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Friday, March 23, 2001 THE OAKVILLE BEAVER 23 RamblerAmerican had lasting impact on modem automobiles (Continued from page 19) Initially, only two versions were produced: a two-door `landau convert ible', where only the roof folded out of sight leaving the side window frames in place; and a two-door station wagon. Later Ramblers would also be available as a two-door hardtop with an optional externally-mounted `continental' spare tire. The last of the first-generation 100inch wheelbase Ramblers was pro duced in 1955, a year after NashKelvinator and Hudson merged to become American Motors. In 1956, the Rambler nameplate was attached to a larger (108-inch wheelbase) full-size car. But AMC president George Romney, a staunch supporter of the small-car concept, thought the compa ny had drifted away from its core prin ciples, resulting in faltering economic fortunes. It was Romney who publicly called the cars made by GM, Ford and Chrysler `gas-guzzling dinosaurs', and issued a tongue-in-cheek challenge to Henry Ford n to a game of `chicken' by driving head-on into each other in their respective products. This, he felt, would demonstrate the inherent strength and safety of his company's use of unitized construction. Ford's response to this offer is not known. Part way into the 1958 model year, the original Rambler returned from its three-year hiatus to once again provide no-frills economical transportation. Now called the American, the US $1,775 base two-door business sedan (the better-equipped Super cost $100 extra) offered only a few options, including Flash-O-Matic automatic transmission, AM radio and a heater. The American was nearly identical to the 1950-'55 Rambler, with the exception of a new grille and full cut out wheel openings that made the car look less tub-like than the original. Bringing back the Rambler turned out to be a stroke of genius for Romney and AMC. In 1958, a brief, but painful, recession affected the North American economy, and automobile sales dropped. The only exception was American Motors, whose cheaper, economy-oriented products were sud denly in demand from cautious new car buyers. By year-end, AMC had returned to profitability, earning a modest $24 mil lion for its shareholders. Although the overall auto industry was resuscitated the following year, Romney's company continued its winning ways, led by the lowly Rambler American that now fea tured a two-door wagon in addition to a two-door sedan. By the end of the 1950s, more than 90,000 Americans had been sold, triple the previous year's output. AMC's 1959 profit also bal looned to an impressive $60 million. The Rambler American would con tinue unchanged for one more year before being replaced with a complete ly new (and boxier) design in 1961. But by then the little car with its downright homely, brightwork-absent sheetmetal and featureless interior had already done its job, and done it well. It helped rescue an entire company and put AMC back on track as a competitive and innovative force. And Geoige Romney, who would eventually become a three-term Governor of Michigan and a 1968 Republican presidential candidate, would be hailed as one of the most bril liant and innovative corporate leaders of the 2 0 th century. You won't find too many around today (the 1959 example pictured here is part of a Universal Studios Jurassic Park exhibit in Florida), but the next time you come across some giantfinned glitz-mobile from the FatherKnows-Best or Leave-It-To-Beaver era, think about the humble Rambler American and its ultimate impact on the kind of cars we drive today. I-O C K W O O O 'S ALL INSTOCK VEHICLES, WINDOW TAGGED! PRICED TO CLEAR - PRICED TOO LOW TO ADVEjfiTSE> The construction is taking place, we must make room! 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