Junkyard Gem: 1955 Hudson Rambler Customized Cross Nation

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The American Motors Company was shaped when the Nash-Kelvinator Company and the Hudson Motor Automobile Firm merged in 1954. New automobiles with AMC badges did not present up till the 1966 mannequin 12 months, nevertheless; previous to that, the outdated marque names had been saved alive for some time. Vehicles with Nash badges survived till 1957, whereas Rambler (previously a Nash mannequin title) grew to become the principle AMC model via 1967 (although the Nineteen Thirties Nash “Climate Eye” characteristic title went on AMC dashboards properly into the Seventies). The Hudson title acquired the axe similtaneously Nash, however one AMC machine managed to get two marque names simply earlier than that: the Hudson Rambler Customized Cross-Nation station wagon. This is a kind of uncommon machines, noticed just a few months in the past in a Wyoming self-service yard simply over the border from Colorado.

It is exhausting to overlook Cheyenne Auto and Steel once you’re heading up I-25 from Colorado, as a result of the yard is situated very near the fireworks retailer with this memorable emblem.

The one seen distinction between the Rambler Customized Cross Nation and the Hudson Rambler Cross Nation was the grille badge. In any other case, the 2 had been similar.

You’ll be able to see the shadow of that Hudson badge on this automotive’s grille, however it’s lengthy gone. The Hudson-badged model of this automotive was out there for simply the 1955 and 1956 mannequin years. A few of the paint schemes acquired fairly wild.

The one clue that allowed me to find out that this automotive was bought new as a Hudson was the quantity on this firewall tag. My guess is that Hudson fanatics do not take into account this Nash to be one among their very own, simply as many Packard aficionados flip their backs on the rebadged-and-fish-faced Studebakers of 1958.

This engine is a straight-six flathead of 196 cubic inches’ (3.2 liters) displacement, often known as the Nash “Flying Scot.” It was rated at 90 horsepower in 1955. This engine went on to an extended profession with American Motors, out there in flathead type via 1965. It isn’t mechanically associated to the later overhead-valve AMC straight-six, which was nonetheless being put in in new Jeeps as late as 2006, however I take into account it the religious ancestor of the Jeep 4.0.

This automotive may very well be bought with an computerized transmission (a GM-built two-speed Powerglide), however the base three-on-the-tree column-shift guide went into most ’55 Ramblers.

There’s only one gauge (not counting the clock), and it is this well-designed all-in-one unit.

I thought of shopping for the sprint clock for my hoard assortment, however mechanical automotive clocks that sit outdoors for many years are usually rusted strong inside.

These automobiles are very cool, however the associated fee to revive one on this situation could be breathtaking (particularly contemplating that a wonderful instance with Buick V6 swap bought for simply $21,000 final 12 months).

AMC saved the Cross Nation title for wagons via not less than 1967.

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