1960 Rambler American Custom
Sometime during the late 1980s, my father picked up two old Ramblers and had them towed to one of his warehouses. I think I said this before somewhere on this site, Dad was a hoarder. He grew up during the depression loving cars and motorcycles, but never had a nickle to rub together. So he taught himself how to fix things and trade up. He spent a lifetime doing just that, and by the time he died, he an amassed an incredible collection of old cars, motorcycles as well as antiques of every description. He also amassed several warehouses full of pure junk - things like broken office chairs, bundles of wire, broken window frames and doors, stacks of old worn out tires and dozens of bicycles pulled from our nearby police department's dumpster. Dad believed everything had a purpose and could be fixed. And until he could get to it, he stored his dumpster, garage and barn finds in one of three warehouses. By the way, a warehouse is the perfect place for a hoarder to indulge their inner hoarder. Unfortunately, he never spent a whole lot of time fixing, mostly collecting. I've finished about a dozen or so of his projects, but that was just a dip in the bucket, and I have a lot of projects I've collected on my own that are still in need of completion.
Unfortunately, after he became seriously ill, no one in my family wanted to, or was capable of cleaning out Dad's warehouse. As a kid, I was his gofer. Some of my earliest memories are of finding tools for him, helping dig old cars out of barns, and walking through junk shops with him in search of "treasures." This time I spent with my father wasn't often fun, but it helped me to become pretty good at restoring old vehicles. And, I also learned a lot about antiques. I was certainly best suited to clean out Dad's properties, so to help out the rest of the family, I spent the better part of three years tackling this massive undertaking.
One of the few people who assisted me during this time was my oldest son, Ricky (still sorry Bud). He was about 14 or 15 when I began this foolhardy venture. We spent every weekend digging through piles of stuff and making trips to the dump and recycling yards. We shared a sense of exploration and adventure, and at times, digging through mounds of junk could be fun. Occasionally, you move a hunk of carpet or a box of moldy magazines to find a gem - like brass headlamps for a car from the teens, or a rear wheel off a 1920's-era Indian. We averaged a good find about about every couple of weeks and that was very fuel we needed to keep us going. My wife and Ricky's younger brother helped too when they could, but my youngest was really too young (but did a good job of sorting nuts and bolts), and my wife had to pick up the slack at home with me being absent so much.
Unfortunately, after he became seriously ill, no one in my family wanted to, or was capable of cleaning out Dad's warehouse. As a kid, I was his gofer. Some of my earliest memories are of finding tools for him, helping dig old cars out of barns, and walking through junk shops with him in search of "treasures." This time I spent with my father wasn't often fun, but it helped me to become pretty good at restoring old vehicles. And, I also learned a lot about antiques. I was certainly best suited to clean out Dad's properties, so to help out the rest of the family, I spent the better part of three years tackling this massive undertaking.
One of the few people who assisted me during this time was my oldest son, Ricky (still sorry Bud). He was about 14 or 15 when I began this foolhardy venture. We spent every weekend digging through piles of stuff and making trips to the dump and recycling yards. We shared a sense of exploration and adventure, and at times, digging through mounds of junk could be fun. Occasionally, you move a hunk of carpet or a box of moldy magazines to find a gem - like brass headlamps for a car from the teens, or a rear wheel off a 1920's-era Indian. We averaged a good find about about every couple of weeks and that was very fuel we needed to keep us going. My wife and Ricky's younger brother helped too when they could, but my youngest was really too young (but did a good job of sorting nuts and bolts), and my wife had to pick up the slack at home with me being absent so much.
So far, this is the earliest photo of the Rambler I have found. This was right after the paint was finished. The windshield and bumpers are still off.
