Features Nash Rambler Whos Hot Rodding Them

Wow, your car looks alot like my wifes car parked in our driveway.....

 

I apoligize, my son did the rendering off your car and has put it all over the place. I guess it is a compliment? Your car is awesome and it lit a fire under my kids ass to get out and work on ours so a thank you is in order. I hope you don't mind. If so please let me know and I will cease immediately.
Thanks, Mike

 

The work in this car is amazing

 

I emailed Jim Diver about the car. It will be at the Detroit Autorama.

 

hey, i think i would be flattered to find my car photo shopped! if its given your son inspiration, then thats even better!

dirtybird....your wifes wagon rocks!!!!!

 

Flattered, Shes stoked, Alot of people turned there noses up at the idea of a rambler cross country, so to see that people are really appreciating all the work it took to get the car where it is today is a great compliment. For once we tried to be a little different and its paid off. Good luck with your wagon.....pm me with your questions and I will try to answer them in a timely fashion.....

 

here's mine 65 Classic http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c205/ChrisCheney/Rambler2.jpg
and the motor
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c205/ChrisCheney/ramblermotor.jpg

 

FYI, anything can be a hot rod.

And Rambler did make a factory hot rod.

In 1957, the Nash Rambler Rebel, a 4-door hardtop sedan stuffed with a 327cu. in. 255 hp AMC designed V8, was THE fastest metal bodied car. Only the fuelie Corvette was faster. With a 13lbs./bhp, and O-60 in 7.2 seconds, not a Hot Rod?

If you cornered hard and nailed it, as I once did, the outside doors would fly open! But on a straight line, with 3 speed manual, this little sucker just fuckin' flew! They also later made Scramblers, but the Rebel was Rambler's first hot rod.

I've put some miles on one. Wanna race?

 

ANYTHING *can* be a hot-rod!! A small block will easily fit anything but the little 50-55 Nash Rambler and the 58-63 Rambler American. The 56+ "big" Ramblers were made for a V-8, the GEN-1 AMC 250/287/327 (same block, rods, stroke, different bores). It's about the physical size and weight of a 352/390 Ford or 348/396 Chevy. The little cars (mentioned above) can be fitted with a small block, but the "humps" have to be cut out near the spring towers and it's still tight -- block huggers or stock manifolds. One enterprising fellow cut large holes between the firewall and springs and used early Chevy II "over the frame" headers (with an SBC).

One thing people don't know is that the trunnion suspension on those things, though odd, is VERY strong! Keep it greased and it will last forever. The old sixes Rambler had back then weigh 40-60 pounds less than a SBC/SBF, that's all! So weight is not an issue. The 62 and earlier bodies are mighty strong and stiff too, V-8s aren't a problem in them! I run a bored and stroked Jeep EFI six in mine though -- it has more power than the early carb V-8s.

Here's my Rambler:


It has this under the rear end -- the only four wheel disk brake/independent Rambler I know of!

 

This is my buddy Al's 1961 ( I believe) station wagon. Straight six three on the tree. I told him about the H.A.M.B. It's right up his alley.


Brian

 

I saw that and thought he was being sarcastic .... had to have been right?!

 

I'm picking up a '60 American 2dr, plan to make it a cool little daily. I need something I can drive all the time and save the Plymouth for short trips (1/4 mile).

 

In my previous life as a restoring purist, I've informally beaten quite a few "big money" '50's muscle cars in my "granny's" Rebel (actually a friend's). Interestingly, a lot of the old guys knew what I was driving and wouldn't bet, but I was serious, and have a collection of "purses" too! Usually won by a few feet...

I'd say the Rebel wasn't the sexiest car in the world, but it is one of the most ignored.

 

I have a 60 american 2 door....they are great little cars and I can make it to vegas from Los Angeles on 1 tank of gas...and I tell you I get more thumbs up's in that car than alot of people!
VIVA RAMBLER!

 

I think the 49 Airflight Ambassador is the finest looking automobile ever built.

I'd be happy with just one that runs, but in a perfect owrld i can see no reason why you wouldn't want a 1000 horsepower ferrari engine in one:



Jim

 

Here's a picture of my Rambler the day I picked it up. I photochopped a drop into the pic to give me an idea of the stance I wanted. Yes, those hubcaps were promptly trashed the second I had the car in my posession. It has the original flathead in it which I'm fabbing up a turbo system for on the weekends.

 

A few from my photo collection.

 

I took this picture a few years ago (before I had a digital camera)of one of the coolest ones I have ever seen. The upholstery looked like your Grandma's sofa. I love the bamboo trim and grill. After I get my Chevy "done" I what to look for something diferent like this to do next.

 

Let me know how you're coming on that turbo! A rear mount would be easy, but there's room under the hood. I've envisioned using a GM 2.5L TBI unit bolted to the head with the turbo compressor going straight down into it, bolted right on top! Cone air filter to the passenger side, drive turbine over the engine with the exhaust going down the driver's side. Fab a new head pipe curving up into the turbo from the front, capped at the back. That's a 1-7/8" OD pipe, if that helps. Can't wait for pics! That engine has forged crank and rods, four wide main bearings, but cast pistons. dojn't know if I'd put more than 4-6 psi to it. A small turbo from a Jap four would be great, a Chrysler 2.2L turbo is probably a bit large, but would work.

 

Here's a few from my albums...

 

good post. bttt.

 

How about an ugly Ambassador Wagon???

Not rodded, but waiting for some wide whites...

 

"Nash Rambler Whos Hot Rodding Them"

Very small people.

Lets keep this thread alive I love it!

 

Nice hot rod for the missus, right?

 

Ramblers are pushing it. Now, Hot Rodding a Metropolitan? That's either tough, or enough to make most of us wanna shoot someone.
I think I'm more into the column B, frankly..

 

Thanks for the info on the rods and crank. If all I have to worry about is the pistons, I'm feeling pretty good. I've always had a knack for tuning these turbo projects of mine to the safe side as far as AF goes. I was just worried about ventilating the block with a tired con rod. If I burn a piston, I can probably still save the block.

Work has been slow as I'm struggling to get my '52 Chevy back in rolling condition first. That and I have two young kids that take up most of my time other than working two jobs It might be awhile, but I'll have the Rambler running this spring.

 

kool!!!! bumpski!!!

 

i'm doin a 59 american...havent worked on it in awhile, time to get going on it again.......

 

Im suprised nobody has posted the nash from roundup, that thing was badass.