Newbie Driving a Rambler - let the bashing begin!

Yep I said I drive a Rambler!!! But before we get into THAT let me first introduce myself. First off I heard about this board from a friend of mine whom you all might already know, but I won't mention his name in case I embarass him too much. I have been working on "old cars" since I was 15. Never had anyone around who was able to show me the "right way" to do stuff so I had to figure stuff out for myself. Sometimes it worked and well sometimes I learned something (like what don't work). Anyways nowadays I work with a bunch of edumacated engineer's who often stare at the dirt under my finger nails!!!!! I often annoy them when I compare EVEYTHING mechanical to a car. Anyways my "real" love happens at home in the garage - I am 38 and have finally been able to drag home a few tools making the work a tad easier than when I was 15 sporting only a wrench and a hack saw. I am basically old schoolish - I build my own stuff - I paint it - I wire it - I weld it - whatever it takes. No my stuff isn't the nicest, the coolest, nor the fastest , but I at least try. My motor of choice is the Early Chrysler Hemi (I also favor the venerable Chebby powerplants as well) BTW anyone thinking you have to be a high roller to build one of those Early Hemis is really kidding themselves - just like anything - if you're determined you can scrounge one up cheap, but it MAY take a while!! Building "hot rods" never gave me any sort of real devotion to any particular make - as I have scrounged parts from them all. My current list of COMPLETED projects is: well NOTHING! In process: Old Rambler American, couple Chevys (1937 Truck, 1956 Piewagon) a 1947 Ford truck, and an old gasser 1934 Plymouth coupe. I NEVER have enough time to work on them as my current focus has mainly been trying to attain the skills necessary to complete the FED I am building. And just for the record - YES I DRIVE RAMBLERS - so anyone wanting to take a shot - feel free - I have heard it all. well then again maybe not!!!!!! We'll see.........

Wheh!!!!! That's ALOT of yacking!!

 

Welcome fellow Rambler. There is nothing wrong with driving a car that not everbody has. They are the best. Here is mine.

 

Hey Superj, Don't get me wrong - I make no apologies for my Ramblers or me driving/liking them! Matter of fact I very much enjoy driving them. Driving something "off beat" can often allow one to see right to the core of all those critics out there. Saves time if you know what I mean. BTW cool Rambler you got there - any mods you care to share????

Funny thing about driving Ramblers is that the "hard Core" Rambler guys pretty much shun those of us who modify ours (fine by me) and the vast majority of others won't give them a second look (also fine by me) so it really is a good match for me. I was never much of a "spot light" sort of guy anyways. I'd reciprocate and post a pic of mine when I can figure out how.

 

You got a Hemi in my Rambler! No, you got your Rambler around my Hemi!!

Quite a combo but I have yet to stick mine together. Welcome to the HAMB!! Lots to learn here and don't let any "Newbie" flak you get bring you down, most everyone is cool.

FWWIW - Here's my Rambler...

 

Oldcarmike, If/when you put that Hemi in your ride you had better buckle those kids in!!! I still son't have a great pic to post but I do have a website - well sorta - I ain't no computer guru that's for sure. You can take a peek at it if I did this right!


http://home.mindspring.com/~jbarnes8/carsmetalbashingampmachines/


BTW - LOVE the Rambler wagon - I always wanted one for a tow vehicle, but at the moment I am WAY outta room!!!!!! Maybe one day!

 

I've gotta agree with you on Sum Flung Dung tools...all (well, most) of my stuff is vintage American made...and I've gotten most of it pretty cheap. Another site I'd recommend is www.garagejunkies.com ...lotsa info AND a place to show off your shop and tools...maybe you'll make those BMW and Vette guys drool...

 

You and me both!

There was a time when I was just about the only Rambler driver (or willing to admit it at least) on the HAMB. My how times have changed!

 

Welcome HemiR, Iv alway thought Ramblers were cool in a Funky sorta way. I really like SuperJs ride, especially the hubcaps! ;-)

 

Hi Guys, Just trying to test something here:

Wow that DID work! Please note that this is an in process pic - notice that the rocker mouldings are sill off as well as the fender bottoms are still bare metal. AS I already mentioned the hood is still functional and it was worth every bit of effort to keep it functional. For instance if I have it in my garage (a bit crowded in there) I have room to open the hood - but I need a couple extra feet to tilt the nose - that's NOT possible in winter. Also it is all steel - no one makes fiberglass parts for a lowly Rambler!!! Although I may fab up soem aluminum parts for it sooner or later.

