1963 Rambler "Sugar" Resto-Track-Travel-AutoX-Mod

[Suzy-Homemaker]

Sugar is a 1963 Rambler American 220 Wagon.
I started out looking for a small wagon to build a pro-touring/Autocross car; I ended up with a numbers-matching, few-of-a-kind cutie.
Shug was rescued from a storage yard at a trailer park after sitting for about ten years mostly taken apart. The flat head six cylinder was sitting on a furniture dolley covered with the equivalent of a dry cleaner bag.
The guy selling the car was the second owner and had owned it since the early seventies - he seemed to really care about the car and know all the ins and outs.
As you can see, the body was mostly straight and rust appeared to be mostly superficial.
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A few weeks later, we pushed Shug onto a trailer and hauled her home across the Bay.
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[Protour_Pinto]

I'll be watching this for sure!

[wellis77]

Some really different projects going on lately and I'm loving it! This will be great. What are your plans for it?

[Suzy-Homemaker]

I plan to AutoCross it and show it once in a while, just because it's unique.

[Suzy-Homemaker]

We got Sugar home and immediately started the dismantle process. Out went the green(ish) shag carpet, seats covered in t-shirts, beehives that had taken up residence in the door jambs and pretty much anything that wasn't needed for the immediate future.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/04/GEDC0032-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/04/GEDC0024-1.jpg

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https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/04/GEDC0050-1.jpg

And last but not least, prepare the flat head six to go to the famous race engine builder Bruno Gianoli

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/04/Enginedismantle2-1.jpg

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[r.a.w.rods]

Man there are a lot of wagon's popping up, this looks like another good one.

[RS_Customs]

Cool to see another Rambler. I have a 62 2 door sedan I'll build at some point. There was another wagon that was being built on here a while back, do a search, maybe it will give you some ideas.

Robert

[SRD art]

Fantastic project! I can't wait to see this come together!

[Suzy-Homemaker]

As the takedown was in progress we've learned some things about Sugar and Ramblers in general.
While AMC 'built' my '63 Rambler, it was technically a Nash car because AMC purchased Nash in 1962 and they had not converted the manufacturing over to AMC when Sugar was built.
The entire AMC lineup received the Motor Trend Car of the Year award in 1963.
The four-door wagon has a 100 inch wheel base and bumper to bumper is three inches longer than my Porsche 944.
The original factory exhaust (from the muffler backwards) is still in tact, ceramic coated a deep blue color.
The original factory exhaust in the engine compartment might be the most crude and oversimplified exhaust ever manufactured.
Note the three horizontal rectangles on the side of the engine: the exhaust (about 1") clamps onto the side of the engine with three matching holes in it. That's it. I've seen lawnmowers with more complex exhaust than this thing.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/04/Enginedismantle2-1.jpg

All this being said, I can't wait to ceramic coat the new exhaust to match the old.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/04/IMG_0016-1.jpg

Another discovery was (as it always is) a little more than 'some' rust. Floors were full Fred Flintstone on both sides; the result of being stored with the drain plugs left in. Thanks to some welding skillz (not mine, although I did learn how.) there's no holes in the floor and everything has been coated (including patches of my arms up to the elbows) with a thick layer of POR15. I love POR15 and I have a feeling we will be married before this car is done.
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[MuscleRodz]

All this being said, I can't wait to ceramic coat the new exhaust to match the old.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/04/IMG_0016-1.jpg

That is actually porcelin coated. I have some aircraft exhaust with the same purple coating.

[SRD art]

everything has been coated (including patches of my arms up to the elbows) with a thick layer of POR15. I love POR15 and I have a feeling we will be married before this car is done.

This whole post was funny! I feel your pain, I had Por15 all over my arms when I did my chassis. It was mostly worn off after 4-5 days, everybody was acting like it would be 2-3 weeks. Too funny.

Glad to see some progress, and neat facts about the car.

[linkstar69]

Neat little wagon. I like the fact you're giving the flathead some love

[Suzy-Homemaker]

I'm going on a week and it's mostly gone but I've got weird blisters wherever the paint is still stuck. Good to know it will be gone before I have to attend a wedding next week. (not my wedding to POR15, in case you're wondering.)

[Suzy-Homemaker]

Had no choice really...it's numbers matching and I felt like it was too rare of a car to start splitting it up. I'm anxious to see how it does since I am not looking for top-end speed (since I'm autocrossing) and the 3-speed combined with the bored out flat 6 should be a nice set up for the small track.

[Wesley J]

Factory speed holes in the structure of the car!!!!! You know I love it...

My very first car (at 13 yrs old) was a 3rd gen Rambler (don't recall the year) that I fixed up to runnin condition. I never drove it though, a couple of friends took it for a joy ride and blew the motor. Come to think of it, I no longer consider them friends...

[SRD art]

Had no choice really...it's numbers matching and I felt like it was too rare of a car to start splitting it up. I'm anxious to see how it does since I am not looking for top-end speed (since I'm autocrossing) and the 3-speed combined with the bored out flat 6 should be a nice set up for the small track.

I had one area of paint on the back of my upper arm that got all funky, like slightly swollen and bumpy. Then I realized if I would just stop scratching it it went away, lol! It's been about 2 weeks and I still have it on my fingernails. I wore nitrile gloves but I decided to use foam brushes instead of paint brushes. As the foam would wear off the stick I'd apply it by holding the foam like a sponge. It blew through several gloves and got on my fingers. At least for you if you wear long sleeves no one will know the better.

I wonder if you can throw a little bit of boost at it, maybe 5-10 lbs? Those old motors seemed pretty beefy if nothing else. Still not sure that it could handle it but something to consider. Inline 6 torque with some low gears should do well in pulling around corners and such. I've seen plenty of videos that prove power isn't what wins autocross.

[Suzy-Homemaker]

Get that Rambler going so I can be part of a trend! ;)

[Suzy-Homemaker]

Factory speed holes in the structure of the car!!!!! You know I love it...

My very first car (at 13 yrs old) was a 3rd gen Rambler (don't recall the year) that I fixed up to runnin condition. I never drove it though, a couple of friends took it for a joy ride and blew the motor. Come to think of it, I no longer consider them friends...

Isn't it crazy that the frame is pre-designed for weight control?? another thing we discovered in the take-down that was truly amazing. Boxed frame with speed holes from the factory. AMC was really ahead of it's time on many fronts.

