(Here is an example of what Dad did at AMC- the trademark “R” in Rambler (and on the grill of the monorail) is one of his contributions. Photo Socotra).

I am jazzed about the project we just took on. I am not going to get all bogged down in discussing The Big Secret, nor describe the pensive group hug with Matteus the Polish Lifeguard when he locked the pool gate last night to end the formal season of frolicking in the water.

Instead, I will ignore all the emotion and the mild hang-over and try to have to tell you that I am totally jazzed about a conversation I just had with a car museum in Kokomo, Indiana, and the prospects of showing our 1959 Rambler Custom Cross Country station wagon there when we are not driving around the Great Midwest.

Here is the scheme: We will drive the classic to Virginia as our accomplice approaches the Museum Board for formal approval, and then we will deliver the classic vehicle to delight the throngs who visit the museum there in Kokomo, which was one of the hotbeds of te early days of independent car-building.

I didn’t have Dad’s renderings of the car camping series at the office, but I will get them to the museum when I get home. I will have to alert Spike to the fact that we are driving to Virginia as an interim step to getting the car to Indiana. The YouTube link that got us to pounce on the car and a couple pictures and a brief history follows:

Here is the video of the car:

She is a beauty in Cotillion Mauve.

Dad (William E. Reddig) was assistant head of Rambler styling (to the legendary Ed Anderson) at the time, and his contribution to this design was “the dip” in the roof line, which permitted George Romney to use the same tooling to stamp the roof on the sedan and wagon models, a significant savings to the company.

For 1959, Improvements to the Rambler included a full-width die-cast grille while the body side gained an uninterrupted line. Rather than blending into the C-pillar, the belt line continued to the tail fins.

Engineering changes included thicker brake linings and larger brakes for V8-powered cars, as well as fuel economy improvements with lower axle ratios and more efficient carburetor.

An electrically engaged overdrive unit behind the three-speed manual transmission was also available. The automatic transmission was operated by push buttons on the left-side of the instrument panel. To increase longevity, Rambler mufflers were aluminum-coated on the inside and zinc-coated on the outside.

On cars with automatic transmission, engine starting was now incorporated into the neutral pushbutton, thus eliminating the ignition key start switch. Accidental starter engagement was prevented by a lockout when the engine was running.

Premium options and conveniences continued to be offered including “Weather Eye” air-conditioning, air suspension on V8s, limited slip differentials, an exterior mounted continental tire, as well as the American Motors’ exclusive individually adjustable and reclining front seats with headrests.

AND the seats fold down! This is going to be a hell of a drive!

Copyright 2015 Vic Socotra
www.vicsocotra.com
Twitter: @jayare303