A lost profile stuck in my mind but it was instantly recognizable the second that I spied this 1963 Rambler Classic station wagon. Nowhere near as commonplace as say, a ’63 Ford Country Squire or Chevrolet Impala, the concave grille and swept-back C-pillar clearly announces “Rambler” and they were suburban situational in big numbers in the ’60s. This example is claimed as a barn find and is located in Washington Court House, Ohio. T.J. found this one here on Facebook Marketplace and it can be yours for $6,850.
Known specifically as a 770 Cross Country, part of the Classic trim line, this Rambler station wagon joined company with others in the line up including the Rambler American – which included a two-door body style, and the top drawer Ambassador. The Classic trim line often existed as the “Classic Six” but in this case, this Classic is a 770 trim level with a V8 engine. The total production of this version was about 4,400 units.
The V8 in question is a 198 gross HP, 287 CI powerplant joined to a three-speed Borg-Warner automatic transmission – even the lowly Rambler was using a three-speed automatic while market leader Chevrolet was still futzing around with its two-speed Powerglide! The seller tells us that this wagon, “…does run. It will need some work to be driven“.
We’re told that the underside of this wagon is clean, and its trailer perch will allow for easy inspection. The body, which appears to be finished in Corsican Gold Metallic, shows pretty well. There is some minor surface rust in place and a barn existing accumulation of dirt that makes close inspection difficult. But, there is no sign of significant rot or crash damage – and all of the stainless trim is present though the “Cross Country” tailgate emblem is missing most of its second C along with the O and U – probably a difficult badge to source. The after-market wheels are an interesting choice and don’t really do anything, IMHO, to enhance this car’s appearance.
There really aren’t any interior images included other than a few of the dash/instrument panel. And while those components show well, there’s no telling what kind of shape one can expect from the upholstery and cargo area. There’s a slight glimpse of the front passenger door panel and it looks wrinkled, but it’s just the slightest view. The absence of images usually makes one think there’s a problem but an inquiry should really be made for additional information and images before jumping to a conclusion.
Like this one? I sure do. Old station wagons are hot property right now with the preponderance being everyday Chevies or Fords but just how often do you come across a Rambler wagon?
I think this may be a pretty good deal. It seems to be in fairly good shape with hopefully minimal rust. The interior may need some money thrown at it, but the exterior looks pretty good. It seems to be all there, and it does have rarity going for it. The ask seems reasonable to me especially considering the condition and the fact that it’s a wagon. Definitely get rid of those aftermarket wheels, they look terrible.
Well, I’m not that thin skinned and will take Jims description with good candor, but if he lived in the upper midwest, Rambler wagons were indeed more popular than Ford or Chevy. Even the cops drove Ramblers. It certainly wasn’t “lowly” to us, even though I’ve used that moniker too for the sake of comparison. In ’63, Rambler was MTs Car of the Year, how they edged out GM, I still say is questionable. Regardless, it was a huge boost for sales, and Rambler was the place to work in the 60s. The white spokes are a bit much, some Magnum 500s, maybe, it’s a sharp looking car, and I’d lose the V8, and put the trusty in line 6, I’d offer maybe a grand, as is.
Well geography can influence sales but I was basing my statements on the totality of production figures for ’63:
1. Chevrolet 2.2 M
2. Ford 1.5 M
6. Rambler 464K
464K isn’t too shabby (number 4 Plymouth was only 488K!) but it’s a long way from there to the number 2 or 1 position.
JO
Who was no. Five, Studebaker?
Oldsmobile – 476K. Studebaker was twelfth at 69K – they left the U.S. in December of that year.
JO
Why on earth take out the V-8, which is somewhat unusual on a Classic (vast majority were sixes), and put a 6 in it? It came w/that V-8.
Well, for starters,,( pun intended), I’m sure this motor will need a complete rebuild, and when done, you’ll still have a mid teen mpg vehicle. I love a V8, and Rambler made one of the best, but today, the bulletproof in line 6, is just more user friendly. Rambler won the mileage tests ( whatever happened to that,,who cares, I guess) consistently with the 6. Just don’t over do it with the hill shy 2.5, another offshoot of the 6. This cars “Cross Country” days, where a V8 was needed, are over and just a trip to Walmart is about it for this car today.
