Rambler dropped the mid-level trim for its last version of the Classic in 1966, and this is the top-trim 770 model. It looks great in the photos, and yes, the wheels have been sandblasted and painted an AMC color. I think I would personally rather have them white, but that’s just me. The seller has it posted here on craigslist in Portland, Oregon, and they’re asking $12,595. Here is the original listing, and thanks to T.J. for the tip!
The third and last generation Rambler Classic was made for just two years, 1965 and 1966, and they came in a handful of body styles: a two-door sedan and hardtop, a two-door convertible, a four-door sedan as seen here, and a four-door station wagon. Four different engines and five transmissions were available, all for a car that was only made for only six years in three generations.
This example looks great, and the seller says it only has 68,205 miles, which is an average of only 1,156 miles a year over the last 59 years. It sure doesn’t look like a 59-year-old car to me. The seller says this 770 sedan has had four owners, all of them in the Portland area, and that’s my favorite area of the country for vintage vehicles, as they’re typically not rusty and aren’t sunburnt from the blazing sun.
The interior looks beautiful, other than needing carpet. That’s one of those weekend projects that give vintage vehicle owners some satisfaction and usually can be done by the average person. Taking the beautiful, apparently original (?) seats out, adding some Dynamat-like material, and new carpets is more my speed than rebuilding a transmission or engine. Speaking of that, this transmission was rebuilt recently for almost $2,600, so cross that off the to-do list. In case you were wondering, the seats do fold down so you can sleep inside. The trunk also looks crisp and clean, and the underside looks solid. One thing the seller mentions that needs some work is the “instrument dash cluster circuit board”, but here’s a great photo showing the dash lights.
They say the engine photo was taken before the car was detailed, but I’d want to take one of it after it was detailed, so I’m not sure why a new one wasn’t taken. This is AMC’s 232-cu.in. OHV inline-six with 145 horsepower and 215 lb-ft of torque when new. Backed by the three-speed automatic sending power to the rear wheels, this drivetrain and car, in general, have had so much work done that you have to check out the listing to see everything. Any thoughts on this great-looking Classic?
Good write-up Scotty. Always enjoyable to see a regular family car of its day which has been preserved. I kind of like the blue wheels; it reminds me of when painting them a contrasting color was “a thing.” Lots of new parts installed, with a few more to do. Detailing the engine (assuming it hasn’t been done) might actually be do-able and fun, as not every square inch is consumed with a part/ wire/ tube etc. I hope it goes to an appreciative new owner.
This was the inspiration for the hit song “Rambler Man”, by the Almond Brothers.
Allman Bros.,Lord I was born a ramblin’ man,,,:)
I thought it was “Rambler’n Man” by Bob Seger and the Silver Bullsh!+ Band. I could be wrong.
Let’s see, some ramblin’ songs include, Ramble On, Led Zepplin, Ramble on Rose, Grateful Dead, Ramblin’ Gamblin’ man, Bob Segar, several country artists, but oddly, none about a Rambler. My son lives in Portland and I can’t imagine a worse place for vacuum wipers. The car itself is yet another wonderful example of what’s a hiding in them thar garages yonder, and has a great chance of being enjoyed, because? That’s right, the automatic. I believe the front and rear bumpers are still the same on these, and were great cars.
“Sausalito Summernight” by Diesel.
Beep beep by the Playmates.
“The Chrome Plated Megaphone of Destiny” by the Mothers of Invention.
Hey, if you listen carefully, at a certain point in “Rambling Gambling Man,” you can ask Bob Seger what kind of car he is, and he’ll reply, “I’m just a Rambler!”
I like it, just as it is. I think painting the rims blue gives it a little pop. And lets not forget Nat King Cole, Ramblin’ Rose whilst we are naming songs. ( can you just imagine that crazy playlist on Spotify if someone actually put all these “Rambler” songs together in one spot?”
Great find and great write up too anf the comments. I enjoyed it. Now. Back to work for me lol.
I remember when some car owners, not me, painted their wheels to resemble contrasting quarter sections like slices of pie. Poor man’s mag wheels?
American Motors was ahead of it’s time with reclining seats.
This is a nice car, and as Scotty said, too bad the seller didn’t put in a new photo of the engine compartment.
We saw a similar car about 2 months ago on here. The Methodist minister across the alley from my parents’ house had a ’66 Classic; I don’t recall the model designation, but it did have reclining seats and the venerable 232 6 popper. He used to hire me to wash it and cut the lawn.
What was more interesting to me was the Burmese girl they adopted. I can still see the black hair, tan skin, and white shorts. “yesterday, when I was young”.
Nice memory Jon. Got that old Roy Clark song going through my head now. The older I get, the more it applies to me with time.
Days of Sand & Shovels would be another one, although Bobby Vinton had the bigger hit. Bobby turned 90 yesterday.
A great treat us watching Roy & Glen Campbell do Ghost Riders in the Sky. Wow. 2 great pickers and singers.
My grandparents, and therefore my parents, were Rambler and AMC people, for sure. Pretty much every one of their cars were ordered, not bought from inventory – usually mid-level models, not the cheapskate ones but not the highest trims either, which generally meant hubcaps with exposed wheels. The painted wheels typically matched whatever interior color was selected, for instance grandma’s white 1964 American 440 had a tan interior and matching tan exposed wheels with factory baby moons. For this white Classic 770 with apparently a black interior, I can imagine Dick Teague’s design team trying to add a splash of aqua color to the exterior, but most probably the owner just picked a color they liked. Meanwhile, I love these posts, thank you for sharing them.
Hi Kyle, thanks for sharing, we were AMC people too. Family and neighbors bolted these cars together, and were very proud of that.
Any relation to Whit Bazemore? That guy was one heck of a drag racer.