Sleeper Wagon: 1963 Rambler Classic 550
This 1963 Rambler Classic 550 Station Wagon is an extremely tidy but unassuming looking vehicle. However, it is the automotive equivalent of Clark Kent. All the driver needs to do is to bury the right foot, and the Wagon would be instantly transformed into Superman. This is because this Classic has received an engine upgrade, with a Chevy small-block now in residence under the hood. I have to say a big thank you to Barn Finder Pat L for referring this great Rambler to us. It is located in Los Molinos, California, and has been listed for sale here on Craigslist. The owner has set an asking price of $7,500 for this classic, er…Classic.
The Rambler is quite simply a very tidy looking vehicle. The panels appear to be arrow-straight, while the Bahama Blue paint has a nice consistency and shine to it. There are no signs of any rust issues, and the owner doesn’t make any mention of any rust that might be hiding below the surface. The glass looks clean and free of any noticeable scratches or marks. Being the entry-level offering in the Classic range, the 550 didn’t offer buyers much in the way of external ornamentation or chrome, but what it did offer in this area was subtle and carefully placed to maximize visual appeal within a strict budget. The exterior trim does shine beautifully, and the chrome roof rack is a very classy touch.
Lifting the hood of the Rambler marks the first indication that this is a bit more than your regular and unassuming Classic 550 Wagon. In 1963, the largest engine in the range was the 287ci V8, producing a very respectable 198hp. Whether that is what this vehicle was equipped with originally is largely irrelevant. Whatever was there has been consigned to the pages of history, and we now find a 350ci Chevrolet V8 in its place. It isn’t clear just what sort of power this produces, but I’m pretty sure that it would be significantly more than 198hp. If the rest of the drivetrain had remained unchanged, there would be a real possibility that reliability would have been compromised, particularly if anyone was in the least bit brutal with the right foot. With this in mind, the original transmission has made way for a 4-speed 700R4 automatic transmission, while a ’97 Ford Ranger rear end feeds the power to the road. Spent gases exit through a 2″ Magnaflow exhaust, while new tires, new brakes, and a full set of new bushes in the front end should ensure that the Rambler steers and stops the way that it is supposed to. I have to say that I am disappointed with the presentation of the engine bay, especially considering both the state of the rest of the Wagon, and also because it is what is happening under the hood that is essentially the focal point of what makes the vehicle so special. Still, some cleaning products and a pressure cleaner should make a world of difference. The owner does state that the Rambler runs very well, and with the mechanical combination that has been fitted to the vehicle, servicing and parts availability shouldn’t be an issue.
The Wagon’s interior condition continues the neat-and-tidy theme and would seem to need little to make it really shine. The seats appear to have received new covers with cloth inserts, but the remaining trim looks to be original. It is all in nice condition, as is the original and unmolested dash. There is some noticeable wear and chipping on the steering wheel, but I think that it could be restored okay. The photos aren’t that clear on this, but it looks like the carpet might be showing some wear and fading. If this is the case, then the next owner is spoiled for choice, because there are plenty of companies that can supply full carpet sets for under $250.
I think that I like this Rambler Classic Wagon because it is such a subtle car. There are no exterior indications as to what this actually is, and I suspect that it would have something of a “Jekyll and Hyde” personality. Driven normally, it would be a sedate and practical family wagon. However, poke it with a stick and I suspect that it could be a very different story. I quite like that visual, and I’d also like to see the looks on people’s faces when they got their first peek under the hood. That alone would be worth the price of admission.
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Comments
I still can’t afford a dream car, but here it is. “However, poke it with a stick and I suspect that it could be a very different story.” Yeah, the story of my life! Mild-mannered is a choice, you don’t want to find out what the other option is.
all ways liked the 5th gen (Ambassador 990) for the grill’n stacked hdlghts (al la galaxy/fairlane same era ’66 – ’68~).
Too much done to this for for me to afford (wrong choices too). Need a beater I drive while restorin Nice usable rig tho.
Just call me “Wagon Chad” (40 yrs worth).
aahahahaa
Seek the fox waggy (’83/6 LTD/Marquis). Just add the aol to the end of my ‘handle’.
Well, you had me and then you lost me. 1st, unlike the wagon the other day that was in poor shape, this is much more in line for someone that wants a classic Rambler Classic. My major problem here is the bastardardization of the power plant. Don’t get me wrong, SBC the best out there, but the Rambler V8’s were just as stout, and to replace one with a GM motor, I don’t know, goes agin everything we hold dear. Just an unlikely combination, and some may like it, but I don’t. Ruined the car.
