Re: [AMC-List] 64 Typhoon project

[Frank Swygert <farna@xxxxxxx>]

The skeleton body, or basic shell, stayed pretty much the same from
63-66. This meant the glass area remained the same also. The outer
panels ("skin") changed radically for 1965 though, and the Ambassador
was again stretched to a longer wheelbase, all in front of the
firewall. This only affected the front end of the car. AFAIK the
torque-tube is the same length as the Classic, but the Ambo may have a
slightly longer one. The crossmember is different because the engine is 
set back more in the Ambo, but I'm not sure that it was set that far
back. It's been a long time since I've seen a 65-66 Ambo, and I just
haven't remembered to notice if the engine is the same distance from
the firewall as the Classic. 

George Romney planned the 63-64 Classic/Ambo/American to share as many
components as possible to make them as cost effective as could be.
Doors from four door Americans and Classics will interchange, but the
outer skins are slightly different. Even that saved a lot of money on
stamping machines and dies for the inner door parts. Abernethy couldn't 
change the 63-64 car lines when he took over in 61 or 62, they were
already planned and machinery ordered to build them. The first cars he
could influence were the 65s, and he set out to destroy that product
integration that would have saved AMC. He wanted more distinction
between the cars, but it drove costs up and profits down. In his
defense, his goal was to grow and compete with the "Big Three" head on. 
All he managed to do, however, was deplete all the cash reserves AMC
had laboriously built up in the late 50s and early 60s. His main
mistake, other than ruining product integration, was alienating
traditional Rambler "value" customers by attempting to move the product 
line into higher profit Buick/Pontiac/Mercury/Chrysler territory and
out of Ford/Chevy/Dodge pricing. The only problem was that mid price
range was a lot more competitive and crowded than the lower ends of the 
auto market, where the high volume American and mainly Classic
traditionally sold well. Dropping the Rambler name didn't really help
either -- it was still a highly respected name at the time, though it
was mostly associated with economy and value. 

We can use our hindsight and second guess all day, it won't change
anything, but I'd have kept a Rambler line with the American and a
stripped version of the Classic/Rebel, then had an AMC line with a
higher trimmed Classic/Rebel and the Ambo, along with the performance
cars. I'd still have made an SC/Rambler and a Rogue though, and
probably kept them in the Rambler line (American body exclusive to the
Rambler line). When the Hornet came out I think I might have THEN
considered dropping the Rambler name -- it would depend totally on how
sales had been. Might have been best to keep a Rambler Hornet though... 
who knows!!!??

On July 12, 2006 KENT ANDERSON wrote:

> > ..... you can use all the parts you need from any 63-66 Classic or
Ambo
> two door hardtop
> 
> Thank you, Frank, for reminding me of the exact years those cars were 
all similar.  I wasn't sure if '65 made any radical changes to the
parts, or not.  I have an offer from Mark, up in WV, and am giving it
SERIOUS consideration.  It's a pretty long haul from SW Florida to his
place, but should be a nice drive.
> 
> I've replaced the timing set in Typhoon II, but still not starting. 
Sure will be a red letter day when I hear that engine fire!  After
doing some extremely minor body repair on Typhoon II, I'm gettin more
and more excited about the prospect of being able to take two of them
to the local cruise-ins.
> 
> Thank you, to everyone, for your input and help.  Total novice here,
and every ounce of information is a huge help!
> 
> Kenny


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