Compact car is a vehicle size class —predominantly used in North America—that sits between subcompact cars and mid-size cars . "Small family car" is a British term and a part of the C-segment in the European car classification. However, before the downsizing of the United States car industry in the 1970s and 1980s, larger vehicles with wheelbases up to 110 in (2.79 m) were considered "compact cars" in the United States.
96-573: The Rambler American is a compact car that was manufactured by the American Motors Corporation (AMC) between 1958 and 1969. The American was the second incarnation of AMC forerunner Nash Motors ' compact Rambler that was introduced in 1950 and marketed after the merger with Hudson Motors under both marques during the 1954 and 1955 model years. The Rambler American can be classified into three distinct model year generations: 1958–1960, 1961–1963, and 1964 until 1969. During
192-632: A "compact car" target that was larger than what has become known as the "light car" or the kei car . One of the first compact cars that met those requirements was the Toyota Publica with an air-cooled two-cylinder opposed engine, the Datsun 110 series , and the Mitsubishi 500 . The Publica and the Mitsubishi 500 were essentially "kei cars" with engines larger than regulations permitted at
288-531: A 1957 Pontiac to be as "smooth as a prom queen's thighs". The 1957 Ford "cornered as flat as a mailman's feet" and the 1954 De Soto is "as solid as the Rock of Gibraltar and just as fast." He described one model of Studebaker's gray-painted hubcaps as a feature "only an engineer could love." In 1952 McCahill entered his own Jaguar Mark VII sedan in the Daytona Beach NASCAR speed trials and won in
384-548: A 90-mile-an-hour cruising speed. The car became known as the "M.I. Ford" as it was frequently featured in the magazine. He purchased a new 1952 Cadillac Series 62 sedan which he eventually raced in NASCAR speed week events. He also purchased new and reported on the '54 Jeep CJ 3A, stating that while his Lincoln was the finest road car available at the time, in the end, the Jeep was the best idea that mankind had ever made. He claimed
480-408: A Jeep would outrun a contemporary M.G. McCahill purchased the first Ford Thunderbird built in 1954 and proceeded to race the car at Daytona Beach. In a 1958 M.I. article McCahill accused the U.S. Auto Industry of causing the recession and poor auto sales of 1958 by standardizing styling and eliminating factory- or factory-sanctioned racing. He focused on AMC 's George Romney , who claimed that
576-478: A Rambler American was again the overall winner in the Mobil Economy Run. The mid-trim level 330 model was dropped, leaving the top 440 and base 220 models in the lineup for 1966. The top-of-the-line model, available only as a two-door hardtop, had its name changed from 440-H to Rogue. The American models were facelifted for the 1966 model year, with more squared-off front and rear styling. The front of
672-622: A four-barrel carburetor and high compression, the new engines used "thin-wall" casting technology and weighed only 540 pounds (245 kg). The newly powered Rogue came with a three-speed automatic transmission or a floor-mounted four-speed manual, and made the car "suitable for the Stoplight Grand Prix." American Motors' new engine design would expand in power and applications across the company's passenger cars, and eventually in Jeeps. The engine continued to be assembled through 1991 for
768-790: A kick-down button on top of the main shift knob to facilitate the five-speed shifting process. The entire product line from AMC earned the Motor Trend Car of the Year award for 1963. The recognition was used by AMC to also promote the carryover Rambler American models. First, as the Nash Rambler and then as two generations of the Rambler American, this automobile platform performed the rare feat of having two distinct and successful model runs, an almost unheard-of phenomenon in automobile history. The convertible and hardtop were
864-525: A license plate number beginning with "5". In the past, the small size category has received tax benefits stipulated by the Japanese government regulations , such as those in the 1951 Road Vehicle Act . In 1955, the Japanese Ministry of International Trade and Industry set forth a goal to all Japanese makers at that time to create what was called a "national car". The concept stipulated that
960-421: A manual three-speed transmission with an automatic clutch as a low-cost alternative to the fully automatic transmission. The E-stick was also available with an overdrive unit. The system was priced at $ 59.50 but offered stick-shift economy, performance, and driver control without a clutch pedal by using engine oil pressure and intake manifold vacuum to engage and disengage the clutch when shifting gears. However,
1056-441: A new domestic car. McCahill railed against unfair trade with Canada and Europe. He demanded that the U.S. stop accepting imports and, in lieu of war reparations , force England, Canada and France (where one could purchase an English or German car, but no U.S. makes) to accept the forced sale of hundreds of thousands of used U.S. cars, a plan which he claimed would increase the sale of new vehicles by more than six million annually over
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#17327718796661152-782: A new market segment and the U.S. automobile industry soon adopted the "compact" term. Several competitors to the Nash Rambler arose from the ranks of America's other independent automakers, although none enjoyed the long-term success of the Rambler. Other early compact cars included the Kaiser-Frazer Henry J (also re-badged as the Allstate ), the Willys Aero and the Hudson Jet . In 1954, 64,500 cars sold in
