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Pick of the Day: 1959 Rambler American Deliveryman

When you have to compete against the Big Three, sometimes you have to try a little harder, right? That’s the position American Motors was in in the late 1950s. Through sheer creativity, AMC was able to develop clever transportation solutions that would eventually carry it to number three in sales, but our Pick of the Day, a 1959 Rambler American Deliveryman panel wagon, is number three for a different reason, which we’ll explain below. It is listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a dealership in Hopedale, Massachusetts. (Click the link to view the listing)

The 1950s were a tumultuous time to be an independent automaker, but Hudson and Nash managed to handle themselves all right by joining forces and exploiting its strengths in the marketplace. While the Big Three were shooting for the moon, the newly christened American Motors were shooting for consumers’ rational needs with the Rambler brand. The Rebels and Ambassadors that would come were not as flashy as their upsized Detroit competition, but they were able to handle any task on equal terms, including comfort and routine performance.

Before the formation of American Motors, Nash had built the compact Rambler model, but America wasn’t quite ready for a compact. However, by 1958, the onslaught of foreign brands and the increasing popularity of a funny car from Germany gave AMC executives an idea: why not reengineer the discontinued Nash Rambler from several years before? With the original tooling in AMC’s possession, this was entirely possible. Though more austere than the nicely trimmed Nash, the new Rambler America’s most noticeable design change was fully exposed wheels.

When introduced at the turn of the 1958 calendar year, the American two-door sedan was the most affordable American car in the market and the only compact car available with an automatic transmission. Said George Romney, AMC president, “Essentially, it was simple: Let’s build an automobile for the American people that appeals as much to their native intelligence as to their ego.”

For 1959, the American series was expanded to include a station wagon. Both were available in the two trim levels that carried over from 1958: Deluxe and Super. However, Rambler also offered a sedan delivery for tradespeople called the Deliveryman. This commercial wagon lacked a rear seat, allowing the cargo floor to extend all the way to the rear of the front seats. American Motors offered versions with and without side glass, but it’s possible neither were officially offered because only six were built in total – three in each configuration.

As you can see, this 1959 Rambler American Deliveryman panel wagon is extremely rare and, luckily for the collector world, this vehicle has been given its due by the founder of the AMC Club of America. A “nut and bolt” rotisserie restoration has given this Autumn Yellow Deliveryman a luster that’s better than it had at Kenosha. “Excellent fit and finish throughout,” says the seller. “Awesome chrome bumpers. Beautiful glass. Painted steel wheels with correct “R” hubcaps.”  Power comes from a 195.6cid flathead inline-six with a three-speed manual transmission. “Stunning engine bay detailed properly,” adds the seller. “Whisper quiet, shifts like butter.”

Keep in mind that this vehicle is rarer than just about everything that you have read in the ClassicCars.com Journal. Being that only three were built like this, you’d think it would cost an arm and a leg to own, but the asking price is only $30,500. That’s a bargain in the truest sense of American Motors.

Click here for this ClassicCars.com Pick of the Day.

Significant Automotive Memories: Drive the Bid Podcast

On the AutoHunter Drive the Bid Podcast this week, Derek Shiekhi and Luke Lamendola, returning Social Media/On-Camera Host for the Collector Car Network, get together to discuss Our Significant Automotive Memories. Maybe few of us have been as lucky to catch the car bug from Dad or Mom’s Lambo, but we all have had a car or two – even a Toyota Cressida – that has made an imprint and given us the nudge to explore the world of automobiles.

Other discussions include news on the six-figure Jeep Wrangler V8 Final Edition, and two AutoHunter picks: a nicely presented 1959 Chevrolet El Camino, and a Duramax-powered 2014 Chevrolet Express 3500 4X4 conversion.

AutoHunter Cinema has plenty of other videos and podcasts created by the experts behind ClassicCars.com, the world’s largest online collector car marketplace. AutoHunter brings forth a dedicated live customer support team, quicker auction listings and exclusive benefits for both buyers and sellers.

Coloring the 1969 Ford Thunderbird

The ClassicCars.com Journal has featured several videos from the Yours in old FoMoCo iron… channel on YouTube. Adrian Clements is a Ford expert extraordinaire and this video on the colors available for the 1969 Ford Thunderbird should be of interest to all folks interested in cars of the era.

