1963 Chevrolet Corvair Deluxe Rampside Pickup

1963 Chevrolet Corvair Deluxe Rampside Pickup Seldom-seen Deluxe Model and very low production One of only 2,602 examples made in 1963, the next-to-last model year Unibody, forward control pickup truck with passenger-side ramp to load/unload cargo (code R-1254) 145 CID air-cooled, flat six-cylinder mounted behind the rear axle Four-speed manual transmission and 3.89 gearing White exterior with red trim and deluxe interior Wire wheel covers 95-inch wheelbase and 4,600 GVWR Dressed in White with contrasting red trim spears, the trucks paint and trim are in overall excellent order. This example was made in General Motors Flint, Michigan factory (VIN code F) and is one of only 2.602 Ramp Side Pickups produced in 1963. The Corvair body is straight, the engine bay is extremely tidy, the cargo bed with a floor liner looks great and the chrome bumpers fit tightly to the body. This truck rolls on Milestar Touring white stripe radials, size 205/75R14 all around. Each wheel is mounted on a steel wheel topped with a wire wheel cover. The wheel covers are in good, original order and the tires are in very good order. There is a full-sized spare tire and wheel behind the fold-forward bench seat. The compartment for the powertrain necessitated an elevated floor bed in the rear of the vehicle, an inconvenience for those wanting a full-sized flatbed pickup, but marketable also as loading areas at two levels. In one of the most innovative design elements of the Corvair 95 line, the Rampside pickup was given a side fold-down access panel. Out back is a 145 CID air-cooled, flat six-cylinder engine that is mated to a Powerglide two-speed automatic transmission and a 3.89:1 rear end. With its engine located in the rear, the Corvair 95 cab was well isolated from engine heat and noise with enough room for a full width bench seat. Inside, the Deluxe bench seat is finished in red, white and black. There are mats on the floor versus carpet while the neutral headliner looks great. Deluxe models included upholstered door panels, and such luxuries as a passenger-side visor! A white, two-spoke steering wheel greets the driver, which also fits nicely with the white dash and door innards, which are all in good, original order. As in some current minivans, the gearshift lever is mounted on the dashboard. A factory AM radio completes the interior but the horn is inoperable. Corvair 95s, named for their 95-inch wheel-base, were referred to by GM as Light Duty-Forward Control (L.D.F.C.) vehicles and marketed from 1961 to 1965. The line consisted initially of four models - two vans and two pickups. Forward control referred to positioning of the steering mechanism forward of the front axle and engendered the Corvair FC moniker for the line. The short, 95-inch wheelbase yielded vans resembling (in size) more recent minivans. With a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,600 pounds, the pickup trucks were intended for lighter though possibly bulky loads and not to compete directly with conventional half-ton pickups. Local fleet delivery service was in mind, but as history has shown, the market for the LDFC was smaller than expected -- the day of the compact pickup had not yet arrived. Nevertheless, forward control engineering plus short wheelbase afforded great maneuverability, a turning radius of only 19.5 feet and a clear view of the road ahead. Competition to this Corvair Pickup in 1961 included Fords Econoline, Jeeps FC-150 and Volkswagens Type 2 Pickup. This would make a great vehicle for advertising a small business or for a Corvair collector. Come to MotoeXotica Classic Cars today and see it for yourself! VIN: 3R124F101434 This truck is currently located at our facility in St. Louis, Missouri. Current mileage on the odometer shows 908 miles. It is sold as is, where is, on a clean and clear, mileage exempt title. GET OUT AND DRIVE!!!? Note: Please see full terms and conditions listed below that pertain to the purchase of any said vehicle, thank you.