1248-498: Is an ideal-size small family car... It will give up to 30 miles on a gallon of gas (and more, with overdrive) and will outperform any imported sedan selling for under $ 2,000 except in the cornering department... It is by far the most rattle-and-squeak-free 1958 Detroit product I've driven-and I've driven them all!" Reports by owners praised the car's economy of operation, but ranked at the top its ease of handling. A "workhorse" priced at under $ 2,000, "it doesn't look as though every penny
1344-465: The Jeep 4.0, which Chrysler would continue their production after its purchase of AMC in 1987, all the way through 2006. The 440 trim was available as a convertible, and it was the most affordable U.S.-made open body style with prices starting at US$ 2,418 (equivalent to $ 23,378 in 2023). It was available with twin individually adjustable and reclining front seats or buckets with a center console. It
1440-600: The Metropolitan with a station wagon-type roof design to make room for four passengers. The 85-inch (2,159 mm) wheelbase of the Metropolitan, though, severely limited the necessary interior room, and costs of the overseas-built model were harder to control. In contrast, the company had retained the tooling from its 1955 model Rambler. The old model's 100-inch (2,540 mm) wheelbase fit between its bigger family-sized 108-inch (2,743 mm) wheelbase Ramblers and
1536-453: The Rambler handled better than U.S. full-size makes. McCahill performed tests to prove him wrong. He was at odds with Walter Reuther of the U.A.W. over the issue of poor quality in U.S. cars and the fact that European imports – at the time SAAB and Volvo in particular – were of high quality, outstanding performers and no more costly than a good used car for those who could not afford
1632-686: The Recession of 1958 , the only exception to the sales decline was American Motors with its compact, economy-oriented Ramblers that saw high demand among cautious consumers. By 1959, sales of small imported cars also increased to 14% of the U.S. passenger car market, as consumers turned to compact cars. By this time, smaller cars appealed to people with a college education and a higher income whose families were buying more than one car. Customers expected compact cars to provide improved fuel economy compared to full-sized cars while maintaining headroom, legroom, and plenty of trunk space. Between 1958 and 1960,
1728-595: The "Rooster" (McCahill was forced to sell the Rooster in 1967 to pay off back taxes to the IRS). McCahill was an avid fisherman, hunter and deep-sea diver. At age 68, McCahill died at the Daytona Community Hospital on May 10, 1975. Mechanix Illustrated never publicly acknowledged his death, because his name was synonymous with it. He "amounted to the franchise" and management never wanted to admit he
1824-472: The "small Ford" and produced the Ford Vedette . The first U.S.-produced postwar compact car was the 1950 Nash Rambler . It was built on a 100-inch (2,540 mm) wheelbase, which was nonetheless still a large car by contemporary European standards. The term "compact" was coined by a Nash executive as a euphemism for small cars with a wheelbase of 110 inches (2,794 mm) or less. It established
1920-463: The 100-inch (2,540 mm) wheelbase, the American's new styling was more square (sometimes described as "breadbox") instead of the round "roly-poly" shape (or "bathtub"), and the visual connection with the original 1950 Nash model had finally disappeared along with the last of the engineering compromises required to accommodate George Mason's favored skirted front wheels as the new skin, designed from
2016-491: The 1955 Nash Rambler (the previous 100 in (2,540 mm) wheelbase model). The domestically produced small car let AMC control costs more closely. The new president of AMC, George W. Romney , also wanted to build momentum in challenging the domestic Big Three automakers by adding a third car line. The introduction of the low-priced small Rambler was ideal as the nation entered into a recession in 1958.) The first proposals were to modify AMC's captive import by extending
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#17327718796662112-672: The 1962 Rambler American as "sturdy, solid, dependable little automobile, comfortable to drive ... a good buy for what it's built for – transportation, not a status symbol." The 1962 models included many improvements to lower maintenance requirements that included self-adjusting brakes, oil filters and changes extended from 2,000 to 5,000 miles (3,219 to 8,047 kilometres), larger celluose-fiber air filters for extended life, manual transmission that never need draining, improved automatic transmissions with longer mileage between fluid changes, factory filled engine coolant guaranteed for two years or 24,000 miles (38,624 kilometres), deep-dip rustproofing with
2208-471: The 1968 AMC Javelin . The genesis of the Rambler American began with the Nash Rambler, introduced in 1950. AMC President George Mason believed in small cars and introduced the Austin-built, Nash-designed Metropolitan in 1954. The Rambler line grew to a larger size (108-inch (2,743 mm) wheelbase) in 1956. With costs to produce the Metropolitan rising, AMC decided to reintroduce a modified version of
2304-809: The 1980s that American cars were being downsized to truly international dimensions. In the 1985 model year, compact cars classified by the EPA included Ford's Escort and Tempo as well as the Chevrolet Cavalier. For the 2019 model year, the best sellers were the Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic. In Japan, vehicles that are larger than kei cars , but with dimensions smaller than 4,700 mm (185.0 in) long, 1,700 mm (66.9 in) wide, 2,000 mm (78.7 in) high and with engines at or under 2,000 cc (120 cu in) are classified as "small size" cars. Small-size cars are identified by
