Cross Country: 1964 AMC Rambler Classic 660 V8 – Sold?

July 13, 2021 Update – We just confirmed the listing for this “Classifind” expired, so with no replacement found we’re assuming this ride “Sold?” While this one got away, please reach out either by email or call us directly if you’d like to be informed when we come across something similar.

Completely redesigned for 1963, not only was the Rambler Classic line the first to be influenced by designer Dick Teague, the upscale look combined with a dizzying array of available features earned AMC Motor Trend Magazine’s Car of The Year award. This V8-powered 1964 Rambler Classic 660 station wagon originally listed in June 2021 on Craiglist in Haverhill, Massachusetts for $16,000 illustrates how little styling changed at AMC each model year. Despite our repeated suggestions to the contrary, Hagerty Insurance continues not posting values for most Ramblers including this car.  The  Collector Car Market Review Online Tool, however, confirms the current asking price is just under one thousand dollars above this guide’s #1 “Excellent” appraisal of $15,150.

AMC redesigned its Rambler Classic line subtle body sculpturing for the 1963 model year and were the first all-new cars developed by the company since 1956. Despite the new cars being both shorter and narrower by one inch and over two inches lower than the car it replaced, passenger and luggage capacity remained the same. Fun fact: Its smaller size made Ramblers ideal for international markets, and one of AMC’s bright spots was how many cars were assembled in a number of countries. In Europe, Renault even built this car in their Haren, Belgium plant and marketed it as a luxury car, filling the gap above the tiny Renault Dauphine.

In mid-1963, a new 287 cubic inch V8 option was announced for the Classic models. The 198 horsepower V8 equipped Rambler Classics combined good performance with good mileage; even with the optional “Flash-O-Matic” automatic transmission, they reached 0 to 60 mph in about 10 seconds and returned fuel economy ranging between 16-20 miles per gallon.

The new AMC cars incorporated numerous engineering solutions. Among these was curved side glass, one of the earliest popular-priced cars with this feature. Another engineering breakthrough was combining separate parts in the monocoque (unit construction) body into single stampings. One example was the “uniside” door surround that was made from a single stamping of steel. Not only did it replace 52 parts and reduce weight and assembly costs, but it also increased structural rigidity and provided for better fitting of the doors.  The 1964 model year Classics were refined with stainless steel rocker moldings, a flush single-plane aluminum grille replacing the previous year’s deep concave design, and oval tail lamps replacing the flush-mounted lenses of the 1963’s.

We came across this 1966 Rambler Classic station wagon commercial when kids could still pile into the back of a station wagon without any regard for seat belts:

If you can convince the seller to be a bit more negotiable on the price, this Rambler appears to be a very solid, nicely optioned example you can either drive as is or use it as a great restoration candidate. 

Here’s the seller’s description:

“Have a Nice California Surfer Favorite 64 Rambler Cross Country Station Wagon Start Right Up and Drives Nice and Smooth 200HP 4.7 287 CID V8 Engine 3 Speed Automatic Transmission The Body is Solid and Unibody is Clean Only Work It Needs Are Rear Window Crank Roll Down and 1 Left Door Interior Panel and Radio and Rear Bench Seat Upholstery That All I Can See On That NADA Classic Low=$15K Average=$24K High=$43K I am Understanding This is a Driving Car Not a Mint Show Car Yet SO I am Asking a Fair Price Value of $16,000 there are only a few of these around you see”

Show or go: what would you do with this Rambler Surf Wagon?  Comment below and let us know!