[Suzy-Homemaker]

Take down of a flat-head six isn't exactly complicated.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/04/Enginedismantle3-1.jpg

The entire engine apart from the block and heads is here:
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Post-hot tank:
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/04/Photo0116-1.jpg
Meanwhile the cam was sent out to be resurfaced and found to be in remarkably excellent condition (as I was informed by the guy doing the resurfacing.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/04/Photo0111-1.jpg
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We had some concern about whether or not we would be able to bore the cylinders any more since markings on the block showed that it had been rebuilt and honed twice before. but some careful boring and measurement (ability to get the proper-sized cylinders, etc.) proved successful so on we went with the complete restoration.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/04/Photo0115-1.jpg
Bruno (engine builder and speed forefather) found one cylinder with a pin hole so a re-bore and sleeve was necessary for one cylinder.

The parts start arriving. Thank God for Egge, proof that some hoarders are good hoarders...
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I love the NOS packaging, some with original price tags
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Back from being sterilized: So gorgeous!
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/04/Photo0368-1.jpg

Here's a peek into Bruno's organized chaos:
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/04/Shop-1.jpg

One thing I will say is that this car's working parts have all been taken care of, on and off of the car. Fluid levels were high and clear/clean and every attempt to preserve the working parts was made. I'm grateful since it's allowing for more of our time and money to fix the stuff that was unexpectedly worse than we expected (e.g. rust).

[SRD art]

Nice find on all the vintage parts!

Just curious, what power levels do you anticipate?

Based on your original posts, how radical a turn from "restored" will the suspension be?

[Suzy-Homemaker]

Nice find on all the vintage parts!

Just curious, what power levels do you anticipate?

Based on your original posts, how radical a turn from "restored" will the suspension be?

Suspension is a good question. At this point, we'll be leaving the rear triangulated leaf springs to see how they work (we're hopeful that they will be amazing). In addition, I'll add adjustable coil-overs and spherical bearings on the front of the leaf springs. Haven't determined how much will be done to the front yet other than adjustable shocks with Mustang performance springs. I'm hoping a friend will mill-out Delrin bushings for the front too. In addition to the basic suspension I'll be adding front and rear sway bars (turns out Corvette sway bars fit perfectly in the rear, haven't trail fitted the front yet) with a Watts Link in the rear for good measure.

As for power.....your guess is as good as mine. I will attempt to get every horse out of that little flat head that I can but something tells me it won't be much.

[ent72olds]

:cool:Subscribed Suzy! Awesome little ride! Cool sticking with the six....love wagons!

[Suzy-Homemaker]

Things got funny the day we rolled under the car and started taking down the transmission and drivetrain...
Here's how huge a Borg Warner T-96 3-Speed looks like next to a cup of coffee.
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The bell housing was significantly larger than the tramsmission itself.
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We cracked open the pumpkin in the rear and were VERY pleasantly surprised that things looked nearly pristine!
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One less thing to restore! > I should point out that the last known registration of the car (presuming it's last drive) before being partially dismantled and stored was 1996. If the drain plugs had been removed from the interior we'd be dealing with a car that was stored as perfectly as a car can be. There was even oil in the gas tank preventing ANY rust from developing inside the tank.

[Rod]

why cant floor plugs be automatic??

[Flash68]

Wow now that's a project! Very cool Suzy...

[goofybowler277]

Looking good can't wait to see more pictures. I am pretty sure it was parked in 1994 parked it when the clutch went out. The floor was already starting to rust out then. Never thought to pull the drain plugs. can't went to see the finished product.

[goofybowler277]

my dad gave me this car when I was 13. it was a fun driver. can't wait too see it when it's done

[bosses son]

good to finally see some pictures of the little sweetheart! Keep up the progress, your hauling butt!

[MichaelUser]

Looks great, love the flat head route you are taking. If I may you could shelve the Flathead 6 for insurance and put a 242 AMC in for good measure. I am meaning that at least it would stay brand appropriate and still be weighted correctly. Just a thought. Back in HS days my buddy owned a 4door Rambler '63 I think that we beat up continuously during our senior year of HS. That poor little car was jumped off curbs and ran it floored will doing doughnuts in the empty field (muddy) by school. It would never break...

[Suzy-Homemaker]

Thanks Dave!


Wow now that's a project! Very cool Suzy...

[Suzy-Homemaker]

my dad gave me this car when I was 13. it was a fun driver. can't wait too see it when it's done

So glad you stopped in to see how it's going!!

[Suzy-Homemaker]

Looks great, love the flat head route you are taking. If I may you could shelve the Flathead 6 for insurance and put a 242 AMC in for good measure. I am meaning that at least it would stay brand appropriate and still be weighted correctly. Just a thought. Back in HS days my buddy owned a 4door Rambler '63 I think that we beat up continuously during our senior year of HS. That poor little car was jumped off curbs and ran it floored will doing doughnuts in the empty field (muddy) by school. It would never break...

I think if I spend that kind of money I'll probably just swap the flat-head for an LS (so reliable and fast it's hard to beat). However, that flathead has run strong and true for nearly 50 years and is now basically brand new so I think I'll be cruisin' in the slow lane for a while ;)

[Suzy-Homemaker]

good to finally see some pictures of the little sweetheart! Keep up the progress, your hauling butt!

So far, so good Kyle, just trying to keep at it everyday.

[Suzy-Homemaker]

You might recall me touting my love affair with POR15 in a previous post.
While I still love what POR15 does, we just can't get along.

In each spot where I got paint on my skin, I have recurring blisters that itch and drive me crazy.
I look like I've got some sort of skin disease in random splotches all up my arms and in one spot on my shin.
Just in time for sunshine and short sleeved shirts and short pants.

No, I'm not posting a picture.
Nor am I going to be the one to paint the back half of the car.

