Re: [Amc-list] Restoring 1960 Rambler Cross Country Wagon

[Frank Swygert <farna@xxxxxxx>]

Congratulations are in order! Depending on what you bought it for and what it's powered by. If you bought it for a fun cruiser and aren't real concerned with long trips and 70+ cruising speeds even that doesn't matter! The old 196 OHV six is a great economical engine, but a bit low in power for modern driving. It just wasn't designed for long high speed runs, though it will carry the car at 60-70. The engine will use a bit of oil at those high speeds, and will struggle a little to maintain speed up hills. It takes a bit for one of the long stroke engines to build up speed, but it produces great low speed torque and will never fail to get the car rolling -- just not quickly. It's hard to choke on in good running order down if it's a stick shift. My ex wife couldn't drive my four speed Chevette, but had no trouble taking off with my old Rambler -- even on an incline! It would just lug the car right on up until it gained enough speed to stop lugging, but never quit. 

If you have a V-8 (well, in 60 that would be a Rebel) it's a different story! Heavy but great little 250 V-8. More than adequate power, but not quite a hot rod. Not much you can do to change that either -- there was no hop-up equipment ever made for the GEN-1 AMC V-8, with the exception of some mild cams which can no longer be found. If you wanted more power you could locate a larger 287 or 327 GEN-1 AMC, or get the used camshaft custom ground (which cost about the same as a new cam). 

If you like the car you'll enjoy it no matter what! There's a lot to be gained from the remarks you'll get as you sport around town -- even if it's slowly! Rarely do I get a bad remark, always good. The worst one I've ever got is "Why would anyone sink all that time and money in a Rambler?" My reply is easy -- when was the last time you saw one? I get more interest than my brother with his 65 cookie cutter (Mustang) at a general car show. Everyone knows about and has seen a Mustang recently, but not a Rambler! 


---------------
Date: Sat, 25 Aug 2007 16:36:13 EDT
From: DonMcCPA@xxxxxxx
 
We just took delivery of this wagon that is in bad need of  restoration.  
Fortunately the body and glass are in pretty good  shape.  If any of you have any 
tips, parts, or even condolences, we'd be  delighted to hear from you.
 

-- 
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