On certain Ramblers you were able to move the front bench seat all the way forward and then fold it out even with the backseat to make a bed...or take to the drive-in.
When I was a kid in the 1960's I used to see Ramblers all over the place. Interesting push button drive. We called them jukebox drives. She sure purrs.
Of course in the ancient cycle of history, the original Rambler became the Jeffreys, became the Nash which ultimately became.... the Rambler. I've always been curious to learn who designed the AMC dashboards - often funky layout 50's, and even longer the exaggerated speedo - never seen anything addressing this in print.
Looks like it may have belong to a preacher originally? They usually had black automobiles with radio delete, & hardly any creature comforts; Just a guess. Allot of people didn't know the 57 Rambler Rebel was the 2nd fastest production automobile with its introduction of there 327 V8; That was only beat out by the Chevrolet Corvette in 57. & I believe 59 was the last year for the Rebel nameplate, & was reintroduced in the late 60's. I like the traffic light indicator on the dash; That's pretty neat for a bare bones interior. Did this Rambler come with the reclining front seats ?. This was one of my favorite body styles of the full size Rambler; Especially the 59 Cross Country Wagon. I must admit I never new they offered a hardtop in 59. She is a beauty, & RARE at that.
The 57 was indeed 2nd only to the Fuelly Vette, but it was a 1 year wonder. The 58 and up Rebel had a smaller 250 cube V8 and was not a hot rod like the 57, it was just a V8 Rambler.
The Rebel model ran thru 1961. Then it was reintroduced in 1966. In 1966 it was only available as a 2 door hardtop. It could be had with any engine from a 6 cylinder to the 327 V8. There were only 125 four speed Rebels made in 1966. Of those there looks to be 7 left. Mine is considered the best of those with everything but powr windows
@@ramblerkid1 I had a friend who 67 Rebel station wagon ; That his parents would let him drive. Thanks for letting me know that the name plate ran until 1961, & was reintroduced in 66.
My dad had one for a company car when he worked for Goodyear. It was a dark green color. I remember my dad saying it had a lot of get up and go. I’d love to have it
i lived in burbank ca from the early 60s to late 80s and someone in burbank had a 1957 rebel 2 door hardtop which had the 327 HO. engine . it was the fastest factory sedan sold in the usa that year, about one half a second slower than the 57 corvette with fuel injection to sixty. not many copies made some are still around. it was the first muscle car.
While everyone in High School had hotrods, my older brother had a Rambler. I was so embarrassed when he gave me a ride to school. But come Friday afternoon he became the most popular kid in school with many new friends. I was always wondering why he had plenty of cash but didn't have a job. You know why, right?
Nice car, haven't seen one in years. I have wanted one for almost 60 years but it was not to be. One thing to watch out for is the trunnion in the front end. AMC used this instead of a upper ball joint and you have to keep them greased or else they wear out. When they go the front end drops on the ground. Seen a few back in day. if kept greased they last almost forever. For years you couldn't find them because Chrysler destroyed all AMC parts when they bought it out. This applies to AMC cars up to 1967, but they are thankfully being reproduced now.
Nice Hardtop '59. I hadn't seen one before either. I had a '63 American 440H And... I live in Weymouth ! Do you have a shop, I can come check out the cars 👍
Patina =needs paint job. A very nice Rambler and I can say that I have never seen one until now and also if it was a different manufacturer the price would be much more.
In some cases I would agree but in this case I believe this car should stay completely original. You are right, a Chevy or Ford of the same vintage would be far more.
I nevertheless wouldn't fool around with that lower fender rust scab, not on THIS car especially. Any trivial amount of rust on these Ramblers is a silent, but distant death warrant, and it's claimed the majority of '59 Ramblers. This stands to reason WHY they're almost never to be found. What makes the mind reel above everything else is if this, of most Ramblers lived in New England, that it should survive when the Northeast salt and Rambler are paper to matches. AMAZING! New England is the LAST place to find an old Rambler. It's a charmer, all things considered, something almost nobody else has. Fix that rust! The paint, i agree, has a gracefully aged charm alone. Are parts and sorvice a daunting task, though?
@@jamesbosworth4191 Your right, I was wrong. Packard and Nash had a V8 sharing deal in 1954, but due to supply issues George Romney ordered a Nash V8 to be designed. Although one of Packards top engineers helped them make the 250/258 V8's. (Later bored out to 327)...