The 1969 Ford Thunderbird was the last in a series of three before a restyle that would last through 1971. The  most notable change from previous years was the change from full-width taillights to pods on both ends of the tail panel. Lest we forget, the Thunderbird was a personal-luxury vehicle, so it often featured options that often came off as being more custom than your typical family car. While not a Lincoln, the Thunderbird could be seen as Lincoln’s little brother even though the T-bird was a Blue Oval product.

Midnight Orchid

So, it should be no surprise that, out of 20 colors available for the Thunderbird, nine were exclusive among Fords:

  • Lilac Frost
  • Diamond Green
  • Midnight Aqua
  • Midnight Orchid
  • Diamond Blue
  • Morning Gold
  • Tahoe Turquoise
  • Copper Flame
  • Oxford Gray
Midnight Aqua

If your blood runs Ford Blue, then you may recognize several colors that don’t really feel special, and you wouldn’t necessarily be wrong – for example, Diamond Blue was available on 1968 Fords, but it was exclusive to the 1969 Thunderbird.

If you look at a color chip page from 1969, you’ll note that these exclusive colors were shared with Lincoln. That makes sense because both the Thunderbird and Lincolns were built at Wixom, but the Thunderbird was also built at Los Angeles so we cannot rely on that fact alone.

If you enjoy this video, you will enjoy other videos we’ve featured from the same channel.

Diego’s AutoHunter Picks

Have you ever thought about buying a particular car from a dealership, but the planets were not aligned? The regret can be big but, then again, it’s just a car, so I hope we can agree material possessions are not worth our emotions. Nonetheless, one of the cars in these AutoHunter Picks bears a resemblance to a vehicle I almost bought years ago. Considering I have never bought an enthusiast vehicle new, and though it seems time is running out in this EV world, perhaps it’s time to have a talk with my wife?

So, learn from my mistakes and don’t miss out this week’s AutoHunter Picks, will ya?

2002 Pontiac Trans Am Firehawk Coupe
When I graduated from college, money was good, so I planned to spec out a 1999 Firebird Formula with the 1LE package. I wanted a stick without air conditioning, and I planned to see how I could move mountains to order it in a special-order color (which was never determined). Then I called my insurance company and decided that I could learn to be happy with my trusty Honda Accord.

So, when I see super Firebirds like this 2002 Firehawk, I reminisce. The Firehawk was a different breed of Firebird (available on the Formula or Trans Am) almost like a factory-sanctioned Royal Bobcat Poncho. This one has just over 2,000 miles so perhaps it’s better for the collector than the guy (me?) who wants to drive, but it’s a classic American throwback with performance and rarity on its side.

1963 Plymouth Fury Two-Door Hardtop
I’m one of those strange people who prefers the ugly 1962s over the prettied-up ’63, but the ’63 maintained some awkwardness that keeps it interesting. For me, the taillights are the best of the 1962-64 set, while the front end is just kinda blah though nothing wrong with it. Ditto the C-pillar, which isn’t sleek but reeks of 1963.

This 1963 Plymouth Fury doesn’t feature the bucket seats of the Sport Fury, but that’s in its favor if you’re headed to the drive-in. Also in its favor is that it’s been in the same family since new. Power under the hood is nothing special (318 V8), but this Mopar has vintage style in spades and features several modern upgrades that make it a very comfortable cruiser. The pictures and presentation are the cherry on top – all AutoHunter auctions should be like this.

1966 Chevrolet Malibu Sport Coupe
I lean towards Beaumont more than Chevelle for 1966, but I do think the SS 396’s hood is the coolest of the 1966-72s, looking like a custom job on the World of Wheels circuit. I have to admit that I respect the builder of this vehicle who added the hood yet abstained from handing SS 396 badges on all four sides because, after all, badges don’t make for a cooler car.

This pampered 1966 Malibu has logged a low 3,500 miles over the past 19 years. The 468 big-block (with dual-quads!) is backed by a 700R4 four-speed automatic, giving more flexibility than what was originally offered. Even if you want to argue about the wheel choice, this Bow Tie’s got a good stance that exploits its charms properly. Otherwise, it features all the typical upgrades you’d expect in a Chevy street machine, which means it has mass appeal for much of the hobby.

