AMC’s 1958 American compact was a resurrection of the earlier and mid-1950s Rambler, whose tooling was in storage. The launch of the little car enabled American Motors to be the only domestic automaker to post a boost in sales during ‘58’s economic recession. The seller’s fairly basic survivor has been in the same family for 40+ years and its owner is no longer able to drive. Garage-kept, this solid Rambler is in Auburn, Massachusetts, and is available here on craigslist for $7,000. An attaboy goes to Rocco B. for his tip sleuthing on our readers’ behalf!
American Motors and Studebaker-Packard paved the way for volume-produced, smaller U.S.-built automobiles. AMC got there first with the American in 1958 and Studebaker with the Lark in 1959. The “Big 3” would follow in the early 1960s. AMC first wanted to modify the Kenosha-designed/British-built Metropolitan platform, but it was too small for family use. So, they instead dusted off the tooling they had saved from Nash’s Rambler and trotted out the American.
We’re told this little machine has only 35,000 miles, which could be legit given the seller’s story. It’s had the same caretaker since the 1980s and has spent winters in the garage. That means the AMC has been primarily a summer outing cruiser in recent years. The Massachusetts registration is said to be current and the battery is new, so taking a test drive should be easy to do.
The body and paint look good from the photos the seller chose to use, but we only get a limited glimpse of the interior. Under the hood should be a six-banger displacing 196 cubic inches (for winning the Mobilgas fuel saving competition) with a “3-on-the-tree” manual shifter. One interesting feature the car seems to have is a sun or moonroof, but if it’s there, it’s playing hide & seek in the photos.
I probably will Ramble on too long (as usual) but George Mason (head of Nash in the 50s) was farsighted. After the post war boom in sales of all cars, he set his sights on the Conquest of then unexplored automotive territory. The Metropolitan and Rambler ( a name resurrected from the Jeffrey, the forerunner of Nash) as well as the Healy Nash were almost revolutionary to the US market. He was, I believe, the man who proposed the Ill-fated merger of Nash, Hudson, Packard, and Studebaker. Realizing the independent brands would have a hard battle with the BIG 3. My first family car I remember was a 1950 Nash AMBASSADOR Airflite. Reliable and comfortable with only routine maintenance for almost 9 years. Dad bought a used 55 HUDSON Rambler wagon in 58 as his driver to work car. That was also a good car. But, he traded it for a 59 Studebaker Lark. Total lemon 🍋. When the Rambler was resurrected as the American, AMC was in deep 💩, which I’ve apparently been shoveling too long! 😳 BUT, I hope this Rambler will Ramble on to someone who appreciates it and the dedication from the previous owner. It’s always sad to see someone no longer able to drive giving up a long time friend.
I’ve always had a soft spot for these `58-`60 Americans. Simple, not ornate, and yes–the reason AMC posted a profit in recession year 1958. These don’t get any more basic and that’s part of the lure. And in great condition like this, a good starter collector car for somebody entering the hobby.
As for the sunroof, it’s obviously aftermarket and looks like a pull-back vinyl type like Studebakers offered in `62. I’d be very careful with this, since it’s not factory it’s likely to leak. I wish the previous owner hadn’t cut the roof like that.
Yes, this looks just like the 59 American, that I mentioned the other day here with the 63 version, that I drove across country back in 1975 pulling a loaded trailer! And even some factory sunroofs leak, let alone one like this. One answer would be to just keep it inoperable and use some GE silicone caulk. I did that a few months ago after a long time thinking that rain was getting past the door weatherstrip on a much later car. No more leaks and we never used the sunroof anyway.
Based on location, mileage and condition the longtime prior owner took the opposite plan-not nice enough to open the sunroof meant it wasn’t nice enough to take out the Rambler. That’s how I’d handle it.
My Grandfather Loved his Rambler’s! That was his 1st line of buying new cars. When he could no longer find new a Rambler he broke down and bought a 62 Chevy which he drove until he passed in 65. He never thought much of it!
Has there ever been a car that represented the generic term of “car” more than this version of the Rambler American?