2400-411: The 600 road tests he performed and reported on, his favorite cars were the 1953 Bentley Continental and the 1957–1962 Imperial , each model year of which he owned as his personal vehicles. In 1950 he purchased a new Ford and proceeded to acquire the assistance of Andy Granatelli in "hopping it up" by switching to high-performance heads and manifolding. He then tested the car extensively and noticed
2496-455: The American was available only as a two-door sedan (senior Ramblers came only in a variety of four-door body styles). The only engine was a 195.6 cu in (3.2 L) flathead six producing 90 hp (67 kW; 91 PS). The American went on sale late January 1958, with a minimum of marketing and promotion. It was available in two trims, a base Deluxe model at US$ 1,789 (equivalent to $ 18,893 in 2023) allowing AMC to claim it to be
2592-461: The American would occur. The Deluxe wagon was priced at $ 2,060, while the $ 2,145 Super version included a standard cargo-area mat and roof rack. A Deliveryman commercial wagon, with no rear seat and an extended cargo floor, was available, but found few takers. Self-adjusting brakes were added in 1959. Rambler sales increased in 1959, and AMC struggled to keep up with demand, as production tripled to 91,491 Americans, with 32,639 (almost 36%) made up by
2688-522: The Big Three, the Ford Falcon , Chevrolet Corvair , and Plymouth Valiant . The new Custom model came standard with a new 195.6 cu in (3.2 L) overhead valve engine with a slightly higher compression ratio of 8.7:1 producing an additional 37 hp (28 kW; 38 PS), for a total output of 125 hp (93 kW; 127 PS), while the base models retained the flathead as
2784-727: The Carrousel was one of three concepts displayed for 1965 at the Chicago Show, with the Rambler Tarpon fastback and the Rambler Cheyenne station wagon. As the automobile marketplace in the U.S. was moving away from economy towards performance and luxury vehicles, American Motors began removing the historic Rambler name from its larger models. The American and Classic models retained their economy-car marketing image, and their traditional nameplate. To cement this image,
2880-584: The Eastern climate. McCahill conducted and reported on the first road test of the Chevrolet Corvair in 1959. In the presence of Zora Arkus-Duntov , chief engineer of the Corvair project, McCahill ran the car at speed on the G.M. testing grounds. McCahill reported that he was pleased with the handling characteristics and that the Corvair handled better than the 1959 Porsche . This conflicts with
2976-534: The Governor of Michigan. Roy Abernethy took over as president after successfully building a substantial dealer network for AMC from the dissimilar Nash and Hudson outlets. His strategy was to move AMC away from Romney's economy focus and expand the product line to met the " Big Three " domestic automakers head-on. For 1963, model designations were changed once again with the 400 now called 440. A new hardtop (no B-pillar ) coupe body design debuted, whose steel roof
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3072-596: The Honda City, Toyota Yaris, Toyota Corolla Altis 1.6, and the Changan Alsvin. Tom McCahill Thomas Jay McCahill III (1907–1975) was an automotive journalist, born the grandson of a wealthy attorney in Larchmont, New York . McCahill graduated from Yale University with a degree in fine arts . (McCahill's father had been a football all-American at Yale). He is credited with, amongst other things,
3168-499: The Jeep Grand Wagoneer, long after AMC was sold to Chrysler in 1987. The 1967 model year Rambler American used the same body styling as the previous year's models, with only minor changes that included new taillamps and full-length body moldings on 440 and Rogue models that were now positioned lower on the sides. The last convertible available in the American series was in 1967, and it was moved up from 440 models to join
3264-484: The Rambler American models continued to be the most affordable domestic-built cars. The automaker's president, George W. Romney , appeared prominently in advertisements, asking potential customers to "think hard" about new cars and describing "more than 100 improvements in the 1962 Ramblers" and why they are not available in competitive vehicles, as well as AMC "workers as progress-sharing partners" so that buyers can "expect superior craftsmanship." Car Life magazine noted
3360-561: The Sedan class. Each year he attended and reported on world-renowned speed events, especially the Le Mans 24 Hour in France. He purchased the first Thunderbird built and raced it successfully in the 1955 Daytona speed trials. The Tom McCahill trophy was named for him. As director of the yearly speed trials at Daytona beach, he was responsible for overseeing the rules as well as the safety of
3456-541: The U.S. market with a total Rambler sales of 485,745 and third place among domestic brands. The second-generation Rambler American was achieved through a heavy restyling of the previous year's model under AMC's styling Vice President Edmund E. Anderson . While mechanically identical to the 1960 model, Anderson's restyle resulted in a car that was three inches (76 mm) narrower and shorter in its exterior dimensions with an overall length of 173.1 inches (4,397 mm), but increased in its cargo capacity. Continuing to ride on
3552-407: The U.S. were imports or small American cars, out of a total market of five million cars. Market research indicated that five percent of those surveyed said they would consider a small car, suggesting a potential market size of 275,000 cars. By 1955, the Nash Rambler that began as a convertible model became a success and was now available in station wagon , hardtop , and sedan body styles. During
3648-588: The United States and Europe to facilitate testing. His stepson with his fourth wife, Brooks Brender, served as McCahill's assistant in his later years. McCahill was a personal friend of band leader Paul Whiteman , with whom he shared his love of hunting and fishing. Every year, McCahill would make a ten-day boating trip from his home in New York to his home in Florida aboard his thirty-foot Egg Harbor Cruiser