Good luck finding replacement parts on the road for a 57 year old Studebaker engine. If you really want to use your hobby car a small block Chevy is the way to go. Personally, I would prefer a 500 cubic inch Cadillac in it for the endless torque. To each his own I guess.
I think it was more of a Packard design,( some say Kaiser) but I see your point. I’m not sure what you would need “on the road” and NAPA may surprise you what they have. I think a Caddy motor might be a bit much, but have at it. I’m just saying, the appeal in a car like this, for me, would an original wagon like this. Once you do what was done here, it becomes a resto-mod and changes everything.
Agree with you on the SBC Jack. While I tend to think any car should have an engine sourced from its own brand, a Rambler simply gets ‘too much’ for most of us. It may not be appealing to the inner circle of Rambler guys but probably more those of us that like the car’s design but fear the hard to find engine bits. You really can’t beat the bang-for-your-buck associated with a SBC
It would be interesting to see how location of the rear axle was handled. The original Rambler Classic drivetrain used a torque-tube with coil springs and Panhard rod in the rear, so you can’t really use anything else without major modifications. From what I’ve read the “easy” way is to convert to an open driveline with leaf springs as in the Rambler American. Fancier setups would retain the coils and fabricate control arms to locate the axle.
I see electric wipers have also been installed. (That wiper motor and mounting plate don’t look like the factory option.)
It looks like they had some paint leftover from the barn so they did a quickie squirt on the car.
The outside of the car matches the barn better than it’s own door jambs.
This is really cool. I love the sleeper idea. I have have a sleeper in the works myself. The problem is the bar has been raised dramatically when you have new Accords that run 0-60 in 5.5 seconds. If you are building a sleeper it better really be carrying a big stick if you want to be competitive at stoplight Grand Prix.
Engine mount fabrication is pretty crude. If refined a little better and brakes and suspension are upgraded would be a fun cruiser.
I agree. One beautifully prepared wagon ruined by the view under the bonnet. I wonder what the owner was thinking of when he went to all that trouble of fitting a nicely painted V8 and then leaving the engine bay looking like a dog’s breakfast!
It would appear that the option to edit has disappeared. Is that permanent Guys?
I know you can’t edit in early access, not sure once they are posted. I will find out in a second. Take care, Mike. It’s working for me now.
Thanks leiniedude. Working now.
Not too fond of the mint green color.
Not keen on the grille as it reminds me of the early 1966 Ford Zephyr 6 from UK otherwise a nice wagon.
Sweet looking car. I’ve always loved American Motors cars. I don’t know exactly how much it’s worth, but if I were to buy the car, given its condition, I’d pay $5000, and restore just enough of the car so that it’s driveable, possibly install safety belts, etc.
I think this car was originally a 6 cylinder model. The V-8’s had V-8 badges on the front fenders. My aunt and uncle had a ’63 Classic 660 wagon with a V-8 and it had the front fender badges identifying it as a V-8 model.
I had a 660, stick, I put OD in it, had full caps, nice car, great milage, didn’t keep track as it ran forever almost on a fill up. White/red. Had 4 kids, built a box for the rack and took off traveling. This was when Woodstock was on.
Wwhy didn’t he clean up the engine compartment. And yeh, had a boat W/Greymarine 327 V* in it, was the AMC
I like this car and the idea behind the build. As I read the comments, it seems I am out of sync, with most of the comments, I seriously doubt if Howard and I could agree on the time of day at high noon. And that’s OK, us car guys are just naturally very opinionated and tend to think, it’s our way or the highway. I just hope ,I am on the side of the silent majority and not the vocal minority. Probably, wishful thinking. Also, I think the bottom line to all of this car obsession, is that what keeps it so interesting ,is our diverse likes and dislikes and the fact that there is no right or wrong.
I really like this car. It has been tastefully done. (except for the engine bay) Also remember that rebuilding a SBC almost in any form will be less costly than any AMC. (6 or 8) Also, the same goes for the transmission. I had a 265 Volvo that I ran a 5.0 Ford in that ate 2 Volvo diffs before installing an 8.8 Ford. (It was my ex’s daily driver. So minimal animal driving performed) I sent an 8.8 and one of my used Volvo diffs (strapped to a pallet) to Randy’s in SoCal. And it came back with the axle tubes swapped and Volvo hubs on the Ford Axles. In 1990 dollars it was a little expensive, (about $650) but well worth it. All I had to do was swap it out when it came home. Also a 1997 Ranger axle will be an 8.8, so no strength worries there. Other than a brake upgrade, a couple of sway bars and good shocks. The only thing I would change would be some wider wheels and tires. I would keep the wheels the same color and still use the dog dish hub caps. I want it, but the herd is already too fat!