I also added a few shots of a couple of my other projects - thought you might like 'em.

 

Nice collection there, and welcome to the HAMB. Whats the details on the FED chassis?
Hudrodz

 

Thanks for the kind words. The FED is my latest project, but is taking FOREVER to build as I have to learn as I go and I build every possible part that I can. I built the chassis (moly) from a set of Mark Williams plans (wouldn't do that again). It's 180" wheel base - is presently set up for 392 at the moment it's set up for a 'glide but I also set it up so I can drop a lenco in with no problems. The handbrake doubles as a shifter when the 'glides in it - and the clutch pedal becomes the brake pedal. The gas pedal is fully adjustable as well. Shown here is the all aluminum body which I also built (nearly complete). Below is the aluminum tailpeice - the picture above shows the fiberglass "buck" I built to aid me in building the aluminum part. It's been quite learning experience. I also added a couple pics of the body. The flamed part is the floor pan - you never see it when it's together!!! I babble.

 

Bout time you found the hamb........I see you already have more posts than I do!

 

Dude, welcome to the HAMB. Love the HEMI.

Doc.

 

Well welcome to another Rambler Man. The only problem I have ever run into driving my Rambler has been getting dates...When I pull up to pick up the girl and her dad remembers his...(Fill in blank)... had a Rambler....Then they remember that the front seats folded down into a full size bed...... Now that I think about it I wouldn't mind droppen a Hemi in mine.

 

Yup - EVERYONE (Rambler guys ) I ever met has a good Rambler - fold down the seat story. The ones I ALWASY hear start off like this: "You know I got my first piece of tail in a Rambler......"

Wow!! What's with all you Rambler guys??? Last time I saw this many was at a rambler club somewhere and well they pretty much shun me over there - since I cut mine up and all. No sense of humor I guess!!!!! Good to see others "into" them.

 

Fellow knuckle dragger???? Is that you????

 

that would be hairy nuckle dragger to you!

 

I got mine 'cuz it was cheap - and so am I. Worked out well, wouldn't you say? Now, if I would just get the danged thing on the road....

 

Ramblers rule - I had a 65 220 dr and had more fun in that car than the law allowed. Wish I still had it but that was 20yrs ago

 

Man, Ramblers are awesome. Me and my brother used to have a 1963 American 330 Wagon. Bone stock with a 3speed and over drive (And the over drive worked). That car would go any were. We ended up tradin it though, but man that car was awesome.

 

bashin', my ass!


I had a '63 Rambler 990 Cross-Country wagon; 327 with the power pack, Borg warner three speed auto that would get rubber on the 1-2, and a Twin Grip TT diff. Bucket seats, console, and Desert-Aire conditioning.

The car was fast by any account - a little tuning and I'm pretty sure I coulda had in the 13's.

Saved my life - was a teenage idgit and pulled out in front of a van doin' 45 MPH. Van hit the B pillar on the driver's side square - total depth of penetration was 24 inches.

I walked away.

Van and the wagon were totaled.

I'm here on account of that damned car - miss it like hell.

I've also done the vintage Mopar thing - '56 Windsor with a power pack. ran like a sumbitch on the freeway; could keep up with Porsches when I wanted to.

Nice rides - rock on!

 

There's nothing wrong with driving a Rambler.......down a dark alley, around 3 in the morning! It's still better than a yugo, honda, toyota. need i go on?
cool ride, welcome!

 

Ugly cars are like Ugly Women...
Nobody want's them till they start lookin' good.

 

Welcome from Wisconsin.

 

No problems here with the rambler.

I've got a '64 Wagon that is slammed............Welcome

 

welcome from so-cal

 

Welcome, heres the one I fixed up, drove it for a couple of years. Neat car. 67 was last year before AMC.

 

Welcome from Dillsburg Pa. awesome cars!

 

Welcome from Iowa!

Trickey Hickey, Love the looks of that Rambler!!!!!

 

welcome from ga