3744-414: The assertions by Ralph Nader in his book Unsafe at Any Speed criticizing the Corvair's handling. At the time Nader wrote Unsafe at Any Speed , it is to be remembered he had neither an automotive engineering degree nor a driver's license. In response to Nader's book, McCahill tried to get a 1963 Corvair to flip, at one point sliding sideways into a street curb, but could not turn over the vehicle. In
3840-401: The automotive world but created enemies too. Ever the sportsman—at six foot two and 250 pounds—he once fought off goons hired by (as was believed at the time) General Motors . It is alleged that he sent two to the hospital and the third running. McCahill was a personal friend of Walter P. Chrysler and appreciated the handling and performance characteristics of Chrysler Corporation cars in
3936-836: The beginning of a downsizing of all vehicles so that cars such as the AMC Concord and the Ford Fairmont that replaced the compacts were re-classified as mid-size, while cars inheriting the size of the Ford Pinto and Chevrolet Vega (such as the Ford Escort and Chevrolet Cavalier ) became classified as compact cars. Even after the reclassification, mid-size American cars were still far larger than mid-size cars from other countries and were more similar in size to cars classified as "large cars" in Europe. It would not be until
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4032-506: The car was extended three inches (76 mm), which allowed the optional air conditioning to be installed with the new 199 and 232 in-line six-cylinder engines, which were longer than the previous 195.6 versions. A completely new 290 cu in (4.8 L) "Typhoon" V8 engine was developed by AMC; it was introduced in the special mid-1966 Rogue model. Available in 200 hp (149 kW; 203 PS) two-barrel carburetor version or producing 225 hp (168 kW; 228 PS) with
4128-529: The combined passenger and cargo volume, compact cars are defined as having an interior volume index of 100–109 cu ft (2.8–3.1 m ). The beginnings of U.S. production of compact cars were the late 1940s prototypes of economy cars, including the Chevrolet Cadet and the Ford Light Car. Neither car reached production in the U.S., however Ford SAF in France bought the plans of
4224-634: The compact Rambler American enjoyed appeal not only because of its low initial price, economy, and high gas mileage, but also because its resale values ranked among the highest. The suggested delivered price for the Deluxe two-door sedan was $ 1,795, and it was advertised as the lowest-priced car in America. Demand for the small-sized American continued to grow, as sales increased to 120,603 units (of which 44,817 were two-door sedans, 46,973 four-door sedans, and 28,813 station wagons). This helped AMC achieve 7.5% of
4320-587: The creation of the "0 to 60" acceleration measurement now universally accepted in automotive testing. He became a salesman for Marmon and in the mid-1930s operated dealerships in Manhattan and Palm Springs , featuring Rolls-Royce , Jaguar , and other high-line luxury cars. The depression and his father's alcoholism wiped out his family's fortune. After graduating from Yale, McCahill managed and later owned Murray's Garage in New York City . During
4416-499: The customer." The 1962 model year Rambler American lineup was essentially the same as in 1961. However, model designations changed with the base models designated "Deluxe", a mid-level trim called "Custom" displaced the Super, and the previous Custom top trim became a 400 . American Motors incorporated a new brake system in all 1962 Rambler models. The "Double-Safety" braking featured a tandem master cylinder with one hydraulic circuit for
4512-407: The drivers and spectators. He was a personal friend of Briggs Cunningham and drove the fastest cars in the world. McCahill reported in detail on every car imported to the U.S. during the early 1950s, all the while ridiculing the U.S. automakers for their excesses, including soft suspensions ("Jello suspensions" as he referred to them) and poor handling qualities . An example is provided by one of
4608-532: The economy and reliability of their Ramblers, rather than in pursuit of buyers in the whole compact car market segment. This strategy was copied 10 years later by Datsun . The 1965 Americans were little changed, but were advertised as "The Sensible Spectaculars". This was part of Roy Abernethy 's strategy for AMC to shed its "economy car" reputation and take on the domestic Big Three automakers in new market segments. Few changes were made to AMC's smallest models, as Abernethy pinned his hopes for recovery not so much on
4704-456: The engine was filtered down to the smaller and lighter body/chassis used for Oldsmobile's lowest-price "76" series (powered by six-cylinder engines) and to create the Olds "Rocket 88." The Rocket V8 performed even better than in the bigger and heavier 98, thereby creating a whole new image for Olds and set the stage for similar designed V8 engines throughout Detroit over the next few years. McCahill
4800-821: The entire body is submerged in rustproofing primer paint, ceramic coated tailpipes with the coated muffler wrapped in asbestos and included a rust-resistant aluminized steel shield with the muffler guaranteed to the original owner for the life of the car, aluminum window frames (sedan models), batteries guaranteed for two years or 24,000 miles (38,624 kilometres) without any pro-rata charges, and numerous moving mechanical components now incorporating life-time lubrication eliminating customary grease or lubricant servicing. All front seats included deeper foam cushioning as standard on top of rubber-coated coil spring seat construction. Attaching plates for front seat belts made it easy to install seat belts while locating indentations were provided for adding lap belts for rear seat passengers. Furthermore,
