Vehicle Description
-Black with Maroon Seats and Red Patterned Inserts, Maroon
Carpeting, 6-Cyliner Engine, Automatic Transmission, Excellent
Restored Condition.
The Rambler Classic is an intermediate sized automobile that was
built and sold by American Motors Corporation (AMC) from the 1961
through 1966 model years. The Classic took the place of the Rambler
Six and Rambler Rebel V-8 names, which were retired at the end of
the 1960 model year.
Introduced as a six-passenger four-door sedan and station wagon
versions, additional body styles were added. Two-door models and a
sedan became available in 1963 as well as a sporty pillar-less
hardtop. A convertible was also available for 1965 and 1966. The
Rebel name replaced Classic on AMC's completely redesigned
intermediate-sized cars for the 1967 model year. 1968 saw the
Rambler Rebel line renamed and thus began AMC's process of phasing
out the Rambler model.
Throughout its life in the AMC model line-up, the Classic was the
high-volume seller for the independent automaker. For the 1963
model year, the Rambler Classic line was completely redesigned with
subtle body sculpturing. The Classic was named Motor Trend
magazine's 1963 "Car of the Year."
These were also the first AMC models were influenced by Dick
Teague, the company's new principal designer. Teague turned these
economical cars into smooth, streamlined beauties with tons of
options and V-8 power. The 1963 Classics were also the first
all-new cars developed by AMC since 1956. Keeping the philosophy of
the company, they were more compact - shorter and narrower by one
inch (25 mm), as well as over two inches (56 mm) lower - than the
preceding models; but lost none of their "family-sized" passenger
room or luggage capacity featuring a longer 112-inch (2,845 mm)
wheelbase.
The 1964 model year Classics, were refined with stainless steel
rocker moldings, a flush single-plane aluminum grille replacing the
previous year's deep concave design, and oval tail lamps replacing
the flush-mounted lenses of the 1963's. Classics with bucket seats
and a V8 engine could be ordered with a new "Shift-Command"
three-speed automatic transmission mounted on the center
console.
A new two-door model joined the line only available in the top 770
trim as offered here. The pillar-less hardtop offered a large glass
area, and "its sales were brisk." A sporty 770-H version featured
individually adjustable reclining bucket seats, as well as center a
console. The new hardtop body style added flash, but wagons still
accounted for 34 percent of Classic sales.
Consumers continued to perceive Ramblers as economy cars and the
six-cylinder models outsold V8-powered versions.
Although the Classic had economy-car roots, it offered plenty of
space with "clean, unfettered styling that the Sixties
brought."
American Motors positioned the Classic line to offer near-Chevelle
or intermediate-sized proportions with Chevy II small car
pricing."
Rarely seen in this excellent - restored condition, this Ramble 770
is an American automotive staple of the 1960's. Inspections are
welcomed and encouraged.
