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Rambler American Manufacturer American Motors (AMC) Production 1958 – 1969 Assembly Kenosha, Wisconsin, USA Brampton, Ontario, Canada Mexico City, Mexico (VAM) Santa Isabel, Argentina (IKA) Predecessor Nash Rambler Successor AMC Hornet Class Compact Layout front-engine, rear wheel drive

First generation Production 1958 – 1960 Body style(s) 2-door sedan 2-door station wagon 4-door sedan Wheelbase 100 inches (2540 mm)

Second generation Production 1961 – 1963 Body style(s) 2-door convertible 2-door hardtop 2-door sedan 4-door sedan 2-door station wagon 4-door station wagon Wheelbase 100 inches (2540 mm) Designer Edmund E. Anderson

Third generation Also called Rambler Production 1964 – 1969 Body style(s) 2-door convertible 2-door hardtop 2-door sedan 4-door sedan 4-door station wagon Wheelbase 106 inches (2692 mm) Designer Richard A. Teague

The Rambler American was an automobile manufactured by the American Motors Corporation (AMC) between 1958 and 1969. The American was the second incarnation of AMC's forerunner Nash Motors second generation Rambler compact that was sold under the Nash and Hudson Motors marques from 1954 and 1955.

The American can be classified in three distinct generations: 1958 to 1960, 1961 to 1963, and 1964 to 1969. During the entire length of its production, the car was sold under the Rambler brand name, and was the last Rambler automobile manufactured for the Canadian and United States markets.

These Rambler models were produced in other markets under license including Mexico (by Vehiculos Automotores Mexicanos "VAM") and Argentina (by Industrias Kaiser Argentina "IKA") with local development up to 1981. The Rambler American was also sold in other export markets such as South Africa.

Contents 1 1958-1960 2 1961-1963 3 1964-1969 4 SC/Rambler 5 Torino 6 Records 6.1 Economy 6.2 Music 6.3 Off-road 6.4 Rally racing 7 References 8 External links

The genesis of the Rambler American began when AMC President George W. Romney saw that AMC was in need of a small compact during the Eisenhower Recession of 1958. The company had retained the tooling from its 1955 model Rambler, which was only slightly modified and then used for the basis of the "new" American. AMC designers gave the car a new grille and more open rear fender wells, giving the car a lighter appearance than that of the earlier car, which had hidden its rear wheels behind deeply skirted fenders.

For 1958, the American was available only as a two-door sedan, but found 30,640 buyers during the abbreviated 1958 model year. In 1959, AMC sold 91,491 units, having added a two-door station wagon. In 1960, the line added a four-door sedan and sales increased to 120,603 units.

The second generation Rambler American was achieved through a heavy restyling of the previous year's model under AMC's styling Vice President Edmund E. Anderson. While mechanically identical to the 1960 model, Anderson's restyle resulted in a car that was shorter in its exterior dimensions, but increased in its cargo capacity. The line added a two-door convertible and a four-door wagon. For 1963, a pillarless hardtop coupe debuted, the roof of which was designed to mimic the appearance of a closed convertible top. A special model, the resulting "440-H" was equipped with sporty touches like bucket seats, and a more powerful (138 hp, 103 kW) version of Rambler's stalwart 195.6 in³ (3.2 L) Inline-6 engine.

For its third generation, the American emerged with what would be its only completely new design. The entire line was treated to neat and trim lines with pleasing simplicity (compared to the more boxy predecessors) with characteristic tunneled headlights with a simple horizontal grille between them. In addition to the de luxe 440 models, cheaper 330 and 220 models were also available. Full coil front springs along with soft rear leaf units, gave the new American an unusually smooth ride, better than many larger domestic cars. Many viewed the newly designed station wagon as the best-looking of any American wagon, with its new, trim lines and ample passenger and cargo room.

The new styling was the work of famous designer Richard A. Teague, who would go on to design the 1968 Javelin and AMX. The Rambler American's wheelbase grew by six-inches or 152 mm (to 106 in or 2692 mm) in 1964. The new models also incorporated various parts and components (such as doors) that were interchangeable with AMC's larger cars. That year saw the introduction of the new 232 in³ (3.8 L) overhead valve straight-6 engine, which AMC would use from 1964 to 1979, with a smaller 199 in³ (3.3 L) version being used only during 1966-70. The same engine was later available in a larger 258 in³ (4.2 L) version, used from 1971-89, and a 242 in³ version that debuted in 1987, known as the Jeep 4.0, which Chrysler would continue through 2006.

In 1966, the models were facelifted and they featured more squared-off front and rear styling, making the car seem more modern. The top of the line model was only available as a two-door hardtop saw its name changed from 440-H to Rogue. Furthermore, a completely new 290 in³ (4.8 L) "Typhoon" V8 engine was developed by AMC and it saw its introduction in a special mid-1966 Rogue model. The 330 model was dropped, leaving the Rogue, 440, and base 220 models in the '66 lineup.