4896-486: The entire length of its production, the car was sold under the Rambler brand and in 1969 became the last Rambler-named automobile marketed in the Canadian and United States markets. The compact Rambler American was most often the lowest priced car built in the U.S. It was popular for its economy in ownership, as was proven by numerous Mobilgas Economy Run championships. After an optional second-generation AMC V8 engine
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#17327718796664992-875: The export kit; without stiffer suspension, a car with so much performance (his test car had the 345-horsepower, 410 cubic-inch V8) could prove similar to opening a Christmas basket full of King Cobras in a small room with the lights out". McCahill was in favor of lifting the Automobile Manufacturer's Association ban on factory backed stock car racing ; although the ban was agreed upon by GM, Ford and Chrysler in June 1957, manufacturers continued under-the-table efforts to provide performance parts and engines to racing teams or performance-car enthusiasts. McCahill chose to live in Florida as its climate permitted owning such cars as his Jaguar sedan, as corrosion problems inherent with this type of car would have been compounded by
5088-440: The fender sides. All Rambler Americans received a new grille insert with prominent chromed horizontal bars. The 1967 Rogue models were available in new two-tone paint schemes for the roof, trunk lid, and hood that included border trim along the upper body line. The two-door hardtops were also available with a black or white vinyl roof cover. The previous rectangular taillight lenses were replaced with concave versions sculptured into
5184-457: The first road tests of the 1958 Edsel in the September 1957 issue of M.I.: McCahill criticized the standard suspension as being too "horsey-back" and strongly recommended that Edsel buyers "pony up" a few extra bucks for the optional, heavy-duty (i.e. export) suspension package, which included heavier springs and shocks. He went so far as to tell his readers that "I wouldn't own one except with
5280-428: The following five years, thus significantly accelerating the U.S. economy . McCahill had become Mechanix Illustrated public face, and the industry quickly realized that his review could make or break a product instantly. When he tested the 1948 Oldsmobile Futuramic 98 powered by a flat-head eight-cylinder engine of prewar design, he claimed that depressing the accelerator was like "Stepping on a wet sponge". General Motors
5376-478: The front brakes and a second for the rear brakes. Operating normally in unison, braking would still be available should there be a puncture in a hydraulic line. Only the Rolls-Royce, Jaguar, and the 1962 Cadillac offered this advanced safety feature. Regulations in the United States finally mandated twin-circuit brake systems on all cars starting with 1967 model year production. A new " E-stick " option combined
5472-536: The hardtop in the Rogue trim version. The American was available in nine models, and was the only U.S. compact to be available in "all" body styles (two-door, four-door, sedan, wagon, pillar-less hardtop , and convertible). For the 1967 model year, AMC's new high-compression (10.2:1) 343 cu in (5.6 L) V8 engine with a four-barrel carburetor producing 280 hp (209 kW; 284 PS) and 365 pound force-feet (495 N⋅m) of torque @ 3000 rpm
5568-549: The interiors were made more spacious. The station wagons in the restyled 1964 series came with four doors and gained 17% more cargo space compared to the previous design. They all featured a new roll-down disappearing rear window for the bottom-hinged tailgate . Full coil front springs, along with soft rear leaf units, gave the new American an unusually smooth ride, better than many larger domestic cars. The new models also incorporated various parts and components (such as doors) that were interchangeable with AMC's larger cars. In essence,
5664-478: The late 1950s and 1960s, which included many advanced engineering features such as front torsion-bar suspensions (combined with rear multi-leaf springs) for flatter cornering, powerful V8 engine options across the board and positive-shifting three-speed TorqueFlite automatic transmissions . In a 1959 road test of the Plymouth Sport Fury (which he referred to as the "Sports Fury"), he claimed that
5760-547: The level of workmanship on the Rambler Americans was "not only acceptable but actually admirable." Production for the 1962 model year totaled 125,678 Rambler Americans of which almost 13,500 were convertibles. The Rambler brand ended in fourth place among all the manufacturers for the year. A significant change in leadership of AMC occurred in February 1962 when Romney resigned to enter politics and eventually become
5856-513: The low-priced Rambler American as on the medium and higher-priced Classic and Ambassador lines. The 1965 models were the last year for the venerable flathead six available in 90 hp (67 kW; 91 PS) or 125 hp (93 kW; 127 PS) versions. It was the last flathead engine to be used in a domestic U.S. car. The year also had the introduction of an entirely new 232 cu in (3.8 L) overhead-valve straight-six engine . This 155 hp (116 kW; 157 PS) engine
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#17327718796665952-515: The lowest-priced car made in America as well as a Super trim version for $ 1,874, offering more "luxuries". The car was advertised as being the only small car with an automatic transmission. All Americans were completely dipped in rust proofing. The automotive press was positive to the reintroduced model. Tom McCahill wrote in Mechanix Illustrated , "There isn't a better buy in the world today." He continued, "The Rambler American ...
