The seller of this 1959 Rambler American Super two-door Club Sedan doesn’t seem to know too much about it, spec-wise, as they don’t list an engine or show photos of a VIN or serial numbers or anything like that. Also, there’s no engine photo, so there’s that. But what they do show appears to be a nice, dusty car that has been hidden for two-and-a-half decades. Thanks to Sunshine for the tip!
A Continental Kit rear end isn’t for everyone, but when it’s a standard or optional factory feature, as in this case, I’m all in. When it’s added onto a car that never had one from the factory, I’m all out. This is positively fancy for Rambler’s small car offering in the late 1950s. The chrome looks like silver paint but the listing, mostly a description written by the “three elderly sisters” of the original owner, touts the condition of the chrome so maybe it looks better in person.
They say that this car sat in the “three elderly sister’s” parent’s garage since 1989 and it needs work to get it on the road again as it isn’t in running condition. The first-generation Rambler American was made for only three years; 1958, 1959, and 1960 and they came in a two-door sedan and wagon, and a four-door sedan. Sadly, we don’t see the passenger side at all but the rest of the car looks almost like new, or at least appears to be in very nice cosmetic condition.
There are two interior photos, plus one showing the center gauge cluster, and it looks good for the most part. The big rip on the passenger side of the front seat shouldn’t be an issue if OEM fabric is available, and there may be other cosmetic issues. It’s hard to tell from the photos really. The Super trim level gave buyers front armrests, a right-side sun visor, an automatic dome light, a trunk mat, stainless steel window trim, and these two-tone interiors.
The engine looks like a mint-condition back seat. No, this one should have a Nash 196-cu.in. L-Head inline-six with 90 horsepower and 150 lb-ft of torque when new. It sent power through a three-speed Borg Warner Flash-O-Matic automatic to the rear wheels, but sadly, this one isn’t running. The seller – or former owner, it’s hard to tell from the listing – says it doesn’t turn over so add that to the to-do list. They have it posted here on craigslist in the San Francisco, California area, and they’re asking $5,950. Here is the original listing. Would any of you take a chance on this good-looking Rambler American Super Two-Door Club Sedan?
My Mom had a red one. My brother and I, 6 and 8 would drop the seat down flat and wrestle while mom drove around. The radio was just 2 knobs, volume and stations painted on the knob. You had to tune by ear at night as it wasn’t lit. Lastly, the shifter wasn’t aligned with the gear marker, so mom drove around in 2nd until dad realized and then put the selector on neutral. Memories.
My Grandmother had a red one too. Good memories
of the fold down (2/3rds) right front seat, anemic 6-cyl.
engine, and practicality.
Rare? Uh, yeah I would say so.
This looks like Gilly Walker’s old car.
Beep beep, beep beep, his horn went beep beep beep,,,no, no, wait, this was the car Goober took apart( and reassembled) in the Mayberry courthouse. It was one of the few times we saw Andy lose it.
Once again, Scotty delivers an oddball, but to us in Wisconsin, there was nothing odd about it. How one got to sunny Cal. is a mystery. Had to be the train, as the motor would never make it. The older guy across our alley, had a car just like this, I remember the gas pedal was bent in an almost U shape, from being mashed on the floor all the time. I can say, that was least powerful car I can remember. The engine just got louder, but didn’t seem to increase speed. VWs would pass it, but the American was groundbreaking. It kind of signaled the beginning of the compact age. The Met was too small for most, and the American was like a Met on steroids( as if), and was very popular, again, in the upper Midwest. This car, I read, cost about $1750 new, the then least expensive car American car at the time, apparently an AMC exclusive( think Gremlin). We, and I can say we because of my Rambler roots, made 91,000 Americans for its 2nd year, almost tripled production of 1958, which isn’t bad for an independent car maker. I believe the American held the record for gas economy runs, not that people gave a dingle about it then. And I like the Continental kit, it fits the car perfectly. A great find, for sure and don’t kid yourself, there are LOTS of barns and garages in the upper Midwest that have these cars, they just haven’t been “found” yet.