The last convertible in the American series was in 1967, and it was moved up from 440 models to join the hardtop in the Rogue version. For 1967 only, AMC's new 343 in³ (5.6 L) V8 engine was available in the American Rogue and the 440. Only 58 Rogues and 55 440 installations were made, with a paltry seven of them being in the convertible model. Rogues also received grille trim that wrapped around the fender sides. All Americans received a new grille insert with prominent chromed horizontal bars. 1967 also saw Federally-mandated safety equipment, including an energy-absorbing steering column and steering wheel, more padding on interior surfaces, 4-way hazard flashers, and locking seat back latches for 2 door models. The instrument cluster was changed from a rectangular-gauge design, to three round gauges, the center dial housing the speedo and odomoeter, with smaller fuel and engine temperature gauges flanking each side of the speedometer.

For 1968, the line was further simplified, with the 2-door sedan and 4-door sedan comprising the base 220 line, 4-door sedan and wagon being offered in uplevel 440 guise, and a lone hardtop coupe making up the top-line Rogue trim line. All Americans received a new chrome horizontal grille bar that extended outboard to the headlights. The 440 and Rogue versions picked up a stainless steel trim piece running stem to stern on either body side, straight back between the wheel wells and the belt line. At each end of the strip was the newly mandated side marker lights, amber for the front fenders, red for the rear. However, the biggest change was the decision to cut the MSRP (manufacturer's suggested retail price) of the base two-door model to within UD$200 of the Volkswagen Beetle. The Big Three automakers did not respond to this strategy, thus giving AMC a big price differential over the competing domestic models. Sales of the Rambler American increased and the showroom traffic boosted morale among AMC's independent dealerships. The American, along with "A" body Mopars, were the only domestics available as a hardtop coupe model, the Ford Falcon and Chevy Nova being only available as pillared sedans (and a wagon in the Falcon line). The wraparound rear window on sedans, was modified to a flat unit, with a more squared-off "C" pillar, which many undoubtedly found more attractive than the earlier sedans with their overhanging rooflines.

For its final season, 1969, the "American" name was dropped as the car was now referred to as the "American Motors Rambler". The chrome grille bar was deleted, as well. However, to commemorate the impending passing of the Rambler name, American Motors added the Rogue-based SC/Rambler to the line. Additional safety equipment for the '69 models included front shoulder belts and headrests for both front outboard seating positions.

For 1970, the American was replaced by the AMC Hornet.

A very special model was produced during 1969 in collaboration with Hurst Performance. This was the Hurst SC/Rambler. With 1,512 built, it was probably the only production model made and promoted for a specific drag racing class, the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) F/Stock class.

Each Hurst SC/Rambler came equipped with the 315 hp (235 kW) 390 in³ (6.4 L) AMC V8 engine from the AMX that was mated to a four-speed manual transmission (with Hurst shifter), a 3.54:1 "Twin-Grip" limited slip differential, heavy-duty brakes with front discs and a sway bar, as well as strengthened drive train and body components. American Motors called on Hurst to develop a "Stock Car" (SC or original factory) model - often nicknamed "Scrambler" - to make a strong impact in the compact muscle market segment. Available only as a two-door hardtop, the interior came in standard gray vinyl upholstered reclining bucket seats, but with red, white, and blue headrests, as well as a Sun (brand) tachometer strapped to the steering column. Outside, however, the SC/Ramblers came with the wildest factory paint jobs ever put on a muscle car. It also featured a box-type hood scoop with "390 CU. IN." and "AIR" in large letters on both sides of it. If someone missed seeing it, a blue arrow on the hood also pointed towards the air intake. The Scrambler came only in two types of red, white, and blue color schemes ("A" or "B" trims) with no other options available, with the exception of an AM radio.

American Motors built a lot of 500 "A" scheme SC/Ramblers before switching to the "B" scheme. 500 "B" models were built before AMC switched the final lot of 512 SC/Ramblers back to the "A" pattern.

Some of the other unique standard items on this model included racing mirrors, anti-hop rear axle links, and two-tone styled wheels with red stripe Goodyear Polyglas tires. American Motors made the suggested retail price (MSRP) at US$2,998. A stock SC/Rambler was a serious dragstrip contender because in its as-sold condition it could do the quarter mile in the low 14 seconds at about 100 mph (161 km).^[1]

From 1966 to 1981, Industrias Kaiser Argentina (IKA) produced in Argentina a hybrid of the Rambler American, that was introduced in 1964, and the Rambler Classic, that was introduced in 1963. The car was called Torino and was assembled by IKA from complete knock down (CKD) kits sent from Kenosha, Wisconsin. IKA used the front and rear sheetmetal of the American combined with the center section of the Classic to create the Argentinean car -- basically a stretched American (the American had a 106-inch (2692 mm) wheelbase, the Classic's was 112-inches (2845 mm) -- like the Torino). It was available in two-door hardtop and four-door sedan models.

The Rambler American was a yearly winner of the best fuel economy in the Mobil Economy Run, even at times when fuel efficiency was not a major factor in the purchase of automobiles.

