The best thing for an AMC or Rambler fan to do is to join all three international AMC/Rambler clubs as I have: AMO, AMCRC & NAMDRA. That way you have a good mix of info and a larger group of fans to get help from. BTW, NAMDRA does not do concours judging at their meets, we just go by looks. On Sun, 30 Dec 2007 13:06:04 -0500 Frank Swygert <farna@xxxxxxx> writes: > Start watching e-bay for a 65 American TSM (Technical Service Manual > -- what AMC calls their factory manual used by dealers). It won't > give you the basics, like packing wheel bearings, but will give you > all the specific details about your car. I wouldn't start a > restoration project without one! > > For the more basic things look for a text book such as used in high > school or tech school automotive programs. You might find something > like that on e-bay. Or for a basic auto repair book. Neither will > have anything specific to Ramblers, but will tell you all the > basic/general stuff you do to nearly every car. > > > The big difference between AMO and AMCRC is the shows. AMO uses a > concours judging system where you get points for different areas of > the car, and there are three levels so you don't have beginners > competing with old timers. A new member starts at the lowest level, > but once you win a trophy for that level you have to move up to the > next one for the next show. Once a car wins the top prize in the top > level it has to sit out of competition for a number of years. Keeps > everything fair. There are different classes for years/model/type of > car. > > AMCRC is more about driving and preserving the cars. they have > shows, but judging in each class is by popular vote. Everyone who > registers a car gets to vote on all the other cars in all classes. > Top votes win. > > Both clubs have good publications and give technical advice. The > AMCRC "Rambler Reader" is more "friendly" with a few purpose written > articles and more letters from readers, whereas the AMO "American > Motoring" is more magazine like. AMCRC has a bit better support for > the older cars -- they only support 58-69 Ramblers. If you're more > performance oriented or prefer newer than 69 AMCs AMO is a better > choice. > > But let's not forget NAMDRA! Like AMO, NAMDRA also supports all > years. I'm not sure of their judging system, but I'm sure Jock will > chime in. They also have a good publication and technical support. > NAMDRA is more performance oriented than the others, and usually has > drag races scheduled with or near their shows. > > You can get tech support from on-line AMC forums like the list here. > But you get other things from clubs, mainly regular meets, but more > also. There's nothing like knowing who in your area can help with > advice, parts, and physical help! I'd start with a local club (or > the nearest) and see who they are affiliated with. Then I'd join and > consider joining the national club they are affiliated with as well. > I myself belong to AMO and AMCRC, and a local all makes club. Even > the all makes types will help you out on the basic stuff, and they > sometimes spot old Ramblers and let you know. They will certainly > know what machine shops and salvage yards to go to or avoid in the > area. > > Check my website out too! I print an AMC specific magazine. It has > technical articles as well as articles about specific cars. It is > meant as a supplement to club publications, not an alternative. I > get into more modifications than the clubs usually get into, but > cover everything from restoration to racing. > > > ------------------- > Date: Sun, 30 Dec 2007 11:01:29 -0500 > From: "Bruce Griffis" <bruce.griffis@xxxxxxxxx> > > Hey all - I was thinking about finding parts for the Rambler, and > looking for instructions on how to repair/maintain it. Don't think > I > can just wander over to NAPA and pick up a Chilton's for a '65 > American! > > Are folks on here members of AMCRC? AMO? What's the difference? How > do > I know which one to check out? I think there is a local AMO group, > so > I'm guessing I'd start there. Is that the general idea? Would > joining > a group give me better access to repair instructions - so I'd have > 1/2 > a clue when packing bearings, rebuilding brakes, ...? Or is that > generally available in online forums? > > > -- > Frank Swygert > Publisher, "American Motors Cars" > Magazine (AMC) > For all AMC enthusiasts > http://farna.home.att.net/AMC.html > (free download available!) > > _______________________________________________ > Amc-list mailing list > Amc-list@xxxxxxxxxxxx > http://www.amc-list.com/mailman/listinfo/amc-list > > Jock Jocewicz - President/Editor NAMDRA NAMDRA@xxxxxxxx or namdra1@xxxxxxx 8537 Antioch Rd., Salem, WI 563168 (262) 843-4326 JOIN NAMDRA - the best AMC club around!! http://www.AMCDragRacing.com. 30th. Annual AMC NATIONALS coming in 2008!!! AMO#19, NAMDRA#46, AMCRC#974, NHRA#41915, IHRA#6766 _______________________________________________ Amc-list mailing list Amc-list@xxxxxxxxxxxx http://www.amc-list.com/mailman/listinfo/amc-list