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Unfinished Wagon: 1960 AMC Rambler American

062416 Barn Finds - 1960 AMC Rambler American Wagon - 2

Hannibal, Missouri, the boyhood home of writer, Samuel Clemens (i.e., Mark Twain) is where this nice project is located. It’s a 1960 AMC Rambler American and it’s listed on eBay with a current bid price of just over $1,000 and four days left on the auction. This is the last year of the first-generation AMC Rambler American and the second year that a 2-door wagon was offered.

062416 Barn Finds - 1960 AMC Rambler American Wagon - 1

This was the car of the current owner’s dreams but due to health reasons it’s now for sale. A lot of work has been done to it and even though the paint is a little wonky, you can see that the body looks good on this one. A lot of extra parts go with this car, as you can see from this photo with the rear hatch open. They’re including a new windshield, and the gas tank has been cleaned and sealed and new lines and filters have been installed.  And, a set of low-profile tires and aluminum wheels can be had for an extra price. The brakes will need work.

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28,813 two-door Rambler American wagons were sold in 1960 and the whole Rambler American line sold almost 121,000 vehicles that year. This interior, gauge cluster, and dash layout is about as simple and functional as it gets.

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This is a 3.2L, 196 inline-six with 90 hp. An OHV engine was available in the Custom and it produced 125 hp. The flathead engines had the intake manifold integrated into the head which was fairly unusual. The seller says that “the original radiator was repaired with an original core replacement.” They also “installed a NOS voltage regulator and new horn relay.” Enough work has been done that it shouldn’t be overwhelming, but this could be a nice project. How would you finish this car?

Comments

  1. Avatar photo J Holtsr

    Newer motor and trans, saphire blue metallic paint, centerline auto drag rims

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  2. Avatar photo Alan Brase

    Fix the brakes, air in the tires. Screens, curtains, cup holder and bedroll in the back seat. 30 mpg. 55mph.
    life is good, just like 1960.

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  3. Avatar photo Alan Brase

    Well, MAYBE the wheels and tires. Would make it a better canyon carver!
    BTW, that windshield is not so much protected by the bubble wrap. It is really quite important that it be stored as vertically as possible and preferably in a stiff container made to hold a windshield. Laying flat while traveling , it will crack.
    Al

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  4. Avatar photo RoughDiamond

    I’m thinking and hoping his health will improve once he unloads this and starts spending his time and what money is available on the ’73 ‘Cuda.

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  5. Avatar photo jimbosidecar

    I’ve seen a few of these made into resto-mods. They are the coolest looking hot rods when they’re finished.

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  6. Avatar photo Terry

    Looks better with the car cover on.

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  7. Avatar photo Mike

    When I was doing job-site cleanups for my uncle, he had a small fleet of older trucks & some cars we’d use to haul supplies, or trash to the dump. One of the cars was a ’60 Rambler, like this, but white, & always reminded me of a refrigerator, maybe even a Kelvinator model! The interior always cracked me up; it looked like Salvador Dali’s melted watches & clocks painting with the steering wheel & stick shifter ‘sprouting out of the dash surface. Being 17 at the time, my partner & I thrashed the livin’ debil outa the thing & it never once complained or leaked its oil on our undeserving feet! Great car & I wish I’d have thought ahead to rent a space in a warehouse & save it for a project later on, but who among us had the foresight anyways?! Now that we have more foresight-at the gain of more forehead, one of us should step up & claim the littel bathtub & launch a project- for ol’ time’s sake. ( Or maybe ‘cuz we’re embarrassed ‘cuz we used to laff at them!) Take care!

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  8. Avatar photo ron

    still have

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  9. Avatar photo Brad Squires

    had a ’62 American s/w the flathead was a DOG!! OHV MUCH better engine..had a ’65 American.. twin carb intake, 3.08 posi.. TORQUE MONSTER!!

    Like 0
  10. Avatar photo dennis r. hagelin

    if you still have the car….contact me. we can probably work out a deal

    Like 0

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