Vehicle Description
1964 Rambler American
By the time the redesigned 1964 Rambler American went on sale, the
model had become an important product for American Motors. The
original American bowed in January 1958 as a smaller, lower-priced
addition to Rambler's product line. Lacking the funds to develop an
all-new car, American Motors took the unusual step of resurrecting
the 100-inch-wheelbase Nash Rambler that had gone out of production
in 1955. At first, only a modestly updated two-door sedan was
available. Still, the American sold well, body styles and trim
levels were added, and it was reskinned for 1961. The first truly
new American was the 1964 model. It was a larger, roomier car built
on a 106-inch wheelbase. To save on tooling and manufacturing
costs, the new body shared many stampings and other components with
American Motors' new-for-1963 Classic and Ambassador.
Styling courtesy the infamous Richard Teague, we have in our midst
a breath of classic air in a straight steel bathed in Dusty Rose
Champagne paint, has mirror-like trimmings, and a good interior. An
award winner at multiple shows, we see very good overall condition,
and runs just perfectly. Breathe it in...deep breaths!
Exterior
sigh Purchased from an estate sale, this classic is rust free
steel, well minded gaps, and all bathed in a respray of Dusty Rose
Champagne from the deep end of the paint pool. A very simple line
with few embellishments, gives this car an almost futuristic aero
look. With its horizontal ribbed grille, flanked by a round
headlight on either side and a pristine bumper below, it has an air
of sophisticated utilitarianism. Just a touch of trim spear on each
front quarter just barely invading the door panels, then a rocker
trim below, and the American badge on the rear quarter, very fresh.
On back the simplicity continues with a pair of elongated oval blue
dot taillights, rocket style backup lights and horizontal ribs. A
nicely curved rear window is trimmed by shiny edging and wraps
around the C pillar for a real greenhouse effect. Passenger windows
have nice trimmings and some small sunshades on top of each window.
Nice dish wheels with a black center and a badged italic R in the
center, are on and wrapped by thin whites on all 4 corners. Very
slight areas of rust bubbling are seen near or around the
fenders.
Interior
As we swing the doors fully open, we see shades of gray mixing with
black graphics, all produced in vinyl and covering the door panels.
A split back bench is up front and has small checkered dark and
medium gray tuck and roll broadcloth, which is bordered by piping
in black and edging courtesy white vinyl all clean and pristine.
This pattern holds true for the rear bench, and these are floating
in a sea of black carpeting very clean too! The dash brings back
great memories as the 1963 version of this car was this writer's
college car courtesy my grandmother who had put only 21,000 miles
on my car prior to me taking it over in 1978. That car was a real
hit, and this one is even nicer, so catch the wind to get over
here. I digress, though, and for the dash an elongated aluminum
oval has round gauges within on either side and a fanned-out
speedometer in the middle. The radio does the same with its trim
and looks like its original to this car. 75,365 miles show on the
odometer, and from the looks of things inside and out, these are
definitely original. A note to the trunk which is lined with like
new vinyl and contains the spare and original jack and stand.
Drivetrain
A 196ci Inline 6-cylinder is within the simple wide-open engine
bay. This engine has turquoise valve cover and air cleaner cover.
All else is original on this engine, and it is topped with a
1-barrel carburetor and has a Borg Warner Flash-O-Matic 3-speed
automatic (get a load of that naming Buck Rogers). The rear axle is
a 2.73 ratio.
Undercarriage
Up in the Classic Auto Mall air atop the lift, we can peruse the
undercarriage, which has some patina, strong steel and is an early
version of unibody construction. Structurally sound, no rust, with
drum brakes all around, and the typical independent coil spring
suspension upfront, and leaf springs on the back. Stock exhaust is
on and looking good.
Drive-Ability
This car was a modern convenience drive far cry from my basic 63
flathead with vacuum wipers (a nightmare!). It started right up and
drove like it was on a cloud. Strong acceleration, and smooth
shifting from the Flash-O-Matic, as well as bias free panic
stopping from the drums all around. All functions were working, and
the radio turned on but received no stations. Do they still
broadcast in AM??! Anyway, driving this car was a breeze, and
that's no hot air.
As the consigner states right on the paper, "this car runs good and
drives good." It really does and might I take the liberty to add it
looks good too and is a great example of the 1964 Rambler American.
Ahhhhh! Fresh classic cool air...
VIN DECODE
B707482
B-American 6
707482-Sequential Unit Number
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 600 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia
on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is
www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914.
Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the
vehicle in person.