1978 Dodge D100 Custom Pickup
Dodge truck production was dwarfed by Ford and Chevy, during this era, so I always enjoy seeing them, especially those multi-colored “adult toys” that pop up on occasion. When it comes to Dodge pickups, it seems most I see are workhorses and have been since new. The 1980s facelift looks good, but I prefer the 1970s for its more unadulterated Fuselage influences.

We often see the muscle truck treatment on Chevys but, lo and behold, here’s a 1978 Dodge D100 Custom given equal treatment. I must admit I’d like to see more like this. Power comes from a 342 V8 so, considering this truck originally came with a 318, I’ll guess this is a similar engine punched out, backed by a reliable TorqueFlite automatic. The interior looks stock, which is another way of avoiding someone else’s bad choices.

Pick of the Day: 1964 Ford Thunderbird

Ford Motor Company ended production of the Thunderbird on July 1, 2005. It is hard to believe that next summer, we will be coming up on the 20-year anniversary of the discontinuation of one of the brand’s most memorable models. For 11 generations, the T-bird garnered a strong enthusiast following. Does Ford have any plans to resurrect the nameplate? Time will tell.

The Pick of the Day is a 1964 Ford Thunderbird Landau coupe listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Hanesville, Illinois. (Click the link to view the listing)

“Original survivor, one repaint,” the seller says. “All the interior and exterior chrome is there and not dented.”

For its fourth generation, which debuted in 1964, the Thunderbird took on a more formal look when compared to prior versions. This was driven in part by the goal of keeping the car true to its “personal luxury” objective in the marketplace. According to production numbers that were released by Ford and published in Thunderbird Fifty Years in 2004, there were 92,465 units sold in 1964.

Today’s featured car shows well inside and out. While the listing doesn’t include a trim tag, I referenced some online resources for paint colors for 1964, the one that appears to most closely align is code F – otherwise known as “Arcadian Blue.” The contrasting Landau top is a nice touch, although the look isn’t for everyone.

Interior designers called the inside of the car a “jet-age cockpit,” and the instrument panel was referred to as a “flight deck.” A lot of thought went into the layout, and one of the Thunderbird’s most famous features from this era was a swing-away steering wheel which would pivot to allow for easier entry and exit to the driver seat. The seller says that an aftermarket air conditioning systems has been installed, but the system lacks some needed configuration to get it fully up and running.

In 1964, the Thunderbird came standard with a 300-horsepower 390cid V8 mated to a Cruise-O-Matic three-speed automatic transmission. Included in the classified listing is a summary of the maintenance that has been performed in recent years: Replacement parts include the alternator, voltage regulator, water pump, radiator reservoir, starter, and flex plate. The seller believes that the motor may have been overhauled at one point previously.

“Needs very little work to be back to showroom quality,” the listing concludes.

As the Thunderbird falls deeper into the recesses of automotive history, this car is your chance to keep a classic on the road. The asking price is $15,000 or best offer.

To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, stop by and view the archives at Pick of the Day.

My Classic Car: 1974 Chevrolet Camaro

If you too have a classic car with a story to share, please visit this link and fill in the information to submit your story for a chance to be featured on the ClassicCars.com Journal.

I bought my first car, this 1974 Chevrolet Camaro Z28, brand new from Farrenkoff Chevrolet in Garfield, New Jersey. In September 1974 I paid $4,600 for it, and this car is turning 50 years old this year. I credit my whole family for me still owning the car. My father and two brothers shared the car. But I especially credit my mom, who co-signed the loan. My mom also nicknamed it “NEFE” (in Greek it means “bride”), since I was always with her.

The car is in mint condition and underwent a 100% frame off restoration in 2012. It is completely stock outside in Metalic Bronze (with decals), and I have the stock motor Super T-10 transmission in storage. Some of the upgrades to it include a GM Performance Parts ZZ 430 crate motor with a 5-speed Tremic transmission.

I have fifty years of stories with this Camaro; it’s part of me. I want to throw a birthday party for it to celebrate, but my wife and three sons think I’m nuts. I still love this car!

Dimitrios (Jim), New York

Pick of the Day: 1990 Toyota Sera

People who regularly attend cars and coffee events are always looking for cars that blow them away. Usually the cars that do this are things like an Enzo Ferrari, McLaren F1, or a Pagani. These are amazing designs that grab your attention and have styling features that are modern, different, or simply wild. The downside is that those cars that grab enthusiasts, especially younger enthusiasts, attention tend to cost north of a million dollars. I have an alternative car that will grab the same enthusiasts’ attention at these shows, likely more than the cars in the million dollar range.

