When the owner of this 1965 AMC Rambler Classic 770 Station Wagon purchased the vehicle, he aimed to create a project that would emphasize its years of accumulated surface corrosion as a cool custom. However, after beginning the process, he has decided that he has more projects than he can tackle, so the Rambler has been listed for sale here on Facebook. It is located in Boise, Idaho, and it could be yours by handing the owner a mere $1,900.
As a restoration project, this Classic 770 Wagon has a lot to commend it. Below the faded Frost White paint and years of accumulated surface corrosion is a structurally sound vehicle. We don’t receive any details of its ownership history, but its rust problems seem to be confined to little more than the surface corrosion that we see here. The floors were similar, but the owner has cleaned them thoroughly and refinished them in good old POR-15. The panels have a few minor marks and blemishes but no dings or dents of any consequence. It seems that the owner intended to treat the exterior corrosion to arrest its progress and then apply a coat of clear to protect its appearance. I can see the attraction in this approach, and it would undoubtedly turn heads. Returning the exterior to a factory-fresh state should not be a difficult assignment for those who aren’t taken by that approach. One area that will require attention is the exterior trim and chrome. Several pieces are missing, while a couple are damaged. Potential buyers might need to be prepared to participate in something of a treasure hunt to locate replacement parts.
The Rambler’s interior poses a bit of a mystery. It seems that it was essentially complete when the owner purchased the wagon, but he stripped it out to address the corrosion. I saw one seat frame, but it had no cover or foam, so I think it would be safe to expect the remaining trim to be in a similar state. However, only an in-person inspection will determine what is required. A meticulously restored interior would provide a striking contrast if the buyer intends to leave the exterior in its current state. It should also receive plenty of positive comments at events like Cars & Coffee. It is an option worth considering.
The owner provides no information on this Wagon’s drivetrain beyond it featuring an automatic transmission. However, I get the impression that the engine bay might house a V8. If so, it could be either the 287ci or the 327ci unit. Both would offer respectable performance, and even the lowest-powered version of the 287 would allow the Wagon to cover the ¼ mile in under 18 seconds. A bit of tweaking and tuning could improve the numbers significantly and make this an accomplished family hauler. He does provide this photoshopped image which was his vision for the finished project. It was slammed courtesy of airbags, and the huge wheels add a touch of menace. I’m not sure I would go that far, but a nice set of wheels and a slightly lower stance would give this Rambler a sense of presence.
Stalled project builds are often a minefield for potential buyers because they can never be sure exactly what they’re getting for their money. That is one of the attractions of this 1965 Rambler Classic 770 Wagon. The owner has commenced the work, but he has admitted defeat after only a few hours. That means that the buyer can proceed down their own path without the need to undo previous work. Adding to this Wagon’s appeal is the asking price. Finding an essentially solid and complete classic station wagon for under $2,000 is a rarity, so I believe that someone will grab this one pretty quickly. Tempted?
That’s surface rust…not patina.
Re: photoshop,,,we’re doomed!! Well, everything I hold dear, anyway. Cars like this that are “modernized” just doesn’t sit well. It looks ridiculous. I mean, it’s such a radical departure from what a Rambler wagon means to me, if food wasn’t so expensive, I’d puke. The 770 wagon was the workhorse of the fleet. Rambler never made a truck, and this was as close as you could get. Families, plywood, bushel baskets full of dirt( in my case), it can still remain all those things, but have some pride for heavens sake,( where’s my rolled up newspaper upside the head) make it look nice.
Doomed, I tells ya’,,,now, you tell me, doesn’t this look a lot better?https://classiccars.com/listings/view/1201604/1965-amc-rambler-for-sale-in-cadillac-michigan-49601
The stance on that photo-shopped version makes a world of difference! 👍 Again it shows that right size rims and some lowering can turn even a tired-looking and untypical vintage vehicle into a cool ride
Toss a bench seat in the front and you have yourself a Rambler pickup with a canopy.
If there’s such a thing as ‘perfect patina’, this is it.
So close to the one I’ve been trying to replace, I’m fairly tempted
“Perfect patina” is an oxymoron. Patina is a sugar coated word for neglect, and shouldn’t be glorified.Surely the clear coat to protect neglect, just takes laziness to another level.