Tidy Driver: 1960 Rambler American Station Wagon
Rambler introduced the First Generation American model in 1958 as its new offering within the compact market sector. The company offered the vehicle in several body types by 1960, including a Two-Door Station Wagon. Our feature American is one of those vehicles, and its presentation is excellent for a vehicle of this type and age. It needs a new home, so the owner listed it here on Indiana Hibid in Pasco, Washington. The action has been sedate, with five bids pushing the price to a dizzying $21! However, plenty of time remains on the listing for those wishing to stake their claim. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Mark W S for spotting this classic Wagon.
AMC’s decision to introduce the new Rambler American for 1958 appeared to be an inspired choice. An economic slump coincided with the release, meaning buyers turned their attention to smaller, more affordable alternatives to fill their garages. The American was a perfect fit and sold in respectable numbers. Considering American development followed the AMC trend of utilizing a shoestring budget, the new model provided a much-needed financial shot in the arm for a company with “The Big Three” firmly in its sights. Our feature vehicle is a Deluxe Two-Door Station Wagon presenting well in a combination of Placid Blue and Frost White. It is unclear whether it received any prior restoration work, but the lack of flaws and defects suggests this is possible. The listing text is pretty uninspiring, leaving us reliant on what we find in the limited supplied photos. These show no evidence of dings, dents, or rust issues. The glass looks excellent, as does the exterior trim. Nothing is missing, and it appears this classic has no immediate panel or paint needs.
Buyers ordering a 1960 American Wagon received a 196ci flathead six-cylinder engine producing 90hp and 150 ft/lbs of torque. This Wagon features the standard three-speed manual transmission, although buyers could also select an overdrive unit or a three-speed Flash-O-Matic. The modest power and torque figures meant the Wagon took a leisurely 21.3 seconds to cover the ¼ mile. However, that wasn’t the aim of the exercise because this classic could cruise happily at highway speeds without any drama. The seller indicates this American has an odometer reading of 31,000 miles, but not whether they hold evidence confirming the figure as genuine. It runs and drives, and if the engine bay presentation indicates its mechanical health, the winning bidder should be able to fly in and head home behind the wheel of their new toy.
One aspect of this Rambler that attracts me is its consistency. The exterior and engine bay present exceptionally well for a classic of this vintage, with the interior continuing that trend. As an economy model, potential buyers won’t find air conditioning, power windows, cruise control, or other automotive “tinsel” inside this classic. Long journeys mean the successful bidder may need to tune the vocal cords because there isn’t even a radio! Look beyond the sparse equipment levels, and what we find is an interior needing nothing. The upholstered surfaces show no signs of wear or abuse, the rubber floormats are in a similar state, the wheel is crack-free, and the painted surfaces are crisp and clean. I might not describe the interior as “showroom fresh,” but the buyer won’t need to spend a dime inside this classic.
Describing the First Generation Rambler American as a new model is slightly misleading because limited development funds forced the company to base the American on the 1955 Nash Rambler. That didn’t deter buyers, with 120,603 willingly handing over their cash to park an American of some description in their driveway in 1960. Of those, 16,523 selected the Two-Door Station Wagon. It is unclear how many survive, but recent sales results suggest the bidding on this one should top $15,000 before the hammer falls. When that happens, it appears the winning bidder will have the chance to build a relationship with their new toy by driving it home from its current location. I can’t think of a downside to that scenario, can you?
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Comments
WOW does this look like a great find. Yank the engine and transmission, install an electric motor and battery bank with degenerative braking, and cruise this baby!
Why defile a perfectly good Rambler that way? Internal combustion: accept no substitutes!
Just no SBC please.
Oh Christ! Take that EV crap out and stick in a coal-fired boiler instead. Plenty of room in the back for at least 50 miles worth of coal… Maybe solar panels on the roof to run the dash lights? Whichever alternative we go it’s going to just be a chick magnet
I want this… just the way it is.
Room enough for a second engine under the hood.