That car is the Pick of the Day a 1990 Toyota Sera for sale on ClassicCars.com.

Now just to set the record straight, the Toyota Sera is not a Kei car with a tiny interior and powered by a 600cc engine. Instead this is a roomy car with a 1.6 liter engine that is both better built and more interesting than any Kei car I can think of.

The Sera was first shown in 1988 as the Toyota AXV-II concept car, however it was anything but ready for production. It is most famous for its glass roof canopy and butterfly doors, and yes these doors were in fact the inspiration for the ones Gordon Murray designed for the McLaren F1 (apparently his neighbor had a Sera and when he saw the cool doors he decided the F1 had to have them as well). The Sera was introduced only a year later as a production car at the 1989 Tokyo Motor Show. This was easy to do because the mechanical parts for the Sera all come from the Toyota parts bin that were also used in the Corolla, Tercel, and Starlet. Sharing these parts was a big advantage over the Kei cars that the JDM crowd love so much as this means that the Sera has great parts availability when compared to Kei cars.

The ad states that this is a 1989 model, but I am guessing that this is a car with a 1989 build date that is in fact is a 1990 model. These cars are quite rare with a total of only 15,941 built from 1990 to 1995 with practically every car destined for Japan only.

The seller describes this Sera as having covered only 65,000 miles from new and is stated to be in good condition. Options include 14-inch alloy wheels, power windows, power mirrors, power steering, A/C, an AM/FM Cassette/CD stereo with Bluetooth, and stow away rear seating.

This really looks like a Sera to buy due to the recent servicing 3,200 miles ago which covers any potential Sera trouble spots. That service included new oil and filter, new transmission filter, new air filter, new battery, new A/C R134a and A/C compressor oil, new radiator, new cooling hoses, new spark plugs, new plug wires, new distributor cap and rotor, new door and tailgate struts, new valve cover gasket, all new belts, new water pump, and a new timing belt and tensioner.

The photos show a nice driver level car with good paint, a clean original interior, and, importantly, this Sera has a current transferrable Tennessee title, so all the work has been done to get it here.

I have seen a few of these at RADwood shows, and they attract a bigger crowd than any high end European sports car. They are also comfortable and fun to drive, though expect to get a million questions about the car every time you stop for gas.

Now for the best part. This 1990 Toyota Sera is being offered for only $11,000, or the same price as a nice Miata. I guarantee the Sera will get more attention than any Miata and am starting to wonder why I have not bought one myself. If you want to win cars and coffee, you might want to seriously consider adding this cool little car to your garage.

Click here to see this Pick of the Day listed on ClassicCars.com.

Showroom Showcase: 2010 Ford Mustang GT500 Shelby Super Snake

Owning a showroom-worthy performance car must require a high degree of personal restraint. Imagine having a 725-horsepower, 14-year-old Mustang in your garage that showed fewer than 2,000 miles on the odometer. One thing is for sure – you would savor each and every single mile. And sometimes, the most rewarding car-ownership experiences involve a “quality over quantity” driving approach, right?

Featured in the Barrett-Jackson Collection Showroom is a 2010 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 Super Snake with only 1,926 miles on the odometer. This Kona Blue Metallic coupe is no ordinary pony car: It has been upgraded inside, outside, from top to bottom, and it comes with all the requisite collector-grade documentation that certifies its pedigree and significance. The car is identified via a placard in the cockpit (added during modification in Las Vegas) as Carroll Shelby Mustang (CSM) number 10SS0035.

It is hard to believe, but the fifth-generation (“S197” platform) Ford Mustang first came out almost 20 years ago, in September 2004, for the 2005 model year. Its design language was drawn by Sid Ramnarace and drew inspiration from the first-generation Mustang. A facelifted version was unveiled in 2008 and debuted in 2010 boasting better aerodynamics, revised exterior lighting, and a new “powerdome” hood.

As it turns out, that powerdome is a subtle indication that this car has some go-fast tricks up its sleeve. The Super Snake started life as a GT500 coupe, which in itself had a long list of nice content like an aluminum hood with an air extractor, integrated fog lamps, a decklid spoiler, and a suspension that had been tuned by Ford’s Special Vehicles Team (SVT). Performance for today’s featured car took a drastic leap at Shelby American’s Las Vegas-based facility where the car was taken to new heights. According to the build sheet, the Shelby-added equipment included engine upgrades, a Wilwood brake system, an Eibach suspension, special badging, and auxiliary gauges.