For example, at the conclusion of the five-day event in 1959, that covered 1,898 miles (3,054 km), a Rambler American Deluxe topped the 47-car field with an average 25.2878 mpg (U.S.) (9.3015 L/100 km).^[2]

In the 1964 run, a 6-cylinder Rambler American 440 sedan averaged 27.8336 miles per gallon (8.450 L/100km); once again, the best of all the cars that year.^[3]

Economy claims for stock cars could be confirmed by these open and sanctioned trials. American Motors (as well as its OEM suppliers, such as the ad for Champion spark plugs) promoted the results of this popular event in its advertising as a marketing technique that further emphasized the thriftiness of the Rambler Americans.

Ben Vaughn is a musician and a longtime Rambler automobile fan. His song called El Rambler Dorado appeared in 1988 on the Blows Your Mind album. He later recorded an entire album in his 1965 Rambler American. Titled appropriately Rambler '65, he turned his car into a makeshift studio. Putting the recording equipment inside the Rambler was a gimmick or an act of showmanship. Nevertheless, according to most reviews, the music he created inside his car is pleasant 1950s and 1960s rock roll and country. The album was released in 1997 by Rhino Records. Even more intriguing for old car enthusiasts is Ben Vaughn's Rambler '65 album recreated in a 24-minute video. Some of the music videos include vintage TV ad clips with AMC cars.

Mexico hosted a grueling mostly off-road race, the Baja 500. In July 1967, a Rambler American in the passenger-car category was driven by Spencer Murray and Ralph Poole and finished the run in a record 31 hours.^[4]

American Motors then got serious in this type of racing and signed up James Garner's "American International Racers" (AIR) team to a three-year contract. Garner's shops prepared ten 1969 SC/Ramblers provided by AMC. The cars were modified for the punishing Baja 500 race [1]. Raising the suspension and using Goodyear 10x15-inch tires increased ground clearance. All window glass was removed and roll cages were installed. The cars had 44-gallon (167 L) fuel tanks. Two cars were further modified with four-wheel drive. The AIR team built AMC's 390 in³ (6.4 L) V8 engines to blueprint tolerances, thus increasing horsepower to 410 (306 kW) at the flywheel. The cars were capable of 140 mph (225 km) runs along smooth straights at about 7,000 rpm in fourth gear.

On June 11, 1969, eight of the Ramblers were entered into the passenger-car category and the two 4WD versions were in the Experimental class. Garner did not drive in the race because of a film commitment in Spain. Seven of the Ramblers finished the grueling race, taking three of the top five places in the passenger-car class. One of the four-wheel-drive cars came in fourth in its class. The AIR team included a car with Bob Bondurant and Tony Murphy that took first place. For one of the winning Rambler drivers, this was his first ever race and the experience launched the career of Walker Evans.

Rambler Americans raced with good results in the Shell 4000 Rally that was held in Canada. In 1968, for example, the grueling 4000-mile (6,437 km) rally over the often-tortuous muddy road from Calgary to Halifax, the AMC team finished 2nd, 3rd, and 5th winning the Manufacturers Team Award.^[5]

• Gunnell, John, Editor (1987). The Standard Catalog of American Cars 1946-1975. Kraus Publications. ISBN 0-87341-096-3. 

• AMC Rambler Club
• American Motors Owners
• Crittenden Automotive Library: American

v • d • e American Motors Corporation
1954-1987 Historic vehicles
Rambler	Ambassador by Rambler • American • Classic • Marlin • Rambler Six • Rambler Rebel
Military & Commercial	AMC Mighty Mite • AM General Division
AMC	Ambassador • AMX • Concord • Eagle • Gremlin • Hornet • Javelin • Marlin • Matador • Metropolitan • Pacer • Rebel • Spirit
Renault	LeCar • Alliance • Encore • Fuego • Medallion • Premier
Rambler & AMC concept cars	XR-400 • Rambler Tarpon • AMC Cavalier • AMC AMX-GT • Amitron • Electron
Affiliated with	American Motors Corporation • AM General • Australian Motor Industries • Chrysler • Hudson • IKA-Renault • Jeep • Kelvinator • Nash Motors • Nash-Kelvinator • Rambler • Renault • Vehiculos Automotores Mexicanos
People	Roy Abernethy • Edmund E. Anderson • A.E. Barit • François Castaing • Roy D. Chapin Jr. • Richard E. Cross • Robert B. Evans • George W. Mason • Gerald C. Meyers • George W. Romney • Helene Rother • Richard A. Teague
Category

American Motors road car timeline, United States market, 1954—1988  v • d • e
Type	1950s						1960s										1970s										1980s
	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
Subcompact																	Gremlin									Spirit					Encore
Compact	Rambler				Rambler American												Hornet								Concord
	Jet																					Pacer								Alliance
Mid-size			Rambler Six					Classic						Rebel				Matador
				Rebel V8								Marlin									Matador Coupe
Full-size	Nash				Ambassador																														Premier
	Hudson
Sports															AMX
															Javelin
Crossover																											Eagle
SUV																	see timeline of Jeep models
Captive import	Metropolitan																									LeCar
																												Renault 18i/Sportwagon						Medallion
																													Fuego
Military vehicles						Mighty Mite												AM General trucks, Jeeps, and the HMMWV