Ironic, in that in order to remove the engine you have to do it from beneath the car.
I was thinking, that engine bay looks like it drains well…
That is just a fabulous find and it needs nothing I can see. A SWEET ride at a good price.
18 days left on the auction.
Now THIS would catch a lot of eyes, because of its uniqueness. I’m sure many younger people wouldn’t have a clue what it is. That little flatty looks so tiny in that engine bay. The OHV 196 actually made its debut in these for mid 1960 as an option.
I would never desecrate this car by masking it into an EV. That said, if I was anywhere near the left coast, I’d be bidding on this car. I love them stock, or hot rodded!
Yes. Way to turn it into yard art.
Battery packs degrade sitting around like hobby cars usually do.
I hate to think how many I would have paid for over the 40 years I’ve owned my Valiant.
As it is, I replaced one well worn engine in it back in 1988.
It didn’t cost AMC much to bring out the first American. They were basically a rehashed ’55 Rambler, the only changes being upside down tail lights and different grill. Even the interior is the same.
Opened up the front wheel wells which improved the turning radius.
A very useful visual improvement.
That had already been done for the 1955 model year. The new 1958 rear wheel openings should’ve matched the shape of the front openings and they were a bit too far back.
Yes, do that, more gas for me.
Pasco, WA is as dry as it could be. If it’s been there the whole time rust shouldn’t be a problem.
That is just beautiful – what a find!
Having driven a few cars from that era I bet it’s an eye-opener to steer and stop – we’re so used to the modern machines – but I sure would love to take a spin in ‘er, with the “3 on the tree” and all!
I am struck how relevant my ’63 Valiant remains and how easy it is to drive: three speed on the column, un-boosted brakes and steering.
It takes deliberation, awareness and attention to the task of driving, but the extra effort is liberating somehow.
Would love to have this in my garage just as it sits!! Reminds me of my very first car which was a ’59 Studebaker VIII Wagon with the “kick-down” overdrive and three on the tree. Used to haul half the football team in it to the local Chuck Wagon restaurant after practice. Great memories.
nice little puttputt
I became owner of one of this 1960 wagons by purchase from the original owner(my Dad). Single color A1314Rv Auburn Red..
You may find this information interesting. Beginning in 1960 Rambler was protecting their cars against rust by dipping the complete car in a bath of primer. The public information was that the bath got primer to cover 100% of all interior spaces. It really worked as you will not see rust on any early 1960 and beyond cars (To my knowledge. American my family owned 1960 Amer Wagon 1964 (mine)Amer. 440H 1969 Rambler Rebel, 1970 Classic Wagon, 1974 Gremlin, Lived the time in Colorado mountains with wintertime salted highways. NoRust any time,any where, any conditions. What was happening with the Big Three and rust during the 60/70’s same conditions. RUST everywhere.
Wow, nice car. Way too far away and I don’t think this auction company has anything but money in mind. If you bid, they have a 20% buyer’s premium at that auction. That’s the highest I’ve ever seen. Other restrictions are pretty onerous too.
I’m w/the 1/2 above who like it.
I might even pay extra for it.
I love the 1st 2 yrs (is that the ‘airflow’?), the 2nd 3 (but not wagon, hate that) country club/super, & SD, and both Nash Healies (’50/5). ’56/7 is as shocking as the 1st gen Valiant (not good). The ’58/60 have a slight Italian (American, Amer Custom) feel to their looks, a good thing. I had ‘the square box’ it’s nxt gen (with AMC, no more Nash) ’61/3. They’re all good but the weird early-middle there.
This 1 might have the best styling tho. Gota lill Amazon in it, small is good. It might be too small (cant judge myself, no reference there). Would like to try it w/a barn door back rather than the tail-lift gate. I thought the 195 (3.2) was a great motor. Very smooth & enuff power for a 2750lb brick. Plenty room too, even w/100WB. I’d buy the ’62 again (was a vert or this wagon. Heck, onea each!