The American is usually thought of as the first U.S.-built compact. It was followed by the Studebaker Lark, Ford Falcon, Plymouth Valiant, and a host of others. The first generation of the car was built between 1958-60 and the seller’s American is from that last model year. Besides a tune-up, this little car may only need an interior to get back on the road. Located in Carmichael, California, this American is available here on Facebook Marketplace for $8,500 OBO.
Using the platform of the former Nash Rambler, the American enjoyed a run from 1958-69. It would end up being the last AMC car built and sold in the U.S. to carry the Rambler name. 50-60 years later, the American is often remembered for winning several Mobilgas Economy Run championships and the 1969 SC/Rambler that had a 390 V8 under the little hood. 1960 was a good year for AMC in terms of sales as they built 458,841 automobiles, including 120,603 Americans. Given the Super insignia on the trunk lid of the seller’s car, this vehicle would have been one of 17,233 produced that year.
This ’60 American Super has had at least three owners since new, yet it still looks fresh, so it’s either been well-kept or repainted at some point. The odometer reading is just under 42,000 miles which could be accurate as the car looks too nice for 100,000 on top of that. Under the hood is likely the AMC 196 cubic inch inline-6 which was good for a whopping 90 hp. We’re told the car runs and no mechanical issues are noted other than the spark plugs and wires.
While the two-tone white and cream exterior looks very presentable, the interior is another story. There are covers over the front seat, suggesting something amiss below. At least one door panel is off and its whereabouts are unknown. The 3-speed manual transmission has the shifter coming out of the dash instead of the steering column, which is kind of cool. This looks like a neat little car to fix up and zip around in to go to shows. Perhaps the only negative is that the seller’s asking price is kind of close to the top-end resale value for one of these cars and while this one is good, it’s going to need some money put into it.
Here’s another one worthy of “relogging in” every early access, but the guy across the alley from my folks, who was a bit older than us, this was his 1st car. We called it the “Super”, and was the automatic version. On the automatic, you pulled the shift lever towards you to start it. Not sure if the stick is the same. This was the car with the gas pedal in a “U” shape from being jammed to the floor all the time. I think my 4 cyl. Jeep has more power, but it wasn’t about power. Rambler was on it’s high horse, as the gas mileage champion. A ’59 American similarly equipped, did a cross country run averaging 35 mpg. It did well in the “Mobil Economy ” runs too. This motor, I read, was called “The Super Flying Scot” motor, obviously cashing in on the Scottish frugal nature. ( Studebaker “Scotsman” was the most bare bones car you could buy). I believe, the Rambler American was the last American car to use vacuum wipers as well. Why, just the other day, someone in my town had a red wagon like this. It gathered a ton of attention while parked. This is an unbelievable find, and nobody kept a Rambler American. Once rusted, and it didn’t take long, they were worthless, and junked accordingly. “Early Access” can’t be copied, but when it goes off early access, I’m sending this to my brother. Guaranteed to get a charge like I did.
I made a change at the end. Thanks, Howard!
Thanks Russ, normally, you know me, I’m not that sensitive, but today, you can’t blow your nose without offending someone. I think you writers do a great job.
Hi Howard, I hope all is well! I was thinking the same on the vacuum wipers untill I saw this here 2 days ago. Take care Buddy! https://barnfinds.com/390-v8-go-pack-1969-amc-amx/
Hi Mike, hope you are on the mend, I’m coming home and we have a lot of sledding to catch up on,,,let me get back 1st. Looking at next Spring. I read the ’72 Gremlin was the last vehicle with vacuum wipers, although, I seem to remember Jeeps having them later.
Better everyday Howard, hope to be gear jammin by the end of the month. Looking forward to getting together. AMC must have had tons of those wipers around to run them that long. Take care, Mike.
My wife’s 1972 Gremlin had vacuum wipers,the only thing I hated about that car. Very unsafe going up hills and passing cars, especially in a heavy downpour. She bought it new.
Are you sure the car was a 1972? If I remember correctly AMC last used vacuum wipers in 1971 with the electric kind as an option. In 1972 they dumped the vacuum system and went to electric only.
I had a 1971 Gremlin-x with vacuum wipers and my brother had a 1972 Hornet x with electric wipers. Electric were always optional but I thought standard starting in 1972 in all AMCs unless they were using up their old parts on the early 1972s?
One mistake in your despriction. These did not have the starter activated by pulling the gear shift towards you. It was a key start. 57 was the last year to use that feature.
I love these super simple little sculptures. I always think something is wrong with it though when looking at the profile. The rear wheels seem to be 5 inches too forward for the wheel well. Would that make it frame forward or body rearward?
These 1958-1960 1st gen Rambler Americans were slightly modified version of the early 1950’s Nash Rambler that had the closed wheel wells. The skin of the car was many inches away from the tires to allow the front wheels to turn inside the closed wheel well body. The Americans did cut open the wheel wells but still have all that unneeded extra width that from a 45 degree angles side picture creates an optical illusion that the rear wheels are not centered in the wheel well.
That is one plain jane looking dash.
These cars were designed in the late 1940s so even by 1960 standards they were pretty much obsolete. However they were also cheap, economical, reliable, and easy to work on so they sold pretty well. It was a boon for AMC since the design and tooling had long since been paid for. I can remember when these cars were a common sight on the road.
The end for this platform finally came with the 1964 American which was heavily based on the then-new 1963 Classic/Ambassador.
In between there was the ’61 reskin that gave it broad square shoulders but was a full 3″ narrower, all what had been wasted space, as the “fat” needed for the front wheels cuts behind the pre-1955 models’ full skirts was finally trimmed away.
Hey buddy , how do I get this thing out of 2nd gear ? Beep Beep !
They did not have the money to retool the frame, or the rear fenders, which is why the wheels are not centered. Just looks “wrong” and probably lost them some sales. Maybe they parked them in the showroom and on the lot so you would not have a distant view from the side. Unlike the Hawk, I would not have wanted one then and I don’t want one now. Automobile Driving Museum in LA has a top of the line ’52 Rambler wagon, it is amazingly well finished, gutless, but luxurious.
Reminds of the episode on Andy Griffith where Goober takes one apart and reassembles it the court house.
God bless America
Ha! Good one, I thought it was Gomer, but you’re right. That show, aired Jan. 11, 1965, and was, I think, the 1st show without Don Knotts, and one of the last in black and white.
I like 1st gen, altho hada 2nd when switched companies. All ways look for that nash frnt fender skirt on these altho not present. The 2 N-Healeys were great as was the Metropolitan (others w/o the frnt skirt).
Any of the orphans draw my attention. Shucks I was a kid when many disappeared (packard, willis, nash, studibaker, hudson, etc).
This was just like my car at age 16. The used car dealer wanted $175, but I got it for $125. The only thing we did to it was to replace the ball joints. It proved to be very reliable in addition to be easy and fun to drive. My Dad gave me $50 for it, and drove it until his passing several years later.