6048-533: The major U.S. car manufacturers made a push toward compact cars, resulting in the introduction of the Studebaker Lark , Chevrolet Corvair , Ford Falcon , and Plymouth Valiant . These models also gave rise to compact vans built on the compact car platforms, such as the Studebaker Zip Van, Chevrolet Corvair Greenbrier , Ford Econoline , and Dodge A100 . During the 1960s, compacts were
6144-464: The new body was a shorter, narrower version of the previous year's new Rambler Classic. The new styling was the work of designer Dick Teague , who later designed the 1968 Javelin and AMX . Teague selected the front-end design developed by Bob Nixon, who was later in charge of AMC's small-car studio. Many viewed the newly designed station wagon as the best looking of any American wagon, with its new trim lines, with ample passenger and cargo room. Led by
6240-479: The new roofline. The firewall and dashboard were new stampings that also changed the clutch and brake pedal mountings from under the floor to the firewall. For 1961 the American line added a four-door station wagon and a two-door convertible for the first time since 1954. It featured a power-operated folding top with roll-down door glass, rather than the fixed side-window frames of the original design. Passenger room increased from five to six. The straight-six engine
6336-429: The new wagon. The two-door sedans each sold nearly as well, also, at 29,954 for the lower-priced Deluxe and 28,449 for the top-line Super. For the 1960 model year, the Rambler American line added a four-door sedan body style and a third trim level, a top-of-the-line Custom. The new four-door rode on the same 100 in (2,540 mm) wheelbase as the other models and was meant to battle the newly introduced compacts from
6432-409: The outset with open wheel arches in mind, reduced overall width a full three inches. Popular Mechanics wrote "seldom has a car been completely restyled as the 1961 Rambler American and yet retain the same engine, driveline, suspension on the same unit body". All outside sheet metal was changed, but the side window frames remained the same as previous models. Only the rear glass was changed to conform to
6528-699: The passenger and cargo compartments were introduced in the late 1970s. In the early 1970s, the domestic automakers introduced even smaller subcompact cars that included the AMC Gremlin , Chevrolet Vega , and Ford Pinto . In 1973, the Energy Crisis started, which made small fuel-efficient cars more desirable, and the North American driver began exchanging their large cars for the smaller, imported compacts that cost less to fill up and were inexpensive to maintain. The 1977 model year marked
6624-640: The popular Volkswagen Beetle . Compact cars were also the basis for a new small car segment that became known as the pony car , named after the Ford Mustang , which was built on the Falcon chassis. At that time, there was a distinct difference in size between compact and full-size models. Early definitions of vehicle size class were based on wheelbase, with models under 111 inches as compact, 111 to 118 inches intermediate, and over 118 inches as full size, at least until EPA classes based on interior volume of
6720-559: The rear panel. The 1967 model year also had the addition of the new safety standards for passenger cars mandated by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The regulations called for two-point seat belts on all automobiles produced after 1 March 1967. All 1967 Rambler Americans included lap belts for all seating positions, a collapsible, energy-absorbing steering column and steering wheel, more padding on interior surfaces, four-way hazard flashers, and locking seat-back latches for two-door models. The instrument cluster
6816-473: The small import. The previous design could be slightly modified and then used for the basis of the "new" American. American Motors' financial condition meant it could not afford to develop an entirely new model. The reintroduction of the old model leveraged Rambler's renown for fuel economy and wins in the Mobil Economy Runs , with the consumer's need for a smaller and more efficient alternative to
6912-553: The smallest class of North American cars, but they had evolved into only slightly smaller versions of the 6-cylinder or V8-powered six-passenger sedan. They were much larger than compacts (and sometimes even mid-sizers) by European manufacturers, which were typically five-passenger four-cylinder engine cars. Nevertheless, advertising and road tests for the Ford Maverick and the Rambler American made comparisons with
7008-519: The sportiest of the final 100-inch (2,540 mm) wheelbase Rambler Americans, and arguably the most desirable now. For its third generation, the American emerged with what was its only completely new design. The entire line was treated to neat and trim lines with pleasing simplicity (compared to the more boxy predecessors) with characteristic tunneled headlights with a simple horizontal grille between them. The Rambler American's wheelbase grew by six inches or 152 mm (to 106 in or 2692 mm) and
