The early model Rampside

All these years later and Jim McDonald's '62 Rampside is still on the job! Ramp-cam 1 cruised the parking lot recording the event for future viewing.

"That's my son," a fellow enthusiast told me. "We came in from Chicago and it ran 70 mph all the way with no sweat!"

Before the day was done, I managed to get another picture of Jim's Rampside, this time at rest and lookin' good!

It's interesting to note that 127,221 Corvair trucks were built by Chevrolet, accounting for 7% of total Corvair production.

Corvair trucks were produced in five model years, starting in 1961. Production in 1965, the year the second generation car appeared, was limited to the Greenbrier model.

The best selling model year was 1961, with the Greenbrier, Corvan, Rampside and Loadside selling 47,757 units.

Source: The Corvair Decade by Tony Fiore

Here's another very well preserved Corvair, Allen Ullery's '64 Rampside, with the ramp lowered.

The raised area of the cargo bed is, of course, where the engine resides.

Just another example of the Corvair being ahead of its time - it was wheelchair friendly - even in the early Sixties. Of course, the wheelchair rider would have to enjoy the open air.