Wow, I did not see this one below the 1964 American, where I mentioned the 1959 that I drove from CA to PA in 1975 TOWING a rear half of a pickup trailer full of STUFF! As I said, it took me over a week and though I took the southern route as it was March, it really did go SLOW up the hills. Imagine the extra load! On the other hand, down the hills was no problem. I never saw one with the continental kit, so neat. The little flat 6 did its job though. BEEP!
My mother only had two cars in her lifetime, both Rambler Americans. her first one was a 58 2 door,baby blue with a dark blue top , but no continental kit . I know it was an automatic and had a radio in it, but I’m sure that was about it . it started having overheating issues in 1968 so my dad sold it for $25 to the teenager next door and he bought her a Matador red 67 2 door American from the local dealership. She had that little car all the way through the 1990s !
The Continental Kit is hideous imo. And what a horrible way to spend the few extra dollars you might have had when looking over the options list on this. This was an economy car, the bottom rung of the Rambler ladder, which was already supposed to be the sensible/economical brand. The ad isn’t complete enough to know what other options were ordered on this car when new, but instead, how about adding seat belts. Or maybe the optional self-adjusting brakes, an oil filter, or the airliner reclining seats option? So many better ways to spend one’s money than on that ugly continental kit and park bench rear bumper.
My Dad (a lawyer) and my uncle (a doctor) got together and bought two of these at once in order to keep some older women mobile. My grandmother (their newly widowed mother) got a hideous green color and my great aunt (their aunt – a perpetual spinster) got a very pale yellow. I was able to drive the green one to high school occasionally but it sure didn’t impress the girls very much (a little more than riding the bus :-) )
Wow, I did not see this one below the 1964 American, where I mentioned the 1959 that I drove from CA to PA in 1975 TOWING a rear half of a pickup trailer full of STUFF! As I said, it took me over a week and though I took the southern route as it was March, it really did go SLOW up the hills. Imagine the extra load! On the other hand, down the hills was no problem. I never saw one with the continental kit, so neat. The little flat 6 did its job though. BEEP!
I had a teacher in high school who had one with the continental kit. I thought that was one of the goofiest things I’d ever seen! It was a Rambler option though.
I also saw one of these at a drag strip with a big block Chevy. It was a b*tch*n gasser!
Seriously, did no one else see this beaut posted on eBay right now?? https://www.ebay.com/itm/235754758957 I wish I had some extra $$, this is the nicest one I’ve seen, and I’ve been looking for quite some time: Item # 235754758957
Thanks for the link. That’s a nice car, for no money. I’m surprised more people that want an unusual car to take to the local coffee and cars haven’t stepped up and bid.
Steve R
Whoa, nice find, Boycorp! That is in beautiful condition and is a steal in comparison.
Scotty, what are you trying to say with this comment “The engine looks like a mind-condition back seat.” I’m thinking a typo between describing the back seat and what engine should be under the hood. Not trying to bust balls, but rather a little clarification. I think you rushed through describing the back seat as “mint-condition” followed by what engine would be under the hood. Either way, neat car, and one that doesn’t come up often.
Gary, thanks for catching that. Yes, sir, my stupid long fingers worked their magic yet again. Mint-condition it was supposed to be, my apologies.
I had one of these in the mid-Sixties. It had overdrive, got great mileage and performance was acceptable. Had to get rid of it when the drivers door started sagging due to rust in the A-pillar. Unit body couldn’t take the Upper Midwest winters.
Same thing happened to mine.
I had the big box ofa next gen, mentioned above “American” (440, vert) 1st put out by AMC.
My understanding is they kept more than the name when bought from Nash (who made this beauty designed by pininafarina) seen here. The larger appearing ’61 – ’63 Rambler was simply a skin placed over the same chassy, motor, transmis, etc !
Love to have this (nash) wagon or even the (nxt gen) a mate to my vert…