1960 Nash Rambler Wagon

1960 Rambler American Station Wagon

The Nash Kelvinator company was bought out and became American motors in 1957. The two-door wagon was brought back in 1958. 1960 was also the year of the start for the "Custom" series Rambler American with the OHV engine made from the same molds as the flathead engine. Many odd shapes and parts were from the flathead. Approximately 1400 wagons were made that year with no record of how many had faux wood applied.

...And now for something completely different... a 1960 Rambler American Station Wagon. Originally from Ankeny, Iowa bought by the first owner to use to go fishing (and it certainly looks the part). It went through several owners in various states and dealerships but was always returned with low mileage clocked on it. Our current consigner bought it in 2017 and it still only had 37,200 miles. Now it has 42,718 which is still extremely low.

ExteriorThis rare car is bathed in white paint and shows no rust and good gaps. The car originally came with the factory wood which was a DuPont DiNox" (vinyl) that had a limited life. Hence this car was upgraded with hand painted wood grain by Paul Quinn owner of Design Brilliance located in Springfield, Pennsylvania. This original Frost White car had a black roof added. The dual tone was an available option for the original wagons as well. All chrome, including bumpers, window trimmings, handles, roof rack and the trim spear are excellent. Headlights are halogen bulbs, and rear taillights are LED. Gray steel wheels have a R badged moon cap and are wrapped in black wall rubber by Michelin. The early 1960s abound with this car showing in deep inset tires within wider wheel wells and body surrounds. Very hip!

InteriorUsing the original upholstery patterns all interior surfaces were redone in 2006. For the doors a spear is inserted into a white vinyl field. Black vinyl surrounds some gray stitched tufted broadcloth for the very central part of the spear, and the armrest. Original handles and bakelite knobs and bezels can be seen. A strip of black carpeting is on the bottom of the door. Inside is all jazzed up with charcoal gray tuck and roll broadcloth for the seats front and rear, the front being a split bench. In the centers of the backs a light gray horizontal stripe runs across. Black piping creates the border between the broadcloth inserts and the white vinyl bolsters. An original dash in full metal jacket, painted white, and has a very smoothed over design. In the middle and stretching to the passenger's side is a black plastic and ribbed chromed panel, with 2 large black knobs near the shift lever, and an American badge far left written in your grandmother's handwriting. Below is a metal panel painted black that houses some knobs for the wipers and airflow. Above a beautiful near perfect white headliner is in, and below is black carpeting which is very clean and pristine. In back for the cargo area are now embossed flames on the side panels all run black, and on the floor is an all weather charcoal gray carpeting which is also in perfect condition. A simple but effective interior, with a clamshell opening top and bottom rear tailgate.

DrivetrainJanuary 2016 a completely rebuilt 196ci OHV engine was installed. The block and head were manufactured in 1959 for the 1960 model year. This means the car is still "numbers matching" since the car's serial number does not indicate the engine, states our consignor. To properly rebuild the engine, the 196 cubic inch engine is bored .060 over to about 200ci with a mild cam and increased compression from 8.7 to about 9. A new Weber 2-barrel is hidden under the stock air cleaner. The engine is painted factory colors. Several upgrades including a full flow oil filter and several head bolt design changes to avoid some design flaws the Rambler factory had ignored. The horsepower was originally 90 and now about a consignor stated 150. For a light car this is impressive. The 3-speed automatic was rebuilt by a very professional shop and can be driven in #1 or #2. #2 will start the car in second gear for gas mileage and will shift once. The #1 position provides more starting power and will shift at about 20 and then about 35mph. The rear axle is a Ford 8-inch 3.00 conventional rear axle.

UndercarriageVery light surface rust is on the rear leaf spring suspension, otherwise the remainder is painted black. Structurally sound with hydraulic disc brakes on the front and drums on the rear all controlled by a dual reservoir master cylinder.

Drive-AbilityA quick effortless starter, and great driver. Like driving a new car. All functions are working perfectly.

About as close as you can come to an original looking Rambler American station wagon on the exterior, and interior. Mechanically sound and ticking like a Swiss watch.

VIN DECODEB169278B-Rambler American169278-Sequential Unit Number

TRIM TAGMODEL 6004 1-American 2 Door WagonPAINT 72-Frost WhiteTRIM 12-Gray Vinyl

Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 600 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display.This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.