The Rambler American (1958 through 1969) is an American Motors compact car that had its roots in the Nash Rambler of the mid-1950s. After the merger of Nash and Hudson to form AMC, it gave the company a means to beat GM, Ford, and Chrysler to the mini-me auto game. The car was always sold under the Rambler brand and was the last so-named auto sold by AMC in North America. This beautiful 1964 American 440 convertible would be cool just on its own merit, but it also has the interesting twin-stick transmission the company marketed from 1963-65. Located in Bloomberg, Pennsylvania, this trip down memory lane is available here on Facebook Marketplace for $14,500. Our thanks to Dennis House for this rare find!
Here’s the skinny on the Twin-Stick transmission. It started with AMC’s tried-and-true Borg-Warner electric overdrive system, popular because it helped save gasoline (not that it was terribly important in the 1960s). With a sporty twist, it had a second lever alongside the console shifter for the three-speed manual transmission. This gave it a convenient second stick so the driver could manually get in and out of overdrive at any time, without engaging the clutch. Perhaps it was a bit confusing to folks, like the 1983-84 Hurst/Olds Lightning Rods, so AMC went with a conventional 4-speed manual in 1966.
The seller doesn’t go into much detail on this 77,000-mile vehicle. It could be original, but things look awfully nice for 58 years for that the be the case. I’m betting it was restored at some point, as the turquoise paint and matching interior look to be flawless (at least from the photos provided). Fourth-place AMC built 393,867 cars in 1964, of which just 8,907 of them were the high-end 440 convertibles. Since the Twin-Stick was an option, we don’t know how many AMC installed in these cars, but there can’t be a flood of them left.
As Chevy redesigned the Nova in 1968 and Ford introduced the Maverick in 1969, the American was getting tired as a product line by the end of the 1960s. So, the Hornet was introduced in 1970 as its replacement, which sold better – especially after the OPEC oil embargo of 1973 brought buyers to smaller cars. If you’re looking for an unusual car to add to your collection, this ’69 American might be hard to beat. Not everyone outside of a Rambler club is going to have one, especially with the interesting shifters.
OMG, I got into so much hot water by saying “tranny” on FB, and they even deleted my post! Oh the Humanity!
Wow, 8banger! What a completely messed up society we have to endure.
I live in Bloomsburg, Pa. if anyone would like a closer look. You can email me at 07bluetec320 at gmail dot com.
I was born in Bloomsburg, moved to MA when I was 7. Still have fond memories of the Fair. That side of the family owns and runs the Mays Drive-In restaurants.
Oh my gosh! Small world! I work part time for the fair in the secretaries office. I also know the May’s! I play in the praise band at my church with Tracy May. Fair is in 3 weeks, if you want to come down, I have free tickets for you!
I would love to come down to visit and see the fair it’s been several decades now. Not in the cards for this year, but I will keep your offer in mind.
Definitely a small world. I don’t know Tracy, but I used to run a Jimmy Spencer Fan Board and the son of one of the Mays that I used to hang around with was a member.
Ex – cept – tional !
I hada american vert but just before the gen change. It was fine, but a ‘big square box’ compared to this. Funny what a few line changes can do~
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rambler_American
you can see it as the red or black ones early in the article. Love the straight lines of this 3rd gen. Color is a bit of a throw back for this model (hight in the fifties w/ivory or other “white” of that era as accent).
“Twin stick”, oh boy, I did plenty of that, and it gets old mighty quick. Total gimmick, as some would think it’s this complicated 2nd lever to some unknown device, when all it was, was an electric switch. I’m not sure how many people that fooled, not many, as I’ve seen a LOT of Americans, and never saw a twin stick. It was a $150 option, even though that “adjusted” I feel is flawed, there is some merit, and almost $1500 today. For a car most bought as an economy car, it wasn’t very popular. Bottom of the line was the order for most, I’ve seen and owned some bare bones Americans. The American was a great car, just not known for it’s “twin stick”.
