Vehicle Description
1960 Rambler American Station Wagon
The Nash Kelvinator company was bought out and became American
motors in 1957. The two-door wagon was brought back in 1958. 1960
was also the year of the start for the "Custom" series Rambler
American with the OHV engine made from the same molds as the
flathead engine. Many odd shapes and parts were from the flathead.
Approximately 1400 wagons were made that year with no record of how
many had faux wood applied.
...And now for something completely different... a 1960 Rambler
American Station Wagon. Originally from Ankeny, Iowa bought by the
first owner to use to go fishing (and it certainly looks the part).
It went through several owners in various states and dealerships
but was always returned with low mileage clocked on it. Our current
consigner bought it in 2017 and it still only had 37,200 miles. Now
it has 42,718 which is still extremely low.
Exterior
This rare car is bathed in white paint and shows no rust and good
gaps. The car originally came with the factory wood which was a
DuPont DiNox" (vinyl) that had a limited life. Hence this car was
upgraded with hand painted wood grain by Paul Quinn owner of Design
Brilliance located in Springfield, Pennsylvania. This original
Frost White car had a black roof added. The dual tone was an
available option for the original wagons as well. All chrome,
including bumpers, window trimmings, handles, roof rack and the
trim spear are excellent. Headlights are halogen bulbs, and rear
taillights are LED. Gray steel wheels have a R badged moon cap and
are wrapped in black wall rubber by Michelin. The early 1960s
abound with this car showing in deep inset tires within wider wheel
wells and body surrounds. Very hip!
Interior
Using the original upholstery patterns all interior surfaces were
redone in 2006. For the doors a spear is inserted into a white
vinyl field. Black vinyl surrounds some gray stitched tufted
broadcloth for the very central part of the spear, and the armrest.
Original handles and bakelite knobs and bezels can be seen. A strip
of black carpeting is on the bottom of the door. Inside is all
jazzed up with charcoal gray tuck and roll broadcloth for the seats
front and rear, the front being a split bench. In the centers of
the backs a light gray horizontal stripe runs across. Black piping
creates the border between the broadcloth inserts and the white
vinyl bolsters. An original dash in full metal jacket, painted
white, and has a very smoothed over design. In the middle and
stretching to the passenger's side is a black plastic and ribbed
chromed panel, with 2 large black knobs near the shift lever, and
an American badge far left written in your grandmother's
handwriting. Below is a metal panel painted black that houses some
knobs for the wipers and airflow. Above a beautiful near perfect
white headliner is in, and below is black carpeting which is very
clean and pristine. In back for the cargo area are now embossed
flames on the side panels all run black, and on the floor is an all
weather charcoal gray carpeting which is also in perfect condition.
A simple but effective interior, with a clamshell opening top and
bottom rear tailgate.
Drivetrain
January 2016 a completely rebuilt 196ci OHV engine was installed.
The block and head were manufactured in 1959 for the 1960 model
year. This means the car is still "numbers matching" since the
car's serial number does not indicate the engine, states our
consignor. To properly rebuild the engine, the 196 cubic inch
engine is bored .060 over to about 200ci with a mild cam and
increased compression from 8.7 to about 9. A new Weber 2-barrel is
hidden under the stock air cleaner. The engine is painted factory
colors. Several upgrades including a full flow oil filter and
several head bolt design changes to avoid some design flaws the
Rambler factory had ignored. The horsepower was originally 90 and
now about a consignor stated 150. For a light car this is
impressive. The 3-speed automatic was rebuilt by a very
professional shop and can be driven in #1 or #2. #2 will start the
car in second gear for gas mileage and will shift once. The #1
position provides more starting power and will shift at about 20
and then about 35mph. The rear axle is a Ford 8-inch 3.00
conventional rear axle.
Undercarriage
Very light surface rust is on the rear leaf spring suspension,
otherwise the remainder is painted black. Structurally sound with
hydraulic disc brakes on the front and drums on the rear all
controlled by a dual reservoir master cylinder.
Drive-Ability
A quick effortless starter, and great driver. Like driving a new
car. All functions are working perfectly.
About as close as you can come to an original looking Rambler
American station wagon on the exterior, and interior. Mechanically
sound and ticking like a Swiss watch.
VIN DECODE
B169278
B-Rambler American
169278-Sequential Unit Number
TRIM TAG
MODEL 6004 1-American 2 Door Wagon
PAINT 72-Frost White
TRIM 12-Gray Vinyl
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.