The Rambler seen above was one of those many treasures we stumbled upon in the dark recesses of the warehouse. This car was completely original and untouched since it was last driven in 1978. It was stored in the back of the warehouses that had no windows and almost no lights. We found the car buried under boxes of car parts and a few rolls of old, roach-filled carpets. The body was very straight, the chrome excellent for its age and it was 100 percent complete, except for a missing windshield and front passenger window. One weekend, Ricky and I decided to see if we could get it running. We had hopes of driving it out of the warehouse instead of pushing and towing it. We popped the hood and found the engine intact. There was no water in the radiator, but as a plus, there was also no water in the oil - promising. Amazingly, the carb and gas tank didn't didn't have that all-to-familiar odor of nasty, gas turned varnish. In fact, both carb and gas tank were bone dry. We put air in the flattened, 1960-era white sidewalls tires and they stayed up.
This is what the engine looked like after a good cleaning and new oil filter.
We had been starting (or attempting to start) a host of old cars, so we always kept a strong battery and fresh gas on hand. We kept fuel in a new, 6-gallon tank like those used with outboard boat engines. In case you were wondering, yes, we found the gas tank in Dad's warehouse. It was probably about 15 years old and new, in the box. We installed the battery and hooked the extended fuel line to the carb, set the tank on the roof of the rambler (gravity feed) and hand-primed fuel into the carb. The old Holley, single-barrel carb leaked a bit from the dry, old gaskets, but when Ricky turned the key, the engine quickly fired to life and settled into a decent idle - no ticking, no knocking, or any other nasty sounds. So you may be wondering why was the car was parked so many years ago. Well, a bad fuel pump diaphragm might have been the last straw, but there were several other additional issues that would have certainly caused a breakdown sooner or later. These included, radiator, brakes and a noisy rear end - not to mention broken windshield and window. It's not unrealistic to think that Dad probably bought this car for $100. He really knew how to pick 'em!
By the time we had the Rambler running, I was growing weary of working on old cars. I wanted to get back to working on my own projects. But Ricky immediately fell in love with the Rambler. He really wanted it for his first car. He promised to buy all the parts and do all the work needed to get it going. He had busted his butt, almost every weekend for the better part of a year, working in this filthy warehouse. So I talked to my stepmother and she agreed that we could give Ricky the Rambler. After the initial engine run, we determined we needed a new water pump and hoses, a new fuel pump, and a rebuilt carb. The radiator would need to be cored and the complete brake service on all wheels as well as a new master cylinder. And that was just to just to make it road-worthy, not necessarily dependable or safe. With all the work on the warehouse, It took a few moths for us to get it running and driving down the alley behind the warehouse. My buddy Jim, who, at that time, owned a body shop, wanted Dad's other Rambler to build a vintage street rod. It was a 1959, 4-Door American but it was missing a windshield (I grabbed it for this car). So, I let Jim tow away the other Rambler in lieu of a future paint job on Ricky's car. Everything seemed to be going well, but a few weeks later, the bottom would drop out of the project for Ricky.
By the time we had the Rambler running, I was growing weary of working on old cars. I wanted to get back to working on my own projects. But Ricky immediately fell in love with the Rambler. He really wanted it for his first car. He promised to buy all the parts and do all the work needed to get it going. He had busted his butt, almost every weekend for the better part of a year, working in this filthy warehouse. So I talked to my stepmother and she agreed that we could give Ricky the Rambler. After the initial engine run, we determined we needed a new water pump and hoses, a new fuel pump, and a rebuilt carb. The radiator would need to be cored and the complete brake service on all wheels as well as a new master cylinder. And that was just to just to make it road-worthy, not necessarily dependable or safe. With all the work on the warehouse, It took a few moths for us to get it running and driving down the alley behind the warehouse. My buddy Jim, who, at that time, owned a body shop, wanted Dad's other Rambler to build a vintage street rod. It was a 1959, 4-Door American but it was missing a windshield (I grabbed it for this car). So, I let Jim tow away the other Rambler in lieu of a future paint job on Ricky's car. Everything seemed to be going well, but a few weeks later, the bottom would drop out of the project for Ricky.
