Vehicle Description
1964 Rambler American Sedan
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 Contessa Rose
paint, has mirror-like trimmings, and a good interior. A 77,643
title verified actual mile award winner at multiple shows, we see
very good overall condition, and it runs just perfectly. Our
fastidiousconsignor has made a few safety upgrades during his
ownership includingfront disc brakes in 2022, an itemized log of
all work performed, and new tires, all the while keeping the
showroom stock look. Breathe it in...deep breaths!
Exterior
Purchased from an estate sale, this classic is sporting well minded
gaps, and all bathed in a respray of Contessa Rose from the deep
end of the paint pool. A very simple line with few embellishments,
giving 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 the 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. The passenger
windows have nice trimmings as well and some small sun shades 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 nearly new
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 and a FM converter is
hanging below dashcentral. 77,643 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 a 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, now
with disc brakes in the front and drums in the rear, 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, (although our consignor notes that
the transmission is developing issue, we were unable to replicate
any issues), as well as bias free panic stopping from the discs and
drums. All functions were working, howeverthe 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 consignor 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...
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 850 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.