I can tell you how. These were really screwed together well, and quite advanced for the time. Thanks to light weight unit bodies and full-body side stampings — a first for Rambler — these were light (like 2550 lbs. for the sedan), sturdy and pretty quick even with Rambler’s ancient V8s. Compared to the full-frame Impalas and Biscaynes, Rambler’s Classic and Ambassador lines were state-of-the-art.
In the mid-’70s I had a four door sedan that wore like iron. I drove it all over the Midwest and took it from 35,000 miles to just 100 miles short of turning the odometer over when I got rear-ended by a semi. Totaled the car, but I was fine. It was a great, anonymous highway car.
Well thanks, I’ll take that as a compliment. Growing up in Milwaukee, I had many neighbors and friends parents that worked at AMC. I even delivered auto paint to the factory on E. Capitol Drive in it’s final days,( now a Walmart). The folks were very proud of these cars, not unlike Harley workers, and since Rambler was sort of a regional car, that car they took extra time on, might become their neighbors car. It was a “family” of sorts, a campaign Saturn hooked onto later. It was a sad day when AMC went under,,
For the record, MilwauKenosha breathed a sigh of relief when Studebaker, the closest competitor, went down,,
Maybe just a technicality, but officially AMC did not go under, they were building AMC Eagle SUVs (the last AMC designed cars), Jeeps and Renault designed front wheel drive cars when Chrysler bought them out in 1987. AMC stockholders did ok. AMC stock converted to Chrysler stock and then to Mercedes-Benz stock. Now pays a nice dividend.
Same wheels on the car as the trailer, lol. This is a nice car that you never see. Could be cool to fix up and hit the shows with.
My first car in high school was a gold 1963 Rambler Classic in 1967, same color as this wagon. Good memories. I took it out on a highway early one Easter morning (no traffic) and got it up to 88MPH with the old 196cid cast iron ohv engine that was replaced a couple years later by the new 199/ 232/ 258/ 4.2L Jeep engine.
LOVE LOVE LOVE the 1 thru 12 Speedo!
I’ve always liked amc never owned one other than a few Jeep’s but there was always something intriguing about them. This one looks well worth some lovin to get it road worthy. Loose those wagon wheels and do something with the white bumpers and grill. Love too see how good/ bad the interior is. It looks like it would be a fun project.
Love this one I have said before my brother and I had a 64 770 cross country but had third row with the dual tailgate it was a unicorn robins egg blue tinted glass ac amc 327 v8 with a three on the tree and a lever under the dash for overdrive that thing flew it was a true sleeper and the front cloth buckets folded flat into a double bed VERY convenient for high school dates girls parents thought such a nice conservative station wagon yeah yeah that’s the ticket wink wink! Lots of good times down the Jersey shore with that one!!!
Happy to say I took this one home with me today. Thanks to Tom for brokering the deal and well wishes for Patrick the seller. Put it on the rack at Tom’s shop and the underside is very solid. Some bubbles here and there on the shell but overall will make a a cool cruiser and the fact that it drove up on the trailer was a plus. Engine runs smooth and does not smoke. Probably drop the stance a bit, put some nice Bonnieville style rims on it, replace all the interior and clean it up really good for cruising. IDK though. Would make a cool gasser too. Hmmm. Two piece headliner and the front half seems okay. Back half needs some work or possibly replaced. I love the roof rack. Happy with this purchase so far.
Congratulations! Thx for letting us know, Best of success with it!
JO
Thanks man. Been wanting a wagon for a while. This one hit all the marks and was just close enough to home.
I have a 63 Ambo 990 with the 327, 2bbl. I get 19/20mpg (Imperial).
It’s a great car, and if this were right-hand steer I’d be up for it.
Hey guys, I am looking for a v-8 automatic, 64,65 or 66 classic or ambassador to be used for parts. Mainly need a good drive line. I am in the Florida panhandle and any info on an acceptable donor would be greatly appreciated.Thanks.