Need some opinions

Ok I have located 2 differant cars 1st a 1962 AMC Rambler american cross country, I am told it does run, interior is shot has 3spd with o/d and factory air no rust at all. 2nd is a 1962 Pontiac Bonneville wagon interior is in relativly good shape, car has sat since 85 due to slipping 4 spd automatic no air. Both cars are Az cars with no rust. I am a Pontiac guy but the car is 2500, My wife likes the Rambler and it is only 800. Please help out with a little pros and cons of each. I would like to buy one this weekend. Thanks ahead of time. PS what do you think of parts availability for each

 

"My wife likes the Rambler and it's only $800"

I think you just answered your own question right there.

I'm a Pontiac guy too, but always dug Ramblers. I'd love to build something for my sweetie. It almost happened a couple times, but she went all pragmatic and used the money on other things in the end. Maybe some day... So yeah, I'm a little jealous.

 

The Rambler American is little and very boxy. It was a poor attempt to update a basic body that dated back to the early 50's. The 61-63 American has very limited apeal and I expect it would be very difficult to get parts for. I would prefer the late 50's American wagon myself to the 62 American ( or the larger more conventional looking 62 Rambler Classic wagon). The 64-69 Rambler Americans were actually very nicely styled cars that looked as good as any of their compact competition. But the 61-63 Americans had strange looking proportions. It won't matter how much money you put into a 62 American wagon, it will never be worth much. Unless you love the car or are at least certain your wife will enjoy driving it (and can drive it if its 3 on the tree), then I would pass on that one.
The 62 Pontiac is probably the single most desired model year for full size Pontiacs. The 62 Catalina and Bonneville wagons all restored are absolutely stunning. I would expect parts to be much easier to find than for the Rambler(though probably more expensive). I would expect that much of the wagon specific parts on the Pontiac would be interchangeable with the more common full size 61-64 Chevy wagons. Install Vintage Air if you want ac, and a set of Pontiac 8 lug wheels would look great.
Of course the Rambler will get better gas mileage, and at $4.00-$5.00 a gallon that too could be an important consideration.

 

I like AMC's and Ramblers, but, I don't like the 62 American CC. Lots of reasons. Cuda has named a few good ones. Providing both cars are in reasonably good shape....Hands down, without a blink, I would snare that Poncho Bonnie in a New York second! No comparison between these 2 cars IMHO. When you get done with that Poncho you will have one of the most gorgeous body styled wagons out there. And it's an automatic with a Poncho engine. You don't mention what engine is in the Bonnie....but I don't even care.....I like Ramblers but i don't like the year you are looking at....I LOVE the 62 Bonnie! My opinion? There IS no choice here. None. Poncho, hands down! In fact.....if you DON'T take that Bonnie....shoot me some pix. I may jump on it MYSELF!

 

I 3rd IT, 4th IT

So why ain'tcha makin' 'rangementz tah get that Poncho back to the STICKER PATCH 66? Go forth an spend DudeJims idea 'bout Vintage air iz rite on too 5 Yearz in Texas teached me that NOTHIN' in my stable will ever run without A/C, NEVER NO MORE! TOP DOWN AT AH 100 DON'T EVEN HELP And If I remember rite from the last time I waz in your back yard youz guyz gotz the same issues 'cuz you live with plastic flowerz 'round your Ponderosaz

 

I would go with the rambler. The rambler is running a big plus since you can check out the condition of the engine and rest of the drive train, factory air looks better then a add on package with the pontiac you are going to have to add about another $1000 to fix the auto trans. so you are in for about $3500 and you do not know the condition of the engine. and I do prefer a box style car. With the pontriac there are plenty of cars that look like it the rambler is a little different you do not see as many around.

 

well, not intending to sound like a party pooper but....

It's honestly hard to say witch is a better deal with out pictures, detailed pics. We have seen pics of 2 grand+ cars that are worth no more than $500, and we have seen $500 cars that are worth eazy $2000+. With the info provided, get the Rambler because your honey likes it....that way it can't come back to haunt you

 

Never really cared for Ramblers, but with AC, little 6 banger that would be great on gas, cheap price, easy to work on, ...think I might have to go for it instead of the Poncho.

 

Thanks for everyones opinion!

 

'62 Rambler American:


Not a very good wagon IMO, for reasons already posted. I'd spend the extra money and buy the Bonneville.

 

If he buys the rambler he can update the whole car with a Mopar 318-360 and auto or get the newer Hemi 5.7 or 6.1 and really make it a sleeper. They Both sound like good deals the question is which one would you and your wife be happier with? BTW if you get the Bonnie I have a Edelbrock Performer intake I will let go reasonable.

 

62 AMC



PROS:
$800.00
spouse perfers it
A/C
no rust
runs(maybe)

CONS:
interior shot
3 on tree(con for some)

62 Poncho




PROS:
good interior
no rust
4 sp auto
you favor ponticas

CONS:
parked since '85
slipping trany


MO, Tedy has a good point pictures would help. Your wife may favor the AMC but if your the one working on it and you favor the other brand, you may be a little bias. Whenever you have any trouble with the AMC will you be wishing you had got the Poncho? If you purchase the AMC because of the price and because of your wife, well, I have to wonder if these are the right reasons for buying a car?

Good Luck with your decision it's not gonna be easy...either way we want

PS...cars may not be as they appear above

 

Now thats a nice looking Rambler wagon. But, thats a Rambler Classic Cross Country, Not a Rambler American Cross Country.
If it was a Rambler Classic, I would be half tempted myself.

The wagon below is a Ramber American (I borrowed this photo from the H.A.M.B. message board).

 

OOPS Thanks

 

My honey is a real peach, she just wants me to be happy with the car. I am just going back and forth with the initial cost. I am sure the reason the rambler is less expensive is due to the less than average popularity. I thought parts for the rambler were pretty easy to come by? The pontiac may start right up but maybe not.