[Suzy-Homemaker]

I failed to show the floor prep before my short-term engagement with POR-15.
I learned how to weld (a skill I have wanted to learn for many years) and welded a couple of patches to the driver's side of the floor.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/04/IMG_9987-1.jpg

I quickly learned that anything you weld, you have to grind. If you're a new, less than perfect welder, there is a LOT of grinding. My welding career on this project was short lived because unlike POR-15, I do not have a love affair with the grinder. I think my arms and ears are still vibrating.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/04/IMG_9981-1.jpg

Once the floors were painted with POR-15 the sound deadener went down (I'm pretty sure I'm going to need a lot of this stuff).
They don't call me Suzy-Homemaker for nothin' my chosen tools for the sound deadener were a rolling pin and a metal serving spoon.
(and laying it out in the sunshine to heat up and flatten out)
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/04/IMG_0035-1.jpg

I'm not going to win any awards for beauty on this application but I did my best to get it on as neat as possible while still covering everything and not wasting a single scrap.
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Now it was on to the engine compartment because.... guess what?! The engine is back!! so it's time to get that beauty in the car.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/04/EngineRebuild-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/04/Enginerebuild2-1.jpg

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But before I go into that, take a look at where I started with the engine compartment: (I should point out that the engine wasn't in the car when I bought it, it had been stored out of the car.)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/04/GEDC0024-1.jpg

Here it is scrubbed within an inch of bare metal and taped off for primer:

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/04/IMG_0129-2.jpg

Here it is primed for silver hammer tone paint:
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/04/IMG_0134-1.jpg

Now I've got to go out and finish painting it before Mister gets home.

[acadiankid]

Awesome car, I love these. I think they have the coolest speedometers ever!

[linkstar69]

Great work

[Suzy-Homemaker]

Awesome car, I love these. I think they have the coolest speedometers ever! I love the entire dash, I wouldn't think of replacing it. The speedo is currently sitting partially disassembled on our dining room table being cleaned with q-tips and hand painted when I can't work outside on the car.

[Suzy-Homemaker]

I'm here to say that everything you've read about The Safest Rust Remover from Ultra One is TRUE. We bought the product thinking that we would try it and see if we can salvage some of the unobtainium pieces and parts of the Rambler. The pictures and testimonials are definitely enticing but who would think that it could be THAT good? Well.... IT IS.
This **** is crazy good and we've salvaged a carburator, water pump, multiple bolts and the hood hinges.
Somewhere we have some pictures but meanwhile, look it up and check it out if you need to restore rusty parts; you will be amazed at the results.
http://safestrustremover.com/

[acegto]

Really awesome project you got here. Love to see obscure models on the forum. Keep it up.

[coolwelder62]

Very Nice prject.

[ent72olds]

:yum:Suzy....floor looks fab! I always wondered what that wooden thing in the wife's kitchen was used for! Great idea! Engine is gonna look slick against the hammertone paint!

[Suzy-Homemaker]

What do you think?
These are the 'racing' wheels, I have another set of street/vintage wheels all picked out but these Coys were much more in my price range.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/05/IMG_0013-1.jpg

I'll leave them with this finish for now but just you wait, they won't always be grey.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/05/IMG_0004-1.jpg

[SRD art]

Very cool! I almost went with Coys too, they've got nice stuff at a great price. Main reason for the MBs I finally bought was I got them locally rather than having the Coys shipped from out of state. Now I get to see the Coys on a car, lookin' great so far! Size?

Keep it coming!...

[Flash68]

I don't know how strong Coys are but they look great for the price!

[Jetfixr320]

Great build, keep the post coming.

You may try, The Works bathroom cleaner for removing rust. My Dad swears by it. Just a thought and may be cheaper.

Steve

[Dons67]

I feel like a McDonald's spokesman because "I'm Loving it"

[Suzy-Homemaker]

15x7 Seems to be the biggest we could go, but as you know, it's a bit of a crap shoot until the car is actually resting on the wheels that you know if you estimated correctly.

Very cool! I almost went with Coys too, they've got nice stuff at a great price. Main reason for the MBs I finally bought was I got them locally rather than having the Coys shipped from out of state. Now I get to see the Coys on a car, lookin' great so far! Size?

Keep it coming!...

[Suzy-Homemaker]

Yay! So glad you approve!

I feel like a McDonald's spokesman because "I'm Loving it"

[Suzy-Homemaker]

I don't know how strong Coys are but they look great for the price!
Rodney's been running them on the '68 for more than three years with no problems so we thought it was worth a try. Seems to be a company with good service so I'm confident that they'll back up their product in the event that the wheels don't stand up to the test. And price was definitely a consideration since we can't all have Rich on retainer ;)

[Suzy-Homemaker]

Thanks for the heads up on the bathroom cleaner, good to know. So far we've done majority of the car with one gallon of Safest Rust Remover (I think it was around $40 a gallon maybe less?) and although the fluid is filthy, it seems to work just fine. I thought I might try straining it through coffee filters just to see if I can clean it up a bit but I'm hoping I don't really need it much longer ;)


Great build, keep the post coming.

You may try, The Works bathroom cleaner for removing rust. My Dad swears by it. Just a thought and may be cheaper.

Steve

[Suzy-Homemaker]

Thank you!
Very Nice prject.

[Suzy-Homemaker]

I thought I'd share a couple of picks of Sugar back in the day when she was the family workhorse for her former owner:
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/05/VintageSugar-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/05/VintageSugar2-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/05/VintageSugarCropped-1.jpg

I guestimate the photo in the snow to be in the mid-seventies since that's the last time it snowed at nearly sea-level here in the Bay Area.

[cliffs750]

Power, I think lill surprise you Especially with all you've done. When I owned Your Sugar,She was stock and with the 3 speed,and being light, she would get up and move. Just would'nt get the good mileage And she always handled good even with heavy loads. She's looking GOOD! She's getting the love and care she needs.

[cliffs750]

The Snow picture was taken on Southwood Dr. Vacaville, Ca in the late 80's The pickup with the camper is a my1960 Ford andmy 1970 Ford pickup. The other piture in the clear weather, Taken in Broadmoor / Daly City, Ca.

[Suzy-Homemaker]

The Snow picture was taken on Southwood Dr. Vacaville, Ca in the late 80's The pickup with the camper is a my1960 Ford andmy 1970 Ford pickup. The other piture in the clear weather, Taken in Broadmoor / Daly City, Ca.

Hi Cliff! Great to see you chiming in! I'm so glad that we can share this experience.

[goofybowler277]

I love the entire dash, I wouldn't think of replacing it. The speedo is currently sitting partially disassembled on our dining room table being cleaned with q-tips and hand painted when I can't work outside on the car.