7104-416: The standard engine. The flathead six had no visible intake manifold since it was integrated within the cylinder head, while the exhaust manifold is a "log-type" that looks like a long tube. All models received an enlarged gas tank, now 22 US gal (83 L; 18 imp gal) capacity, while power steering was a new option. Even in the face of the new competition from much larger automakers,
7200-430: The standard-sized cars that were marketed by the domestic Big Three at that time. Using the platform of the Nash Rambler, American Motors' designers gave the car a new grille and more open rear fender wells, giving the car a lighter appearance than that of the earlier car, which had hidden its rear wheels behind deeply skirted fenders. The original taillights were turned upside down, saving money on retooling. This design
7296-414: The system was complex and the option did not sell well. Although the Big Three domestic automakers had introduced competitive compact models by 1962, the Rambler American remained the oldest, smallest, and "stubbornly unique", refusing "to conform to Detroit's standard pattern for scaled-down automobiles" and "free of gimmicky come-ons." A 10,000-mile (16,093 km) road test by Popular Science described
7392-842: The time, while the Datsun was an all-new vehicle. These vehicles were followed by the Hino Contessa in 1961, the Isuzu Bellett , Daihatsu Compagno and Mazda Familia in 1963, the Mitsubishi Colt in 1965, and the Nissan Sunny , Subaru 1000 , and Toyota Corolla in 1966. Honda introduced its first four-door sedan in 1969, called the Honda 1300 . In North America, these cars were classified as subcompact cars . By 1970, Nissan released its first front-wheel-drive car which
7488-612: The top-line 440-series convertible, they were arguably the 1964's most attractive Detroit compacts. Car Life magazine titled its road test of the 1964 Rambler American: "The Original Plain Jane Compact Car Just Got Back From the Beauty Parlor". In addition to the top-of-the-line 440 models, the lower trim 330 and 220 models were also available, and Rambler American sales soared to a record 160,000-plus. The old 195.6 cu in (3.2 L) I6
7584-650: The torsion bar suspensions were the finest in America. Few European sedans, said McCahill, could match the handling performance of the Plymouth. On the other hand, many of McCahill's opinions about vehicles were far less favorable. For example, he reported in a 1949 road test that the new Dodge , with its semi-automatic transmission , was a "dog." He considered early 1950s Chevrolets mundane and utilitarian. On many of his earlier road tests, his wife Cynthia would accompany him as his photographer and almost always his black Labrador Retriever , "Boji". His later assistant
7680-399: The vehicle be able to maintain a maximum speed over 100 km/h (62 mph), weigh below 400 kg (882 lbs), fuel consumption at 30 km/L (85 mpg ‑imp ; 71 mpg ‑US ) or more, at an average speed of 60 km/h (37 mph) on a level road, and not require maintenance or significant service for at least 100,000 km (62,000 mi). This established
7776-415: The war he wrote articles on a variety of subjects for magazines such as Popular Science , Reader's Digest and Mechanix Illustrated Magazine ("M.I."). Hitting on the idea that an auto-starved post-wartime public might be interested in articles on new cars, he sold the concept to M.I. in February 1946, first reporting on his own 1946 Ford . His opinions were fearless and this endeared him to some in
7872-588: Was a gas stingy champ in the Mobil Economy Runs and available in 90 hp (67 kW; 91 PS), 125 hp (93 kW; 127 PS), and 138 hp (103 kW; 140 PS) versions. American Motors focused its marketing on the economy of the new models, advertising that was previously only popular during the Great Depression . The company's series of "Love Letters to Rambler" advertisements included "ordinary user testimonials" about
7968-460: Was added in late 1966, the cars also became known as a powerful compact " muscle " models that included the 390 cu in (6.4 L) version built in conjunction with Hurst Performance , the 1969 SC/Rambler . A special youth-oriented concept car , the 1964 Rambler Tarpon , was built on a Rambler American platform that foretold the fastback design of the 1965 Rambler Marlin , as well as future trends in sporty-type pony cars , including
8064-503: Was available on any American model equipped with an automatic transmission. American Motors used this modern straight-six design through 1979, with a smaller 199 cu in (3.3 L) version used 1966–1970. The same engine was later available in a larger 258 cu in (4.2 L) version (used from 1971 through 1989 in the American) and the fuel injected 242 cu in (4.0 L) versions that debuted in 1987, known as
8160-639: Was changed from the previous rectangular design to round gauges: The speedometer with odometer was in the center, with twin, smaller fuel and engine temperature gauges, with matching warning-light pods located on both sides of the round speedometer. Compact car In Japan, small size passenger vehicle is a registration category that sits between kei cars and regular cars, based on overall size and engine displacement limits. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Fuel Economy Regulations for 1977 and Later Model Year (dated July 1996) includes definitions for classes of automobiles. Based on