As for the heart of the beast: Power comes from a 725-horsepower 5.4-liter V8 that has been upgraded with a Kenne Bell supercharger. Additional performance equipment includes a Shelby driveshaft, a billet 75mm throttle body, a Borla exhaust system, a Tremec TR-6060 six-speed manual transmission with a short-throw shifter, and a limited-slip differential with 3.71:1 gearing. With over 700 horsepower on tap, traction is key, after all.

The cockpit still offers some of the niceties that you would need for a long-distance adventure, like navigation, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a Shaker 500 audio system. Of course, no Shelby performance machine would be complete without an autograph from the man himself. This Super Snake has been signed in a Sharpie on the passenger side of the dash. Incidentally, the legendary Shelby passed away in 2012 at the age of 89, so this vehicle was signed in the final years of his life.

Do you have what it takes to take the reins of this pony car as its next steward? One thing is for sure: You are bound to have a grin on your face every time you hit the throttle. Swing by the Barrett-Jackson showroom to feast your eyes on this slick snake.

AutoHunter Spotlight: 1959 Chevrolet El Camino

Featured on AutoHunter, the online auction platform driven by ClassicCars.com, is this modified 1959 Chevrolet El Camino. It is powered by a 454cid V8 backed by a TH400 three-speed automatic transmission. Features include tonneau cover, tilt steering column, upgraded AM/FM radio, power brakes, and adjustable air suspension. Finished in white with red accents over a multi-colored red vinyl and cloth interior, this El Camino comes with a clear title.

The body is finished in white with red accenting the top and bed. Features include fender-mounted antenna, dual side-view mirrors, hinged black vinyl tonneau cover, floor-mounted air suspension tank and compressors, and wooden bed. A full walk-around video can be seen below.

A set of five-spoke Boyd Coddington wheels is wrapped in radial tires.

The cabin is furnished with a bench seat reupholstered in red vinyl and multicolor cloth, and red and silver vinyl door panels. Features include manual steering, tilt steering column with column-mounted automatic transmission shifter, AM/FM radio, and new red carpeting.

The instrument panel includes a set of Dakota Digital analog gauges featuring a 160-mph speedometer, 8,000-rpm tachometer, and readouts for the fuel level, oil pressure, temperature, and voltage. The odometer reads 18,616 miles, though the true mileage on this vehicle is unknown.

Power is provided by a 454 big-block hooked up to a TH400 three-speed automatic and nine-inch rear.

The chassis has been modified to accept an adjustable air suspension system on all four corners. Braking is provided by power drums. A dual exhaust system exits ahead of the rear wheels.

The auction for this 1959 Chevrolet El Camino ends Monday, March 25, 2024 at 11:30 a.m. (PDT)

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and photo gallery

Designer Marcello Gandini Passes

Some of you may know the names of famous designers. Others of you may not. For those of you in the latter, Marcelo Gandini is the kind of guy you ought to know because you know his cars. You love his cars. He passed away last week at the age of 85.

1975 Lancia Stratos HF - Jay Leno's Garage
1975 Lancia Stratos HF | Jay Leno’s Garage

His reputation began to catch a wave once he was hired as chief designer at Bertone when he was 27. Within several years, he would design the Lamborghini Miura and the Alfa Romeo Carabo show car, the latter which led to the creation of the production Lamborghini Countach. Did I mention the Lancia Stratos?

1985 Citroen BX

Gandini didn’t rely on sports cars or Italian companies to strut his stuff, having designed the first BMW 5-series, Volkswagen Polo Mark I, Renault 5 Supercinq, Citroen BX, and others. The latter two were designed as a freelancer, as Gandini left Bertone in 1979.

Alfa Romeo Carabo Concept

Enjoy the above and below images of some of the cars Marcelo Gandi had a hand in designing.

Lamborghini Countach
Unveiled March 11, 1971 at the Geneva Motor Show, the Lamborghini Countach was the schoolboy’s dream machine with posters papering bedroom walls around the world | Lamborghini photos
Maserati Khamsin
Cizeta-Moroder V16T
308 GT4, the first road-going Ferrari V8