If I remember correctly I don't think the fuel guage was working when I parked it

[goofybowler277]

Wow what a transformation from my old goofmobile

[Suzy-Homemaker]

All kinds of stuff has been happening. First I should tell you why I haven't posted (and probably won't for another week or so); I really am Suzy-Homemaker and this last week I pre-released my first set of children's clothing patterns and will launch them next week in Kansas City at the International Quilt Market. I know...who cares? But it's all a part of the big-picture dream and being published means I'm on my way.

Now onto the REALLY big news: Sugar got her heart transplant today!

Motor looks so pretty and shiney!
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/05/GEDC9261-1.jpg

Yes, I know she's missing a tooth...I have a braising kit to see if I can repair it myself.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/05/GEDC9263-1.jpg

Almost there...
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/05/GEDC9265-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/05/GEDC9266-1.jpg

YOWSA!
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/05/GEDC9268-1.jpg

Okay, well I should be fair and tell you that the engine is not exactly completely installed, it's sort of just resting on the motor mounts since there was some frustration in the install and we decided to walk away and do further adjustments tomorrow. I won't get to do the post-frustration adjustments because I'll be on a plane to Arizona where I will then depart from there on Monday in a Honda Pilot towing an 18 foot trailer to Kansas; not sure how that's gonna go but we'll make it work.
Okay, now I just have to share the pattern covers for my designs as a licensed pattern designer for BariJ and then I won't say another word about it :)
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/05/zophiadress-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/05/baileydress-1.jpg

I was just told I hijacked my own thread so I have to now post something else about the car to get it back. How about the fact that I was thrilled with my Mother's Day present of a socket set and work gloves from www.theoriginalpinkbox.com Not only do I love them but I love the play on words!

[Suzy-Homemaker]

Okay, now that I've returned from my Suzy-Homemaker duties we're back to working on the car. Now that the engine is in, all the details have to be buttoned up. One project was to rebuild the distributor. I took all sorts of great pictures of the process involved in removing the points and replacing with a Pertronix kit but honestly, it was so easy it's sort of rediculous to even tell you how to do it. the I bought the kit here: http://bit.ly/KJVOZP

The kit comes with a diagram and a small set of instructions that even a total novice can follow and be successful.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/05/IMG_8955-1.jpg


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[exwestracer]

Motor looks so pretty and shiney!
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/05/GEDC9261-1.jpg



What, no 2JZ Twin turbo swap????

[FRENCHBLUE72]

Nice details on the build I see you guys safety wired the bell housing bolts any reason for this or just did it because ya could?

[Suzy-Homemaker]

Nice details on the build I see you guys safety wired the bell housing bolts any reason for this or just did it because ya could?
Just because we could. And it looks cool.

[Suzy-Homemaker]

As if tracking down brake conversions, clutch components and other random weird parts wasn't difficult enough, I decided to start making some calls on the more obvious stuff: suspension bushings and the windsheild.
Well, bushings for the rear suspension will cost more than replacing the leaf springs with a triangulated four-link and the windsheild is going to run over $700 with the glass alone costing almost $600.

I think I will have to get away with the glass as it is for a short while.

I also found out that a clutch pilot bearing that I paid $12 bucks for (and double postage because they shipped me the wrong one the first time) has a wholesale price of .76 cents. SEVENTY SIX CENTS! Dear jerkface parts guy that just lost my business: I only shopped you because you're local but now that I know you're ripping me off more than you have to...I'll go elsewhere.
Anyone got a money tree? What the hell?
:pat:

[cliffs750]

Suzy
Seeing the engine Back in Sugar after all this years. Is Truly a dream come true. Puts some strange wettness in my eyes. Thanks for being so good to her.Are you going to make it to reno with her?

[SRD art]

Hey Suzy, I feel your pain. Although my car is no where as unique as yours I've run into the "it's a wagon" rare parts a coupla times. What a pain it can be. You prolly already have, but make sure you search forums related to your car. Make friends and you find doors open up all over the place, like someone has spare parts out in the garage they're willing to part with or someone knows of a reliable resource on where to get stuff. I also found rather than buying local, patience and searching/shopping on the internet I've saved a ton of $ on my build, something I've had to learn how to do out of necessity because the money tree seeds I planted a couple years still haven't sprouted yet. ;)

All in all, you're doing great work, keep on rockin' it!

[Suzy-Homemaker]

As hard as we're trying, I don't think we'll make it to Reno. Unfortunately, Uncle Sam took a little more from me in April than I had anticipated and progress has slowed a little on Sugar... :(



Suzy
Seeing the engine Back in Sugar after all this years. Is Truly a dream come true. Puts some strange wettness in my eyes. Thanks for being so good to her.Are you going to make it to reno with her?

[Suzy-Homemaker]

I hear ya, patience is definitely a requirement for working on these rare gems.
I have been very fortunate that at one point, there were a ton of Ramblers out there and for the most part, my car was in great shape.
Unfortunately, some things must be bought new or restored and as a result it makes it hard to spend almost as much on the windshield as I did on the car to buy it. If only I had a junkyard with a few Ramblers in it, I'd be happy scouring for parts all day - I'm good at that. Alas, Ramblers were sent to the wrecker, not the yard.



Hey Suzy, I feel your pain. Although my car is no where as unique as yours I've run into the "it's a wagon" rare parts a coupla times. What a pain it can be. You prolly already have, but make sure you search forums related to your car. Make friends and you find doors open up all over the place, like someone has spare parts out in the garage they're willing to part with or someone knows of a reliable resource on where to get stuff. I also found rather than buying local, patience and searching/shopping on the internet I've saved a ton of $ on my build, something I've had to learn how to do out of necessity because the money tree seeds I planted a couple years still haven't sprouted yet. ;)

All in all, you're doing great work, keep on rockin' it!

[Rod]

heres some of the small details going into Sugar, a Corvette dual bail master cylinder custom bent lines and wilwood prop valve, nothing is pre built for the car for a performance disc brake set up, so cut lines add ends and double flair then bend, and repeat

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[ryeguy2006a]

Very nice. I like that the car is mostly original.

[ent72olds]

Very cool! Would like to hear that old girl run......

[Suzy-Homemaker]

You and me both Erik...you and me both!


Very cool! Would like to hear that old girl run......

