If you have a hankering for a fun little convertible, but would prefer to have something domestic there really aren’t a lot of options available. As a matter of fact I can’t think of many small classic American convertibles. We have always loved big cars here, so as you would imagine, our convertibles are big too! One of the few I can think of is the Rambler American convertible, which is a surprisingly fun little car. This example is claimed to be a 40k mile survivor in highly original condition. It looks fantastic inside and out, with the mechanical systems well sorted and working! Its inline six likely won’t provide the same kind of experience that a British roadster will, but it would still be a fun little machine! You certainly don’t see these often, especially in this kind of condition. Find this one here on eBay in Sonoma, California. So what are some other small American convertibles that you can think of?
Well the earlier Studebaker Larks spring to mind.
Wouldn’t mind this one though!
Andrew
My ’63 Stude Lark Daytona that my grandfather bought new, is just the thing! 259 V-8 and 69K original miles. A few also came with the 289 and Paxton Supercharger if you want to embarass the Corvettes of the same era!
The Valiant 62 to about 65? convertible looks very similar to the Rambler and being available with the slant six or V8 wins my vote
Your EBay link does not seem to work?
Very close. Valiant was offered as a convertible `63-`66.
`63 being a major restyling over the `60-`62 Valiant’s.
The 273 V-8 was first offered in `64.
I have a ’62 Buick special convertible with the aluminium v8,small but fast, once you get going
Smaller still = Nash Metropolitan.
Back in the day Ramblers weren’t cool, but for some reason this Rambler convertible seems like a fun little ride. I imagine it would put a smile on lots of faces on Show ‘N Shine days.
The link: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Other-Makes-Rambler-American-400-/131489238895?forcerrptr=true&hash=item1e9d5e8f6f&item=131489238895
Very nice! And my favorite color for a ragtop also.. Would you happen to know the engine size (6 cylinder I am guessing) and manual or automatic?
I used to have a 1963 Falcon convertible, and after that a 1963 Comet convertible too!
Nobody mentioned this is the car from “3rd Rock from the Sun”, one of my favorite shows.
I have a liking for the corvair convertible.
My first car was one of these,,,except in yellow with white top. Have some good memories of that car.
My 66 Dart. Found in a garage in Summerville, SC. Elderly lady had it in the garage for 14 years since her husband passed. He bought the car from the original owner and put it in the shop to get some things done to it and passed away before it was finished. I had to do the basics, replace brakes and master, rebuild carb, replace all gas and brake lines and then color buffed the paint, cleaned the entire car and that was all. Also new top. Has 273, runs great. Car has 32,000+ miles on it and everything works including the AM radio, has the original spare in trunk. Drives great and a fun car. So many people stop me and talk about owning Dart when growing up.
These are not fun. They’re a re-skin of the original Rambler. Poor handling, vague slow steering, wheezy underpowered six, lousy shifter, and a propensity to rust. But if you’re into Ramblers or just want the classic top-down experience, this is certainly a possibility. Better compact convertible options IMHO: Lark V8, Falcon Sprint V8, Corvair Monza and Corsa, Valiant six or V8, Dart, Tempest 326 V8, Buick Special with V6 or aluminum V8 all spring to mind. There were lots of options for buyers back then. AMC did catch up a bit later with the next-gen American including better engine, gearbox and suspension options, plus much better styling.
Paul B read my mind. There are LOTS of small convertibles from the early 60’s I would rather have then this pos.
No one mentioned the 62-65 Chevy II/Nova?
I thought of that after I’d posted. Yes, the Chevy II convertible was a sweet little car and could be had with a 4, 6 and later (’64?) a V8 if I recall correctly.
1 of my 1st cars (after the Fiats? maybe B4). ’64 tho, blk vert top, white body, in rough cosmetic shape so I played cowboy (uhh!, kids) and ran up the back to vault into the drivers. Nice square box-of-a-car. Plenty room.
SUPER motor! I’d pull up to the 1 traffic lght in town & friends would laugh frm the curb – thought I’d stalled out it was so smoooooth’n quiet. Same straight 6 as this’in I imagine. Wouldn’t mind it now, specially wid dat vert down!