Bought 1965 Rambler American 330 wagon. Pick up Oct 18 to drive 400 miles home Oct 19. Six cyl 199 or 232, could not confirm which. Three-on-tree + overdrive. Repainted original white, redone seats, good bright work and glass. Has working 8-track. Wheels are Mopar 14" front and 15" rear with recent tires. To me --- looks larger than 177.25" length by 70.8 width :confused: 1959 Villager is: 211.9" by 78.3" Rear window is manual crank.
Very cool. You won't see your twin coming and going very often! Good luck on your trip. And good luck finding some OE wheel covers.
Very nice! Second year for this generation of Rambler American. IIRC, when AMC did the re-design on this, they incorporated some 'Classic' parts into it to save some money. Things like the door window frames and glass, I think. Compare to the '64 Classic: Here's what the Wikipedia article says about that: For its third generation, the American emerged with what would be its only completely new design. The entire line was treated to neat and trim lines with pleasing simplicity (compared to the more boxy predecessors) with characteristic tunneled headlights with a simple horizontal grille between them. The Rambler American's wheelbase grew by six-inches or 152 mm (to 106 in or 2692 mm) and the interiors were made more spacious.The station wagons in the restyled 1964 series came with four doors and gained 17% more cargo space compared to the previous design. They all featured a new roll-down disappearing rear window for the bottom-hinged tailgate. Full coil front springs along with soft rear leaf units, gave the new American an unusually smooth ride, better than many larger domestic cars. The new models also incorporated various parts and components (such as doors) that were interchangeable with AMC's larger cars. In essence, the new body was a shorter, narrower version of the previous years new Rambler Classic. The new styling was the work of designer Richard A. Teague, who would go on to design the 1968 Javelin and AMX. Many viewed the newly designed station wagon as the best looking of any American wagon, with its new, trim lines and ample passenger and cargo room. Led by the top-line 440-series convertible, they were arguably the 1964's most attractive Detroit compacts.[36] Car Life magazine titled its road test of the 1964 Rambler American: "The Original Plain Jane Compact Car Just Got Back From the Beauty Parlor". The 1965 Americans were little changed, but were advertised as "The Sensible Spectaculars".[38] This was part of Roy Abernethy's strategy for AMC to shed its "economy car" reputation and take on the domestic Big Three automakers in new market segments.[39] There were few changes to AMC's smallest models, as Abernethy pinned his hopes for recovery not so much on the low-priced Rambler American as on the medium and higher-priced Classic and Ambassador lines.[40] The year also saw the introduction of an entirely new 232 cu in (3.8 L) overhead valve straight-6 engine that AMC would use through 1979, with a smaller 199 cu in (3.3 L) version being used only during 1966-1970. The same engine was later available in a larger 258 cu in (4.2 L) version (used from 1971–89) and the fuel injected 242 cu in (4.0 L) versions that debuted in 1987, known as the Jeep 4.0, which Chrysler would continue their production after its purchase of AMC in 1987, all the way through 2006. The 1965 models was the last year for the venerable flathead six, which was now only available on the 220 series. It was the last flathead engine to be used in a domestic U.S.
Appreciate comments/info. Do like crisp look. Think white helps with that. Much as fully optioned top of line cars are desirable, simplicity of this one has its own kind of appeal to me. Will check with shop to see if they can "Y" the pipe to end up with dual exhaust at rear bumper. "You won't see your twin coming and going very often." True, no recollection of when last saw one. Wasn't out looking for one. Showed up when web browsing.
There was a later version of your wagon (same body, but with grill/trim changes - maybe a '68 or '69) for sale here in Eugene some time back....Even had the 290 V8 in it.........
Received 1976 Lincoln Mark IV the 15th. Driving it to Salem Oregon 18th to buy 65 Rambler wagon. Drive home 19th. Can post a trip report after I return.
Good luck on your trip home with the Rambler. Be sure to post some pics ! BTW, there are are a couple of very good reasons why station wagons don't have dual exhausts exiting at the rear bumper. Number one is safety, because exhaust gasses will be sucked in and around the tailgate and rear window because of the aerodynamics of a car. (GOOGLE: station wagon effect) . The other is that they'll drag on driveways/ramps, speed bumps. IMHO, enjoy it as a classic (get it? Classic ) stock survivor. The Rambler will never be a hot rod anyway unless you swap in a big V8, and even then you'll still have Rambler brakes, suspension, steering.....
65 American made 200+ mi trip home in fine style. Surprised how well it drives. Better than anticipated. Tight crisp steering. Tracks straight with hands off wheel. Zero brake pull to either side. Low wind noise. Cruised at 80mph no sweat. Seats felt comfy the whole trip. No measurable oil loss. Used 1/4 tank regular gas. That 72k mile straight six certainly delivers. Fun to drive and being uncomplicated is kinda refreshing Cons: Keys don't won't lock/unlock doors. Needs fixing. Bit of brake squeal and need better/quicker stopping power. Will check brakes. Very late clutch but no slipping. Get it checked/adjusted. Temp guage might need sending unit. Big time fading on red fabric portion of front seats.
First thing my "new" 65 Rambler American 330 got was dual exhaust. Went from 2" single to 2.25" off manifold to Magnaflow with dual 2.25" outlets. Continues dual 2.25" to rectangle tips under bumper. Looks like right side aint quite square. Easy to adjust cuz not welded to pipe.
With those pipes exiting like that, do not, ever, drive with the rear window open even a crack. Also, make sure the seals on door and window are in perfect condition. On a cool day, when there is steam out of the pipes, take note of where the steam goes when you drive, and remember that the carbon monoxide is going to do the same thing, and it is insidious.
Thank you and am aware of exhaust airflow issues. If/when do try cruising with rear window down (good weather day) will have front windows & vents open as precaution.
