With summer almost here (even though we got yet more snow last night) for most of the country, this 1964 Rambler American 440 convertible would be a fun summer car. This little beauty is listed on eBay with a current bid price of almost $7,000 and it’s located in Simi Valley, California – an area that doesn’t have to worry about snow.
1964 was the first year of the third-generation Rambler American and it was the last redesign that this make would receive. The 440 would be the top-trim level followed by the 330 and 220.
This car isn’t original, however, it “has been freshened up to enjoy every day with over $15,000 spent to make it dependable and super nice inside and out”. They don’t mention rust repair or whether it has or had any rust but I’d want to check it out in person. It sure looks good from the photos but some photos show a slightly-wavy quality to the body in areas, maybe that’s the light or shadows playing a trick.
I’m not quite sure why there is an olive-green carpet in this car? I’d want to change that asap, that combo isn’t working for me – maybe the next owner wouldn’t mind. The back seat looks great, but there’s that unusual green carpet again. With so much work done to this car I’m surprised to see that carpet in this one but the seats look like new. The trunk looks great, too.
This engine is AMC’s famous 196 cubic-inch inline-six and the seller says that it’s “a rebuilt super 6 cylinder motor that really moves out being linked to a smooth shifting automatic transmission. With all the power extras this is one special little car.” Those power extras are a power top, power steering, and power brakes. I can’t quite tell if this car has power brakes, anyone? NADA is at $18,000 for an average retail on this car, which is surprising to me, but it’s nice to see AMC products getting some love.
Except for the carpeting, what a nice little car. Astro-turf maybe?
that green carpet is what happens with age/ sun exposure. no power brakes, no booster any where. shoe dye works really well on carpet. it gets a little stiff, but a couple goings over with a vacuum softens it back up.
Right, no power brakes, just manual drums. This car does have the relatively rare electric windshield wipers, not that you’d want to drive it in foul weather. It’s also rare to see one of these with the triangular ornament still on the hood.
I can’t tell if this has the optional 2-barrel carb. I do see a power steering pump and what looks for all the world like an AC compressor mount though there’s no other sign the car ever had air conditioning.
The low end models still had the wallowy flathead six until 1965. It was finally retired in favor of the 199 OHV.
swap in a 390 or later 401 for some real fun!
I always thought it would be cool to build a “phantom” SC/Rambler convertible, but this car is too nice for that.
Nah, this car is for quiet rides in the countryside, the six is perfect and damn reliable. Pride of Kenosha, indeed! I miss the good old days sometimes, though I know modern cars are sooooo much better in all respects. Guess I just miss being young when the world seemed fresh and full of possibilities. This car reminds me of the good times. (said the old man nearing the grave)
Rambler’s 195.6 six is the same displacement as the ancient flathead six. The 195.6 six is just the old flathead converted to OHV, still has the old as the hills 4 main bearing block and partial flow oiling system from 25 years earlier. The new 7 main bearing 199 & 232 were light years ahead of the older engine, they lasted for almost 40 years in production in various displacements.
The car itself is another matter. It is a scaled down version of the all new for 1963 Classic and Ambassador cars. It is a very nice car to drive and acquits itself very well for it’s intended purpose as were the Classics and Ambassadors of 1963-66. If properly maintained they lasted a long time. They were not a race or luxury car but for basic transportation plus a few extras they were hard to beat and the basic body lived on in South America until 1981, lastly being a Renault Torino
Wow. What a cute little ride. Agreed; it’s good to see AMC’s getting some proper respect. This one would make a great addition to any AMC family collection
What a great driver that you will not look like an old man reliving his youth in. The simplicity of everything makes it beautiful to me!
Happy little car!
what a beautiful car!
I’d enjoy driving this on a warm Summer evening. I also like the Renault that Loco Mikado posted, yet another car I’ve never seen before.
That was my first new car—same colour even. Mine had the twin stick overdrive.
Unusual to see a 440 that does not have full wheelcovers.
My future Mother in law had a 1962.That was the previous square body style. It was a white convertible with red interior. It looked like a cake of Ivory soap. It had the flathead, non electric wipers, and two speed auto.
This car is much more desirable in every way.
Like MikeH, my first car was also this car’s twin. Mine had the power top, but no other extras. As it was my first car and was 17, I had not yet learned the value of routine maintenance. Blew a piston going south on Rand Road at about 65-70. That cost me the car, but I really liked that little convertible.
A 1962 model would have had the 3-speed “Flash-O-Matic” Borg-Warner automatic transmission. The 1964 American was completely redesigned except for the drivetrain, which carried over from the previous models, so this car has the same basic transmission as the earlier model.
The newer series 232 six was optional in the American starting in 1965, though the flathead was still the base engine. You could only get air conditioning with the old 195.6 though, since the newer engine was longer and barely fit, no room for an AC condenser. (This was rectified for 1966 with a redesigned front clip.)