new home. Located in Hutchinson, Kansas, you will find the Chevy listed for sale here on eBay. Bidding has reached $4,578 off the back of some spirited action. This is a No Reserve auction, but the seller indicates a BIN option of $10,500 for anyone who wants to bypass the auction process.

The owner of the Ermine White Rampside is pretty brutal in his description of the vehicle. He refers to it as having a ton of rust, and there is a limited amount visible in various exterior locations. My concern revolves around how extensive the rust is. The lack of significant visible rust is a worry when combined with the owner’s assessment. That makes me wonder whether there are problems with the Rampside’s underside and if its structural integrity has been compromised. He also notes that the aged appearance that it has with the signwriting and stripe is not genuine, but a look that he created himself. All of the signage is hand-painted, and the owner has applied a coat of matte clear across the whole truck. He also added the period-correct wheels and tires to provide the perfect finishing touch. This is one of those vehicles that leaves me torn. Usually, I’m not too fond of the concept of faux patina, but the owner of the Rampside has done such an excellent job that it would almost be a shame to perform any significant restoration work on the truck. If the rust can be addressed while retaining the appearance, I think that the buyer could be onto a winner. The external chrome is respectable for a survivor-grade vehicle, and there are no problems with the glass. When you look at the Rampside’s overall appearance, there’s no doubt that it would make a cool and eye-catching shop truck for the right business.

When Chevrolet developed the Corvair concept, it was bold and daring in a market that favored flashy presentation and acres of chrome. The entire range had an almost austere appearance, but it was also groundbreaking. Chevrolet drew a lot of its inspiration for the Corvair range from Volkswagen and nowhere is this better demonstrated than when you compare the Rampside with the VW Transporter Pickup. Both are forward-control vehicles, and both feature air-cooled engines hanging out the back. Even the interiors are comparable, as they were designed to be comfortable and hard-wearing, but with few luxury touches. This truck features an AM radio as its sole nod to luxury, but the interior does continue the theme that the owner developed with the exterior signage and stripes. If the buyer intends to retain this appearance, the interior will need nothing. The upholstery is free from rips and tears, while the rubber mat is in excellent condition. The painted surfaces and the wheel show their share of wear, and both would require attention if the buyer wants to return the Rampside to as-new condition. However, nothing demands immediate attention, and the vehicle could be driven and enjoyed immediately.

The owner provides no engine photos, but the rear-engined Rampside should be powered by a 145ci air-cooled falt-six engine that would have been producing 80hp. These ponies find their way to the rear wheels via a 3-speed manual transaxle, while neither the steering nor brakes feature power assistance. When the owner purchased the Rampside, it had been sitting in storage for 15-years. He flushed the fuel system and coaxed it back to life. After performing any required maintenance work and fitting the new wheels and tires, he has deemed the vehicle roadworthy. He says that it runs and drives well, cruising happily on the open road between 50 and 60mph. The only fault that he identities is the clutch, which doesn’t engage smoothly. He says that it works okay once you get the hang of it, but it sounds like it might be due for replacement soon.

There was no single reason why the Corvair 95 Rampside failed to fire in the market, but it did fail. Some blame intense competition from Ford and Volkswagen, while others blame the loss of cargo space due to the rear-engine design. Chevrolet also undermined its own product with the C-10, and there is no doubt that this more conventional pickup poached sales away from the Rampside. Chevrolet only managed to sell 4,102 examples of the Rampside during the 1962 model year. This represented a sales plunge of more than 60% over the previous twelve months, and it sealed the fate of the Rampside. It isn’t clear how many 1962 Rampsides remain on our roads today, but I have seen various sources that quote numbers in the three-figure territory. The owner of this one states that buyers will struggle to find a roadworthy example for his BIN price, and this is no idle claim. Figures of $15,000 are common, while pristine examples can command prices of twice that number. If you bought this Rampside, would you retore it, or would you retain the look that the owner has created with this great classic?