1965 AMC Rambler 770 Convertible Marina Aqua Convertible 287ci V8 89553 Miles

1965 AMC Rambler 770 Convertible
- V8 Power
-Power Convertible Top
- Classic American Motor
(Please note: If you happen to be viewing this 1965 American Motors Rambler 770 Convertible on a website other than our Garage Kept Motors site, it's possible that you've only seen some of our many photographs of this vehicle due to website limitations. To be sure you access all the more than 190 photographs, as well as a short walk-around-and-startup video, please go to our main website: GarageKeptMotors.)
"All-new Rambler Classic top-down fun car. Longer, livelier, outmaneuvers all competitive cars." 1965 Rambler Classic convertible ad
While the legendary George Romney had departed from American Motors by the time the Rambler Classic intermediate-size sedan reached the market, his ground-breaking philosophy of smaller-sized sedans with improved efficiency in the form of better mileage, was reflected in the new model. Dick Teague, who would later create the Javelin and the AMX was part of the Rambler Classic's design team.
About the size of today's Toyota Camry, the 188.8-inch Rambler Classic 770 (the highest of three trim levels) was honored with Motor Trend's "Car of the Year" award in 1963 citing its innovative engineering. Those innovations included combining many separate parts in the body into single stampings. The component reduction included the 'uni-side' door-surround that also improved door-fit. Vehicle weight was reduced by 200 pounds while structural rigidity was increased. Equipped with a new 287 cubic-inch V8, the cars delivered excellent 20 mpg fuel economy. Romney must've been proud.
Throughout its six-year run in the American Motors model line-up, the Classic was the high-volume seller for the independent automaker. For 1965, a convertible model was added to the line, as were "sporty options include(ing) Airliner Reclining Bucket Seats in two sizes, console, headrests, manual and automatic floor shifts, wire-wheel covers" according to the ads of that time. If you could go back in time, walk into an American Motors dealership, you likely would've found a Rambler 770 Classic convertible like the one offered here occupying center-stage on the showroom floor. In fact, the car offered here is so well preserved showing just 89,000 miles on its odometer, it's almost a time warp to those days.
The car's Aqua Marine paint remains in excellent condition and still shows good gloss overall. It's a perfect mid-Sixties color. Exterior chrome trim is also in excellent condition, as are the car's lighting lenses, windshield and curved side glass (a first for American-made popular-priced cars), and second-year flush-mounted single-piece front grille. Emblems and badges are all in place, including the V8 fender emblem. Full wire-style wheel covers with "R" branding are in excellent condition; period-correct narrow-whitewall tires are mounted. The light-cream-colored convertible top is power-operated.
Inside, this Rambler Classic shows off its upmarket upholstery and trim with well coordinated dark green and aqua colors throughout. The door trim is particularly stunning. Un-cramped comfort and style were two features salespeople always pointed out for the model. Seat upholstery on the front buckets and rear bench-in overall very good condition with spotting noted on some surfaces-continues the two-tone palate. Aqua carpeting is in place throughout, and a snap-on aqua cover hides the convertible top when folded. The dashboard's gauge cluster is a vintage Sixties design statement, as is the Ambassador-branded "power steering" wheel and "Weather Eye" heating and ventilation controls. The three-speed automatic transmission shifter is mounted on the optional center console. Power brakes are in place. A push-button factory AM radio remains installed, as does an analog clock. (An aftermarket CB radio is also mounted below the dash.) When opened, the glove box features four "cup indents" to (slightly) reduce accidental drink spills on what certainly must've been numerous outings to the drive-in. The car's trunk is as clean and tidy as its passenger compartment.
The engine bay is complete (including the Rambler-branded windshield-washer-fluid bag), and nicely detailed. Underneath, the car is clean with all components properly located. No body-panels exhibit rust.
Overall, this Rambler Classic 770 convertible survivor exhibits excellent, drive-ready-and show-ready-condition. Available at the GarageKeptMotors website, are more than 190 high-definition photographs of the car, taken from virtually every angle including from underneath. The short walk-around-and-startup video gives a brief audio sampling of the 287-cubic inch V8. We encourage in-person inspections of the car at our Grand Rapids, Michigan showroom. Please call or email us first to arrange an appointment, or to ask any questions.
American Motors enthusiast collectors are known to be exceptionally loyal, passionate, and knowledgeable. We'll be expecting to hear from some of them very soon. And before long, one of them will be behind the wheel of this lovely aqua drop-top Rambler Classic 770, heading to a classic-car gathering... or to a drive-in movie theater!