The pictures of this 1962 Rambler Classic almost look ethereal, with plenty of dust signifying that it’s been in storage for a long, long time. It’s listed for sale here on eBay at no reserve, with an opening bid of only $250! The car is located not in the spiritual world, but in Jasper, Indiana.
The seller freely admits they know little about the car, but they do claim to have a clear title, and the body is said to be very solid. I certainly can’t see a whole lot of rust in the photographs, especially considering the sub $1,000 price! You sure knew what car was following you based on the “RAMBLER” standing proud in that grille, didn’t you?
Unfortunately, we don’t see much more of the car in the pictures, but I hope this is the original paint and that the car is as solid as it looks in the pictures. There’s a dent visible in the right rear wheel opening lip, but again, for what may end up being a sub $1,000 car, it’s hard to complain!
Here’s your trivia for the day, from Hemmings.com: according to Brian Yacino, national president of the American Motors Corporation Rambler Club, Rambler received an award from the Florida Chiropractic Association for “pioneering in the development of postural seat design.” for the 1962 Rambler. Who knew? It looks like a regular split bench seat to me! It also looks like it will eventually need help, but again, for the price who can argue!
I’m scrambling for good pictures here, as the seller didn’t take (or at least post) very many. However, you can see a rather typical late 50s/early 60s dashboard, missing some knobs but notably having the key in the ignition. I found where a couple of early 1960’s Rambler steering wheels had sold for under $50 on eBay, so it shouldn’t been too much of a problem to replace what’s there (to be honest, I’d fit a grip for under $10).
As the brochure says, “New Style, New Savings, New Safety.” Are you interested in a 1962 Rambler? I wish it were closer to me, I’d be going to look at it Saturday!
I’ve commented on such Rambler listings before. My Dad and Mom always bought Ramblers. Great cars, rock solid. As a young man on my own, I needed a car badly and traded my old Harley Trike for a ’62 wagon. I didn’t know that there was an optional aluminum block 6 cyl engine in those years. That car lasted less than 100 miles. Seller said “Sorry”. It is not a common engine to come across and with AMC fans they are regarded as a rarity. Not good, just rare. :-) Terry J
These have limited appeal to begin with, and have to be nice. I don’t see someone restoring a 4 door like this. That ’62, 2 door, maybe, because it’s so rare, but this is just a parts car.
Yup Howard A, but parts for what? Hmmm I guess I’d like to have that new wagon Dad bought, 6 w stick and overdrive. Actually there were 2 : a ’58 wagon and later a ’62 wagon. But that ’64 Classic they bought … black on red 2 door hardtop 287 stick and over. THAT was a cool car sitting next to anybody’s. And on the rare occasions I got to drive one of those, even sitting next to Bobby’s ’64 Goat or Dick’s new Mustang I could grin and say yea but do your seats fold back into a bed? Conversation ending. :-) Terry J
I have to disagree with Howard on this one. If that engine isn’t locked, get it running and drive it. Maybe even do a 20 footer restoration (fix rust with fiberglas cloth, paint at Maaco, etc.) Won’t win any concours but keeps another old car on the road.
I agree with both of you. Howard A: Not worth restoring. Fred W : Get it running and drive it. Absolutely Fred. If it will move on down the road with reasonable cost, it can still be a fun driver for years to come. I wouldn’t spend money on NOS GoodYear polyglas tires though. :-) Terry J
I have one just exactly like this only mine is blue. They are worth restoring. And that’s because they’re bullet proof. Idk what was up with your aluminum engine Terry. Because mine has an aluminum engine too and I’ve never had a lick of trouble with it. It was my pop’s car. Bought it new in the fall of ’62 when the new ’63 models with the concave grille were hitting the showroom floor. These AMC cars get trashed by a lot of people. People who have never once owned an AMC anything. AMC hands down built some of the best made and we’ll designed cars of all time. That’s not personal opinion, it’s fact. AMC was building cars with unibody construction when Chevy and Ford were building sectional frames. AMC offered seatbelts and safety doors as standard equipment when Chevy was assembling cars with disgustingly weak X frames. AMC pioneered countless automobile innovations that the big three later claimed as their own while shoving AMC in the face. AMC made better cars.
Knew a guy who owned a big junk yard in Milton Freewater circa mid 60s. Said he would never buy engines for Ramblers or Buicks. Said nobody ever came in needing either one. The aluminum 6 had head sealing problems. Cast iron head was a big reason. First US built aluminum block however. :-) Terry J
Several things you could do. 1) Agree, a little work and enjoy as a driver. 2) fix and flip to a doomsday prepper for $25k (no electronics..duel fuel gas and methane manure). I like the reverse “c” pillars. 3) If this were a wagon you could rebadge it and pass it off as a Nissan/Infiniti suv!
I’m from Milwaukee and love ALL Ramblers. ’62 wasn’t the most popular Rambler( unlike the ’63-’64) Again, if it looked like the one in the ad, it could be worth $20g’s, but that’s about it, value wise. Cars that weren’t big hits, have to look nice, otherwise, it’s just a clanky old car. ( and this car will need a lot to just to drive, and Scotty can agree, they weren’t that nice to begin with) If you do get this car, I can’t stress this enough, check that front suspension. My grandfather junked his ’61 like this ( perfect body, 41K miles) because of the rusted trunnions. https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/dealer/amc/rambler/1926125.html
The trunnions failed because lunkheads who can’t read put grease into them instead of oil.
I have a 63 Rambler Ambassador 327. It’s been in rainy old England all its life, and I have to look hard to find any rust. The rides is pretty good – and I speak as someone who recently owned a Silver Shadow – and the engine has plenty of grunt. It’s a quality car.
Well, some of you guys know how I got my Rambler but I will post a photo of her anyway. She looks good in factory red and black two tone. Such a simple good running car and great on gas. Even the original clock and radio still work and a great heater. This car was owned by an 85 year old man who kept it in the garage and washed it all the time including washing the underbody as these cars are known to rust everywhere.
nessy, that photo ( and your story) always makes me smile! It’s precisely what the hobby is all about. :)