Resurrecting the Rambler

[Pinballer]

(catching up into mid December)

After more engine bay clean-up and some more removal of unnecessary items in there, I washed it all off with prep-sol, touched up some areas that were crying for paint, and got things ready for the re-install of the mule motor. New motor and trans mounts went on, and the cherry picker came out. This is a real shoe-horn process with the trans attached, but if you go slow and keep re-adjusting the angles, it just does slide in.
You'll notice in the pictures that I tried to fabricate a more AMX-ish looking grille, it was a mesh type from the factory, but mine just isn't doing much for me. Nothing like having an original, so I'll keep looking.
After the drivetrain was installed, it kind of perks you up some to keep going harder. However, with the prime season for the pinball business I do, Christmas season, I'll be torn away from this project some for a while playing Santa and delivering some customer machines. When that calms down some it'll be back to build time. Need to get the dashboard all put back together next, and then finish up the front suspension rebuild on the left side.

[Dwight Southerland]

If you have not do so, you need to become a member of these sites:


http://amccars.net
http://theamcforum.com


Both sites have classified forums much like ClassRacer.com where you can post what you are looking for. Also, the AMC enthusiasts seem to be very helpful to their own.

[Steve OB]

Looking good Brian!!!!

[Pinballer]

Originally Posted by Steve OB

Looking good Brian!!!!

You could be doing this too Steve! I got a feeling your future AMC Stocker is going to be running a -lot- faster than the one I'm building though.
When your time comes, I'll be cheering YOU on.

For those who don't know, Steve and I used to tangle occasionally on dragstrips all over the midwest about 25 years ago. He is one tough cookie in the AMC world!

[Steve OB]

Thanks for the kind words Brian. Those were some Awesome days back then. I still look back on those days often.

It has been many years & a lot of ideas but I think I'm finally stuck on the Hornet. For the first time in my life I have a garage! I am working on getting it functional then I will start to bolt on all the things I have collected for the last 15 years. It's scheduled to go to the chassis shop in the spring.

Keep up the good work!

[Pinballer]

Originally Posted by Dwight Southerland

If you have not do so, you need to become a member of these sites:


http://amccars.net
http://theamcforum.com


Both sites have classified forums much like ClassRacer.com where you can post what you are looking for. Also, the AMC enthusiasts seem to be very helpful to their own.

Thanks Dwight, I have been to both in my searches for information already. There is another group I used to be part of many years ago, it is the NAMDRA organization which is the AMC racing arm of the hobby. Good place for finding specialty racing pieces geared to AMC's.

(Catching up to present day, Jan 11th 2016)
The dashboard is all back in place and the parts pile on top of the car is shrinking. Part of the dashboard redo involved me trying to put a brushed aluminum applique over the woodgrain plastic. I was trying to cut pieces off a bulk roll and fashion them into the proper size for dash piece, and the end result didn't thrill me a whole lot, but it serves the purpose of making the car more AMX-ish. I have plenty of aluminum decal left, so I may try this again on the spare pieces I have from the parted out car and see if Try #2 goes better.
Currently I'm sorting through the wiring nest in the engine compartment, it's a mystery because I'm retrofitting an older engine into a newer system that used a computer and a whole raft of different componentry, but it will turn out fine. Nothing a pinball guy can't handle, I'm used to seeing about 30 miles worth of wiring in all those ancient machines I fix.
Time to order several pieces now for future installations, the credit card will be taking a post Christmas beating!

The console with gauges cleaned up pretty nice, more interior pictures on the next post when I get them resized...

[MR DERBY CITY]

Have you considered naming the car....Pinball Wizard ? That would be , ....shall we say......Way Cool !!!

[Pinballer]

Originally Posted by MR DERBY CITY

Have you considered naming the car....Pinball Wizard ? That would be , ....shall we say......Way Cool !!!

As long as the car isn't bouncing off the retaining walls like a pinball I'd be good with that name! And I hope it launches from the starting line like a ball plunger is shooting it...

[Pinballer]

Before and after pictures of the dashboard teardown/rebuild. The only thing missing I'll need to fill a hole with is a factory radio. I think there's an AM/FM/Cassette/CB still parked in an '80 Concord wagon out back. Yeah baby! Retro all the way.

A new shifter is ordered, might be overkill for this car but I absolutely loved the look and had to have it. Always wanted one of these when I first saw them come out around 1985. Frivolous expenditure #1 is now on the way.
Pictures when it happens! Can you guess what it is?

That third pedal keeps hanging there and intriguing me. I think I'll leave it there in case it's ever needed. You never know....

[MR DERBY CITY]

Originally Posted by Pinballer

As long as the car isn't bouncing off the retaining walls like a pinball I'd be good with that name! And I hope it launches from the starting line like a ball plunger is shooting it...

How do you think he does it ? I don't know ! What makes him so good ? Hey Teddy Yacavone , whatta ya think about those lyrics ?