Re: [AMC-List] "....Do you know where you ARE ?".......

[farna@xxxxxxx]

Wow, really interesting views from the "upper crust" and "down in the dirt" people of the AMC world (no offense to either...)!!

The problem is Nash/Rambler/AMC cars NEED recognition to survive. Not just as a $250 hulk that is still good enough to bring back to life with scrounged parts, but as collectible cars with at least the most needed and/or hard to find parts being reproduced for a reasonable price. Recognition and collectible status is a double edged sword -- parts availability (both repro and used, since fewer of what's lkeft will be crushed as parts value goes up) will get better, but prices will go up some. Prices for cars will go up as they become more desireable/acceptable to own and restore. You'll start hearing fewer "what do you want to restore THAT for?" queries as the general public begins to appreciate the cars more. It's happening now because the collector car hobby has stratified the most popular cars out of reach of blue collar "collectors". 

Most of those really aren't collectors, but are more like Brien -- they like an old car(s) and want to "fix it up" rather then restore, and enjoy working on and driving it as a hobby (or even a passion). I'm more that way myself, though I'd have liked to have been able to collect and restore. Moving around with the USAF made that impossible, and now that I could afford a collectible or two I'm getting ready to retire and build a house!! I've thought about restoring one or more after the house thing settles, but not sure if I will. Not many shows close by where I'll be, and I think I'll get more out of a driveable "collector" rather than a true resto. I've already planned one modified AMC and even bought some parts for it, though I may still restore another if I find the right one. Maybe a late 50's Nash, or early Ambo...

Anyway, we need the recognition for the hobby to thrive, but it will inevitably drive prices up. It's the sign of a maturing old car hobby. Unlike GMs, we can't go to a slightly newer, still not quite collectible car (like the small body Monte Carlo, Gran Prix, and Malibus). AMC stopped production of 2WD cars in 83, and even those are on the verge of becoming true collectibles as they reach 25-30 years old (20 is officially "antique", but it seems the 25-30 mark is where prices start climbing). The Eagle 4x4, because of its rather unique status, is more of a collectible even though it's not quite as old (most of them, anyway). 

Those who just want an older, CHEAP car to play with will eventually have to jump the AMC ship and go with something more plentiful and less desireable. Unfortunately there aren't to many rear drive models around -- Ford Fairmonts, late 70s/early 80s LTDs, and the ubiquitous fox body Mustang are going to be the best bets. The GM G-bodies and older Malibu models are a lot more popular (except for the fox Mustangs, but there were so many of those made that there are plenty of the lesser models [four cylinders] around and cheaper), so they aren't very good candidates. Strip down a New Yorker/Diplomat? Four doors just don't quite cut it though. A two door New Yorker could be done with a bit of "cut and paste" welding, just move that B pillar back... Well, at least it would be interesting if done in a professional manner! Stick some Ambassador emblems on it to make a faux 87-89 AMC Ambo -- at least that was a thought when Kenosha assembled the New Yorker/Diplomat (though not a tw!
 o door)
. Does anyone have any photos of the test mule/prototype Ambassador? John Mahoney maybe? I'd like to have a couple if they exist. Might be interesting to actually build one, maybe even AMC powered! 

--
Frank Swygert
Publisher, "American Motors Cars" 
Magazine (AMC)
For all AMC enthusiasts
http://farna.home.att.net/AIM.html
(free download available!)
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