The editor’s Blowin’ Smoke – 1-Jan-2010
It’s funny how a gearhead’s mind works. Just a few months after passing on an opportunity to pick up a 1957 Meteor Ranchero, I offer a guy $500 for a 1963 AMC Rambler Wagon.
I know what you’re thinking, “what part of the underside of a car did you smash your head on.”
But wait a minute. It’s not as crazy as it sounds.
When I wrote about the Ranchero, I received quite a few comments – one from a gentleman who was so incensed I didn’t buy the car it drove him to calling me names I only utter when I hit myself in the face with a rubber mallet. (Yep – happened while putting a Dynomax exhaust system on the 2005 Dakota. Here’s a tip: ALWAYS WEAR GOGGLES and NEVER HIT YOURSELF IN THE FACE WITH A RUBBER MALLET.
You see the Ranchero had an “it” factor that a 1963 Rambler wagon with a six cyclinder/3-speed automatic just doesn’t have. Well, yeah, that should be the case. But I’ve got a malady known as wagon disease which means any car’s cool factor, regardless of make or model, goes up significantly if it’s a wagon.
I can remember when I first fell in love with wagons. My parents had an early 1970s Country Squire Ford with a 390 and Cragar SS wheels. My dad drove it to the drags and the family would sit in the stands while he raced. I’ve loved wagons ever since.
So, back to the Rambler. As my buddy and I looked at the car (of course, he was the one who was looking to buy) we were astounded at its original condition and asking price of $1,000 OBO.
The car still wore its original coat of faded Aqua Marineish paint and some light surface rust and a ding on the driver’s side front corner were the only obvious flaws. Inside was a different story – years of damp living had left the interior mouldy and there was a puddle of water on the driver’s side floor. (The owner had powerwashed the car previous to displaying it). Still, it was complete and the upholstery was in good shape.
Under the hood, the straight six cylinder (195.6 c.i. capable of, according to a Motor Trend article, 127 hp at 4,200 rpm – whooeee) lacked a fuel pump, but the owner assured us the car would run with a new fuel pump installed.
Considering the car’s overall condition, it seemed possible.
At lunch, my buddy – who already owns the 1964 Impala wagon in this issue’s Image 10 ad, decided “it wasn’t really what he was looking for.”
This meant all my needling for him to buy it or I would, suddenly backfired.
You see, this is something we do to each other at swap meets when we find stuff we don’t really need, but kind of want. We egg each other on saying, “How can you pass that up at that price?” or “When are you ever going to find another one?”
Or my favourite, “Just clean it up and you make a few bucks on it when you sell it.” Right.
Anyway, I did kind of think the car was neat so phoned and offered the guy $500. He said he’d make me a good deal if I went a little closer to $1,000, but then it was my friend who was supposed to be buying a car that day so I didn’t make a second offer.
The next day the guy phoned and said he’d sell it to me for the price I offered if it didn’t sell by the end of the week. Oh, and “wasn’t it $600 you offered.”
No it wasn’t, but between you and me, I’d buy it for $600.
I hope he doeesn’t phone back.
But just in case, does anybody have a cheap set of 15-inch, 5×4.5 inch mag wheels lying around?