Despite the visible rust and that dent on the left front fender, the seller says this 1962 Rambler American 400 Convertible has solid floors and rocker panels. I wish they had shown a photo with the top down but they say it isn’t working, so this one needs a lot of work. Still, it’s a very cool car and it’s posted here on craigslist in Hastings, Minnesota and they’re asking $3,900. Here is the original listing.
Do I detect a hint of 2024/25 scowling/frowning/aggressive facia design here?! On a Rambler? A Rambler American? No way, this was 1962, the world was a friendly place and people were all happy, laughing, dancing, and holding hands. There was no road rage, no impending doom with world events (like the Cuban Missile Crisis), and… I’m kidding, of course, we’ve always had road rage and impending doom, it’s just that carmakers have taken it upon themselves to create angry and aggressive-looking vehicles now. I can’t imagine Rambler designers even being aware that there’s a bit of a furrowed brow and down-turned angry mouth grille look here.
Ahhh, that’s better, friendly tail lights! The second-generation Rambler American is by far my favorite of the series, I just love this quirky, fluffy, lumpy design, and a convertible would be fantatsic, even though this one doesn’t work. At just 14.5 feet in length, this is a nice-sized project car even for a one-car garage. I think that dark spot on the upper trunk seam is a piece of molding sticking out, I don’t believe that’s rust. We don’t see inside the trunk or anything underneath this car, unfortunately, but if it is a Minnesota car that’s showing body panel rust, I’d bet there could be more lurking. The second-generation Rambler American was made for three short model years: 1961, 1962, and 1963 and they were based on the previous-gen cars, literally, as in using the same chassis and everything.
The second-generation Rambler Americans looked modern by comparison. They were still very, very, very budget-minded for budget-minded buyers and this 400 is a top-trim level, replacing the Custom name for 1962, which was now the mid-trim level. An automatic transmission would be a nice option for this car, but don’t expect power steering, power brakes, power windows, or power locks, as those weren’t available in the Rambler American. A buyer had to move up to the Classic or Ambassador for those features. This is it for interior photos but hey, at least there’s one, and it looks great other than a couple of dash cracks.
The engine is an AMC Typhoon 196-cu.in. OHV inline-six with 125 horsepower and 180 lb-ft of torque. This OHV engine was standard on the 400 series and optional on the low and mid-trim levels (Deluxe and Custom). This one has an automatic as mentioned, along with new brakes, new brake lines, new tires, a new water pump, a new aluminum radiator, and more. They say the top isn’t ripped but it isn’t working for some reason, and this would be a great car to tinker with. Are there any fans of the second-generation Rambler American out there? I sure hope so.
Testing
Sorry, “Error 403” again. The author, a renowned vintage tv-a-holic didn’t mention the hilarious show, 3rd Rock from the Sun. In it, 4 aliens assume human forms, and travel to earth in a red Rambler American convertible like this. It, to the producers, was about as odd a car that fit the bill. I wondered what didn’t make the cut. This is a great find, has a lot going for it. Good price, economical, a ragtop, and best of all,,( fanfare please) it’s got an automatic. This, is what will be collectible in the future for most. I always wondered about the ill formed wheel wells, any ideas? With the seemingly minimal rust on the outside, being a northern car, I’d look it over pretty good. If the unibody is rusted, it’s a big deal.
Hastings, used to pick up flour there. Great folks.
The author struck upon the reason I never cared for this generation…. that nasty, mean look of the front end. The next generation looked much happier. It wasn’t as frumpy either.
He’s right though. We need happier faces on cars today. I guess our current vehicles reflect how aggressive we’ve become to others.
I won’t RAMBLE on about the numerous reasons I would pass on this RAMBLER, but IMO this was one of the ugliest American 😉 cars ever built. The price for the condition is way off base.