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Car Of The Day: August 8, 2008; Johnny Lightning '59 Rambler American
Topic Started: Aug 8 2008, 03:12 AM (482 Views)
Swifty
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The Mustang II is a Mustang too!
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Today's car of the day is Johnny Lightning's 1959 Rambler American wagon (aka the "Rumblur").

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Wikipedia
 
Nash-Kelvinator's President George W. Mason saw that the company needed to compete more effectively and insisted a new car had to be different from the existing models in the market. The Rambler was designed to be smaller than contemporary cars, yet still accommodate five passengers comfortably. The Nash Rambler established a new segment in the automobile market and is widely acknowledged to be the first modern American compact car.

In developing this new car, Nash had originally planned to call it the Nash Diplomat. This name would have rounded out the Nash family of cars, as for 1950 the 600 line was re-named the Statesman, and the Ambassador remained the flagship line. When it was learned that Dodge had already reserved the Diplomat name for a planned two-door hardtop body style, Nash delved into its own past, and resurrected the Rambler name from 1902. The Rambler was one of the most popular of early American autos. Similarly, the new Nash Rambler was highly respected throughout its 1950-1955 lifespan.


1950-1952
The Nash Rambler was introduced during the 1950 model year. The new model was the company's entry in the lower price segment dominated by models from Chevrolet, Ford, and Plymouth. The Rambler was designed to be lighter in weight and have smaller dimensions than the other popular cars. A strategy of efficiency, Nash could save on materials in its production while owners would have better fuel economy. The car rode on a 100-inch (2,500 mm) wheelbase, and power came from Nash's proven 173 CID (2.8 L) L-head (flathead) Straight-6 cylinder engine that produced 82 hp (61 kW).

Additional historical context of the Nash Rambler, along with the Nash Healey and Metropolitan was that US citizens were exposed to and had become fond of smaller more efficient compact and sporty European cars during the WW2 theater of operations. Along with the less gaudy styling cues of European design, that imput of enyoying more compact cars was also an effect of Kelvinator having a wide market overseas. This influence is seen directly in the Pinin Farina models. AMC would continue to import European design and styling flair for it's products without much notice by typical sources of media, such as the Gucci, Pierre Cardin and Oleg Cassini models, as well as noticable bodyshell features such as the '74 Matador Coupe's grille arrangement.

The new Rambler was also introduced only as an up-market two-door convertible - designated the "Landau". The decision to bring the car out in a higher market segment with more standard features was a calculated strategy by Mason. Foremost in this strategy was the need to give the new Rambler a positive public image. Mason knew the car would fail if seen by the public as a "cheap little car". He knew what Crosley was just finding out with its line of mini cars, and the Henry J would teach Kaiser Motors; namely, that Americans would rather buy a nice used car than a new car that is perceived as inferior or sub-standard.

Other factors incorporated into the Rambler's marketing mix were the limited steel supplies during the Korean War, as well as the strategy for profit maximization from the new Rambler. The desire to earn a high return for the company meant that the new Rambler, with its expected low initial production volume, was priced higher than the base models from its intended competition. To further increase the value to buyers, the car was well equipped compared to the competition and included items such as whitewall tires, full wheel covers, electric clock, and even a pushbutton AM radio.

Following the design of the larger "senior" Nash models, the compact Rambler's styling was rounded in form and also had an envelope body with fender skirts that also enclosed the front wheels. This design feature did not impair the car's cornering ability too significantly. Unlike almost all traditional convertibles of the era that used frame-free side windows, the Rambler retained the fixed roof structure above the car's doors and rear side window frames. This metal structure served as the side guides or rails for the retractable waterproof canvas top. This design allowed Nash to utilize its monocoque (unibody) construction on its new compact. It made the Rambler body very rigid for an open top car, without the additional bracing required in other convertible models.

In 1951, the Rambler line was enlarged to include a two-door station wagon and a two-door pillar-less hardtop - designated the Country Club.

A car tested by the British magazine The Motor in 1951 had a top speed of 80.9 mph (130.2 km/h) and could accelerate from 0-60 mph (97 km/h) in 21.0 seconds. A fuel consumption of 25.2 miles per imperial gallon (11.2 L/100 km/21.0 mpg US) was recorded. The test car was reported as costing $1808 inn the United States, British sales had not at the time started.

1953-1955
The Rambler received its first restyling in 1953, and came to strongly resemble the "senior" Nash models which had received all-new "Airflyte" styling the prior year. A two-door sedan was added in 1953. For 1954 a four-door sedan and a four-door station wagon - designated the "Cross Country" - were added. These four-door body styles used a 108-inch (2,700 mm) wheelbase. For 1955 the traditional enclosed front wheel wells were opened.

On January 14, 1954, Nash and Hudson Motor Car Company merged, and the successor corporation was named American Motors Corporation (AMC). Following the merger, Hudson dealers began receiving Ramblers that were badged as Hudson brand cars. The Hudson Ramblers and Nash Ramblers were identical, save for the brand name and minor brand badging.


