Re: [Amc-list] Look

[Tom Jennings <tomj@xxxxxxx>]

On Thu, 15 Mar 2007, Swygert, Francis G MSgt 436 CES/CECM wrote:

> That's what old George had in mind -- a good value car. Might not be the
> snazziest or the cheapest, but when you bought a 58-64 Rambler you knew
> you had a good car that would be with you for a while.


I've had many 60's Ramblers, and as many 70's AMCs, and the
overall design, build and finish quality of the 60's cars
is superb.

The fit and finish of the 70's cars that I've had, basically
suck, more than just unit-to-unit variation. They're "cheap"
by design. I like my 70 Hornet, but it's really cheaply made;
I don't think I'll have many more "late model" AMCs. I hate the
plastic dash! It's like sitting behind a squeaky dollhouse.

(I always fantasize about fitting a 58-59 American mono-gauge
dash in it...)

I think this quality problem exists in other American cars of
the era, I don't really know if AMC was better or worse. It's
not simply the increased amount of plastic; the plastic in the
'63 is still good! there was an overall thinning of wear margins
all around that makes them "tinnier". I bought a 76 Hornet,
then a 77 AMX, brand new off the showroom floor, and both were
squeaky and noisy in ways that 20+ years later I now know were
by design (because I've learned more and have taken apart/built
identical models).

My 63 Classic, and the 62 Ambo, the 59 American, had their
share of old-car-itis and designed-in skimpy brakes etc, but
fit'n'finish was/is excellent. Repairability, maintainability,
documentation, etc were/are all better.


Wait a second... OK, I have my asbestos underwear on now.

Disclaimer: this isn't news to me, hopefully not to you. I
still love AMC overall, flaws and all. I'm talking inside
talk to fellow insiders. It doesn't mean a (for example)
77 Hornet hatchback is not a lovable car, we get to give the
extra attention to the small stuff that makes them the cars we
see that they could have been then!


Oddly, the above applies to everything in the car EXCEPT
drivetrain and suspension, which certainly improved through
AMCs existence, with a few rare exceptions, like the Iron Puke,
plastic valve covers, lighter internals (only HP fiends care),
and inevitables like A.I.R. and other smog junk endemic to
the era.

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