The person listing this beautiful 1958 Rambler Six Super sedan says they’re selling it for “gramps” as gramps isn’t able to safely drive anymore due to health issues. I don’t know if any of you have been down that road, so to speak, but it’s an incredibly hard decision for everyone involved. It’s posted here on craigslist in beautiful San Jose, California and they’re asking $11,500. Here is the original listing, and thanks to T.J. for the tip!
Taking away someone’s independence, their love, which for a lot of us is our favorite vehicle. That’s a tough situation and a lot of us have been there. It’s sad but also nice that they know it’s time, so now someone else can enjoy this super sweet Six Super sedan. Rambler made the Six, meaning it had a six-cylinder engine, for only a handful of years: 1956 through 1960. For you trivia buffs, four headlights were new in 1958, along with over 100 other changes. Two headlights came back for the 1960 model year. The seller has this listed as an Ambassador but it’s a Six.
Buyers had a choice of only four doors, but there was a four-door sedan, as seen here, a four-door hardtop, a four-door wagon, and even a four-door hardtop wagon. I have to believe the four-door hardtop wagon is by far the most desirable body style. If you wanted a V8, you simply got a Rambler Eight. That easy. (in my best Bob Ross voice) (it seems like he may have been a Rambler guy)
The seats have been treated to a typical velour redo at some point and the seller says the car was painted at some point. You can see a lighter tan color in the engine bay so they didn’t try to exactly match it apparently. It looks good, but there are a few areas showing some surface rust and other small issues. The back seat is hard to see due to the high contrast of the bright sun and dark shadows (I wonder if Barnabas Collins was a Rambler guy?), but it looks very nice inside from what I can see. Even the trunk looks good and it’s filled with period Rambler literature.
The engine is AMC’s 195.6-cu.in. OHV inline-six with 127 horsepower and 180 lb-ft of torque. That’s not a lot of power, and you can see an aftermarket air-conditioning system so that’ll draw some juice from the engine, but what a nice luxury to have. Engine power is sent through a three-speed manual with a column shifter to the rear wheels and it’s said to run well but the full operating condition is unknown, you’ll have to get in touch with the seller. Have any of you owned a Rambler Six?
My mother had one back in the mid sixties.
As a kid I loved that car.
It had the 6 with the 3 on the tree
It’s a good memory for me.
This looks like one very nice Rambler. I definitely prefer having a stick to get the most out of that six.
To go along with your comment Scotty. We are dealing with that very same situation right now with my wifes Dad. He has Dementia and Alzheimers and can no longer drive, or live alone. Its very difficult, and of all the things that bother him the most, its not being able to drive anymore. Driving was something he liked to do to unwind. He doesn’t have any clasic cars ( unfortunately) But we can definitely understand what these folks are going through having to sell “Gramps” pride and joy. And how sad it is for him not to be able to row that 3 speed shifter just one more time through the gears. Its a very difficult stage of life for many, and for their kids who are having to deal with it too. My best wishes to the family, and I hope that “Gramps” Rambler goes to a great new home and get taken care of.
Yeah, the author hears it from me all the time, off the record, how unhappy I am with old age. It’s a double edge deal, happy to be alive, unhappy unable to do the things that made me happy. I’ve come to partially realize, we all take our turns, nobody gets out alive( Jim Morrison)
But not why I’m here, mostly to forget that for a while, and enjoy these tidbits from our past. No way can younger folks relate to a car like this. Neighbors mom had a ’59,
4 door, same color, only V8, 4 barrel, and automatic. It was by far, of all the “parents” cars to cruise in, was the car of choice. Not much could beat it, within reason, of course. My “gramps” had a ’61, same color, it was a popular color, and a 6, but automatic. It was that car that had like 40K on it, perfect body and interior, but the front trunnions rusted, nobody would fix it, and he junked the car! Naturally, the stick here will kill any interest, if gramps can’t drive anymore, guess what? Anyone that would drive this is in gramps situation, be a tough sell. Shame, really, they are wonderful cars that will go with all the other manual shift cars like these, like old age, just the way the cookie crumbles.
Seems like a real nice Rambler! The 195.6 engine is no powerhouse but should scoot along OK with the stick shift. That engine is an OHV adaptation of the old Nash “600” flathead. The factory recommended re-torquing the head bolts and adjusting valves every 8,000 miles as normal maintenance!
https://www.ramblerlore.com/AMC/195.6ohv/HEAD/index.html
I grew up in southeastern Wisconsin near the Kenosha assembly plant. As a kid these were everywhere! Unfortunately they all taken by the dreaded “tin worm”. By 1967 or so they were a very rare sight. That six cylinder engine (the overhead valve version) was probably one of the best engines ever built. Just look how long Jeep used it and it was still able to meet emission requirements of the times.
