American Motors rolled out its first all-new designs in seven years when the new mid-size Rambler Classics and Ambassadors were introduced in 1963. They were sleeker than before and had some updates and improvements that were significant enough for Motor Trend to bestow “Car of the Year” honors on the line-up in ’63. The seller’s car, which belonged to his/her grandfather, is a mid-range Classic 660 and appears to be in particularly good condition. Located in Phoenix, Arizona, this “classic” is available here on Barn Finds classifieds for $3,500.
The second generation of the Classic (1963-64) came with a few innovations. They were some of the earliest production cars to have curved side glass and their unibody construction enabled AMC engineers to reduce the number of individual parts. The Classic came in three models: 550 (basic for fleet service), 660, and 770 (one step below the higher trim level offered by the Ambassador). The seller’s car is a 660, which means it may have carpeting rather than rubber floor coverings. In 1963, AMC built 71,600 660 4-door sedans with a six-cylinder engine, while another 11,000 got a small-block V8.
This 1963 Classic is a one-family car, having been passed down by the seller’s grandfather. When not in use, it lived in a garage most of the time. The paint was redone about 30 years ago and looks nice, though there are a few scratches and nicks. We don’t get any views of the interior, but logic would have it that it’s in a similar condition. But the car does have 138,000 miles, so wear would be expected.
We don’t know if this auto has the standard 196 cubic-inch I-6 engine or the 287 V8, but production numbers would lean toward the six-banger. It runs well enough but is said to need a tune-up and some tinkering with the carburetor (which has been rebuilt). The fuel system may have been flushed and the fuel pump and sending unit replaced. The transmission is probably automatic since the seller mentions it does leak a bit when full. This looks like a nice car for the money, and I have a fondness for these machines since my first automobile was a 1964 Classic 770 wagon.
My first car! Those fully-reclining front seats made for a lot of fun that summer of ’76!
Mine too!
There are no V8 badges, but of course those could have been removed at some point but most of those cars were sixes. The 287 was hardly a small-block engine, it was a big heavy boat anchor, designed quickly to replace the Packard V8 Nash/AMC had been buying.
I had the Ambassador version with 287. Gold outside, gold inside.
Bought it with 137,000 miles already on it and drove it daily for 2 years in bumper to bumper downtown traffic in Toronto. It would nose dive when someone rear-ended me, taking out my tailights and headlights when I was bumped into the car in front. After it happened a few times it stopped being funny even though parts were cheap at the wrecking yard. Loaned it to my b in law to take his girl to a drive-in show. He put the big front seat down for some fun and had to drive it home that way as the seat wouldn’t return upright. Best $1,500 I ever spent. Drove it to the wrecker permanently one day.
I think it’s a great little from the past….I’m nostalgic by nature….not every thing was good in the good ol days. But the cars were always great.!!!!
One of my uncles had Nashes, and later AMC cars all of his life, and he had a ’63 Rambler like this one.
These were eccentric cars, usually owned by eccentric people. As I recall, my uncle’s Rambler was a tough, no-nonsense car.
Even though their resale value was usually poor, they were durable, economical vehicles.
I’ve heard it said people who drove AMCs did so in order to be different. Well, as a long time AMC owner myself, I partially agree and will add that we had to be different to want to drive them in the first place.
I miss AMC!
Belonged to gramps, see? I’m not that far off. Grandparents moved to AZ. from up north and took the new, at the time, Rambler with them. There were a few Rambler dealers in AZ. I’m sure, but always a regional make. If it has A/C, that would be the indicator it was bought down there. That dinged front bumper, did you know the front and back bumpers were the same? Again, more info would narrow down the interest some, the automatic is a big plus, regardless of what’s in front of it. Doesn’t look like they were fancy folks, and I agree with no V8 badges, probably has the 6. If interested, I wouldn’t drag your feet on this one.
Swell car!
I had a 1964 Rambler with the 287 V8. It was a stick with overdrive.
2 door hardtop, red.
It was a fun car to own.
A few odd things, but ok.
I like this car. It brings back memories from the sixties.
Just my oponion!
Never had one but some of the neighbors did. Maybe the most interesting ordinary car you can snag today.
Look closely, the front and rear fenders look the same. AMC saved money by using the same molds just like on the bumpers. very practical when manufacturing.
Bumpers, I’ll grant you are the same, but not the fenders. They probably used virtually identical molds however, cost cutting at its finest! My grandfather drove only Cadillacs, but relegated Ramblers to my grandmother!
These cars always make me think about my late friend El who had one for sale back in the 70’s it was a 6 cylinder 3 on the tree. So this guy with no right arm comes along and wants to buy it, my friend said it’s a stick shift, the guy said it didn’t matter he could drive it so El sold it to him and the one armed man drove off in it grinding gears as he went. I thought it was quite humorous and teased El about it for a long time. Anyway these cars were okay cars and this one looks to be in decent condition. I think $3500.00 is a fair price if it runs and drives well and has a clear title.
God Bless America
I have a 63, an Ambo 990 with the 327. Owned it since 2016 when it replaced a rusted Rolls Silver Shadow.
Very solid comfortable car, no rust despite living in England all its 71,000 miles. Everything still works, even the radio.
This 660 looks like a galloping bargain.
In market as sold my f85. Need more info before raise hand. Engine, Transmission, Pic’s of interior and undercarriage would be nice
I like that it’s been in the same family all its life. Although the car looked to be ahead of its time in styling, the engines unfortunately weren’t as up to date as they were heavy and slow, but they were reliable. These were great cars for drive-in movie theaters because of their reclining seats that were also bench seats; your girlfriend or wife can easily snuggle up to you!
Not so fast, Dan, the ’57 Rebel with it’s new 327 V8 was the 2nd quickest car in ’57, with 0-60 in 7.5 seconds, beaten out only by the ’57 F.I. Corvette.
3.70:1 gears helped the Rebel. Of course, the Vette probably had 4.10s. IIRC the 63 Ramblers were the first American production cars with a dual master cylinder.
The ’63s were Motor Trend’s Car Of The Year.
I think Cadillac were the first with dual brakes, if they count as a production car.
Annoyingly, my 63 has single circuit brakes, a UK Canadian-built export car, we Brits weren’t deemed worthy of dual brakes lol
Yes, Cadillac is a production car and according to RockAuto catalogue, Cadillac had dual master cylinder in 1962 on at least some models; AMC was 1963. Of course, RockAuto is not 100% accurate. I think that Saab and/or Volvo had “safety” brakes in the ’50s.
1963 Classic and Ambassador were the first cars with curved side door glass. GM didn’t get there until 1965.