The Rambler looked great in the driveway. All that chrome is original. But the tranny leaked, the rear end whined and the brakes were worthless.
As soon as we got the car rolling past 10 mph on first drive down the block, the rear end started whining. The pinion and shaft bearings had rusted up and needed immediate replacement. It's not an easy job on a '60 Rambler and we found out it requires a special tool to remove the pinion from the case and to split the housing. The transmission also poured out fluid about as fast as we poured it in, due to dry and crumbling seals. To pour salt into Ricky's wounds, we couldn't find the title in the piles of paperwork Dad left behind. We could get one, but it was going to cost at least $350 and require a lot of legwork and paperwork we didn't yet have. The final, and by far, largest nail in the coffin, we discovered no one would insure a teenager in an antique car (for anything close to an affordable). For Ricky, the project was kaput, but, after all the work we done together on the car, I began to develop a bit of a soft spot for the Rambler too. I decided to do the heavy lifting (and spending) necessary to get the car on the road while Ricky went off to college. I reimbursed Ricky for the parts he bought for the car and gave him a nice bonus for working so hard in the warehouse. I also agreed that when I sold the car, I would give him a portion of the sale. And, over the years, he's been able to drive the car a bit under my insurance, so he's happy I am finishing the car and never sold it.
It has taken nearly seven years, but I'm finally getting close to wrapping up the Rambler project. It's not a perfect frame-off or 100-point restoration, not by any means. It's more of a thorough, mechanical renovation to build a safe, dependable, 60-year old driver. We've also done a lot to make the car comfortable and look good too. Unfortunately, I was not able to approach this project in the way I usually do -- that is to make the vehicle mechanically sound first, and then sort out the cosmetic challenges. I did it, as my father would say, "bassackwards."
It has taken nearly seven years, but I'm finally getting close to wrapping up the Rambler project. It's not a perfect frame-off or 100-point restoration, not by any means. It's more of a thorough, mechanical renovation to build a safe, dependable, 60-year old driver. We've also done a lot to make the car comfortable and look good too. Unfortunately, I was not able to approach this project in the way I usually do -- that is to make the vehicle mechanically sound first, and then sort out the cosmetic challenges. I did it, as my father would say, "bassackwards."
Jim's paint looks great from any angle.
Shortly after Jim towed away the 4-door, he was offered a management position at a big shop and was closing done his body shop. He needed me to get the Rambler over to him quickly so he could paint it before his closed the doors on his shop for good. A serious tip of the hat to my friend Jim: most people in this position would have apologized and reneged on the trade deal, but not Jim. He worked as quickly and as long as possible with a looming deadline nearing every day. I wasn't just my car he had finish, there were several other restoration projects. I never thought he would have enough time to get it done, but about three weeks after I dropped it off, we were loading a beautifully painted car back on my trailer. Jim also did this knowing he would not have time for to work on the Rambler I traded him. Now that's integrity! With the paint complete, I had the additional challenge of fixing everything else without scratching or damaging Jim's nice paint job.
Across town, one of my dad's friends ran a garage specializing in vintage Mercedes Benz. Seldon was nearing retirement. His shop has been around for about 40 years (that I know of) and he had a host of loyal customers who were going to be sad when he retired. One day while talking to Seldon about my Dad's failing health, I mentioned the Rambler project. It was then I found out this superb mechanic began his mechanical career working at a Rambler dealership. Not only did he know this particular Rambler like the back of his hand, he also still had the special tool needed to rebuild the rear end. So, I pulled the tranny and rear end and dropped it off to him for rebuilding.