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For more information and pictures of the real car please visit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nash_Rambler & http://auto.howstuffworks.com/1958-1960-ra...r-american4.htm

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A nice red, white, and blue model from Johnny Lightning. A patriotic combo in the tradition of American Motors. :thumbup:

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How Stuff Works
 
1959 Rambler American
The 1959 Rambler American series was expanded to include a couple of two-door station wagons. As the larger Rambler Six/Rebel and Ambassador wagons were offered only in four-door versions, management believed there'd be little sales cannibalization from the American. Like the sedan, the wagon was built from 1955 dies and received the same modernizing styling touches.

AMC claimed its new model "combines the outstanding economy and maneuverability of a small car with the family room and carrying capacity of a station wagon." With the rear seat folded flat, an American wagon could hold 52 cubic feet of cargo; with the tailgate lowered, a 90.3-inch-long load floor was available.

The Deluxe wagon was tagged at a mere $2,060, and the Super version, which included a standard cargo-area mat and roof rack, started at $2,145. By comparison, an Opel wagon cost around $2,400 and a Volvo PV 445 two-door wagon was $2,490! Even a new domestic rival in the compact field, the Studebaker Lark, charged $2,295 for its base two-door wagon.

The revival of the station wagon body also stirred up a return of the Deliveryman commercial wagon. Previously made in limited numbers from 1951 through 1955, it was essentially a three-passenger wagon with no rear seat and an extended cargo floor. The 1959 was the rarest yet: Just six were made, three with glass side panels and three in true sedan-delivery form with all-steel sides. After this, the Deliveryman disappeared for good.

Sedan prices were up by $46 from 1958 but still represented exceptional value. Standard equipment for 1959 was about the same as before, though Deluxe models gained the roll-down rear side windows. (All wagons featured sliding windows to provide ventilation for rear-seat passengers.)

Two surprising new options were a "Twin Grip" limited-slip rear axle and dealer-installed air conditioning. The availability of the latter boosted Rambler's popularity in southern states and was a sign of its growing popularity with more affluent buyers.

Rambler sales took off in 1959, helped perceptibly by the American. For the model year, production tripled to 91,491 cars as AMC struggled to keep up with demand. Of these, 32,639 -- almost 36 percent -- were station wagons.


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craftymore
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Support your local demo derby.

Swifty
Quote:
 
One of the last non-convertible models in Maisto's mainline to feature an interior. Most Maistos these days have black tinted windows and no interiors, for an overall cheap look and feel. This truck is proof that they used to do it right.


Sean must have been exhausted when he posted cotd. Happens to the best of us.


This castings is a older one from the Playing Mantis days. Other than the wheels, it's not that bad for a casting that might be 10 years old or older. I remember seeing these in KBs but never bought one cause of the non stock appearence.
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Supraman
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Swifty's @Work Alter Ego
craftymore
Aug 8 2008, 10:25 AM
Swifty
Quote:
 
One of the last non-convertible models in Maisto's mainline to feature an interior. Most Maistos these days have black tinted windows and no interiors, for an overall cheap look and feel. This truck is proof that they used to do it right.


Sean must have been exhausted when he posted cotd. Happens to the best of us.


This castings is a older one from the Playing Mantis days. Other than the wheels, it's not that bad for a casting that might be 10 years old or older. I remember seeing these in KBs but never bought one cause of the non stock appearence.

Fixed.

Speaking of cotd- Zach's helping me out on the week of the 15-21, but I could use more help from the 22-28. Anyone want to do a week of car of the day? I'll be at 'Fest.
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jedimario
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RAWR
I'm up for it again.
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Supraman
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Swifty's @Work Alter Ego
Appreciated! :thumbup:
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JustDavid
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SUV
jedimario
Aug 8 2008, 11:01 PM
I'm up for it again.

Cool! I'm excited to see some your collection, JediMario!
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ivantt
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New casting? Quick! Take it apart!
I think I grabbed one of these years ago at a KB, and stripped it, trying to figure out what to paint it. Now THIS really IS a casting that looks like it would make a good banger, and I haven't done any bangers! :D
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Swifty
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The Mustang II is a Mustang too!
ivantt
Aug 9 2008, 04:22 PM
I think I grabbed one of these years ago at a KB, and stripped it, trying to figure out what to paint it. Now THIS really IS a casting that looks like it would make a good banger, and I haven't done any bangers! :D

Do it! ;) :thumbup:

Welcome to the dark side. We have bangers....and cookies. :P
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James
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Mr.Bowtie
Love the new avatars and sig blocks. very funny, I am sure somewhere Bruce Wayne is getting a big kick out of this.

:P
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Swifty
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The Mustang II is a Mustang too!
James
Aug 9 2008, 08:34 PM
Love the new avatars and sig blocks. very funny, I am sure somewhere Bruce Wayne is getting a big kick out of this.

:P

I'd imagine Bruce is not quite as amused by it as the Joker, the Penguin, and the Riddler are. ;)
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GothicCarsUrban
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SUV
Nice casting. Honestly, wheelswapped, in a 50s color scheme inside and out, with better wheels and the taillights & bumpers foiled or painted with Metalizers, this could be a pretty sweet casting.
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