When you’ve got to compete in opposition to the Huge Three, typically it’s important to attempt just a little tougher, proper? That’s the place American Motors was in within the late 1950s. By sheer creativity, AMC was in a position to develop intelligent transportation options that will ultimately carry it to quantity three in gross sales, however our Decide of the Day, a 1959 Rambler American Deliveryman panel wagon, is quantity three for a distinct purpose, which we’ll clarify beneath. It’s listed on the market on ClassicCars.com by a dealership in Hopedale, Massachusetts. (Click on the hyperlink to view the itemizing)
The 1950s had been a tumultuous time to be an unbiased automaker, however Hudson and Nash managed to deal with themselves all proper by becoming a member of forces and exploiting its strengths within the market. Whereas the Huge Three had been capturing for the moon, the newly christened American Motors had been capturing for shoppers’ rational wants with the Rambler model. The Rebels and Ambassadors that will come weren’t as flashy as their upsized Detroit competitors, however they had been in a position to deal with any job on equal phrases, together with consolation and routine efficiency.
Earlier than the formation of American Motors, Nash had constructed the compact Rambler mannequin, however America wasn’t fairly prepared for a compact. Nevertheless, by 1958, the onslaught of international manufacturers and the growing recognition of a humorous automobile from Germany gave AMC executives an thought: why not reengineer the discontinued Nash Rambler from a number of years earlier than? With the unique tooling in AMC’s possession, this was totally attainable. Although extra austere than the properly trimmed Nash, the brand new Rambler America’s most noticeable design change was totally uncovered wheels.
When launched on the flip of the 1958 calendar 12 months, the American two-door sedan was essentially the most reasonably priced American automobile available in the market and the one compact automobile obtainable with an automated transmission. Stated George Romney, AMC president, “Primarily, it was easy: Let’s construct an car for the American those who appeals as a lot to their native intelligence as to their ego.”
For 1959, the American sequence was expanded to incorporate a station wagon. Each had been obtainable within the two trim ranges that carried over from 1958: Deluxe and Tremendous. Nevertheless, Rambler additionally provided a sedan supply for tradespeople known as the Deliveryman. This industrial wagon lacked a rear seat, permitting the cargo ground to increase all the way in which to the rear of the entrance seats. American Motors provided variations with and with out aspect glass, however it’s attainable neither had been formally provided as a result of solely six had been in-built complete – three in every configuration.
As you may see, this 1959 Rambler American Deliveryman panel wagon is extraordinarily uncommon and, fortunately for the collector world, this automobile has been given its due by the founding father of the AMC Membership of America. A “nut and bolt” rotisserie restoration has given this Autumn Yellow Deliveryman a luster that’s higher than it had at Kenosha. “Glorious match and end all through,” says the vendor. “Superior chrome bumpers. Lovely glass. Painted metal wheels with right “R” hubcaps.” Energy comes from a 195.6cid flathead inline-six with a three-speed guide transmission. “Beautiful engine bay detailed correctly,” provides the vendor. “Whisper quiet, shifts like butter.”
Remember that this automobile is rarer than simply about all the pieces that you’ve got learn within the ClassicCars.com Journal. Being that solely three had been constructed like this, you’d assume it might price an arm and a leg to personal, however the asking value is simply $30,500. That’s a discount within the truest sense of American Motors.
Click on right here for this ClassicCars.com Decide of the Day.