Fun Fact. In the mid 60s, Chicago’s Town Rambler had a TV ad, Marty (mafiosa type guy) and Betty (blonde bimbo) For Town Rambler. After listing numerous gifts for simply visiting the dealership, they concluded with…and Mickelberrys, the only Baloney we hand out at Town Rambler! Although Rambler, Town Rambler, Marty and Betty are long gone there still is Plenty of Baloney. 😅 🤣
SUN ROOF? I don’t think so! Someone cut a hole in the roof? Easy fix?
I will pass, thank you very much.
Cool, nostgaglic ride. While the sunroof may be a DIY or Body shop mod, I really like as it tells you about the spirit of the owner. As he only drove it in the summer, why not?
This is one of the reasons I am on BF.
The one thing which has annoyed me since the get-go was the rear wheel opening when AMC exposed the wheels of the original Romney Rambler. The front one’s fine but the teardrop of the rear– set too far to the rear, too– opening just didn’t cut it… from a designer’s standpoint, that is. Imagine that car with a simple semi-rectangular cutout like it’s contemporaries had.
Different for difference’s sake is no excuse for ugly.
NOW! there’s the one I want (even ina good color) – preferably ina wagon.
“…for difference’s sake is no excuse for ugly…”
Pretty nice lookin 4 me, a pininfarina design as I understand it. Smooth
& a bit of the Italian, 50s – 70s european ‘feminine’ shape’n curves superior to the earlier and later lines as moving from Nash to AMC.
Tidbit: this car (’58/’60) is the exact same except for ’skin’ after AMC began producing the Rambler. The ‘square box’ (loved my ‘440, American’, ’61/3) was placed on this one. Asa kid it was the only vert I could afford…
The ‘Airflyte’ earlier model was another superior looking rendition w/it’s ‘bathtub body”. I just dont like the wagon models (earlier in mid 50s) due to the pinch (in roof, I call ‘chevron’ ) where sedan meets add-on for the waggy). https://www.ebay.com/itm/304832019255 model.
That “square box” was an even 3 inches narrower than this round body, which has to be a record for a reskin. They trimmed away the “fat” needed for the front wheels to cut in the pre 55 skirted fenders.
I had one of these in high school. Bought it for $25 to use while I was repainting my 58 Cadillac. You hit a bump and the front fenders would flap in the breeze. I actually tried to destroy that car and couldn’t. It took everything I could dish out. Ended up selling it for $100 when my Caddy was done.
To ACZ: you clearly failed to heed the Playmates and their 1958 hit, “Beep-Beep” — or, you would know that the Rambler passed the Caddy!🤪🤣
To ACZ: you clearly failed to heed the Playmates and their 1958 hit, “Beep-Beep” — or, you would know that the Rambler passed the Caddy!🤪🤣
Harrison, I thought that the Rambler front was accidentally hooked onto the Cadillac rear bumper. Thus “Beep, Beep”!
By the way, I found a Wescor Musicale up in the attic near the 78 records. I think my wife’s brother placed it there with a reel-to-reel portable tape player that I never saw. Must have been after an aunt died. The Wescor has a very nice mahogany finish, has the owner’s manual and what appears to be a good “flip” stylus for either 78’s or 33 / 45’s. It has 5 tubes with 3 speakers, so I dare not try until it gets serviced and caps, etc. replaced. Too heavy so I need to find someone fairly local.
Harrison, I thought that the Rambler front was accidentally hooked onto the Cadillac rear bumper. Thus “Beep, Beep”!
By the way, I found a Wescor Musicale up in the attic near the 78 records. I think my wife’s brother placed it there with a reel-to-reel portable tape player that I never saw. Must have been after an aunt died. The Wescor has a very nice mahogany finish, has the owner’s manual and what appears to be a good “flip” stylus for either 78’s or 33 / 45’s. It has 5 tubes with 3 speakers, so I dare not try until it gets serviced and caps, etc. replaced. Too heavy so I need to find someone fairly local.
This is a beautiful old car that would be fun to drive.
I don’t think we’re looking at a sun roof if you look closely the white is textured, I think this was an attempt at showing us the upholstery on the front seat. I could be wrong but I doubt the roof is textured.