This is the legendary Topel's Rambler AMC Dealership in Kenosha Wisconsin. A small place with big history. It is a one of a kind hand built AMC miniature dealership me & the boys put together in November 2008. It will be going onto ebay Monday night, december 8th with no reserve. Below is the description, while the links to check it out are at bottom. The tiny ads, posters & what not are actual AMC ads and posters. The cars shown were removed from their NOS/MIB (mint in blaster pack) cases in Nov 2008. Thanks for looking and again, this Topels Rambler, the Kenosha Siesta Motal and Dick Allen Motors all go on ebay 12-8-2008 no reserve. =============================== Earl C. Topel's Rambler Dealership started out Nash but evolved as AMC did. Topel Rambler Sales, located at 1020 60th Street in Kenosha, was well known, and respected. Topel also had a inside line on some of American Motors "skunkwork" cars, that is, cars AMC specifically built to be heavily modified by AMC's engineers in Kenosha. AMC's headquarters were in Detroit, not Kenosha. Most of the actual design and development was off Plymouth Road in Detroit, however, in Kenosha proper, you had the engineers that were close to actual product. The cars. And Production. But more importantly, the test, or proving grounds close by in Burlington Wisconsin where a modified vehicle could be put thru all sorts of tests. Carl Chakmakian at the time, 1966 thru 1970 was head of AMC's Performance Activities and thought what better place to build "hot rods" and "test vehicles" from pre production and actual production vehicles...and test them....than out of Kenosha where the finished product would originate? Enter Topel who gladly obliged by letting AMC, and Carl, use his well know Rambler Dealership as a front in a win/win situation simply due to the sheer publicity it would bring to Topel's when Rambler Hot Rods made a showing at area drag strips like Union Grove. More traffic at Topel's and AMC got to play! And gearheads from Milwaukee to Chicago came out to check out the mighty Ramblers. This miniature dealership sports some of that factory muscl from decades ago. There is a formidable amount of AMC Firepower on Topel's lot, even local Kenoshans are coming out. Off to the side is a extremely rare solid colored Matador Red Rebel Machine. Of the 2308 Machines built in 1970, it is estimated less than 30 were this solid color. There is 340 horses hiding under that factory Shadow Mask hood also. Next to it is a sparkling new 73 Hornet Hatchback in "chrome tangerine/orange' the paint is a mirror and must be some new Di-Noc paint AMC is experimenting with, you know, the stuff they used on AMX prototypes, as the paint is "color shifting" which changes colors with different lighting. Sure is a nice looking car and one legendary Wally Booth would shortly break all sorts of records in for AMC in NHRA. This might be a WHITE LIGHTNING perhaps, check out that bright white interior, rather striking against the chrome orange paint. Next to it is a beautiful 69 Javelin, 343, AT in Forest Green Metallic. This sports a Go Pack and looks like it is a real low miler and extremely well taken care of. With 280hp under the hood you will have no trouble hanging with the big boys. A Hurst SC/Rambler in "A" paint sits next to the Javelin, It has it's hood up showing it's hot stock 390V8. Basically a factory built drag car, the Rambler went out with a bang and 1512 made. I'm sure this "Hot Rod Rambler" has pulled more than it's share of curious car buffs into Topel's to take a closer look. Don't be surprised if you see it on the track on weekends whupping up brand x cars either. To it's right is a 69 Big Bad Orange AMX. slightly modified with a SS/AMX hood scoop and Cragars this is one bad boy. The engine bay alone is extremely detailed and crawling under the car, there is no way that this rolled off the Kenosha Assembly Line a mile away like this! Only 284 made in 1969, this one has indeed been taken to another level by Topel's! There is a small hydraulic jack next to it, possibly someone will be putting on drag slicks for a few runs later, testing out those various Group 19 parts. Inside there is a green Machine. Not sure why but possibly this is a Topel 'Skunkworks' car in the making perhaps like others. Maybe painted horizontal red, white and blue, the American Motors corporate colors, and then drivetrain yanked, modified and Chakmakian and Topel take it out to Union Grove over the weekend, along with AMC execs, and make a few passes perhaps? This miniature AMC dealership was built by me and sons in November 2008. Dedicated to all AM Dealers, large and small that made a difference. The garage doors open and close, this one sports a small Coke machine, hydraulic jack, miniature gas pumps too. The cars are all NOS/MIB (new old stock & mint in box) taken out of original blister pack to build this dealership. Inside and outside Topel's there is a variety of signs, banners and original AMC ads! Some of the cars feature opening hoods, real rubber tires and some are LIMITED PRODUCTION, including Hot Wheels and Johnny Lightning. This AMC Miniature Dealership IS HAND BUILT AND ONE OF ONE. http://www.planethoustonamx.com/amcdealerships/topels_1.jpg http://www.planethoustonamx.com/amcdealerships/topels_2.jpg http://www.planethoustonamx.com/amcdealerships/topels_3.jpg http://www.planethoustonamx.com/amcdealerships/topels_4.jpg http://www.planethoustonamx.com/amcdealerships/topels_5.jpg Thanks for looking and spreading the word, maybe bid and make this part of your collection! Eddie Stakes 713.464.8825 eddiestakes@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx www.planethoustonamx.com ------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BaadAssGremlins/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BaadAssGremlins/join (Yahoo! 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