1961 Rambler American Custom Wagon

For your consideration, up for bid is a 1961 Rambler American 4-door wagon, the first of the 2nd generation of the Rambler American line. It’s what one might call a more compact wagon, and it certainly draws stares when driven.

And it drives well, has been well maintained, and is a pretty solid car that could conceivably be used as a daily driver. Why, might one ask would I want to part with this awesome ride? There comes a point in many a father’s life when the realization strikes that there is no way in Hades that his 16 year old son will EVER get behind the wheel of his primary vehicle (Subaru WRX in my case. At this point those of you who know the WRX will now nod your heads in affirmation. The rest of you? Trust me. In a “I’m becoming my parents” moment I now fully understand why my father traded in my mother’s 1979 Trans Am. Had he kept it I might well not be typing this. But I digress.) or an antique ride like the Rambler (and in the case of the Rambler the feeling is mutual with my son). So he needs a sensible and safe car, and I need to make room in the driveway, so it’s time I part with the Rambler. Not entirely willingly, mind you!

So here’s what I know…I purchased the car in December of 2014 on Ebay and had it shipped from upstate New York. Between the work the previous owner did to get it in saleable shape and the work I’ve had done since, the car has:

• New radiator
• New water pump
• Replaced anti-freeze hose clamp, gasket
• Rebuilt carb
• Rebuilt generator
• New battery
• Recent oil change
• Brake bearings repacked

As the pictures show:

• The paint (two-tone, which looks both good and classy!) is original, which means it’s faded in some places, as would be the case for a natural patina.
• The interior is in fantastic shape, as the pics demonstrate.
• The headliner is solid
• All the windows are operable
• The dash is also in excellent shape
• It’s got the original Rambler tube AM radio (which means, in my part of the country my listening choices are country, religious-themed, and Spanish speaking radio, with the occasional grab of news/talk. Perhaps your neck of the woods will have a greater variety of AM stations)
• 55748 miles (and that’s actual mileage, odometer confirmed from previous owner)
• The car has the original dealer sticker (how cool is that?), as well as both the owner’s manual and the tech/service manual.
• The car has all 4 original hub caps.

The pics might show some of this, but for the sake of transparency, here are some what one might call "issues"

• I’ve shot closeups of the two more noticeable dents (again, there are some smaller dings, and I’d be glad to send you pics if you want), particularly the one on the passenger’s side door, which a previous owner attempted to fix using, we think, bondo.
• The rear bumper is a bit askew
• The seals around the back window are fairly chewed up (it leaks some when it rains. I have the original carpet for the back but I removed it so it wouldn’t get wet)
• There are some spots of rust here and there (again, I can send pics).
• While the interior carpet is in great shape, one part is snagged/bunched up in the rear passenger floor

It’s really a great car, and I’m bummed about needing to let it go, but it’s time.

As a long time E-Bayer, I prefer to keep things simple and transparent, which is why I’m starting at a realistic price and offering a very reasonable reserve. Buyer will need to either pick up vehicle or arrange for shipping. Other such details are noted in the “shipping and payments” tab.

Good luck, and feel free to shoot any questions my way.