Rambler Classic

The Rambler Classic was a mid-size car, which was approved by the American Motors Corporation ( AMC) from 1961 to 1966 built and sold. The Classic models replaced the Rambler Six and Rambler Rebel V8 at the end of 1960.

As long as the Classic was produced, he was the best-selling car of the independent car manufacturer.

1961-1962

The Rambler Classic ensured that AMC increase its sales figures at the beginning of the 1960s, and was able to generate more profit. In 1961 Rambler third of the U.S. automotive brands. The Rambler extensive model range in 1961 renamed " Classic" to create a stronger model identification. The Classic was available with both six-cylinder engine and with a V8 engine. Versions with 3.2 liter - OHV engine with aluminum block were offered upon request in the DeLuxe and Super models. The Rambler had dual-circuit brake systems, a security detail that was only offered for a few cars at this time.

Noteworthy were the Überseeaktvitäten of AMC, which began in 1961 and, inter alia, included the assembly of CKD kits at Renault Belgique industry (RIB ) in Belgium, at Industrias Kaiser Argentina ( IKA) in Argentina and Australian Motor Industries (AMI ) in Australia. The European versions were assembled and sold in the badge - engineering under the dual brand names Rambler Renault.

1963-1964

In 1963, the series has been completely revised and now had finer body shapes. These were the first AMC models that were influenced by Richard A. Teague, the new chief designer. There were also the first completely new car, the AMC has developed since 1956. According to the company's philosophy, they were more compact ( each 25 mm shorter and narrower and 56 mm lower ) than its predecessor, but had an equally large interior and trunk .. The "big" cars from AMC, the Ambassador and the Classic split, the bottom group and most of the body parts; only the trim and the standard equipment differed both models.

The new AMC cars offered many new, interesting technical solutions, including curved side windows, so they were among the first low-cost vehicles that offered this detail. Another technical breakthrough was the combination been separately manufactured sheet metal parts to form a monocoque with a single punch. An example of this was the door frame, which was made with a single stamp. This not only replaced 52 parts and lowered weight and manufacturing costs, but also increased nor the stability of the structure and improved the fit of the doors.

AMC's innovative engineering solutions led the Motor Trend magazine to give the Classic and the Ambassador identical the prestigious Car of the Year Award 1963.

Typhoon

From mid- 1964 there was a special model called Typhoon, which had the two-door coupe body of the Classic. With this model, the all-new AMC - line six- cylinder engine with 232 cu.in. was ( 3.8 liters ) Displacement introduced. The production number of this memorable model was limited to 2,500. The vehicles were it only with sunny yellow paint and black roof. The car had to distinguish even a "Typhoon " logo instead of the usual "Classic " designation and a special grille with black mesh. All other special fittings - with the exception of other engines and colors - were available for the Typhoon.

1965-1966

The 1965 models were introduced in 1963 on the platform a major facelift. The Rambler Classic was now shorter and differed clearly from the model Ambassador, although he shared with this essential body structures of the A-pillar to the rear. For the first time there was also a convertible with the equipment line 770 The 1965 Classic models are considered sensitive and spectacular due to its new styling, its powerful engines and their increased comfort and sportiness. This was in contrast to the previous image of being ' only economic " cars.

1966 appeared the name " Rebel " for a particularly well-equipped two-door hardtop coupe roof line of the Classic with corrected again. There was for the first time a manual-shift four-speed transmission and a mounted on the dashboard speedometer.

The name Rambler Rebel replaced the name Classic at the entire large AMC series 1967 and 1968, the AMC Rebel Rebel was renamed as American Motors began with the withdrawal of the brand Rambler.