[Rod]

here's what it all looks like stock and original

rear leaf shackle and articulation spring

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another angle on this link and spring, with this design the car had 19 inches of articulation (if one side was on the ground the other side had to be lifted over 19 inches to get the wheel off the ground)

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here's the front leaf spring eyelet mount

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[Rod]

were modding every thing on the kit, here's the plan, Build 4 link, Build Watts Link, custom rear Sway Bar, first we'll build and assemble the setup then take it back out to send out for powdercoating and all the hardware plated, Build 4 link, Build Watts Link, custom rear Sway Bar

the rear perches are cut down to be welded to an axle plate

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and here how the front leaf spring mount is going to serve as the front lower locating bar support, the new parts slip into place with just a small tube shim

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[Rod]

1963 Rambler Disc Brakes? know how hard it is to find factory ones, the next best thing is a ScareBird brake bracket setup, a well made bracket with detailed parts list to run modern parts on a 50 year old car, front disc brakes made easy!

first strip the old off
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next add the sweet Scarebird bracket
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then is simply add the Ford ranger disc's, Chevy Cavalier Calipers, and Caddy hoses
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[linkstar69]

Nice brake conversion, good to see some pro-touring elements starting

[FRENCHBLUE72]

Nice to see ya back on her...

[5spd540]

Nice work I love the old amc wagons. I hope mine turns out that nice

[LSXZ28]

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/04/IMG_0035-1.jpg


POR-15 nail polish... you must love that stuff! Pretty cool wagon!

[Suzy-Homemaker]

Looks like the wagon on your profile is well on its way to being a fast cutie!

Nice work I love the old amc wagons. I hope mine turns out that nice

[5spd540]

Its a solid car but slow as a turtle but fun to drive with the 5spd in it

[Suzy-Homemaker]

Its a solid car but slow as a turtle but fun to drive with the 5spd in it

Who you callin' a turtle? ;)

[bosses son]

Who you callin' a turtle? ;)

pretty sure the turtle won the race.....

[Kcrain]

Has there been any new progress on this car? I love the odd ball cars.
I like what you are doing with this one.

[Suzy-Homemaker]

YES! Actually, after a brief hiatus, we're back to working on it. Some things have changed and I'm preparing pictures for a post this coming week. I think you'll be surprised at what we're doing now!

[SRD art]

V8 power? ;) Looking forward to seeing pics...

[goofybowler277]

Can't wait to see the pics

[Suzy-Homemaker]

Okay... I have pictures, but not on this computer so I'll try to sort through and get them posted tonight.
Over the last nine months or so, I have made several changes in the build -- doing exactly what I tell others not to do -- and basically delayed getting my little Sugar on the road/track. My Mister and I are well on the way to getting her rolling though, so I thought I'd share some of the build decisions/changes we've made. Keep in mind, that when we started this build, I wasn't racing (autocross) yet and I had a different idea of what I needed to race, than I do now. I am confident that before next season's racing, the beautiful flat head six cylinder that I had rebuilt/restored for a lot of $$ and the three-in-the-tree, will be replaced with an LS and 5-speed trans I just can't see going from the 6 liter LS in the Camaro to Sugar's 100 (or so) horsepower, regardless of the torque I might get from only three gears. (wishful thinking..)
Okay, back to the current build list:
1969 Camaro subframe -- This was for several reasons. Primarily because Mister was going to be changing out his suspension and this allowed all of his current equipment to easily transfer over to Sugar. Additionally, I could not find a disc brake conversion for the front wheels. As you may recall, I got a great set up for the rears from Scarebird but nothing for the fronts. Working from the base of a first-gen Camaro opened up all sorts of resources that would never be available for a '63 Rambler - as I'm sure you can imagine.
RideTech Triangulated Four-Link - Before the Camaro subframe we had found a RideTech solution for the rear to replace the leaf springs.
RideTech Coilovers -- All four corners
Hotchkis font sway bar and Helwig rear sway bar
Camaro stock modified drive shaft (first gen)
Chevy 8.5 ten bolt w/ posi
Custom Watts Link
Global West upper arms
DSE lower arms
RideTech TruTurn
Brakes: Camaro single piston w/ Wilwood proportioning valve front and Cadillac Disc Rears

Okay, that's the list. I have some cool pics of the rear coilover custom setup coming up through the storage hatch in the back of the wagon "for easy adjustments on the fly". Thanks for reading!

[snopro]

Great little car, I have a 64 330 american with the straight 6 on the tree, Its my daily driver in the summer for now until I finish my truck, then it will be next. I doubt you will regret going with the LS and 5 speed. mine takes miles to get up to speed and another few miles to slow down lol.
Good luck with the rest of the build ill be watching

[Suzy-Homemaker]

So we've subbed in the Camaro sub-frame in the rear and @Rod fabbed the shock mounts in the rear cargo hatch.
The car now sits so low the roof is almost to my 5'2" shoulder.
You can see from the pics what's been done...
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[Gandalf]

why cant floor plugs be automatic??
If you leave them in long enough, in the right kind of weather - they kinda are automatic ;-)

Great to see progress guys - can't wait to see this on the track!
2G.

[1360]

There is a 330 wagon @ the local Pull-a-Part...sweet little cars.

Looking good!

[Rod]

If you leave them in long enough, in the right kind of weather - they kinda are automatic ;-)

Great to see progress guys - can't wait to see this on the track!
2G.

those are self ejecting body plugs, ha ha ha ha they just drop out after years of use

[Suzy-Homemaker]

Sort of.
Tonight we pulled Sugar out of our high-tech garage-of-luxury to turn her around and I snapped a few pictures.
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[chaz75]

I like it.

[goofybowler277]

Looking good I like the stance.

[bosses son]

looking good guys!

[SRD art]

Looks great! When you mentioned the Camaro subframe my initial thought was it'll be too wide, but looks like it's about perfect. Not sure your plans but I can see that thing with fender flares like the early import guys use, you know Mr. Vengeance style, only maybe not so wide. That would look way bad.

You sure have changed the look of this thing, from wimpy to wicked! Keep it going!

[Rod]

Thanks to everyone for the thumbs up on Sugar


Looks great! When you mentioned the Camaro subframe my initial thought was it'll be too wide, but looks like it's about perfect. Not sure your plans but I can see that thing with fender flares like the early import guys use, you know Mr. Vengeance style, only maybe not so wide. That would look way bad.

