Newbie, with a Rambler wagon

Discussion in 'The Welcome Wagon' started by blue63ram, Jan 7, 2010.

  1. blue63ram

    blue63ram New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 7, 2010
    Messages:
    8
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Wagon Garage:
    1
    Location:
    Chicago
    I just purchased a 1963 Rambler classic wagon. Actually, it isn't even in my garage yet. The seller is trailering it tomorrow to my house, if the snow stops in the Chicago area.
    I'm really kind of a car nut. I own 7 different models of cars (volvos, benzs, triumphs, excaliburs and now an AMC) and recently wanted to get into a wagon. I wasn't sure what model I wanted, but this Rambler just kind of jumped out at me. It has a rebuilt 6cyl engine and had the 3 speed shifter moved to the floor. It will need interior and minor body work to get it looking presentible, but it is driveable and I'm really rather excited about tackling this project.
    I'm not going to try and make it all original, just a nice driver with a little class. I'm hoping to have it completed by spring to cruise with it over the summer, but I still have several of my other cars that need attention. I will post pictures as the project procedes, wish me luck.
    DRIVE IT, LIKE YOU STOLE IT!!!!!!:tiphat:

    1963 Volvo P1800s (project in progress)
    1959 Volvo PV544 (restored and driver)
    1963 Rambler Classic wagon (drivable, but needs work)
    1979 Benz 380SL (restored and driver)
    1982 Excalibur (restored and driver)
    1980 Triumph TR8 (restored and fast driver)
    1999 Hyundai Tiburon (road trip car, great driver)
     
  2. silverfox

    silverfox New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 18, 2009
    Messages:
    16,780
    Likes Received:
    12
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Wagon Garage:
    1
    Location:
    Wisconsin
    :Welcome:to the wagon train, 63ram. I love old AMC stuff....especially wagons. Please show us pix when you get it and don't wait till it's all prettied up....we like to see results!:camera:
     
  3. Stormin' Norman

    Stormin' Norman Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 30, 2007
    Messages:
    19,635
    Likes Received:
    33
    Trophy Points:
    813
    Wagon Garage:
    1
    Location:
    Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
    Good luck for sure! Glad you came. Should be fun to watch this moving ahead too.:Welcome:
     
  4. jaxops

    jaxops Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 25, 2009
    Messages:
    354
    Likes Received:
    31
    Trophy Points:
    87
    Wagon Garage:
    2
    Location:
    Virginia Beach, VA
    Welcome!
    My grandfather had a sedan 59 Rambler, and my uncle got it and drove it until 1979. It was still on the road some time after that...they just kept going!
     
  5. PineBox

    PineBox Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 10, 2007
    Messages:
    1,328
    Likes Received:
    35
    Trophy Points:
    96
    Wagon Garage:
    3
    Location:
    Ticlaw, Florida and Interlachen Florida
    You just can't beat a Rambler (Nash) for retro coolness.
    Welcome to the wonderful world of longroof cars.
    And orphans.
     
  6. tbirdsps

    tbirdsps New Member Charter Member

    Joined:
    May 26, 2006
    Messages:
    5,341
    Likes Received:
    6
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    Ridgecrest, Ca.
    :Welcome:Blue. You chose a good one. Not many Ramblers around.
     
  7. the Rev

    the Rev senior junior Charter Member

    Joined:
    Aug 24, 2006
    Messages:
    9,327
    Likes Received:
    49
    Trophy Points:
    217
    Wagon Garage:
    3
    Location:
    BC,canada
    :Welcome: Blue
    hopefully that snow will stop so she makes it home:yup:
    looking forward to seeing her !

    thats quite the cross of interests you got there...what ya doin with p18?
    ...ive always liked those:yup:
     
  8. blue63ram

    blue63ram New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 7, 2010
    Messages:
    8
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Wagon Garage:
    1
    Location:
    Chicago
    Rev, As I mentioned in my first post, I'm kind of a car nut or as my wife says, I'm just nuts. Anyways, I just enjoy different style older cars. I usually buy them fairly inexpensive and fix them up and drive them till I find another one and need money to buy it and then sell it.
    I actually bought and drove the P1800 into my garage 4 years ago. I drove it 50 miles home on the expressway and it ran great, but with small needed repairs (so I thought). When I got it home I started my usual research of the car and found that the frame rails where rusted through and covered with undercoating, so I missed it when looking under the car before I bought it. I decided to make it safe, I had to weld in new rails, front end parts and brakes. I've also found that the overdrive needs a new seal. That was 4 years go and 5 different cars restored during that time. I start the car every several months and change the fluids each year, but it seems to be the car that I always come back to, but never finish. Now with the Rambler wagon, I'm sure the 1800 will be put on the backburner again, but it is a great car and when it's done, it will be a joy to drive.
    I've been taking stock of the wagon and I'm hoping it will be a easy resto.
    I'm going to try and post pictures as soon as I upload some.
     
  9. Safari57

    Safari57 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 23, 2009
    Messages:
    4,291
    Likes Received:
    311
    Trophy Points:
    202
    Wagon Garage:
    2
    Location:
    Vancouver Island, BC
    Welcome Blue

    My buddy bought a '64 'blur 990? hardtop a few years back and is busy rodding it mildly. He liked the '63 grille better so acquired one and adapted it to fit and is noodling away at the car slowly. They are nice looking cars, in the '64 Chevelle size range, and sure look pretty when done up. I particularly like the wagons of the 63 and 64 vintage.

    Another friend still has the P1800 he got for his first car WAY back in '71 or so. His needs to be refreshed and is on his list of cars to do but he's one of those folks who thinks long an hard about it, then in a flurry of activity gets it done. We tease him that he's watched too many of the old The Saint shows.

    Watching for photos as we always do when something new moves into a wagon guys garage....

    Barry
     
  10. The Stickman

    The Stickman Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 26, 2008
    Messages:
    1,316
    Likes Received:
    9
    Trophy Points:
    111
    Wagon Garage:
    3
    Location:
    Lehigh Valley pa
    Welcome to the forum. Ramblers and AMC's are cool by me.
     
  11. tbirdsps

    tbirdsps New Member Charter Member

    Joined:
    May 26, 2006
    Messages:
    5,341
    Likes Received:
    6
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    Ridgecrest, Ca.
    I just checked out the pictures in the gallery. It looks very solid and that engine looks new. The best part is all the pistons are lined up in a row.

    Perfect.(y)
     
  12. silverfox

    silverfox New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 18, 2009
    Messages:
    16,780
    Likes Received:
    12
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Wagon Garage:
    1
    Location:
    Wisconsin
    Yup....I like those pistons lined up in a row, too, TB. Four on each side!:biglaugh:
     
  13. tbirdsps

    tbirdsps New Member Charter Member

    Joined:
    May 26, 2006
    Messages:
    5,341
    Likes Received:
    6
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    Ridgecrest, Ca.
    Two rows of four don't count. :evilsmile:
     
  14. the Rev

    the Rev senior junior Charter Member

    Joined:
    Aug 24, 2006
    Messages:
    9,327
    Likes Received:
    49
    Trophy Points:
    217
    Wagon Garage:
    3
    Location:
    BC,canada
    sounds like the P18 is getting the once over(y)

    I had a 73 P18 wagon....geez...20 some odd years ago...always had a soft spot for the early VooVoo's:yup:
     

Share This Page