The tranny after the initial rebuild. The pan was warped and there were some bad gaskets, so it developed leaks a few months after we installed it.
|
The kickdown solenoid, also known as the vacuum modulator was a constant source of leaks until we found a replacement
|
Meanwhile, I polished all the original chrome, and bought five new, very expensive white-wall tires from Coker tire. Everybody tried to talk me out of it, but I knew the tires would make the car and I was absolutely right. It is just not the same car without those tires. I know because I put a couple of old black-wall tires on one side when the old while walls gave up the ghost. The side without whitewalls was dull - even with the nice paint job.
|
After a couple weeks, Seldon had the tranny and rear end finished, so I spent a weekend putting them back in the Rambler with the help of another old buddy. It's one of those jobs that is easier with two folks. With the new tires, the new tranny and quieter rear end, the car was a blast to drive around - even with a ripped-up, trashy interior. I don't know why, but people just love this car.
The Rambler also shard the stage with a stuffed Santa as a prop in our award-winning, last-minute Christmas display. By now, our family was now getting attached to this old car. |
I really think the whitewalls make the car. At first, I had a lot of people say it wasn't worth it. Now, they all agree it was!
|
Our award-winning Christmas display with a stuffed Santa working under the hood of the Rambler
At the time, we didn't have any room in our garage for the Rambler. It was filled with my tools and motorcycles. So the Rambler lived outside. We kept it covered and washed it frequently. But, we lived on the water, and after a year or so, some tiny rust spots began appearing around the front fender and around the windshield. The lifter seals were old and oil began collecting in the engine. So much so, that if we didn't start the car for a couple of weeks, it looked like a 1960's mosquito truck spewing out pesticide. And unfortunately, a gasket failed in the tranny, so it was beginning to leak again, just not as bad as before. I was still driving the car every once in a while, but these issues were beginning to really bug me. At this time, we were in the process of selling a house we had lived in for nearly 20 years. For those that have done that, you know it's a time-stealing job. So, the Rambler project was again shelved for months until we had a finally had contact on the house. During this time we bought a new house that also needed work. I was thinking I was never going to complete the Ramble. I kept the battery charged and drove it around at least once a month, but it was obvious, the car would need a lot of work once I got the project going again.
The original faux alligator print was okay on the back seat and maybe even usable, but the front seat was a mashup of several repair jobs. I couldn't find matching materials, so I went in a different direction
|
Shortly after we sold the house, I decided to get to the project into high gear. We had a little extra cash, so I started buying NOS parts for the front end (when I could find them), gasket sets and looking for the right materials to reupholster the interior.
My wife and I liked the look of the back seat - it was still original and fairly intact. I knew a guy who was really talented upholster and had made several motorcycle seats for my antique bikes. Unfortunately, after dropping by his shop one day, I found he had a terrible accident and was no longer able to work. I learned his brother, also a talented upholster, was finishing up some projects for him, so I gave his brother a call. |
|
Johnny, is very talented man with a sewing machine and scissors. He's artistically gifted and has a penchant for doing things right. But his kind of expertise and quality come at a price. His work is reasonably priced, but not cheap. Johnny deals with a lot of demanding customers who own antique and exotic cars. He's in constant demand and has a months-long waiting list. I wanted him to do the work so I asked him to call if he had an opening. A few weeks later, a job canceled and he called. Once again, I was working backwards. The interior is last element of a restoration I tackle. It makes sense, because you don't want to be getting in and out of the car when you're dirty from working on an old engine. But sometimes, you've got to get work done when you can.
When it became apparent the original materials were going to be available, we took another tack, creating a classic 1960's design with modern materials. |
|
I laid out a design for the seats on Photoshop. Johnny took my idea for the seats and incorporated it into the side panels. The new panels share a similar took with the old panels, but have more dept than the original pressed panels. This caused some issues when I went to mount them on the doors, but it was worth the hassle.
|
|
One Saturday morning, Dave and I started early and completely disassembled the front end. It was a worn out, greasy mess, coated with years of road grime and oil. We found every single bushing, every piece of rubber, and several major components completely worn out. This car only had about 65,000 original miles on it,
|
but back in the sixties, 50,000 miles was often the lifespan of many automobiles. On Sunday, I tackled cleaning and painting the parts. Owning a Vaporblaster made life a lot easier. Over the next week or so, I hustled to find replacement components and then painted all the parts we reused. It took us a couple of weekends, but when finished the front end was like new. Dave put the car on Mike's alignment rack and when we took it for a spin, the car tracked perfectly straight down the road.