You sure have changed the look of this thing, from wimpy to wicked! Keep it going!

funny you say that because, we did squeeze an 17x8inch wheel under the car all 4 corners, but we might be able to get a 17x9.5 or 10inch wheel under it with the right back space and a little flair, that's a whole LOTTA rim under a car designed for a 14x4 inch rim, its gonna ride like a go cart it has only a 101 inch wheel base

[SRD art]

Hard to tell from the pics but it looks like you have the same brand wheels I have. Mine are 17x9.5 all around with 5.5" bs, MB Old Schools from Discount tire. Is that what's on the Camaro too?

[Rod]

Hard to tell from the pics but it looks like you have the same brand wheels I have. Mine are 17x9.5 all around with 5.5" bs, MB Old Schools from Discount tire. Is that what's on the Camaro too?

my first ones were from Coys (now discontinued C-55) then they became MB olds schools, and I found now that Voxx imports them also in more sizes, yep 17x9.5 all around with 5.5" bs is the very same thing on the Camaro and they all came from the same factory because 2 of them are coys and 2 are Voxx and 2 spares from MB

[Suzy-Homemaker]

in order to get a Camaro frame into a 1963 unibody rambler

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/10/GEDC0971_zps648c3707-1.jpg

the outer frame skin and lower factory arm mount needed to be removed after careful measurements

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/10/GEDC1350_zpsfaf950ac-1.jpg

heres the aftermath and some rough cutting done with a plasma

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/10/GEDC1347_zps62ae5620-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/10/GEDC1346_zpsfaf18697-1.jpg

basic test fit and then its time to clean up the fit and all the edges of the cuts and slices

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/10/GEDC1363_zps4eee40e5-1.jpg

time to assemble the basic parts to get angles and clearances

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/10/GEDC1388_zps7b1bee77-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/10/GEDC1381_zps3373f96a-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/10/GEDC1371_zps756694be-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/10/GEDC1362_zps98ac498a-1.jpg

more later!!!

[Suzy-Homemaker]

OK, now that the basics are done and the frame is just tacked in, its time to add some coil-overs and see if the ride height is good. It was determined after trying to fit the coil-over into the frame, that the upper part of the frame had to be cut out.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/10/GEDC1423_zpsbabccc61-1.jpg

back to the plasma cutter

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/10/GEDC1430_zpscbf5db17-1.jpg

then fit the RideTech coil-over shock and Hyperco springs

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/10/GEDC1436_zpse473f947-1.jpg

Trial fitting the Hotchkis swaybar, fits like a glove right under the 1963 rambler motor as if it was made for the car!

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/10/GEDC1410_zpse2425dce-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/10/GEDC1409_zpscaf62bfd-1.jpg

After adding wheels and getting the car down on the ground... the ride height looks great!

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/10/GEDC1444_zpsfee939ab-1.jpg


Just for the fun of it can you guys name all the different companies' components on the front suspension? I've given you a few hints, but see if you can figure out the rest.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/10/GEDC1437_zpsb41b0780-1.jpg
I'll figure out something to send to the first person who gets every single brand shown - a vendor t-shirt or some kinda swag that I've got in my arsenal.
I need to confess (and give credit, where credit is due) that this work has not been done by me, my Mister Rod has been generous enough to spend long hours with the plasma cutter I gave him for his birthday to get this front end worked out. (Don't even tell me that you've never given your other half a gift that worked to your benefit...) I will be heading out to finish up electrical and some interior work this weekend.

[rjsjea]

Very cool build!! Makes me excited to get my 66 Classic Wagon finished.

The Camaro sub will be cool when it's all done

[Rod]

Just for the fun of it can you guys name all the different companies' components on the front suspension? I've given you a few hints, but see if you can figure out the rest.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/10/GEDC1437_zpsb41b0780-1.jpg
I'll figure out something to send to the first person who gets every single brand shown - a vendor t-shirt or some kinda swag that I've got in my arsenal.
I need to confess (and give credit, where credit is due) that this work has not been done by me, my Mister Rod has been generous enough to spend long hours with the plasma cutter I gave him for his birthday to get this front end worked out. (Don't even tell me that you've never given your other half a gift that worked to your benefit...) I will be heading out to finish up electrical and some interior work this weekend.

can I guess all the parts? hee hee thats cheating right

[Tomswheels]

Suzy and Rod it's looking great, can't wait to see this thing at Del Mar. I think the LS is a no-brainier, triple-digit horsepower is a win-win. The only thing Im bummed about is the choice of a Camaro front subframe, was a late sixties Barracuda torsion-bar setup not available? :dunno:

[MCMLXIX]

what ever happened to this? any progress?

[davidomilligan]

suzy whats the update on your beast?

[Ben@SpeedTech]

No Rod you can't guess! Nobody else has tried?

DSE lowers, Global West uppers, Hotchkis sway, Ridetech shocks with Hyperco springs, CPP spindles, C5 hubs, Coys/MB wheels, and Falken tires. There are too many options for tall ball joints and hard to compare different features so I'll just say they're one of the many options for tall ball joints available. Does that count? :) You mentioned Wilwood brakes earlier but they're not there so I won't say nuttin. ...and you need a Speedtech key chain. :)

That's some fancy Frankensteining you guys are doing. Can't wait to see video of this thing on the track! Just might whoop up on the Camaro!

[Peanut1959]

Any updates on this project? Inquiring minds want to know!

[Rod]

Any updates on this project? Inquiring minds want to know!

Updates!!!!

[Rod]

well the car is back on track !!

I scrapped the suspension almost completely (front and rear) and changed the four link design in the back closer to a computer model....built around the 100 inch wheel base car and the current akerman, and control arms anti-dive

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in the real world.....you can see the lower and upper arms now match the model exactly

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for the front suspension!! I kept the camaro sub frame but couldn't get the akerman correct for the wheel base, and couldn't get the desired camber curve with the cpp spindle even after adding a tall ball joint ..... so I switched spindles

standard steering arm, and a short z28 arm also tried the chevelle arm
custom billet steering arm reduced bump steer and correct akerman
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looks great on mock up and on the suspension cycle test
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[Peanut1959]

Great to see progress! Keep it coming.

[goofybowler277]

glad to see your back on it. love the progress. can't wait to see my old goofmobile finished.

[64G-lark]

Glad to see you back. Love the car.