A sweet looking ride. Clean lines. Well kept/ restored.
I like this…..
Scotty, you’ve got to be flipping out ! Not only no engine photo, but no mention of engine at all in Barnfind write-up OR seller’s Marketplace ad !!! I think this car only came with an inline 6, but were there engine options ? AMC Guy, HELP !!!
Somewhere between 1963 and 1965 AMC phased out the old Nash 196 flathead on Americans and then phased out the 196 OHV engine on all cars replaced by the all new 199 and 232 in-line 6 cylinder (later enlarged to the 258 and the Jeep 4.2L). As a top of line model, I know it is not the flat head so either the old 196 OHV or the new 199/232. Both are great engines that are known to out-last the rest of the car.
Thank You, Bob !!
I had a ’64 Rambler American… and it had the flat-head 6 with a 3 on the tree stick. My Dad got a ’65 Rambler American a bit later… and it had the much better OHV 6. Both were gold.
This! A pic of the trunk but didn’t raise the hood??
64 Rambler American fun fact; The front and rear bumpers were interchangeable.
Same w/the Classics and Ambassadors.
Market place please contact me about mis information on this car, that was for sale 6 months ago in New Hamshire. Pictures are from 4 years ago when car was for sale in Florida. Vehicle now has damages not presented in these photos.
The Rambler “Weather Eye” heaters would absolutely drive you out of the car, they worked/heated so well. I had a 1960 American and driving it to and from work in the winter in Kansas City was very nice. I gave $60 for the car in 1963 because it had a a rod knock. I babied the thing for 6 mo. and a friend of mine succeeded in blowing the thing up while driving it. I towed it to a salvage yard and got $60 for it.
Just finished restomod of a 63 Rambler 440H twin stick. Remanufactured the original 196 OHC 6cyl and the BW trans/OD. The twin stick was definitely a strange marketing ploy, but the electric OD on the shifter is a fun addition. Not exactly a 5 speed, but still a hoot to drive.
My dad was a cheapskate and bought one after another Rambler for the economy. So I grew up with them. Yes, I have some nostalgia about the brand, but I will not be chided into saying that they were a good, let alone great line of cars. The’55 Rambler dropped a driveshaft and tore out the whole underside of the car. I had my first wreck in the ’61 American. The front brakes on those were large enough for a go kart; one needed to plan well in advance of the stop sign. Thankfully, top speed was only about 68-70 mph. Others that we had had the Hydromatic auto, with push button gear selection. Even with the 6 cyl engine, gear change was not smooth, always a neck snap. Dad gave up after the ’61 American. Each one was just worse than the previous one.
That said, I’d love to own this little green American convertible.
My 1st car in 1967 in high school was a 1963 Rambler Classic with the 196 OHV cast iron engine (with the oil filter on a bracket at the top front of engine). One Easter morning before going to a sunrise service I went onto a new piece of I95 just north of Philly and floored it. It topped out at 89MPH.
What a trip down memory lane. I bought a car just like this even down to the twin stick. It was my first new car. It had the 232 six which, I think, was on all 440s. Loved the car. Sold it a few years later because I was moving to Europe.
It’s nice seeing a non- sports car convertible with a manual transmission. The stick for the overdrive would add to the fun. It’s still a Rambler though, but a pretty nice one
The resemblance to the same-year Dodge Dart is unmistakable.
So-I am looking at my first car! Bought it in ’69 just before I graduated from high school. Had a fun summer, but t up that fall. I always thought it as a top of line model because it had a power top. Mine was an automatic with a bench seat. I am really tempted by this car- maybe it could make feel 18 again.
this is being sold with 5 year old photos originally from Florida (when the car was very nice.Since then the Car has had garage door fall on it, quarters and trunk damage ..grill and facia damage too. Glove box has had animal/dog? scratchs and discoloration all over it. tires are so old no date codes. Lots of other issues. I payed someone to verify car on east coast. Not as advertised. Engine bay is also nasty.