Hot pursuit
In November 2007,
Ralph
Woessner of Calgary, AB bought this fine Rampside from
Jim Brown
of Santa Rosa, CA. Ralph is excited to own a Corvair. As he said to me in
email, "Love the truck. It is the sweetest ride I have and I have some nice
ones!"
Jim had the following to say as he put the truck up for sale:
"It is a great little truck but I need the space for other projects.
I would really like a 'vair person to get it and maintain it as it is.
The asking price is well below replacement cost. The engine,
transmission, and rear end have all been rebuilt by Larry's Corvairs in
Los Angeles. Tires and paint (exterior and interior) are all less than
18 months old. This vehicle has been gone through from end to end, top
to bottom. The bed is Line-Xd, and will probably out live the truck. The
engine a 140 HP car engine with 4 1bbl carbs. Trans is a 4 speed. The
truck is fast off the line and cruises at highway speeds with no
problem. The front is lowered 2 inches. Wheels are 15"x6" Torque Thrust
II's with Falken 225/60HR15 tires."
Frank Dotson of Modesto, CA told me
about this truck in 1999 and I searched for it until late 2002 before finally
locating it. Frank had to part with the truck several years ago and
lost track of it. In 2001, I thought I had tracked it to
Erwin and Susan Balog of Rohnert Park, CA
but they had just sold it when I contacted them. They subsequently moved and I
lost touch with them before they were able to tell me who the new owner was.
Frank came to the rescue in 2002 by finding the Balogs. He spoke with Susan and
put me in touch with Jim. Whew!
When Jim bought the truck, it had a 140 HP car engine. Jim thought about
dropping in a mid-engine
V-8 similar to what Ken Arnold in Georgia
did
but he later decide against it. Jim reported in October 2004:
"I've decided to keep the 140 hp engine, now
with a 4bbl carb setup. I've rebuilt the engine cover area to house the new
intake setup, have finished the interior, and am moving on to body work and
choosing new colors as well as tire/wheel combination. The truck is destined
to be my local daily driver. I get as many looks in this truck as any of my
other classics."
Jim sent a report in May, 2005:
"As previously discussed, I stayed with a 140 HP
Corvair engine (rebuilt by Larry's
Corvair Parts in Los Angeles). I switched from the 4 bbl
center-mount carb to more-stock 4 1 bbl. carbs but with individual air
cleaners. Larry's also rebuilt the transmission, which is a 4-speed, and the
differential.
I originally was going to flame the
insert area of the truck, but have decided I like the clean look of the
pearl white. I can always add flames or graphics later.
The front was lowered 2" and features
15"x6" Torque Thrust II's with Falken 225/60HR15 tires. The bed was Line-Xed locally. The interior was left
pretty much stock except for the Spyder instruments and glove box cover.
The truck is a blast to drive and garners a lot of
attention. Thanks to everyone for their help and encouragement in getting
this project done!"
Jim, the truck looks fantastic. Congratulations!
Information from the data plate
