We’re running a good deal of American Motors content this week, so I felt it would be a good time to complement the topic with some of their products captured back in the day. This is the second gallery covering Nash and Rambler in the ’50s-’60s, and once again, it covers from their quirky-looking bathtub days to the cleaner products of the 1960s.
By the way, there are two shots of Rambler owners posing with pets in these photos. And on a recent Metropolitan post, another one did so. Coincidence? Or did AMC owners like to show off their pets more than others?
Here’s the Rambler American that succeeded our Biscayne. Pic probably from late 1960s. This is the only family photo that has the whole car in frame – I don’t think Dad liked it very much, especially after the engine caught fire in the driveway (he put it out with the garden hose). Our ’68 Country Squire LTD followed the Rambler.
The first family car I remember was a 50 Ambassador ( often called the upside down bathtub, while Same year Packard was the Pregnant Elephant). Often, I fell asleep in the back seat, covered with a blanket, riding home from parent’s friends homes lulled to sleep by the softly singing AM (optional) radio with the smooth riding big boat adding to feeling like I was in bed, safe and cozy. Actually the Ambassador had front seats that could fold down into a full size bed. That was one fine automobile. The Airflite design and 6 cylinder motor made it easy on gas, even when Dad put the pedal to the metal. We kept the Ambassador until November 59 with only routine maintenance. Mom had developed arthritis and had trouble parking without power steering. Otherwise it probably would have remained in the family longer. I guess that 50 Ambassador began my love affair with Land YACHTS. NEVER had any interest in small cars, so for me the Last 57 Ambassadors were the last of my interest. But our Ambassador was replaced by a Delightful, Delovely DESOTO. BUT that’s a whole story in itself. If only George Mason’s plan to combine Nash, Hudson, Packard, and Studebaker had worked, would those storied Marques still be around 🤔? BTW, while we still had the Ambassador, Dad bought a used 55 Hudson Rambler wagon to drive to work at Inland Steel (then like AMC a US 🇺🇸 company). How times have changed! 😔
Yup, AMC people. The Met seems to be at a military base judging by the architecture and the mix of nations. Maybe a base IN Germany?
I was wondering about that. Though the VW’s seem expected for being in the US, is the red sedan a Taunus or an Opel, and the small blue wagon a DKW (or Auto Union)? Would there have been that many US cars on a base in Germany?
Uncool Mom is alone with her Airflyte while the Cool people are gathered around the Ford hotrod. Perfect AMC scene.
My wife and I are proudly AMC people as well!
’66 Marlin; Zoar, OH; Summer 2023
That V8 red convertible (maybe a ’65 Classic?) is almost enough to make me love Ramblers. Goes to show how a good picture can make almost any car look appealing. Of course once you start comparing Ramblers to the competition, almost becomes the operative word.
I like the Cross Country wagon photobombing the Metro.