The American, built from 1958-69, was American Motors’ second incarnation of the car since it began with Nash before the merger of Nash and Hudson to form AMC. The final generation of the American ran from 1964-69 and was the last car sold under the Rambler brand as the company had decided to move away from its economy car image. This ’65 American 330, a mid-range model, looks to have been stored indoors for some time and comes with parts to help facilitate a restoration. The car is in Elephant Butte (cool name!), New Mexico, and is available here on eBay for $4,500, although the Make Offer function is in play. Thanks, Steve Clinton, for this AMC tip!
After a restyle for 1964 that brought the looks of the American in line with those of the Classics and Ambassadors, the cars were little changed for 1965. Three levels of trim were offered, beginning with the 220 (entry-level), then the 330 (mid-level), and finally the 440 (top-of-the-line). ‘65 was the last year for the flathead six that displaced 196 cubic inches and had an output of 90 hp in basic form. Without a photo of the engine compartment here, this car could as well have the new 232 I-6 that was good for 155 hp with automatic transmission.
Production of the American reached 113,000 units for 1965, of which 9,000 were the 330 2-door sedan as with this car. We aren’t provided a lot of details about the Rambler, and it appears to have been kept inside for some time. The photos are dark and limited, but the body looks straight; however, the white over grey or green two-tone paint doesn’t look bad. We’re told the AMC product comes with extra chrome pieces, fenders, and a windshield to restore it, but none of these things look bad from what we can see.
The 1960s Rambler American hasn’t developed a huge collector following, except for the performance-oriented Hurst SC/Rambler of 1969. Recent online auctions haven’t gone past $8,000, though the population that it’s based on is small. Given that the needs of this car are sketchy, is this a project you’d undertake?
My 63 440H actually has some styling. The 1965 330, not so much!
The 63 440 is a totally different car, I have one. The 63 was still built on the 1950 nash unitbody. 64 is a whole new car.
It looks like it has a Cobra (real or fake) keeping it company in the barn…
My little sister had one of these for when she went out slumming or when she didn’t want to take her Vette out in the BAD WEATHER. Turns out she had it before and after the Vette. Cool little car and never let her stranded. She had it for almost 5 years and sold it for almost double what she paid. I’d look around for a AMC V-8 or heaven forbid a LS and make a sleeper out of it.
Being a mid level model, I would say this either has the flathead or the OHV 196 with 125 horsepower. Unlikely the 232.
If the car hold up to a thorough in person inspection this would make for a great sleeper project for a reasonable entry price.
Steve R
Just a little bit of trivia. The front and back bumpers on these are the same. Park lights when on the front, back up lights when on the rear.
My 68 Barracuda was the same
Flashomatic:-)
My first car (1969) was a ’64 Rambler American 440 convertible. The most important option it had was the power top. Drove it until the engine blew, probably because I never checked the oil (naive 18 year old). If memory serves me, the original American was built by Nash and looked like an upside down boat-rounded body lines. The second one was a box with lights. This one may not be a highly valued classic, but it could start some conversations at catr shows.
I read that the boxy Rambler American around 1961 to 1963 was actually a reskinned version of the original Americans/ Nash Ramblers designed by Nash that were called the upside down bathtubs. They eliminated the width necessary for the closed wheel wells and squared off the skin to eliminate the 1950’s styling. So the complete redesign in 1964 with the tunneled headlights was the 2nd generation American. They then squared off the front grill and taillights in 1966 through to the last American in 1969. Then in 1970 they did a total redesign and changed the name from the 1969 AMC Rambler tio the 1970 AMC Hornet.
Crappy pictures, tthink the guy could have turned on the flash…
These cars were tough, that 232 ran forever had a Jeep WJ W/one.
my wife killed the engine by leaving the Jeep in gear behind a MH. Also had a 63 Rambler W/the 232
My Godfather, a rugged WW2 career Navy man had one of these. It was Pepto Bismol pink, the color his wife and daughter wanted 🙄😆
I had a 1967 or 68, bought it new, mine was a Rouge with bucket seats 2 door hardtop with the big six. It was great car and held up well for a teenager. Mine was white with black interior. I had a after market AC installed. I think it listed for around $2700. Boy those days are long gone. As I remember this car would click off 27 MPG, I traded it for a 69 Caprice what a mistake. Ok well
The car was a Rogue, not a Rouge.
I think, and coming from “Ramblertown,, USA”, the Rambler American had to be the most successful, universal car to come out of Milwaukenosha. While I don’t recall who would ever buy one new, they quickly became the used “beater with a (good)heater”, and adorned many a “back row” at the local auto tradery. I had a ’64, 2 door, city car, burned a 1/4 of oil ever 50 miles on the highway, city, not that bad, old man had a wagon, for most in the midwest, these were the ideal commuting car, no frills, one step up from bus ridership. Mine was pretty basic, in true Rambler form. Hard to tell here, but automatic, radio, even sun visors were extra. Nice find, no bids, so again, price a bit optimistic, and I’m sorry, most that know me here know this would bother me, but who would name or much less live in a city named “Elephant Butte”, and don’t give me that long “u” crap,,,Mr. Carlin, you were right, the world IS a freakin’ joke,,,RIP, he was a funny, observant guy.