Re: [Amc-list] Reinforcement on Rambler American

[Frank Swygert <farna@xxxxxxx>]

That's because you've not been under a pre 63 Rambler! 58-62 big cars and through 63 Americans have chassis rails that run continuously from bumper to bumper. Looks more like a frame with a floor welded on top of it. They have to be some of the stiffest unit bodies ever made! The converts have a cross brace under the floor to resist twisting forces, no need for additional fore and aft bracing. 

The long front chassis rails were first used on the IKA Torino. Might be where AMC got the idea, but the engineers could have easily decided that was the way to strengthen it independently. Hmmm... maybe not. The Torino was introduced in November 1966, so it's very possible that AMC engineers had already determined that the extra floor bracing was needed and supplied that info to IKA. Note that the Torino uses a Classic (112" wheelbase) floor pan, not the American as most people suspect. It does use the American cowl though. 

---------------------
Date: Mon, 31 Dec 2007 00:23:29 +0000
From: Wrambler242@xxxxxxxxxxx
	
They extended the front subframes to come back and almost completely touch the rear!
I'd say it's the closest thing to a full framed unitbody as you will ever see.
There is no doubt when you look under an American of that era as to if it is a pre or post changover floor pan.

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

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