First, a little history . . .
Nash Kelvinator and Hudson Motors merged in 1954, becoming American Motors Corporation. For 1958, in a move of either sheer luck or enlightened genius, AMC resurrected the 1950 Nash Rambler, rebadged it as the Rambler American, and put it in their showrooms. To the amazement of all, the “bathtub” Americans sold quite well. For 1961, they put a new body on the ancient chassis and tried again. As before, the new “breadbox” Americans sold quite well. For 1964, the American was truly all new. The new American was based on a modified Rambler Classic chassis that was all new in 1963. The new Rambler American was shorter and narrower than the Classic and had a sporty new look designed by Richard Teague. The only misstep was that the narrowed engine bay was not wide enough for AMC’s eight cylinder power plant. Who would want a compact, sporty economy car with a big engine, anyway? Mustang answered that question mid-year and kicked the American’s butt. The 1964 restyle carried the American until 1969, when it was replace by the Hornet. It was the last car to carry the Rambler name.
Nash Kelvinator and Hudson Motors merged in 1954, becoming American Motors Corporation. For 1958, in a move of either sheer luck or enlightened genius, AMC resurrected the 1950 Nash Rambler, rebadged it as the Rambler American, and put it in their showrooms. To the amazement of all, the “bathtub” Americans sold quite well. For 1961, they put a new body on the ancient chassis and tried again. As before, the new “breadbox” Americans sold quite well. For 1964, the American was truly all new. The new American was based on a modified Rambler Classic chassis that was all new in 1963. The new Rambler American was shorter and narrower than the Classic and had a sporty new look designed by Richard Teague. The only misstep was that the narrowed engine bay was not wide enough for AMC’s eight cylinder power plant. Who would want a compact, sporty economy car with a big engine, anyway? Mustang answered that question mid-year and kicked the American’s butt. The 1964 restyle carried the American until 1969, when it was replace by the Hornet. It was the last car to carry the Rambler name.






This is one of the reasons you buy a car like this. My partner (that's his '65 Mercedes 230SL) had pretty much turned into couch potatoes. We now belong to the Straight Eights Car Club and have a good reason to get out of the house a couple of times a month.
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