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.
My goodness you had a nice house.
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?
Yes, Opel Olympia and DKW wagon. Also a VW Bus.
Yes. Looks like apartment “blocks’ typical of Germany and other countries. I lived in a building like this near the base I was assigned to from 1980-1983. We went b back there in 2014 and it was exactly the same!
Looks like USAREUR License plates used from 1952 to 1961, looks like U.S. Forces Germany stamped on the bottom of the plate.
Uncool Mom is alone with her Airflyte while the Cool people are gathered around the Ford hotrod. Perfect AMC scene.
Note how much more modern the stodgy “Nash” looks next to the “Ford”.
My wife and I are proudly AMC people as well!
’66 Marlin; Zoar, OH; Summer 2023
Waay cool!
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.
Every time I see a Nash my mind goes what a strange looking car. Who designed them to have that “look.”
In the third photo, you can see what looks like a fender less ’36 Ford coupe parked across the street. A period hot rod? Or did it just get in a fender bender?
My Dad had a Nash like this one, I’ve got a picture of him standing next to it stored away somewhere.
Myself, I love the first picture of the Cross Country wagon .
I found a 1959 one with the “Westerner” interior, factory AC and overdrive when my Sweet asked me to get her a station wagon, for some odd reason she said no way would she be seen in it so I got her a spiffy Mercedes W123 300TD graymarket wagon instead, I need to find the slow leak in the factory AC before next Summer .
I like most of these Nash/AMC products, you had to have been there to understand why the weird styling wasn’t considered weird at the time .
-Nate
I’ll add our 1954 Canadian Statesman (Saint John River, New Brunswick, Canada)
AMC is back, Ive been seeing 60s Ramblers lately in use on the road, some have survived or have arrived, either way nice to see.
My first was this ’60 Rambler bought in ’70. My driving/owning experience is best described as periods of excitement interspersed with occasional moments of stark terror, especially when the front suspension (trunnion style) gave way, Fortunately my Dad’s best friend was an understanding mechanic who taught me a LOT about car repairs.
My friends may have had GTOs, Road Runners, ‘Vettes and the like, but none had a front seat that would make a bed with the front seat backs folded down!
By the late “60’s”, these looked like refugees from behind the “Iron Curtain”.
I have always thought the Marlin was one handsome car. I know, not a lot of car folks think so….but some of us do.
When I was a boy one of my Dad’s friends drove a ‘50 Airflyte (deep maroon). When he and his wife and kids would stop by to visit, my Mom didn’t like it when they parked in front of the house (in her heavy Southern accent : “do they have to park in front of the house?”).
I highly recommend visiting the Rambler Ranch in Colorado. Look it up on the web. It’s a beautiful collection of Ramblers, Nashes, and a whole lot of AMC cars. Visiting the Ranch is like stepping back in time.