Hey everyone, I just purchased a 1964 Rambler 770 Cross Country stationwagon and she will need a good deal of cosmetics before she's ready ready. And I just starting to paly with different ways to finish her. I know I don't want to go pure stock (boring!) and I was thinking someting either like a retro beach wagon or rat rod (but not really into the angry dark rats!) It sure would help if I could see how fellow AMCers finished their wagons. Any one have cool examples they could share?
Take a look at the Goodguys pics I posted this weekend - there were a couple of AMC's in the group. One had a SC/Rambler theme going.
I have a standard answer for this scenario. Get it as mechanically sound as possible and put 2000 miles on it before making modifications. You will be surprised at a couple of things: 1. How much you will enjoy the car in its current state and 2. You will develop a feel for what you "want" with and out of the car that will most likely NOT be what you are currently thinking
Regardless of what direction you go with on your 64, there is one styling alteration that I would do if it were mine. I would paint the grille like the grille on the 64 Rambler Typhoon with the horizontal blackout treatment. My preference would either be stock (except for maybe the wheels), or a "beach wagon" look. I'm not much into the Rat Rod look for a wagon. Notice that on the Typhoon in the photo, the center part of the side trim is also blacked out. You could do the same on your wagon, or you could paint the center part of the side trim a contrasting color to the body (or even a narrow wood grain treatment if you go the beach wagon route).
That one really caught my eye. A neat theme, looked clean, made a statement while just sitting there. Yep, Very good advice. Not enough people do this and then once they get going down a path end up either quiting or spending a lot of money changing to what they realize they really want. That Typhoon is really a great looking car. First I've seen one. I agree, that grille looks great. That Rambler is just too neat to not have it look pretty - even if it is a work in progress for a time, if it is showing signs of continual improvement, people will love it. If it looks like it will always be an unfinished project you might find that people will look and think "just another old beat up wagon".
I agree with that advice. However, I would get rid of the wheels, as they don't suit the car at all. And, if you're still running a single-piston master cylinder, you might want to upgrade to a dual-piston job. (Losing your brakes with a single-piston system can be scary; I know that from personal experience!)
That's a nice wagon! A beach wagon is an easy look. A board, some stickers and a set of steel wheels are all going to cost you barely $500. Actually, a set of spyder caps you will find are the most expensive single item. I would go that route and let the paint weather like it is. But fix the little stuff like electrical, sound system, heating and such. Then just enjoy it. The simpler the better and due to it's rarity on the street, you will find people'll love seeing it!
I assume its a 287 ci, I see the V on the side,, and the gear ratio is probably 2:87 so hwy cruise is easy. I may have the pass side mirror that has the "R" stamped on back.. PM sent
