That restore will certainly keep you busy. But there is so much that is cool about it. First, anything AMC is rare to come by and second, that has some family heritage. Do you know how many total owners that Rambler had? It would be outstanding if your grand father was the original owner OR if there was a cool story that goes with how your grand father acquired it.

Sure, it's not a Monte, but it's still cool stuff!!

 

Thanks man

I've got about 4 full days into getting it running, which is pretty cool, got a lot of work done in a very little time. It was pretty hard because the car wasn't at my house until now, but now we're all good

I'll keep this as a running build/restore thread, going to get it sound and all before winter here, check my plans at the end of this post if you're interested

I would have never taken on a project on a car like this if it weren't my grandpa's. That alone means a ton to me.

Oh for sure, every panel needs some help, but luckily it's not as bad as it could be!

So my grandpa was the second owner I believe.. My uncle had told me that out of all the AMC's this was the car he'd have, not a very obvious quick car for the time and it still even holds it's own...

So apparently my grandpa found this car for $1,000 just north of Wisconsin, not sure who the original owner was, but for title reasons, I'm about to find out. The guy wanted $1,000 for it but my grandpa only wanted to pay $900... Turns out there was a tractor down here in Janesville that the guy wanted, so my grandpa hauled the tractor up to him in exchange for lowering the price to $900.

My grandpa drove the car on and off the trailer and then put it out on his lot that he has. Eventually the city got on him about moving the car and he then put it in his garage, which is where I found it 15 years later.

When he got the car all it needed was some coolant and he had it running fine. It looked like it had new ignition parts in it minus plugs as well, but I ended up replacing everything anyways.

That's pretty much all of the story that I know.. My grandpa had worked at AMC here in Kenosha for a good portion of his life and I plan on taking the car back there when I get new tires, I'll get a pic in front of the now Chrysler building and then I'll take it back there again when I have it restored.

My dad told me that my grandpa had owned every AMC car made at one point... My grandma, who divorced with my grandpa some time ago, was actually telling me about how my grandpa used to race in his Javelin and then run from the cops... pretty crazy back then

WEEKEND PLANS:

Here's kind of what I have set for the weekend...
1. Replace the inlet fuel hose - it's leaking at the pump
2. Replace all interior and exterior lights .. attempt to get the blinkers/headlights and running lights all working and lit up
3. Set TV cable, shift points are either too hard or too soft, I need to position the cable properly to get them back to how they were stock
4. Wash the car inside and out - I want to see if there's any shine left in this paint even though it'll get a repaint anyways
5. Vacuum and pull the front carpets... I will be using POR 15 on some of the spots up front including the small hole in the floor caused by the heater core
6. I also need to replace the high beam switch, this should be here this weekend
7. The brake switch is not installed, the one was stuck in the old master cylinder, I should have a new one here tomorrow, so I can install that
8. I plan on calling the DMV tonight to see what needs to be done in regards to getting the title. I don't have the title yet and my grandpa never had it either.

Then it will go to storage for the winter... storage as in the side of the garage with a tarp over it.. unless there's a better way.

First things it will get next season:

1. True dual 2.25" exhaust
2. Holley 4BBL 600 CFM Carb
3. New tires all around.. cheap white walls for now.

I will then probably start trying to repair and prime one panel at a time, starting with the easy stuff, like the hood and trunk.. then i'll need to pull the chrome trim that runs the length of the car to see how bad the rotting is under that, I'll eventually get everything sanded, primed and ready for paint, which is probably a long ways out.

 

Hi `Mitch, thanks for your thread & updates Enjoyed (seeing/reading)> 4-Sure!

You are a lucky man to have so much (3 super rides) + + + + + +

Wish you the best on your fun dedicated Rambler Project & also wish you the best in Life.

EnJoy your `Journey

 

Thanks Space! I come with more updates from this weekend

The fuel filler hose needed replacement, so that was my main goal for the weekend. Unfortunately I didn't fully finish that as I want to strengthen the mounting with some new welds.

I removed the old filler tube, which felt like plastic, it was supposed to be rubber lol ran and got a new hose and overfill line. I then got these all mocked up, but I need to tack the metal filler tube first. I would like to get this done before snow, so I don't have to cap off my tank.

I fully vacuumed and cleaned the car up on the inside, it really cleans up well all things considered and it was nice seeing the car without all the junk and stuff in it..








I also cleaned up and restored the vinyl top a bit..

BEFORE:


AFTER:

 

Other than that, I did get all new lights in almost every spot on the car...







New keychain as well, so it doesn't look so plain



Lastly, a little vid of her on the street... this was with the TV cable disconnected, so it took some finessing to get into gear... notice that 327 rolling the tires from a 10 roll on the way back

 

Got the Rambler pushed to the side of the garage... doesn't look like I've done much since I updated here last, it got a bit too cold for me and I don't want to deal with putting the Rambler in the garage right now...

I will update you with the parts and plans that I have coming forward..

1.) Holley 4BBL 600CFM Carburetor - Vacuum Secondaries - Electric Choke - Should bring this engine alive compared to the crapped Holley 2BBL that I have on the now...which is probably around 350 CFM.
2.) 2.5" true duals into some Thrush Welded Mufflers - Should sound similar to Flowmaster Delta Flow 40's - Dumped right after the rear tires.
3.) New white walled tires all around - Painting the white walls red.

This should get me on the road as soon as I get the title.

This car will be a fun Honda slayer and a cool cruiser

I'll keep it updated as I continue!

 

What a Awesome thread man !! Great job brother

 

Thanks `Mitch for the update. It's going to be fun watching your progress. I just watched the vid & it already sounds like a race car + you live in a really beautiful area of Gods Country 4-Sure!

Your new exhaust system should sound awesome.

I hope Santa brings you some good parts for your Rambler.
EnJoy your Rambler Project 4-Sure...

Will be looking 4ward 2 you next update

 

Hey all, a few small updates here.. I've been ordering parts when I could find them and I have plenty more to go, all while trying to find a new daily driver..

I put the Rambler on the side of the garage, threw a tarp over her and got her ready for winter... (moisture absorbing pack, dryer sheets and some air fresheners to get her fresh for next year)



I also picked up a 1966 plate... This was issued in 1965 and run til 1967 with stickers.. so as you can imagine, finding one with a 1966 sticker that wasn't upgraded to 1967 yet was pretty difficult, but this will look kind of cool in my opinion with the rugged look of the car currently.



I also started ordering gaskets, so I can replace the carburetor, intake manifold, exhaust manifolds and valve covers...




I also got in my 'R' to complete 'RAMBLER' on the hood, along with a horn and the valve covers that I'll be restoring..



I am trying to work out a deal for new exhaust manifolds and I am close to ordering my Holley 600cfm 4BBL carb, HEI ignition along with a couple other goodies.

 

I also am working on a deal for exhaust manifolds, will be porting those and painting them along with the intake manifold and valve covers.