Chevy moves sideways with its 1961 Corvair

By the close of the 1950s, American automakers were uneasy. Increasingly, stiffer competition was arriving from overseas counterparts who were gaining ground in the stateside market by offering smaller, cheaper and more economical models.

Chevrolet responded to these lightweight imports in 1960 by introducing one of its first compact cars — the Corvair. Gone was the heavy chrome, excess bodylines and huge rear fins in favor of a sleeker, tauter design powered by a radical rear-mounted engine.

In an attempt to challenge the foreign gas-pinchers, Chevy's coupe and sedan product line grew to include a station wagon, convertible, commercial van, passenger van and a pair of quirky pickup trucks, offering features never seen before in domestic haulers.

Initially, Herb Nelson was skeptical of this oddball 1961 Rampside after a Corvair buddy alerted him to the vintage rig resting quietly in a Wisconsin garage. After mulling over the purchase for a year, and discovering the vehicle still for sale, the Des Plaines resident came to the conclusion this was a classic worth having — even if only because it was very different.

“I wasn't too keen on buying it at first but soon realized this was quite an interesting vehicle.”

The truck was also extremely clean, having spent most of its days lounging in the dry Arizona heat before its journey north. But despite its rust-free past, Herb began to notice after motoring around for a while that the many years the Rampside sat unused did a number on the air-cooled powerplant.

If anyone would know how to wind back the hands of time, it would be Corvair expert Larry Claypoole of South suburban Frankfurt, with his specialized The Vair Shop. In no time the cylinder clocksmith had the rear-mounted 145-cubic-inch engine ticking right, with the factory Powerglide two-speed transmission and the 110 horses at Herb's disposal.

What makes this freight mover so unique is its unusual loading feature. Whereas most trucks rely on a massive rear gate, Herb's 105-inch load floor is accessed by a passenger-side ramp that drops down, forming a platform to easily roll up large heavy items. Telephone companies tended to favor these as service vehicles since large spools of wire and cable could be quickly stowed.

At the rear you'll find a traditional tailgate giving access to the engine, hidden under a removable panel. To ward off scratches, Herb had the bed sprayed in tough Rhino Coating lining, although the only cargo he hauls is a very special two-wheeled antique.

“While at a St. Charles show, I discovered a '66 Huffy Corvair-edition bicycle for sale. Coated in rust and needing attention, it was in quite a state of disrepair but I knew it would be a great addition. After several long days of tender loving care and a good amount of elbow grease, I was able to put some life back into it. I have to say I am quite happy with the way it turned out.”

Herb's not the only one to think that about the chrome-fendered bike — or the peculiar truck, as he's picked up awards from events such as the St. Charles Goody's show or the Chevy Vettefest.

The eccentric Rampside also gets plenty of thumbs-ups as Herb regularly participates with Chicagoland Corvair Enthusiasts car club events and drives. While it's easily admired by judges and spectators alike, even after six decades it still manages to baffle some with its unusual design.

“People come up to me all the time when I take it out and say ‘I've never seen anything quite like this!' Many think I customized the truck and don't believe it came out of the Chevy factory looking like this.”

When it rolled out of those plants (St. Louis in Herb's case), it wasn't just the distinctive usability that set it apart from the field of others in the cargo-carrying crowd.

“The driving experience is, well, pretty strange and takes some getting used to. You sit up high over the front wheels with a good view of everything around you. It easily keeps up with traffic cruising at 70, but since you're right on top of the axle, the ride can be a little bouncy though,” Herb laughs.

It's no secret that when Corvair cars and trucks landed in dealer showrooms, they created a very distinct love or hate public attitude — with many drivers skeptical of the never-seen-before look. Fast forward to today, with the distance of time and the growing love for America's automotive history, more enthusiasts appreciate unusual and unique machines of the past.

And given this peculiar truck is more than five decades old, and with Herb's eagerness to cruise during warm weekends, you can be sure his Corvair Rampside will continue to astound, intrigue and baffle for years to come.