With the front end complete, we tackled the engine and leaking tranny. I really hadn't planed on rebuilding the engine and tranny, only going after the leaks, cleaning things up and maybe a little aerosol overhaul. But Dave mentioned that if we were pulling the tranny, we might as well pull the engine. And if we were going to pull the engine, it wouldn't take that much longer to rebuild it.
When Dave wrapped up the engine, another friend, Don, helped Dave set the engine into the Rambler. I'll be helping that friend out a little later this year with his vintage Guzzi. Dave did a fantastic job and the Rambler runs like new.
With the front end complete, we tackled the engine and leaking tranny. I really hadn't planed on rebuilding the engine and tranny, only going after the leaks, cleaning things up and maybe a little aerosol overhaul. But Dave mentioned that if we were pulling the tranny, we might as well pull the engine. And if we were going to pull the engine, it wouldn't take that much longer to rebuild it.
When Dave wrapped up the engine, another friend, Don, helped Dave set the engine into the Rambler. I'll be helping that friend out a little later this year with his vintage Guzzi. Dave did a fantastic job and the Rambler runs like new.
|
|
The old dash color (which didn't match interior) and rusty floors can be seen here
|
The floorboard required a lot of work. Wire brushing, grinding, acid treating and a coat of POR 15.
|
My wife snuck a picture of me putting in the first pieces of the soundproofing material
|
The soundproofing done in the doors, firewall and floorboards
|
The jute going in before the carpets
|
Dave is a super, grade-one mechanic, as well as a top-notch diagnosing technician. He works on all cars, but specializes on expensive imports as well as rare and exotic cars. Normally, I do all my own work, but with the house sold and a bunch of new projects at the new place, I put Dave to work on the engine. . He also aligned performed a laser alignment.
While Johnny stitched everything up, I cleaned, sealed and painted the floor prepping for insulation of the carpet and seats. I also repainted the dash to better match the interior as repainted all the interior trim pieces. With that done, I installed a foil-covered, mastic-based soundproofing material in the doors, the floor pan and trunk. I then installed new carpet and matching seat belts.
About a year after we sold the house, and with the interior finished,
With the front end complete, we tackled the engine and leaking tranny. I helped Dave drop the engine and tranny and once everything was dissembled, he got the parts to me and I blasted and painted them. When Dave wrapped up the engine, another friend, Don, helped Dave set the engine into the Rambler. I'll be helping that friend out a little later this year with his vintage Guzzi. Dave did a fantastic job and the Rambler runs like new.
I'VE RUN OUT OF TIME FOR NOW, BUT THERE ARE LOTS MORE PICTURES AND UPDATES TO THIS STORY. HOPEFULLY I'LL HAVE IT POSTED BEFORE THE NEW YEAR (2020) .... PLEASE CHECK BACK
About a year after we sold the house, and with the interior finished,
With the front end complete, we tackled the engine and leaking tranny. I helped Dave drop the engine and tranny and once everything was dissembled, he got the parts to me and I blasted and painted them. When Dave wrapped up the engine, another friend, Don, helped Dave set the engine into the Rambler. I'll be helping that friend out a little later this year with his vintage Guzzi. Dave did a fantastic job and the Rambler runs like new.
I'VE RUN OUT OF TIME FOR NOW, BUT THERE ARE LOTS MORE PICTURES AND UPDATES TO THIS STORY. HOPEFULLY I'LL HAVE IT POSTED BEFORE THE NEW YEAR (2020) .... PLEASE CHECK BACK