[migg400]

"Sugar" looks like a really Awesome ride!! Great build.....

[Rod]

not much this weekend, I just test fitted Suzy's LS.....so next is some firewall reworking!



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[Suzy-Homemaker]

suspension is IN! .....next up FLARES! to hold 10inch wide rims, first a few glamour shots and then back to the garage, pull the engine and cut out the firewall to get the car balance better


https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/03/1507039_10208941505205313_11216760298839-1.jpg


spy the custom made Flares!!

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/03/with20flaresa_zpscry6j3ti-1.jpg

[Godbolt]

This is exceptionally cool. Awesome work.

[19,69camaro]

Those flares look really good!

[Tomswheels]

Sweeeeeeet

[Josh@Ridetech]

Looking good, Rodney!

[Suzy-Homemaker]

A quick overveiw video of my Baer Brakes!


https://youtu.be/O2tuh--TLmA

[Trackside-Suzy]

So, I know a couple of times I refer to caliper as rotor and vice-versa, sorry about that; I know the difference just not a pro at this video thing.

[Yelcamino]

Cool to see this project moving forward Suzy!

[KiwiStarChief]

Just a newbie on this forum, and have just read this whole thread. Awesome! I love these out of left field builds, especially something like this Rambler. Keep up the good work, and keep posting.

[Trackside-Suzy]

Thanks Russell!

[greg9705]

I just finished reading the whole thread.this car is awesome. Ramblers rock. I have a 65 rambler american 220 that i have been working on for the past few years. There is an all amc show that is called the kenosha homecoming that goes on in kenosha, wi. For the entire last week of july in 2017. It would be cool to see your car up here. This is the town where your car was built. It is a good time. Alot of things going on all week.

[Rod]

so we finished the car and had it a SEMA last week, it was a whirlwind of excitement about the car, it was selected for the Gran Turismo award as the best HOT ROD, we also received the Golden Ticket from Optima for the Optima Ultimate Street Car Invitational, and I was in the SEMA battle of the builders... and a ton of press, Car and Driver, Hoonigan, StreetMachine and others!

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96vqlNynzmI

suzy pulling out of SEMA
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[Larry Callahan]

Seriously well done! You guys did an awesome job and deserve all the coverage.

With that said here is a little more.

Way to go!

8RZdQjnRmsc

[Rod]

thanks for the Video Larry ...that's awesome!!

[goofybowler277]

Wow! It's hard to believe my old car went to Sema. Looks great I love that color and interior.

[David Pozzi]

Great interview Larry.

[Trackside-Suzy]

Thank you so much Larry!!!

[Trackside-Suzy]

Wow! It's hard to believe my old car went to Sema. Looks great I love that color and interior.

Can you believe how it looks now? I never imagined we would take the build this far but I am so thrilled with the results.

[68EFIvert]

This is such a fun looking car. I love the unique builds on here. I can't wait to finish my Volvo and hope it turn out as well as your car did. I will be a happy camper if it does. Congrats on all the attention. You guys deserve it!

[qnitro]

this is an awesome thread! way to go Rod...

[cornfedbill]

Good work!

[Rod]

the end of the year is almost here!! we finished up by draggin the "Flare Witch Project" to PRI in Indianapolis and it was in the Viking Performance booth to show of the latest upgrade to the Fully automated Viking Beserkers and that the Blue tooth enables remote tuning system

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[jaybee]

That is a truly awesome car. I absolutely love it.

[Rod]

That is a truly awesome car. I absolutely love it.

thanks, I hope it works as well as it does on paper! serious testing starts soon, after updating some of the prototype gear

[1360]

Cannot get enough of the wide stance & flares!!

[Rod]

well 2017 is over just a little last minute look back at the car's debut and I really cant wait till it finally turns some cones

Spectre made Hero cards for the The Flare Witch Project, listing all the vendors that helped, like Baer Brakes, Viking Performance, US Mags, BF Goodrich, TCI transmissions, UMI, Best of Show, PPG Paint

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and a few shirts floated around with Logo

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Suzy Had some friends stop by and let her know the car looked great at SEMA

Jesse James
147748


and then Magnus Walker came by and loved Suzy's car, but said he wanted to drive it and still wants to see her 944 project she told him was under the knife


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Mark Steilow had to see it also since we used a 5th Gen rear suspension

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quick interior shot actually hand sewn and assembled by Suzy

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all together

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car on the show floor

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and already it has show up in print and on several sites!!!


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till next time!! 2018 is going to be great

[64G-lark]

Couple of Pictures from PRI 2017. Great to meet you Suzy!

https://i.hmjimg.com/images/2018/02/16/D617CA2E-5383-4B9B-9310-56EA9B04C45E.jpg (https://www.hostmyjunk.com/image/Xmuki)

https://i.hmjimg.com/images/2018/02/16/720F702F-3D5C-4DBF-A08C-384C3217F0D2.jpg (https://www.hostmyjunk.com/image/Xmhwo)

[Trackside-Suzy]

Couple of Pictures from PRI 2017. Great to meet you Suzy!

https://i.hmjimg.com/images/2018/02/16/D617CA2E-5383-4B9B-9310-56EA9B04C45E.jpg (https://www.hostmyjunk.com/image/Xmuki)

https://i.hmjimg.com/images/2018/02/16/720F702F-3D5C-4DBF-A08C-384C3217F0D2.jpg (https://www.hostmyjunk.com/image/Xmhwo)

Thank you Mark for the great pictures! Awesome to meet you at PRI, hope to see you at some events this year.

[RMMiller]

What a beautiful, under appreciated body style, love what you have done with it!

[Trackside-Suzy]

Thanks RMMiller!

