Re: A Day in the Yard

[Matt Haas <mhaas@xxxxxxx>]

At 10:03 AM 6/26/2005 -0400, you wrote:
> " From: oconner_us@xxxxxxxxx
> " I am by no means an expert on this but I am going to jump in with my
> " 2 cents worth.
> "
> " I currently have a 1967 Drivers fender on my 1966 american. I finally
> " settled for the 67 because it was better than no fender but there are
> " differences and when I am ready to start putting on the "new" grill
> " and filler panel I have for it I will need to find a 66 fender. There
> " were some cosmetic differences and mounting differences between 66 and
> " 67. I can't remember right off the top of my head what the differences
> " were but I do remember that it had something to do with where the
> " filler panel bolted to the fender and the 66 fender is shaped a little
> " different for the head light doors so even the doors are different and
> " it seems like the grill was different too. So long story short, you
> " can put a 66 fender on a 67 to 69 or a 67 to 69 fender on a 66 but it
> " isn't exactly the same. If you happened to come across a 66 fender
> " first it would work until you could get the correct one.
>
> the grille, filler panel, and doors are different on the '66 from the
> '67-9.  my guess is that v8s occasioned the increase.
>
> headlight doors for '66 are symmetrical or nearly so, and might even
> be swappable l/r.
>
> i thought the fender itself was the same, though.

Andrew,

If you're trying to do an exact restoration, there are a large number of 
differences over those years. There's a good portion of parts that are 1966 
only (I suspect that some of these parts may also be shared with 1964 and 
1965 models since AMC tended to use 3 model year cycles between major face 
lifts) in the front of the car and the structural parts (frame sills and 
floor pans) also changed. For example, there are two different floor pans 
and frame sills used in 1968. This was due to a safety standard that took 
effect on Jan 1, 1968 that gave limits to how far the steering column could 
move into the passenger compartment in a collision. Frame sills on 1969's 
are different again (the floor pan may be different as well from the second 
design 1968 floor pan). Also, the cowl changed for 1969. This change 
eliminated several slots for the vents and the remaining slots are shorter. 
Also, 1969 uses a different hood latch support and filler panel than 1967 
or 1968 (the hood is different as well -- I suspect the difference is in 
the size of the depression for the hood ornament). I have no idea what the 
difference is but it's likely more significant than hole placement.

Matt


mhaas@xxxxxxx
Cincinnati, OH
http://www.mattsoldcars.com
1967 Rambler American wagon
1968 Rambler American sedan
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