Resembling a patchwork quilt, or a coat of many colors as the late Dolly Parton might have put it, this 1965 AMC Rambler 440 has a good reason for looking so unusual on the outside. The story goes that in the late 1990s, Champion International Corporation of Stamford, CT, created it to draw attention to the company’s recycling program. It was subsequently given away in a prize drawing, and the current owner says it’s been well cared for ever since. Now located in Blackwood, New Jersey, this cool convertible is listed here on Facebook Marketplace, where the seller has already lowered the price from $15,000 to $13,500 and also floated the idea of a possible trade. We’d like to thank reader Rocco B. for finding it and sending in the tip!
By the end of the nineties, the Champion International Corporation had already been around for more than 100 years and was the largest U.S. manufacturer of coated paper products in the early part of the twentieth century. However, environmental concerns about paper production and waste were growing by the mid-nineties, so the company created this convertible as a promotional vehicle to highlight its commitment to recycling. At first glance, it might not be obvious what the builder was going for here. However, once the objective is clear, the finish really does look like it’s made of recycled materials!
The seller says that the vehicle was completely restored in the 90s, and while he’s transparent that the car isn’t perfect, it is described as being in good enough condition to win a trophy of some sort every now and then. No photo shows the entire interior in one shot, but a couple of close-ups suggest the dash and instruments are still in fine shape, and the sale includes a new convertible top canvas in the box. The shocks and brakes were also replaced within the last 3 years, but you may want to swap the radio, since the original AM unit isn’t working.
Unfortunately, the 440 designation here is only the trim level, not the engine size, although it is the top-of-the-line for the Rambler American in 1965. The seller forgot to post a picture from under the hood, but says it’s powered by a 232 cubic-inch inline-6 paired with an automatic transmission. This seems like a fun little car to cruise around in with the top down,, and while it is certainly a unique offering, it’s also failed to find a buyer in the 22 weeks it’s been available on FB marketplace. Would you be interested in giving this 1965 AMC Rambler American a new home?
Aw, darn it Mike, you had to bring Dolly into this,,,I think we all shed a tear upon nearing that news. Get used to it, Shatner is 95. What is this, Partridge Family? ( Come on get happy) Sorry, get out the DA sander and remove the graphics. A nice paint job will attract a lot more buyers, it’s a sharp car.
Recycling,,,pfft, what a joke. Our community has disbanded all recycling efforts, ALL trash goes to the landfill. Why? The recycling company went broke! I’m as resourceful as the next, but we’re just the user, and compliant materials have to come from the manufacturer. Want a chilling vision of the future? Just watched a great movie again, WALL-E.
Fresh paint may draw more interest, but would lowering the price by the cost do the same ?
Too bad the history does not add value to the car.
Like Howard suggests, if this were Red, it would not have sat for 22 weeks.
I would lose the paint job on Day One! Otherwise it appears to be a great little convertible.