1961 Corvair Rampside Pickup

What's one of the best kept vintage car secrets? The Corvair! Today's automakers have shown no indication of bringing back the rear engine. That means older cars are the only way to drive one, and that alone makes them valuable.

General Motors made the Corvair in a variety of different body styles - sedan, coupe, convertible, van and pickup - and COTC loves them all.

The "Rampside" was based on the Corvair van, and shared the futuristic cab-over front and engine under a slightly elevated rear floor. But while the van was made from '61-'65, the pickup was only made until '62, with production totaling just 3,213 units, making this a very rare vehicle.

The a gate on the side opened vertically for easy access. It was used by Bell Telephone because of that design. Most pickup trucks today are to huge and high off the ground to have anything like this.

This example looks pretty good. Cosmetically, the seller says the body was done by a tech school and isn't great, but it looks complete and fine enough from a distance. The color scheme is charming and period correct, to say the least. The shade of turquoise used for the seating doesn't match the exterior but it still looks clean and tidy.

Mechanically, the seller says the engine and transmission have been upgraded but there is gear grinding. They do have the original engine and transmission however. They also say it will need new tires and shocks and the windshield has a chip. Replacing the windshield might be expensive but not impossible as it should be the same piece that was in the more common van.

This isn't a perfect example but it's definitely not a big project car and beyond some minor work it should be nice for either occasional use or everyday driving.

Available here on craigslist for $7,995.

1964 Chevrolet C10 Short Bed Pickup

Nothing says American transportation like pickup trucks. That is, pickup trucks before the Japanese invasion of the late 70s and 80s. Before that, buying any other pickup than a Chevy or Ford was unthinkable, in fact, impossible, as there really wasn't anything else like them.

Although we all know how the "tiny two-seat convertible" is the most likely variant of automobile to appreciate in value, their polar opposite, the tough unwieldy, unglamorous American pickup truck, is having its moment too. Firstly, they are hard to find. These were solidly built and dependable but were worked to death in the early post-industrial years of the 50s, 60s and 70s. Second, they are unique and fill a niche. They ignite the imagination as easily as apple pie or the marlboro man.

This particular find is a '64 C10 with the desirable short bed. COTC likes the short bed for the nice proportions it gives the truck and better handling, too.

The 1960 model year heralded a whole new pickup for Chevrolet. These trucks had a lower cabin for easier access and independent front suspension for an almost car-like ride. They were offered with either 6- or 8-cylinders, and either 2- or 4-wheel drive. The C denoted 2wd and the K 4wd. 1964 models eliminated the wrap-aroud windshield and featured a new grille. The range was changed again in 1967 and wasn't as good looking.

The seller says the 230 6-cylinder engine is under the hood mated to a 3-speed column shifter.

The 6-speed and 2wd combo is fine for most macho tasks.

The seller says they purchased the vehicle as a project but are going to work on another vehicle instead. It's always a little irritating when sellers say that. What was it about this car that bugged them? Still, the honesty is appreciated.

Mechanically, they say it runs and drives but will need work on a bunch of stuff that degrades with age like the carburator and brakes.

Fortunately, they say it's about 95% rust free, nothing short of a miracle on an old picked located in New England. They say the paint job is not original and is poor, but the red and white combo isn't terrible from afar.

I can't stand when old pickups are redone into showroom queens. Something always gets lots in translation. COTC thinks this should be mechanically sorted, then driven as is to the lake, antique furniture sprees and Christmas tree hauling. Unless the paint is really that bad, but paint jobs are extensive and the seller wants enough dough as it is.

Available here on craigslist for $6,500.

Short Box Driver: 1958 Chevrolet Apache Pickup Truck

I think the Apache is my favorite of all classic American pickup trucks.

It has the look down to perfection: quad round headlamps, white front fascia and bumpers, flare-side bed. There is a feeling this gives that no other type of vehicle else can come close to replicating.

The seller states the body needs work, obviously. The paint is fair to poor, but I like the patina. The dull blue is low-key and nicely vintage feeling, and the wear is in all the right spots, enhancing the ruggedness. What I don't like is the rust, and fortunately the seller is honest and up front about it. He states there is rust on the cab corners, floors, fenders and eyebrows.

Just from looking at the pictures I can see a large hole at one corner:

Usually rust is a deal-breaker, but I'm not sure it matters too much on this, depending on what you do with it. The seller also states the 235 inline 6-cylinder is in running order, as are all major lights and gauges except the temperature. They say the glass is good except for one crack, and that a few new things like brake lines and shocks have been added. The seller says it could be driven home. So this could easily be used as an everyday work driver, which I like, and which you can't say about many of these.

The interior looks better, and possibly original, especially the dash, which is clean and simple. The seller says they added new seat covers and they don't look half bad.

These things are usually either field fixtures or pricey showcase pieces, so it's rare and somewhat comforting to find a beat-up runner that could continue to be a useful hauler for someone. I love old, un-restored runners because they can be enjoyed right away, then restored later, or just driven into the ground for maximum usage. Either scenario would be acceptable and in the proper spirit of this.

Find it here on ebay in Minnesota with no bids, $200.00 starting price, and a $4,100 buy it now.