Editing Rambler (automobile) (section)

==Rambler 1958–1969==
[[File:RamblerR.png|thumb|upright|Rambler logo, 1960s]]
{{main|American Motors Corporation}}

With the elimination of the Nash and Hudson marque, Rambler became the primary AMC make for 1958.  At the start of the 1960s, [[George W. Romney|George Romney]] made a marketing decision that more fully unified the Rambler model names under the Rambler brand. In 1962, the [[AMC Ambassador|Ambassador]], a top-trim level model, was officially brought under the Rambler name (it had previously been named the "Ambassador by Rambler"). The former [[Rambler Six]] and [[Rambler Rebel]] V8 were renamed the [[Rambler Classic]]. While the top-line models for 1958-1961 were advertised as the "Ambassador V-8 by Rambler", but on the cars themselves, the badging was "Rambler Ambassador".

In 1958, AMC re-introduced America's first successful compact car, the [[Rambler American]], after a three-year hiatus.<ref name="Gunn">{{cite web |last1=Gunn |first1=Malcolm |title=American Motor Corp.'s Rambler predated today's popular compact cars |url= https://www.newsday.com/classifieds/cars/american-motor-corp-s-rambler-predated-today-s-popular-compact-cars-x86188 |work=Newsday |date=26 February 2013 |access-date=16 February 2024}}</ref> This car was essentially the no-frills, economical 1950 Nash Rambler, but slightly restyled and modernized with a new grille and full cut-out wheel openings.<ref name="Gunn"/> The [[Recession of 1958]] hurt all carmakers except AMC, whose economy-oriented Ramblers saw high demand.<ref name="Gunn"/> The American was an instant success and lost sales only after the "Big Three" (GM, Ford, and Chrysler) each introduced compact cars of their own in the 1960s ([[GM X platform (1962)|GM "X" body]], [[Ford Falcon (North America)|Ford Falcon]], and [[Chrysler A platform]]).

Romney also put into play his plan to slash production costs, which involved more common parts sharing between the Ambassador and Classic models. Beginning in 1962, all "senior" Rambler models would share the same [[automobile platform]] with identical wheelbase and body parts. However, the engines, trims, and equipment levels distinguished the Classic from the Ambassador. The Rambler's compact size (by U.S. standards) also made it an international competitor, and between 1961 and 1965, AMC opened thirteen foreign assembly plants, from [[Costa Rica]] to the [[Philippines]].<ref name="AU66">{{citation |ref=AU66 |journal=Auto-Universum 1966 (English Edition) |title=The American Motors Story |last=Billeter |first=Vera |editor-first=Arthur |editor-last=Logoz |date=1965 |publisher=Verlag International Automobile Parade |location=Zürich, Switzerland |volume=IX |pages=18–19}}</ref>

In 1963, the entire Rambler line received the ''[[Motor Trend]]'' [[Motor Trend Car of the Year|Car of the Year]] award. However, Romney's departure to become Michigan governor opened the door for his successor, [[Roy Abernethy]], to redirect the company towards a strategy of competing head-to-head with the Big Three ([[General Motors]], [[Chrysler Corporation]], and [[Ford Motor Company]]) with a variety of bodies and [[automobile platform]]s. This new plan also included marketing the various models apart from the Rambler brand name, which Abernethy thought would be a hindrance in the market segments he hoped to pursue.

One of the first moves in that direction was the development of the 1965 line of Ramblers, which visually split the Classic from the Ambassador while still sharing many parts. Once again, the Ambassador had a unique, extended wheelbase. In addition, AMC introduced the [[Rambler Marlin|Marlin]], a hardtop [[fastback]] intended to enter AMC in the youth and [[personal luxury]] market segments as well as also positioning it as a [[Halo effect|"halo" vehicle]].<ref name="AU66"/>

AMC chief stylist Richard Teague introduced a restyled and attractive Rambler American in 1964, which was a sales success. This basic body remained in its original shape through 1969.

Backed by marketing reports, Abernethy next made a persuasive argument to the AMC board that the Rambler name had not only acquired a stodgy image and hindered increasing [[sales]], but that consumers associated it with [[compact car]]s. In what hindsight would show to be an ill-conceived decision, American Motors began to phase it out in favor of an AMC marque starting with the 1966 model year as it attempted to become a multiplatform automobile manufacturer.

By 1968, the only vehicle produced by AMC to carry the Rambler marque was the compact [[Rambler American]]. Although designed as a "basic" economy car, the American spawned the audacious '''SC/Rambler''', developed with [[Hurst Performance]].<ref name=mirror>{{cite journal|url= http://wardsautoworld.com/ar/auto_rearview_mirror_17/index.html |first1=Al |last1=Binder |last2=the Ward's staff |title=Rearview Mirror |journal=Ward's AutoWorld |date=1 June 2002 |access-date=27 February 2011}}</ref> While AMC planned to produce only 500 for the 1969 [[model year]], the "''Scrambler''" proved popular so two more groups of about 500 each were built.<ref name="flory633">{{cite book|last=Flory |first=J. Kelly |title=American Cars, 1960–1972: Every Model, Year by Year |publisher=McFarland |year=2004 |isbn=9780786412730 |page=633}}</ref> All featured the same {{convert|390|cid|L|1|abbr=on}} V8, four-barrel [[carburetor]], and close-ratio four-speed [[transmission (mechanics)|transmission]] of the [[AMC AMX|AMX]], plus Hurst shifter, Twin-Grip (limited slip) [[Differential (mechanical device)|differential]], and [[Cold air intake|cold air]] hood.<ref name="flory633"/>

For the final year in 1969, the "American" line was called Rambler. The 1969 Rambler (and Chevrolet Corvair and Dodge Dart) were the only U.S. compact cars available that year in a two-door hardtop body style; Ford compacts were available only as sedans.

The last U.S.-built Rambler, of over 4.2 million cars that carried the Rambler name that rolled off the assembly line in Kenosha, was produced on 30 June 1969.<ref name=mirror/>

<gallery widths="220" heights="180">
File:1958 Rambler sedan pink and white NJ.jpg|1958 Rambler sedan
File:Fifty-six carloads of new 1958 Ramblers.jpg|Train unloading 1958 Ramblers for a car rental company in Florida.
File:1962 Rambler Ambassador 2-door sedan Kenosha green-f.jpg|1962 [[Rambler Ambassador]], AMC's largest model
File:1963 Rambler American 440-H black-red MD fl.jpg|1963 Rambler American 440 2-door hardtop
File:1964 Rambler Classic 770 wagon-green.jpg|1964 Rambler Classic 770 wagon
File:1966 AMC Ambassador red convertible in MD.JPG|1966 Rambler Ambassador 990 convertible
File:1967 AMC Rambler Rebel sedan aqua.jpg|1967 Rambler Rebel 770 sedan
</gallery>