8256-592: Was designed to mimic the appearance of a closed convertible top. This was a one-model-year-only design with a thin profile, clean lines, stamped faux-convertible ribs, and a textured finish. A special top-of-the-line model called the 440-H was equipped with sports-type features, including individually adjustable reclining front bucket seats and a center console, as well as a more powerful 138 hp (103 kW; 140 PS) version of Rambler's stalwart 195.6 cu in (3.2 L) inline-six engine. An optional console-shifted "Twin-Stick" manual overdrive transmission
8352-408: Was incensed over his review of the '48 Olds and scores of angry letters from the corporation, as well as from Olds dealers and owners, came into MI's 'office demanding his firing. However, it was widely known that McCahill's report motivated GM into development of Oldsmobile's new overhead-valve, high-compression "Rocket V8" engine, which made its début the following year in the 1949 "98." The format of
8448-439: Was introduced. This transmission has a bigger gap between second and third gears compared to the regular three-speed transmissions with overdrive (that operated like a five-speed although the driver needed to know the governor cut-in speed, free-wheeling, as well as when to lock the overdrive in or out). This allowed the transmission to be shifted like a five-speed in the following sequence: 1, 2, 2+OD, 3, and 3+OD. The Twin-Stick has
8544-407: Was married a number of times but died without issue. In a 1956 interview with Playboy magazine McCahill stated that he had "more cash than hair". The statement was in response to a question as to how he had been photographed in two separate issues of Mechanix Illustrated with two different wives. McCahill had homes in Florida and New York, where he would receive cars to test. He traveled all over
8640-460: Was modernized with an overhead-valve cylinder head for higher-grade models, but the base cars continued with the flathead engine. American Motors built a new assembly plant in Brampton, Ontario, Canada, for the production of Rambler Americans, as well as the larger Rambler Classics . Setting new sales records, American Motors continued its "policy of making changes only when they truly benefited
8736-478: Was offered, but not widely advertised, in Rogue and 440 models. Factory installations of this engine were in 58 Rogues and 55 in the 440 models, with seven of them being in the convertible version. Only two Rogues and five 440s were bought by individuals; the others were made for AMC and mostly used for racing. Out of the total production of 69,912 Rambler Americans for the 1967 model year, 921 were Rogue convertibles. Rogues also received grille trim that wrapped around
8832-681: Was one of the best convertibles on the market, but lacked some sporty features that buyers wanted, such as a V8 engine. The 1964 Chicago Auto Show featured a special version of a top-of-the-line American named the Rambler Carrousel on raised rotating platform. The 1965 show car exterior was finished in "Turquoise Fireflake" and a white leather interior with turquoise carpeting, instrument panel, and slim bucket seats. Other features included die-cast aluminum road wheels and AMC's console-mounted Twin-Stick manual transmission. American Motors made specially trimmed, production-based show cars and
8928-615: Was originally developed by Prince Motor Company which had merged with Nissan in 1966. This was introduced in 1970 as the Nissan Cherry . In 1972, the Honda Civic appeared with the CVCC engine that was able to meet California emission standards without the use of a catalytic converter . In Pakistan, the concept of compact cars is significant. The most common cars tend to be Kei cars . Popular compact cars in recent times are
9024-413: Was originally mandated by Nash's Airflyte styling motif, which sought to reach for the blinding optimism of post- World War II transportation. The car's seemingly narrow 55-inch (1,397 mm) track was not much different from the industry standard, but rather an illusion fostered by the bulbous bodywork. Romney worried about cannibalizing sales of his larger, more profitable senior Ramblers, so for 1958,
9120-402: Was pinched out of it", but retains a "chic look". The American found 30,640 buyers during the abbreviated 1958 model year, and helped Rambler become the only domestic make to post an increase in sales that year. A two-door station wagon was added to the line in 1959. With the larger Rambler Six wagons offered only as four-door models, AMC's management thought little sales cannibalization from
9216-463: Was professional driver and photographer Jim McMichael who was photographed sitting—or lying—in the trunk of so many test cars McCahill eventually began calling him the " official trunk tester". McCahill frequently used extreme metaphors and similes in his prose. For example, in M.I. he described the AC Cobra as "hairier than a Borneo gorilla in a raccoon suit" . He proclaimed the ride of
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