Would you save this?

I've got a pink 60 Rambler that I've owned for a while now. It's been parked for about 5 years due to some severe rust issues on the front frame. I've been advised to scrap the car, but I just can't seem to bring myself to do it. I don't know what it is about the car that appeals to me so much. So, am I crazy? It's obviously not a "desireable" make or model...so from a return investment standpoint it would likely be a money pit. I paid nothing for the car when I aquired it, though... and aside from basic things such as gaskets, tires, battery, and the like.. I haven't really put a lot of money into it.


Here's a link to the pics I have:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2008560&id=1189047841&l=ae706f3414

 

do you like it? if you do build it

personnelly i dont but its not mine

 

I wouldnt ask anybody on here for their opinion. Most are stuffy old coggers who cant get off their butts and actually work on cars anymore...
Do what makes you happy with the car. Thats all that matters!

 

don't buy cars for an investment.

If it's what you like, fix it.

I think it's kinda cool and If I got it for free I would do alot of things to it, mostly get it roadworthy and safe...then drive it.

 

Don't be a Janet.

 

Don't scrap it. Fix it if you want, but since its been parked five years you probably don't have time.

Sell it / give it away to someone who would want it. The right guy would fix it.

Adam

Somebody is gonna have to explain the "don't be a janet" thing.

 

I do love the car... I've been saving it so that I can get it fixed, but the longer it sits the more it seems to deteriorate. The frame on the front is a mess. The car is in Pa right now (I'm in Tx), but I've had a hell of a time trying to find someone willing to patch this thing up around there so I can get it running. It would be the ultimate road-trip machine, lol.

I guess maybe mentioning from an "investment" standpoint sounded a little off base from my point... I was trying to say something more along the lines of dumping WAY more money into it than it will ever be worth. Maybe too much? I haven't had anyone willing to look at it for an estimate, so I have no idea how much it would cost to repair. I'm not much of a welder, either...

 

If you like the car, the figure out how to fix it, either do the metal work or find another car (maybe a parts car?) in better shape that you can put parts off your car onto.

Although your question was "would you save this?" and personally no, I would not save it. But I don't like the looks or the inner workings of old ramblers. Some personality defect I have....childhood issues I guess....

 

Thanks IronFly28,

I had read that before, guess I just never caught on. Appreciate the reminder.

Adam

 

In Pa no one to fix the car...your state seems to have people all over working out of their little shops judging from what i see when I go to Carlisle. I'd just get the basic done and get it on the road driving. I know some Rambler lovers who have cars follow them home. It a part of car history and wagons are great. This was one at our last show this season.

 

why not just gut the front end, get some 2x4 box, and do a mustang 2 swap on in?

 

I would just make it road worthy and dependable, Clean it up a little, lower it a little and make a cool cruiser out of it.

 

You have been advised to scrap it, but the vehicle appeals to you? I don't even see where it would be a question to save it or not, of course you save it.

If I had a nickel for everytime someone thought I was crazy for doing something, or thought a vehicle I liked was undesirable, I'd be a millionaire. Also I'm one of those people that would save every one if I could.

To be honest, anymore everytime I see an old vehicle on the road nowdays, it makes me smile, no matter what make/model it is. Just seems like everything else is going to hell...smog regulations, crusher programs, gas prices making people think they need to go buy something new, and pretty soon, the cars will probably be 100% plastic. Its nice to see old iron on the road still, no matter what it is.

 

That wagon is rad fix it, slam it, and drive it

 

seems simple enough. You didn't love it enough to drag it with you to texas. So why do you love it now that it's 2000 miles away? The only really good ramblers are done ramblers.

 

For me, I too just love seeing any old iron on the road. It would be too easy to get a "better" car to work on, but the softie in me just can't see the ole girl die. My mom thinks that I am crazy, and frankly she's tired of the car sitting in her garage. It's hard not to feel the blues about the car because it just seems like I've gotten nowhere with it (granted, it's hard when I am half the country away). I've tried to sell it. Nobody was interested after seeing the frame. I've even contacted a few shops within the vicinity of my mom's town, but they've turned it away sight unseen.

I've been away from the area for a while... perhaps someone in S. Central Pa might know of a reputable shop who could either fab or weld in a donor frame? As much as I can't just get rid of it, it also breaks my heart to see it sit. The fenders have started to bubble pretty badly in the last 5 years (as seen in the pics via link above).

 

i would set it down on an s10 chassis, build a new floor and bodymounts, drop a 360 amc motor and drive the crap out of it.

However, I can do the labor myself which would make it lots cheaper. If your unable to do this kind of work it is spendy to say the least. More than the car is worth I'm sure.

I hate to see a car that complete and in such good shape other than the rusticles go to the scrapper.

 

dont scrap it. Worst case part it out so others can fix their ramblers. But I'd say if you search hard enough you can find some one to fix it.

 

keep it and fix it

 

i dont recall the track width on these year wagons but instead of the typical s-10 chassis i think it would be better on say a late70's-early 80's elcamino/ malibu frame.

 

I would check out western junkyards & I'd bet there is a front half of a frame (or a complete one) that would fit the wagon & fix it easier than you think.

Remember the financial state of the Nash/Rambler Co at that time? They didn't have any cash, so the frame may have been used for quite a few years, which increases the possibility you'll find a good donor.

 

Don't kill it , scrap is down .

 

I love that dandy, the Cross Countries are so hip. I backed out on a running driving fully loaded 57 cross country about ten years ago at $1,500.00 and have regretted it ever since. You know what you can do, good luck. ~sololobo~

 

Fix er up and drive the snot out of it!!!

 

I've seen them built and beautiful. I like the way they look stock or built. When are HOT RODS not money pits ?

Need a 27 roadster deck lid

 

I'm not much of a mechanic, and I don't know how to weld, but the car is going to need a lot of both. A bit intimidated about the whole "drop it onto a different chasis" type deal since I have no clue what is entailed...

I didn't bring the car to Texas because I didn't have the money to haul it down, and also because the front end is fragile. I don't know if it would survive such a long trip. My husband's not a grease monkey, so I guess it all depends on if I can find someone in that area to do the work for an affordable price.

Thanks for all of the replies. I feel a little more confident in my desire for this car, and a little less crazy.


Oh, and as far as the chassis is concerned... 58-62 should all be the same frame. It has a 108" wheelbase.

 

i think the s-10 would be closer on track width.

 

and if it has a 108 inch wheelbase, thats exactly what a reg cab s-10 has.

 

It would make a great daily driver.

Doc.