tb
Reader
8/31/10 10:47 a.m.
Normally this type of vehicle is so far removed from my typical desires that I ignore them completely, and then I noticed one rotting away behind a friends house and it has started to haunt my thoughts...
I literally only got a one minute look at it, but it appears structurally salvageable. Ran when parked (did't they all?
), no brakes or suspension left to speak of and LOTS of rust...
My real question is this: Can I actually keep this classic running and driving safely for reasonable cash and effort or should I run away and let the new england winters continue to eat it away? Would I ever actually find enough parts for this thing to have a drivable project?
hurried cell phone pic:
Seems like the sort of car that could be picked up reasonably cheaply in good shape that it isn't worth messing with a rust bucket ...
Maybe drop it on a modern chassis?
tb
Reader
8/31/10 11:27 a.m.
ArthurDent wrote:
Seems like the sort of car that could be picked up reasonably cheaply in good shape that it isn't worth messing with a rust bucket ...
Very good point. This guy just kinda said "Help! I'm not dead yet!" and I wonder if it is worth saving.
tb
Reader
8/31/10 11:29 a.m.
96DXCivic wrote:
bravenrace wrote:
Maybe drop it on a modern chassis?
P71?
My first and second thoughts exactly in that order, but that is probably a bigger project then I want for this winter. It says 'special' on the side, I just wondered if it was actually even close to special in any way...
tb wrote:
It says 'special' on the side, I just wondered if it was actually even close to special in any way...
I rode a bus that said "Special" on the side once. Wasn't nearly as cool as I thought it would be.
I believe those Ramblers were unibody cars, so a lot of rust may be a bigger issue than you think.
It had a frame.
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/1957-1960-rambler-rebel.htm/printable
Depending on what your friend wants for it, why not? I'm sure parts are available, and everything else is so caveman that a mig will take care of it.
I'd rock it, but you know me ....
Dan
tb
Reader
8/31/10 12:41 p.m.
914Driver wrote:
It had a frame.
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/1957-1960-rambler-rebel.htm/printable
Depending on what your friend wants for it, why not? I'm sure parts are available, and everything else is so caveman that a mig will take care of it.
I'd rock it, but you know me ....
Good info, thanks for the link. I can probably have it for a song, so if I get more space soon I might just take it and decide later... I'm thinking that this would be my excuse to learn to weld and a perfect canvas for all my mistakes...
tb wrote:
914Driver wrote:
It had a frame.
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/1957-1960-rambler-rebel.htm/printable
Depending on what your friend wants for it, why not? I'm sure parts are available, and everything else is so caveman that a mig will take care of it.
I'd rock it, but you know me ....
Good info, thanks for the link. I can probably have it for a song, so if I get more space soon I might just take it and decide later... I'm thinking that this would be my excuse to learn to weld and a perfect canvas for all my mistakes...
You will learn welding and metal forming since I am pretty sure patch panels are hard to come by.
914Driver wrote:
It had a frame.
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/1957-1960-rambler-rebel.htm/printable
Dan
Ahem... Reading comprehension...
"unitized body/chassis rather than an old-fashioned body on frame"
The 57 Rambler Rebel was the fastest of all 1957 cars with the sole exception of the fiberglass Corvette, mostly thanks to being a unit-body car and thus much lighter.
I had a 62 Ambassador. I used the same unibody and 327 V8. Great car! Run away from rust.
Nah, I understood every word I read. Both of 'em.
Nash was a pioneer with unibody construction . As such they did not have a seperate frame. this includes Ramblers.
Enough cutting and welding and anything can fit. 