[Trackside-Suzy]

Okay, so another big thing happened with my car the "Flare Witch" project! But first, I really need to express some thanks - prepare yourself for a lengthy post. For those of you who are car friends, you probably have a good idea of what it took for Rodney to build this car for me. For those friends and family who love us despite the car, I need to express how monumental it is for someone to love you enough to spend countless hours (years) welding, wrenching, sweating, bleeding and wracking their brain for you. Rodney did all this and more. Meanwhile, he has literally taken a backseat for most of the publicity. While we did this together, Rodney deserves ALL of the credit. He talked me off of many cliffs, he convinced me to go bigger and better and he has been my biggest cheerleader throughout this whole process. I am so proud that his hard work on this weird car that I chose, is being recognized by major corporations as something worthy of attention. On top of the attention for how beautiful the car is, the car is performing AMAZING when being put to the test. The first shakedown at Goodguys resulted in even better performance than we hoped for. The second outing at very high-level racing event involving not only autocross but road racing (at a top-notch technical track), further proved that with every bug-fix the car just got better and better and again, placed much higher than expected. Now, when it comes to winning a beauty contest, we did well at SEMA with Sony and the Gran Turismo awards but were a little discouraged with our scores in a recent segment at a race event. I think my discouragement was really based upon knowing how many hours Jon Lindstrom put into the body and paint work. Jon is truly responsible for the attention this car is getting for its looks - paint is everything and he turned my race car into a bona fide show car. I love my car, I think it's one of the most beautiful race cars I've ever seen and I don't want the hard work of Rodney and Jon to be discounted, so I am ultra sensitive to criticism even though I wish I wasn't. Even so, I recognize that not everyone is going to like a Rambler wagon with 8.5" fender flares. Anyway, along this crazy ride I have signed up for a lot of awards and various ways to promote the car and my sponsors. This is all a part of paying back my sponsors for their faith in me and the car. Several weeks ago, a Porsche builder who I admire, named Magnus Walker, posted that Mattel would be setting out on the Hot Wheels Legends Tour this summer. Along this tour they would be searching for their next hot wheels car design by judging entrants -- but you had to apply and you had to get an invitation. I looked it up and gleefully discovered that the tour would hit Nashville. I didn't find out until Tuesday of last week that I got an invitation to attend with the car. When the judges came by, we told them our story and they were stunned at the level of technology in the car and for this I have to thank Baer Brakes you were the first to step up and believe in me; Viking Performance, Inc. for giving me the most technologically advanced shock solution available; U.S. MAG Wheels you didn't even know who I was but you stepped up at the last minute and took my word that I would PR the **** out of my little Rambler; No Limit Engineering Rob MacGregor your flares might be a hot wheels car!!!!! I cannot imagine a finer place for your fabrication genius @XPEL Xpel Technologies for protecting my beautiful PPG Refinish USA & Canada paint like I didn't know was possible. Meza Automotive Paint for believing me when I promised I would promote you all the way - a family owned business doing everything they can to serve and support their customers. BFGoodrich Tires for manufacturing the best tires on the market; TCI Automotive for giving me that extra second on track with a ratchet shifting four speed AutoX trans and shifter, that I am impressed with more and more with every drive. Thanks to Matt Alcala for opening the doors to Best of Show Coachworks and allowing Jon to paint, Jamie to sand and polish and Austin to clean more sticky junk off of aluminum than I care to think about; the mechanic Dean at Best of Show Coachworks is the best in the business and is probably the only person I would trust to take on the final portion of the post-paint rebuild from Rodney; his brake lines are a work of art. I do not know how to express my appreciation to my friends and family who likely thought Rodney and I were crazy (probably still do) but they stood by us all the way. Now, I have to go back out the the garage and make some adjustments as well as put more wrap on the car to keep the paint pretty for the big show in Vegas; I have four months to prepare for SEMA and to think about what the judges from Mattel will be looking for. Fingers crossed that the little-Rambler-that-can, might be immortalized as a Hot Wheels car!! (I still cannot believe this is happening)
Meanwhile, a lot of you have asked what exactly I have won at this point: A trip to SEMA in Las Vegas (the largest automotive trade show in the world) with my car being hauled out professionally and my expenses being paid to attend. Additionally, I will receive one of fifty prototype Hot Wheels cars being released at SEMA, for the 50th anniversary of the Hot Wheels brand. The car is encased in Lexan with my name engraved on it. This is a big deal, there were Hot Wheels fanatics dying to catch a glimpse of the car but Mattel was very secretive when showing it to me and I'm not allowed to say much about it until I get mine. Thank you everyone for your continued support and kind words, you all are so dear to me and Rodney and I cannot express this enough.
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[JayinMI]

This car is absolutely ridiculous, in the best way possible. Love it.

Jay

[wfo guy]

Congratulations. :)

[Rod]

This car is absolutely ridiculous, in the best way possible. Love it.

Jay

thanks

[goofybowler277]

Wow I am still amazed at what my old car has turned into. I hope to see you at one of the shows to see it in person. You really did a great job at transforming it into something amazing

[68EFIvert]

Such a cool story! Congrats and the well deserved attention.

[RobNoLimit]

This is so cool. But, IF you are selected (and I hope that you are) and they make a Hot Wheels of your car, (which I hope they do) There better be one, signed, in a picture box, with a picture of you and the car, signed, showin up on my doorstep one day. That's all I'm sayin. :)

[Trackside-Suzy]

This is so cool. But, IF you are selected (and I hope that you are) and they make a Hot Wheels of your car, (which I hope they do) There better be one, signed, in a picture box, with a picture of you and the car, signed, showin up on my doorstep one day. That's all I'm sayin. :)

There will be a case of swag for you Rob, it's your skill and genius that got me all of this attention!

[Trackside-Suzy]

One of the whirlwind things that happened when they chose my car for the Hot Wheels contest was a video crew that followed me home and set up shop in our driveway/garage for the remainder of the day. Here's what they created! I can't lie, I love it. We had a great time with the crew and they captured a unique part of our story that I am forever grateful to have on 'film'.


https://youtu.be/3lcOa_E4Igs

[Zspoiler]

Its nice to see a Rambling Rambler back on the road again. I bet some some people wonder what the car is.

[Trackside-Suzy]

Wow I am still amazed at what my old car has turned into. I hope to see you at one of the shows to see it in person. You really did a great job at transforming it into something amazing

I hope that you get to see it too! I always hoped that I would do the car justice after purchasing it from you.

[Trackside-Suzy]

Its nice to see a Rambling Rambler back on the road again. I bet some some people wonder what the car is.

Pretty much everyone asks that question first. It gets mistaken for a Studebaker, a Mini Cooper and a Volvo most often.

[Zspoiler]

Yes I could see that. I hate to date myself .But I grew up with those cars. And I would never suspect that someone would do that to those .but its a nice surprise.

[stappy]

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[stappy]

Sooooo, any updates from SEMA 2018 Suzy?
I will say I blame you for my latest purchase.159602