Jeep used the later AMC six cylinder engine (199 – 232 – 258), not the 195.6 engine. But you are correct that AMC’s sixes were very reliable and long lasting.
As a very young child I recall living next to a church and the pastor had a beautiful Black Rambler like this. One day after it had rained, my cousin and I became mischievous and we used the sides of the car as a canvas and finger painted it with muddy water in the curb. Our punishment was having to go to Sunday school.
I had a hand-me-down 1957 Rambler to drive when I was in high school, two-tone turquoise and rusty and a sure chick magnet…not. It had the six and GM’s Turbo-Hydramatic 4-speed automatic. But it was wheels and did make actual dating possible, if of course I was able get a date in the first place. At least I knew that no girl was going out with me because my car was cool.
You got that right. I too was of dating age when my dad bought a used pink and gray 59 Rambler, with a black and red interior. Ugliest car ever made before, since or after. Truly, if you got a date with that car, you most definitely knew she wasn’t going out with you because you had cool car. When picking a girl up, I would often park around a corner or behind a tree.
Girls weren’t dumb, it was the front reclining seats,,,dad was less than happy if you picked up his daughter in a Rambler.
My grandfather had a light green 1960 model. No radio with a pushbutton transmission. My mother used to borrow it all the time. Usually stalled out about 20 times when cold in reverse before she got it out of the driveway.
Girlfriend’s dad drove one back around 1960; he called it the High-Steppin’ Ram:)
These used to be all over the roads; then, almost suddenly, around 1973, they weren’t.
God bless you Gramps
This car and the bullet nose on the same day. Two of the most beautiful and distinctive cars ever. Both at the top of my dream list. What a great hobby to have something for everyone.
When I was about 6, I remember the door flying open and falling out of my Grandpa’s rambler like this. I hung onto the door and swung back in as he straightened out after the corner. No seat belt so lucky to have made it back in and not all scarred up. I wonder if I wasn’t hanging onto the door handle and caused it to open in the first place.
The next door neighbor had one of these. I don’t remember the exact year but I seem to remember it was kind of a green color. One day he backed out of his driveway and the passenger side front wheel collapsed. It ended up at sorta a forty five degree angle. This neighbor was a notorious cheapskate. We figured he’d fix it. And he did. The man was a true do it yourself guy. We also knew that he wouldn’t appreciate an audience. Later on I think I heard that a trunion joint failed. But I don’t really know for sure. I just remember feeling sorry for that sad looking Rambler. I hope someone buys Gramps car. GLWTS.
One small correction. The V8 Rambler from 1958 thru 1961 was called the Rebel. It used the 250 V8, while the Ambassador used the 327 V8.
The seller describes it as a flathead 6 cyl….
Mom had a ’58 Rebel, pink / black.
Like many vehicles I view, it’s too far away for my serious consideration. Tho flying in and driving back would be quite an adventure, I’m not certain I’m up for the challenge.
Great car, this ‘59 Rambler (not a ‘58 model)! In Holland, Nash and Rambler are fully unknown brands to car buffs.
My family had a 1960 Rambler station wagon. Dad bought it used in 1962. It was Charcoal Gray on the exterior. I’m not sure of the interior color, but think it was Charcoal Gray vinyl. It had the quad headlights. It had the 3rd row seat facing the rear and the tailgate opened like a door. The rear window rolled down by a handle on the outside. Dad wouldn’t roll it down, said it let in to much exhaust gases. It had a six cylinder, 3 in the tree and overdrive. You pulled out a knob on the dash to activate the overdrive. I was only 9 years old in 1962 so never got to drive it. Dad traded it for a new 1966 Plymouth Belvedere station wagon that he special ordered. He took possession on 12/31/1965, I remember that. I learned how to drive on that car in 1968.
I’m 71 years old and thinking of giving up driving on my own, nobody telling me too. I have vision problems and no longer feel comfortable driving. I haven’t owned a car since 2017 but use my sister’s SUV when I need a car. I live in Chicago and public transportation here is great. 3 out of my 4 kids live in Iowa and I would drive back every 3 months. It is a 2.5 hour drive. I will drive it again on 04/11. That maybe my last drive.
This is a 1959 Rambler. Or it has a ’59 grille and rear doors and tail lights.
You are correct Don. The information inside the trunk states such. Seller is dropping the price also.