Hemmings Find of the Day – 1961 Rambler American Deluxe

When you’re America’s Number 4 carmaker, you’d better be good at doing a lot with a little. Given the job of updating the bulbous Rambler American, AMC stylists did some sleight-of-hand, wrapping the existing unit-body with a crisp new look for 1961. The engineers came through with an aluminum-block, OHV straight-six that year, too, but this 1961 Rambler American Deluxe wagon for sale on Hemmings.com makes do with the good-old flathead six, lashed to a column-shifted three-speed manual.

There’s no snob appeal here, nothing to boast about, but the practicality and economy that appealed to so many American families back then. AMC found homes for 7,260 copies of the four-door Deluxe wagon in 1961, as well as another 10,071 in Super trim, and 3,679 Customs. For your $2,129, you got such luxurious touches as an air cleaner, front arm rests, black cargo mats, and not one, but two sun visors. Splurging on a Weather Eye heater, one of the available options, would set you back another $74.

Is it fast? No. Does it coddle its occupants? No. Does it read your email to you, and phone ahead for dinner reservations? Uh, no. So, why do we want to jump behind the wheel and go on an extended road trip? From the seller’s description:

A solid, original car, virtually rust free, with one repaint in the factory color. It sports an excellent, original interior, and it performs admirably with the economical factory six-cylinder engine, and three-speed standard transmission. Drive and enjoy, today.

See more Ramblers for sale on Hemmings.com.