1964 Rambler Classic (Second generation 1963-64)

This is Jonathan’s Rambler.  You could listen to me ramble on about it (no pun intended) or you could read this awesome story he sent me:

In 1993 my father and I purchased the Rambler in Salem, Or from the nephew of Uncle Harold the recently-deceased original owner. We paid $2600.00.
The purchase was a little impulsive - we saw it sitting on the edge of a Wal-Mart parking lot with a for sale sign on it.
I “kind-of” needed a car for getting to school in Eugene, and we convinced ourselves it should probably be the Rambler.

It functioned as my college car until 1997 when it dramatically died on I-5,  between Salem and Eugene,  heading back to school from thanksgiving at my parent’s house.
I walked seven miles to the closest filling station to call someone to pick me up.

The car was towed to the garage of the family mechanic. It’s harmonic balancer had failed, and we could not find a replacement.
It sat for months in the shop, and finally out of frustation, my father sold it to the mechanic behind my back for $800. 
The mechanic promised to use it in a shop class he was teaching at a Salem area high school.

Shortly after, his business failed, and the car and the mechanic disappeared.

Nearly a decade later, one of my friends spotted the car in the open door of an old filling station garage a mile from my childhood home in Turner, Or.
It turned out the mechanic purchased the decommissioned filling station, and had stored the car there ever since in its broken condition.
(Ironically a decade old Mercury magazine was still sitting in the back window when the car was discovered)

My friend helped my parents repurchase the car, put a new engine in it, and repaint it the original color - Sentry Blue.
To my great surprise, I received it for Christmas gift in 2006.

It was a particularly meaningful gift, since my father had recently been diagnosed with a severe form of cancer.
He passed away in 2008 and the car is now a cherished belonging that elicits fond memories of my relationship with him.

A couple of my favorite things:
Listening to its original AM radio.
Stretching my arm over the top of the bench seat as I drive.
Lap Belts

Thank you Jonathan, for sharing such a great story and keeping a beautiful piece of history on the road. This is why I love cars.

Seen in NE Portland

Jeep DJ-5 Postal Delivery (AM General variant,1971-83)

Unique to the AMC-built AM General versions of the DJ, this model features a 5 slot grille, sliding doors, right hand drive and turn signals on the fenders rather than integrated into the fascia. This one still sports the USPS livery.

While I’d love to drive one, it is sad to note that they only came in RWD. A 4WD off road postal jeep would be pretty amazing.

Seen in the NE Portland neighborhood of St. John’s

1972 AMC Hornet SST

Introduced in 1970, the Hornet signaled the end of the Rambler era, and the start of a line of small vehicles from AMC, including the Gremlin, Concord and awesome Eagle 4WD vehicles.

This SST 4-door trim package was the top of the line in ‘72, and came with a 3.8 L I6 or optional 5.0 L V8, certainly not what you’d expect to see offered on “small cars” today. My favorite feature on this “Skyway Blue” colored example has to be the beautiful engine turned rear trimplate.

Seen in SE Portland

AMC Jeep Wagoneer (1970-87, this is a ‘75)

Kaiser-Jeep was purchased by AMC in 1970, but by this time the legacy of the Wagoneer was already firmly established.  Introduced in 1963, it was the original luxury SUV; comfortable, prestigious, and capable of doing almost anything a truck could do.

This one is one of my favorite in Portland.  The worn faux wood against that great shade AMC fittingly named “Green Apple” is just perfect. 

Seen in NE Portland

Third generation AMC Rambler Cross Country 770 (1965-66, this is a ‘66)

This top of the line Rambler wagon is in mint condition.  This is the last of the “Rambler” badged vehicles before their transition to the AMC nameplate. The proportions are nice but my favorite part about this model is the white roof paint from the C-pillar back. That, plus the original dealer sticker from Arkansas make this a diamond in the rough.  

Seen in SW Portland

Another Friday, another AMC Ambassador.  This one is a Sixth generation (1967-68, this a ‘67 DPL, short for Diplomat).  This was the last year for the DPL, which essentially meant bucket seats and armrests.  Compared to last weeks 7th generation, this is positively gorgeous.

Seen in SE Portland

Renault Encore (1983-87), the 3 door version of the Renault Alliance.  Born from the merger of AMC and Renualt, the Encore was built in Kenosha, Wisconsin. It was originally designed to be an AMC, but later rebadged as a Renault, with clinics proving it was the preferred nameplate.  With the majority of the vehicle sourced and built in America, it is probably the only French car that qualified as a US domestic vehicle.  This one is well preserved, though certainly not original.  

Seen in NE Portland. 

Seventh generation AMC Ambassador Brougham (1969-73, this is a ‘73).  While they may not salt the roads, Portland’s damp climate has its own method of decomposition.

Seen in SE Portland.

1955 Nash Ambassador sedan.  A few short years away from the end of production and the end of Nash, really; it became a part of AMC under Mitt Romney’s dad George.  

The body work is Pininfarina built, and particularly beautiful. The C-pillar is probably my favorite piece, as well as that great front end.  The “flying lady” hood ornament is a dated, but a nice touch as well.  Looks elegant yet casual, just like this mid-priced torpedo was meant to be.  

Seen in SE Portland