FOA 134

*Prototype FC folding rear seat: see CorvanAntics 1985 13:5 pg38 and pic here.
Concerning the following two items, also see the article by Dave Newell in CorvanAntics 2006 vol34(2) pg 4, the "Stock Is..." article by Larry Claypool in Corsa Communique, April 1989, pg21, and his letter to CorvanAntics 1996, vol24(2) pg 2.
Round Mirrors (210/D32): RPO 210 was initially scheduled for Fall, 1960, but internal GM documents show a manufacturing problem necessitated postponement. When it was finally made available, in February, ’61, the mirror came with an 8” bracket and CIP:61 identifies RPO 210 with an 8" long fixed arm. The mirror head (#3765480) is recognizable by the off-center mounting bracket secured with three standard drive screws. The parts catalogs confusingly state the 8” arms (3773367-8, superceded by 3778719-20) are for the “short mirror”, but this is because an even longer arm bracket was available for other (C10-C30) trucks. Thus, it would seem a factory stock early 1961 FC would not have a mirror, but a later build could have a round mirror with an 8” arm. The production delay apparently was in the manufacture of the 3¾” arm intended for the FC, and its delivery date was delayed into the 1962 production year. Later versions of the ’61 assembly manual show the 3¾“ arm (3795373-4), but a mirror with 8” arm was still being listed in early versions of the ’62 Truck Data Book. The short-arm version of the mirror eventually made it to the assembly lines around January 1962.
West-Coast Jr Mirrors (D29): Compared to the dealer-installed full-size West Coast style mirror (see Dealer-Installed Option Table below), this was a smaller, less accident-prone version. It was less ruggedly constructed, with no diagonal brace. It was available as either a factory-installed RPO D29 or a dealer-installed accessory (see table below). D29 came with a Cameo White bracket and mirror (TEF:63), although, like the bumpers and hub caps, they probably were painted Pure White for FCs with Pure White Exteriors. Kent Sullivan reported finding original 'junior' size mirrors that are black (PIC), although these are likely to be the dealer-installed version.
1963 Cost saving changes: Beginning in 1963 three items were removed as standard equipment from 05 vehicles as cost-saving measures. The rear door windows was eliminated and became RPO A12 option; as a result, the inside rear view mirror became superfluous (and was also removed). In leue of the IRVM, the round ORVM became standard for 05 models; unless the RPO A12 rear window was ordered in which case the ORVM remainned an option (TEF:63). The engine rear grille was eliminated (for 05 & 54 )and was included with Z60 RPO Deluxe equipment for 1964-5 (C95EF:64). (AM:63-65 identifies the rear grille as Z60 equipment for 06 vehicles, but this seems to be erroneous). The glovebox (dispatch) door was eliminated from both 05 and 54 models (TEF:63; the glovebox was similar to the original but with the provisions for the door stop and hinges removed). The door became RPO B78, but 4 days later was reinstated as standard equipment over dealers' complaints.
Windshield washer & wiper: Only in 1961 were the washer (5055204, FOA 130) and 2-speed wiper (4909108, PIC, AM:61, RPO 355) distinct options and the larger, horizontally-mounted wiper motor was used. From 1962 onward, the 2-speed wiper RPOs included the wiper motor (PIC) and washer (AM:62-65). The wiper motor and washer units were the same as for the car, although the electrical and plumbing connections were different. The single speed wiper units were standard items, onto which could be added the dealer-installed washer options listed below.
Special Crankcase Ventilation: this option is present in the Options and Accessories when Installed by Chevrolet document dated 10/1/60, missing in the 9/29/61 version, included again in the 1/2/62 and 3/1/62 editions, and gone for good in 9/4/62 release. Was its absence in the 9/29/61 version intentional or an accident?
102HP option: This engine was available for a brief period in 1963 as described in a Corsa Communique article (2017: 39-9) by Dave Newell. It was offered as a special order COPO (Central Office Production Order).
Rear Axle: In 1961 a 3:27 ratio axle was initially scheduled for the 4-speed transmission, but was replaced with the 3:89 (TEF:62), and from that point the 3:89 gear ratio was the only axle available for FCs through 63. This was replaced with a 3:55 ratio axle in 1964 TEF:64. The positraction option available each year (62-65).
Two options that never made it into production - see CA 20:1-4 (1992):
FAO 136 - air conditioning.
RPO 650 - "Panoramic Cab Back Window", a larger rear window for the pickup; click here for image of prototype.
COPO 2003j: The Central Office Production Order (COPO) 2003j was used to order a Corvan, normally a panel van, with 6 rear windows (roll-down on doors) similar to a Greenbrier. This special order option was sometimes used for conversion vehicles.