62 Loadside

[erisaman]

All:

I am looking at my first corvair and there is a 62 Loadside powerglide for sale in the DC area. The owner wants $3,000. There is significant rust through on both sides of the body in the rocker panel area (including the rocker panels) from behind the cab to almost the rear wheels. The engine is not original (is a stock corvair sedan engine) and the interior is functional but not original. Needs a fuel pump (I think) to run. Otherwise the body looks straight, bondo here and there. Any thoughts on market value? Thanks

[bbodie52]

For any kind of serious comment on the Loadside, some detailed pictures would be essential. If you can post some pictures of the body, interior, engine, rust and corrosion damage, etc. I'm sure you will receive some useful comments.

Your personal assessment of your mechanical and body repair skills and abilities would also help us to assess what you are getting into and the costs involved if you need to pay others for some of the repair and restoration work. Also, what are your goals and objectives for the truck? Complete restoration, work truck and daily driver, or ????

[erisaman]

These are the pix I have so far--will try to get more. The picture of the rust is hard to make out, but it runs along both sides of the truck, and goes clear through in some places, including 40 to 50% of the rocker panel in some spots. As to skills, engine/electrical I can do; not much of a body man. Would like to put in driver condition--not interested (ie can't afford) full restoration right now. Just don't want to see it rust away. Thanks

[bbodie52]

The 1962 Loadside is a very rare beast, as you can see by the productions statistics. As shown below, they were only produced for two years, and by 1962 production had dwindled to almost nothing, with only 369 produced. Is the rarity of this Corvair truck important to you?

Corvair Truck Production Statistics

The value of the 1962 Loadside is what you are willing to pay for it up front, and how much risk you want to take in a non-running 1962 minus the original engine and some serious body rot showing and more probably hidden from view and perhaps undetectable until you have an experienced body repair man evaluate it. The condition of the brakes and suspension is also an unknown. You can probably fix all of the future-discovered mechanical issues with the engine, suspension, brakes, and electrical as a DIY project if you have the time, tools, and a place to work to do a complete stem to stern safety and operational checkup and repair. Interior cosmetic issues can also be a DIY effort. Clark's Corvair Parts can support your new parts needs, and the Corvair Ranch http://www.corvairranch.com/ is only about 85 miles away in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. They have a decent reputation and a large inventory of used parts, and advertise both new and used Corvair parts, full-service mechanical, remanufactured engines, and body and interior restorations. So used parts may be readily available for the DIY portion, and whatever you cannot do yourself can possibly be contracted out to the Corvair Ranch to get the Corvair-experienced help you may need. How far you would take it depends on your time availability and your budget. If you buy it and get it running and registered, you might consider taking it up to Gettysburg for an evaluation by the people at Corvair Ranch before you invest a great deal of time and money.

I cannot tell much from the pictures you posted. The engine looks like a 164 CI 1964 vintage engine (possibly 110 hp), based on the presence of a magnesium blower (1964 and later), a generator (alternators were introduced in 1965) and PCV system (introduced in 1963). The engine serial number suffix code might tell a little, but the two-letter suffix code used in 1964 was often found on 1961-1963 engines too (see the attached Corvair code guide). Cylinder head casting numbers can also provide further identification and confirmation of the engine type.

Engine Serial Number Location

Cylinder Head Casting Number Location

Searching eBay for "Corvair Rampside" and setting the search to show only "Sold Listings" produced ten results. The lowest selling price was a 1962 Rampside for $522 (good straight truck, motor turns over, will make a good parts truck or project. 1962 rampside 4 speed, some rust as seen in photos, good glass no chips or scratches, no title but can provide bill of sale when picked -up. Very straight for being 50 years old, no dents in bed and no rust in bed, only at drivers door hinge and box side by ramp. This would be a cheap truck to restore or use for parts). One nice example sold for $14,308, and the highest sold for $22,475! Five Rampsides sold for between $1500 and $2,750. Here is a description of the vehicle that sold for $2,750...

