1960 Rambler American Driving Review

[@curbozerboomer1773]

Forty years ago, I bought a 1959 Rambler American, from the original owner...it had 90,000 miles on it, looked and ran great!...However, that stick shift of mine gave me trouble...the cluster gears blew out, and the clutch pedal went right to the floor one day, when I was driving!. Turned out, the rod connecting that pedal to the clutch assembly punched right through the backing plate!...Oh, on another occasion, the linkage to the carb fell off, fortunately down on the flathead six!... I attached it back up with a piece of wire, and cruised to a nearby gas station to get it repaired. After putting 40,000 more miles on top of the 90 grand that it had when I bought it...I sold it, for a hundred more than I had paid for it!...by the early 1980s, that car was already very rare, and appreciating in value a little bit! You are actually lucky to have that Borg-Warner automatic...it was, and will be, much less troublesome for you. Yes, the car is slow, but no big deal really...It will still hold 60-70-mph all day long, and get you nearly 30mpg while doing so! This car saved AMC from bankruptcy during that time frame..AMC was a good company, but they made strange cars that did not compete well with the Big Three later on.

[@jimosterfeld3371]

My neighbor in the early '70's had a celery green 60 four door. Flathead 6 and automatic. He put it up for sale for $100.00 I so wish I had bought it. It ran great!! You are so lucky!! I will watch!! Enjoy the heck out of it!!

[@CarysGarage]

Oh wow, I do feel lucky to have it. I love it dearly!!

[@MichaelJohnson-td1me]

I learned to drive on a 1960 Rambler American 2 door coupe with a manual 3 speed on the column. The car was made as a yellow but before my dad bought it it was repainted baby blue.

[@CarysGarage]

Wow cool is that! Neat to hear, I wish this one was a 3 speed manual, but the history behind why it's an automatic is cool.

[@rarexdays1014]

Yo since I was 6 I can remember someone in my family having a 1960 rambler and it was alway so fun to ride in the one that they had was orginly white but they set it on fire and it had a chard look to it idk why they did that but ever since I always wanted a rambler and am think about getting one for cheap and fixing it up my self. automotive tech is what I’m going to collage for. Btw I love the pink color it has but me personally would want it white or the lightest blue I could find idk I’ve been watching all of your rambler videos so far and it looks sick can’t wait for the full body paint and the inside redone 🙂🔥🔥

[@CarysGarage]

How cool! Thanks so much for watching the Videos I really appreciate it! Ramblers aren't that easy to find but sometimes a decent one will pop up for sale. Are going to do general tech stuff or are you focusing on anything specific? I'm going to start sanding down the body here soon and getting it in to primer and fix the couple very minor issues with the body. I'm planning on having it painted next year and get the interior done up, pretty excited!

[@rarexdays1014]

​@@CarysGarage Yes cant wait!! see I'm only in 10 grade in auto 2 so when I got intro auto 3 it should help make my choice like I already have my collage picked out. by taking the classes in high school now should give me a better idea of what I want to do when a graduate Well the specifics anyway!!

[@CarysGarage]

@@rarexdays1014 Very cool! Best of luck! If you have any questions let me know. I was a Mechanic for over 12 years, I worked in several independent shops and even owned my own business for many years.

[@rarexdays1014]

@@CarysGarage Bet

[@gsilagan7117]

Nice video, it should get more views! Thanks for sharing!!

[@CarysGarage]

Thanks

[@modernpizza]

Fabulous video, Cary. This is such an excellent old oddball vehicle, I adore it.

[@CarysGarage]

Thanks!! Anytime you want to take it for a spin and really adore it you are always welcome to.

[@rrshadow2]

That's So cool!

[@CarysGarage]

Thanks

[@BuddyCoopers]

Glad to see it alive and driving. Bring it this Saturday to cars and coffee.

[@CarysGarage]

If it wants to behave and I can get the front end greased up I'll try

[@williamschoemann4209]

Thanks. You have much fun ahead. Mine was a coupe. It had a three speed manual. The flat head has lots of low-end torque. By the way, several times I measured 33 mpg. Pretty amazing for a large small car.

[@CarysGarage]

They really are amazing little cars for what they are. I wish mine was a manual but I can live with the "Flash-o-matic" and its part of its unique history.

[@edirwin8784]

indeed..and the ohv 196 ci too!

[@DUCKSAREEVILLLLLLLL]

These are too high tech, for me. They're unibody cars with automatics. if you're lucky, it won't have power brakes or steering. Otherwise, they're the perfect size, they get decent mileage, they're reliable, easy to fix, and the styling is just right. Not too much chrome, but enough to look nice. No weird curves. I'd rather seen this car at a car show than much more expensive cars. P.S. Some of these Ramblers have rear seats that can convert to a bed, I think. Maybe this car has that feature.

[@CarysGarage]

Oh same! I believe this one will convert into a bed.

[@DUCKSAREEVILLLLLLLL]

@@CarysGarage Older Fathers sometimes feared that car.

[@aguywithwood9293]

I've just started working on my 1960 American Super in festival rose. Have you found a source for unique parts? I'm currently trying to find a power steering pump cap. Have you found a support community? I think I've found a quality site for my carb kit. I think I've found the correct Pertronix number to eliminate points. I would love to find cross reference numbers for things like molded radiator hoses. I'm enjoying your videos.

[@meltysquirrel2919]

I know it is 2 years later but I wonder how is your project is going? I also have a 1960 Super in not pink aka Festival Rose! 😃

[@aguywithwood9293]

@@meltysquirrel2919 Mine had been going really well. I got all my parts and found it really enjoyable to take to car shows. Then last year, to my shock, the crankshaft broke in two. Once again I have my parts and even had the foresight to buy a spare engine. I hope to be back on the road in a couple of months. They're such unassuming vehicles and so many car show visitors have relatable stories surrounding them. How's yours going?

[@meltysquirrel2919]

@@aguywithwood9293 Wow, crazy about the crankshaft! Mine has been sitting for a bit with other projects taking prioriy, unfortunately. However, I have been doing a little bit to it lately anticipating / getting ready / planning to rebuild the front suspension once it cools down (Arizona summer is not the time - and, like Les Nessman, I am in need of walls). I too have a spare 1960 engine and transmission for a future rebuild :-)

[@dave1956]

My father bought a ‘59 wagon for $50 in 1967 after our ‘60 Falcon got totaled. I was 10 at the time and remember being embarrassed about being seen in it. It had a flathead six engine and wouldn’t start at the first appearance of a cloud in the sky!

[@meltysquirrel2919]

Not pink aka Festival Rose 😅

[@tiki_trash]

Instead of the Rambler they should have called it the Rattler, LOL! I love these little POS cars. The 59-60 was such a good looking car but wow, were they lacking in performance and the ability to upgrade.

[@mikelayton3708]

Just a thought to make your videos more interesting....please be quiet when accelerating so your viewers can hear th d mechanicals at work....