maybe I'm going crazy but I've been daydreaming lately about late 50's rambler 2 door wagons! they just seem like a neat little package that would make a great everyday driver. any guys on here know anything about them? how was the original flathead six and other driveline? decent reliable stuff or fit for replacement?
Just sold one of these and had seller's remorse the minute I did it...the thing ran like a swiss watch and had that oddrod look that I like...so I am looking for one too
No, you're not crazy. A little touched maybe, but not full fledged crazy... The original flat 6's were good engines. Very well built with forged bottom ends. The Borg-Warner automatics were pretty good as well. I don't knwo anything about the manual transmissions. Don't expect the 6's to be power houses - they weren't. Not to bad in torque and good for an everyday driver but not race motors by any stretch, but good reliable mills. I think there good looking cars and a good size too. Not miniature but not land yachts either. Parts are still around, but look for as complete a car as you can find. I don't know when Rambler went to a uni-body type construction, but I know my '62 American is uni-body. You can easily upgrade the brakes by swapping in a later set from any AMC product. The spindles and hardware are attached with 4 bolt and they all used the same bolt pattern for spindles. Wheel size may be an issue when going to later brakes. Kenohsa Power!!!
that flatty six is pretty sweet. I think the wagon in the pic still had a frame. anyone know of any half decent drivers around??
nowt wrong with a Rambler for a daily....check out mine (yes it's been shown before) I have a 2ltr injected pinto and 5 speed in it even though there's plenty of room for sumat bigger the littel 4 pot is about right for my use.
sweet ride paul. what do you guys think about this nash stateman? maybe in a four door to haul the kids around in??
The original drivetrain was dependable albiet sluggish 40 years ago. Its a tight fit but I've seen 'em with Ford small blocks in 'em. Sounds rediculas I know but I don't believe I've ever seen that particular body with an SBC. I haven't a clue why. We used to swap 327s into the bigger body all the time.
That Statesman is the cat's ***, no matter how many doors it has. Screw the V8 all together, this thing is begging for a Turbocharged 4 cylinder...Pinto or Dodge would be cool. Not sure what the rear wheel drive options are for the Turbo Dodges, but they'd both have ample power and the fitment would be perfect.
I diggem. I saw one on a trailer going up the freeway out of town. Under const., it had a tube cage, a blown, injected motor with no hood and tall skinny, and taller skinny Bonneville looking tires with deep dish Moons on it. This was 10 years ago or so and the memory is still etched in my brain.
No... your not crazy, they are very cool (and odd). I couldn't find a clean enough one to be a driver and ended up with a '60 chevy wagon. I'd probably trade it in a second if I got a good offer. Joe
sounds like I'm not the only one that thinks these things have great potential. I wonder why you don't see more of em?
58-60 american , definately a unibody...i have 2dr sedan under construction right now theres more of these being hot rodded than you might think... i have seen them sbc (with some metal m***aging) and sbf...you can get them in a stock car and i believe an s-10 rear fits ...they're cool and you dont see yourelf at every event also , 2wd s10 blazer ch***is are within an 1" of ht stock wheelbase of the american i can tell you a little about since ive cut one open, feel free to ask
My old boss has a real clean orriginal one he mentioned selling, if anyone is interested, I can get details. I have seen it, it is dark green, been in storage forever, and th engine is stuck...we don't know why. Great project, could probably get running pretty easily. It is here in Spokane, WA.
Ok, I called him and heres the deal. Green paint, all orriginal, been in storage sice the 60's. Perfect body, only 36,000 orriginal miles !!!!!! Engine is stuck, he has not tried to do anything to it. He said the brakes look new, even the insides of the wheels and backing plates are still black paint. He lifted the carpets, still painted, no rust anywere. Looks just like the white one at the top of this post...only dark green. He wants 3,000.00 for it. Hamb Relay????
Someone on here should pick it up. Sounds VERY nice. Who knows, maybe the engine could be saved if you really wanted to use it. I don't think I've ever seen a SBC in either.
It is a nice ol car. I am not trying to sell it nor am I getting a kick back from it, I just remember working for him and that car was in the back of the shop...it's still there. It trully is nice, and if someone really wants one, I don't see were you'll go wrong. I don't know about the engine, it's all there and not messed with, so it's either just stuck from sitting 40+ years, or it was parcked from being stuck.
send it my way, I like sticking BBC engines in small wagons. http://rides.webshots.com/album/91238797eqIUTx?start=60
early economy cars are growing popular lately. Damon Lee just mentioned it in Rod & Custom in fact. They are affordable, dependable and still unique.The sixes that many have just make good sense today. Plus the one you're looking at is a long roof killer! I love my little Falcon 300 miles a week, every week. 20+ mpg, $50 registration, cheap insurance and never, ever have to SMOG it. Ahhh.
I have one of those, '60 Custom, sitting in my garage waiting for me to work on it. This one has the ohv 6 and an auto plus the cool roof rack. Just need to find time to work on it! That green one sounds like a good deal.
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