“The left driver side door of the vehicle got hit and the left side of the quarter panel is also hit. ”Now up for grabs is this rare 1962 Chevy Corvair 95 Rampside pickup. Only a few was made so place your bids. This one of a kind beauty runs and drives and it will be awarded to the highest bidder so bid with confidence”No Resereve” where as is. To give more detail on this rare up for grabs antique 1962 Chevy Corvair 95 the vehicle starts up the engine sound great. The exterior of the Chevy Corvair need some repair to the left driver side door of the vehicle got hit and the left side of the quarter panel is also hit. This antique has a V6 fuel injection engine. The interior is in good condition the color of the interior is beige. Good on this rare antique American made and also a Collectible Commercial Vehicle. Chevrolet's 1962 Corvair Rampside pickup was particularly well suited to hauling small, wheeled implements that could be rolled up into the bed. In addition to the novel side loading ramp, the 1962 Corvair Rampside pickups had a conventional tailgate above the rear-mounted engine. The most desirable Corvair truck is the Rampside pickup with its fold-down sides and streamlined, squared-off cabin. This is a classic antique thank you for looking and happy bidding!!!!!

Click on this link to see the ten Rampsides that sold on eBay recently. You can click on each listing to see pictures, pricing and a description of each vehicle that sold...
ebay http://www.ebay.com/sch/Cars-Trucks-/60 ... e&_vxp=mtr

Only a single Loadside sold recently on eBay. It was a clean example of a 1962 Loadside that sold in Texas for $7,555. Click on the link below to view it...
ebay http://www.ebay.com/itm/1962-CORVAIR-LO ... 7675.l2557

Since the Loadside you are considering has an automatic transmission, you may want to pull the transmission dipstick and smell the transmission fluid. If the fluid is brown and not its original red color, and if it has a burned smell, this is the smell of slipping bands and clutches inside the transmission, which likely signals a possible need for a transmission rebuild or replacement. Powerglide transmissions are fairly "bulletproof" if the fluid level is properly maintained, but burned, discolored fluid indicates internal problems.

Hopefully this info will help you to set a value on the Loadside (almost identical to the Rampside) you are considering for purchase, and may help you to negotiate a fair price.

[bbodie52]

One other suggestion... You may want to consider contacting and joining a local CORSA (Corvair Society of America) club chapter. Meeting and talking to many other local Corvair owners and enthusiasts can provide you with good advice and information regarding the Loadside you are considering. Club membership can make Corvair ownership much-more enjoyable. They also may be able to provide solid advice and recommendations regarding local mechanics, body shops, and other good support for Corvair owners.

There are three CORSA club chapters in Maryland...

1. Bowie, MD (18 miles from Washington DC) Group Corvair

Chapter 207
12710 Lode Street
Bowie, MD 20720

Email: simpsonj@verizon.net

2. Towson, MD (50 miles from Washington DC) CORSA of Baltimore

Chapter 212
619 Round Oak Road
Towson, MD 21204-3867

http://corsa212.homestead.com/
EMail: corvairdad@gmail.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/baltimore.corvairs/

3. Rohrersville, MD (70 miles from Washington DC) Mid-Maryland Corvair Club

Chapter 217
20620 Guard Court
Rohrersville, MD 21779

Contact: Ronald L. Moss, Contact Phone: (301) 371-7654, 213 Broad St, Middletown, MD 21769-7904

Joining CORSA (Corvair Society of America) -- if you are not already a member -- and a local Corvair club chapter is another good way to see and to learn more about Corvairs. You might check out the CORSA chapter in your area. Contacting a local club and making Corvair-knowledgeable friends can often be a big help.

CORSA (Corvair Society of America) Chapter Locator
Locating a local CORSA chapter near you can be very helpful, and attending meetings, parties, Corvair shows, etc. can greatly add to the enjoyment of your Corvair

NOTE: Information on the CORSA Chapter Locator is generally badly out of date. Names, phone numbers, email addresses, etc. are often inaccurate. Your best bet is to find the nearest club chapter on the list, and then use the chapter website link to move on to the club website. Contact information on the actual club website is often much-more accurate and up to date!
https://www.corvair.org/index.php?optio ... crmSID=3_u

[erisaman]

Thanks for the great advice--I will check out one of the Clubs. I will let you know what happens with the loadside.