Jalopnik
You know what we've always liked about the Rambler Classic? The fact that after all this time the Rambler Classic is actually sort of a classic. Who doesn't remember the Rambler? It's the freaking Rambler. And though the Classic isn't as classic looking as, say, a Rambler Six, it is nevertheless a classic and not just in the way that almost any car from the 1960's is a classic. If we had the option we'd grab a Cross Country wagon, but you probably already knew that about us.
Today's discussion centered on what, from the 2000's, could be considered an instant classic car. There were lots of great answers and, in the end, one in particular that was long. Quite long. But DSLPWR nevertheless stuck the landing:
Rarity, beauty, technological significance, cultural impact, originality and performance are some of the factors.We mostly agree, but one question: This isn't the "fat list"?I had a whole fat list. And lost it. Damn.
Rarity: Aston Martin AR1, Lamborghini Reventon, Ferrari FXX, some species of Veyron.
Beauty: Alfa Romeo, Bentley, Aston Martin, Bugatti, Rolls Royce, a few others.
Technological significance: Porsche GT3, Prius/Tesla, R8 TDI, couple others.
Cultural impact: any car which most notably ushered in the second compact car generation or alternative fuel, be it the New Mini, Smart, Scion Xb, Prius, Insight, a TDI model, etc.
Originality: Atom, Can-Am Spider, The Batmobile, Tesla (Elise came out in '96, sorry), perhaps a couple others.
Performance: Veyron, Porsche, Ferrari, Corvette, others which distinguish themselves above and byond mere horspower. The Corvette gets nods for its sheer performance:price ratio, but even that quality is fading as prices rise like the 911 gains fat. Speaking of which, who's willing to go on a limb and say the Cayman is an instant classic? Not I. It'll get noted, but classic? Meh.Call me heretic on two counts, but I believe Baby Boomer muscle car styling revival doesn't hold as "instant classic" nor as future classic, be it the Mustang, GT40, Camaro, or other 60's resuscitation. I also believe that the STI's and Evo's won't make it, either. They lack sufficient depth in various qualities to warrant "instant classic." Instant, yes. Classic? No. The few that survive intact and unmolested with reasonable miles will retain value for those reasons, but not for deeply intrinsic qualities. After all, how many A1 GTI's remain and why should we believe current STI's and Evo's have more "classic" potential now than the GTI did then? That said, I love 'em all to death and look forward to owning a used one later on.
[Photo: Station Wagon]
Comments
So, what you're telling the class is the Rambler Classic could be classified as a classic, but not in the classically classic sense, right?
Well, it WAS called the Classic, so apparently the marketers were pretty ahead of their time. Maybe.
Kind of like the Chevy Classic, right?
Gets and A+ for thoroughness but I think "Instant Classic" is an emotional and not a cerebral thing. People knew 1st year Vettes and T-birds were classics the minute they laid eyes on them--or heard them--and it had nothing to do with the brain.
It just may be that nothing recent will have the same kickass quality--nothing that's not high triple digits in cost.
All that Rambler needs is some Classic car wax and it would be a classic Classic coated in Classic.
@Uncle_Bo is El Commentamino: That right there is classic Jalopnik.
I liked the American better than the Classic.
@bzr - Pinko Commie Bastard Edition: The Chevy Classic cracks me up. I wish I had an alter ego called "Nick 1998."
@Uncle_Bo is El Commentamino: "All that Rambler needs is some Classic car wax and it would be a classic Classic coated in Classic..."
Had it been equipped with cup holders back in the day, one could have popped in a can of Coca-Cola Classic, and had a classic Classic containing a Classic coated in Classic... Anyone dizzy yet...?
i first saw one in a junkyard. it had been hit real hard in the driver's front corner, but was otherwise immaculate. i couldn't figure out what it was. then i saw the badges: "rambler classic".
kind of a presumptuous name for any car, but this one lived up to it. Just gorgeous.
@charles_barrett:
Beyond dizzy. Somebody get me a drink!
@DoctorNine: Me too, it's the car from 3rd Rock From The Sun!
Some long-winded, interesting thoughts from a guy who couldn't take the time to put some vowels in his screen name.
CNGRTS DSLPWR FRM PLЯ!
I love those Kenosha wagons...nearly bought one (replete with 1980's style caddy rear tailights- forehadowing!) except the g/f really wanted a finny wagon...hence, we "settled" on a '60 Dart wagon.
Also, the AMC's were/are hard to find with a V-8, which I wanted for camper-towing duty.
@Gram's Caddy: Well, I think they are saying it's a "classic Rambler" (Like "Coke Classic" = a type of Coke) not a classic like--Mona Lisa or the Parthenon or something.
@bzr - Pinko Commie Bastard Edition: I doubt the history books will be so kind to that, or the Nissan Sentra Classic,
But the Rambler Classic is right up there with Button Classic.
@JUST POLAЯ: Tr dt. Tr dt.
I'm so glad I didn't have the '66 wagon for more than a couple of months, back in 1986.
It was this, or walking 40 miles to college, thanks to a near-fatal wreck which totaled my freshly mechanically-restored '67 Dodge A-100 window van.
Had three full days on a new transmission...damnit. It was so nice to have functional syncronizers.
Paid $250...not a dent on it, working A/C...complete heap-o-shit. Gave it to a family memeber who packed it to near black hole density and took it from Dallas to NYC. There is likely someone calling it home in Flushing.
JoHan made a nice 1:25 scale promo model of this car for the '65 and I think '66 model years. Delicate chromed roof rack included too and careful two tone paint applicaton.
1972ranchero500
My Uncle Vinny had one, black with a white roof. Used to ride on the dropped down tailgate.
My daily driver is a 1963 rambler classic cross country, just like the one above except blue with white top. V8, 4 ashtrays, no seat belts.
ill have to send in some pictures, its a true DOTS road warrior thats clean for being all original
Does this mean that the Brilliance will someday be brilliant?
@Peteski: Your aunt Mona Lisa is a total, unmitigated, hyperbabe.
Figures. This may be the only time I have the opportunity to share photos of my '64 Rambler Classic... and they're on my crashed fileserver. Stupid ten-year-old PowerMac.
Well... just imagine I posted them. And ooh and ahh appropriately. kthxbye.
Somehow, Pussy Magnet yellow doesn't work on a Rambler station wagon. Who'da thunk it?
@JUST POLAЯ: Thnks. I lv cyrllc lttrs, 2.
The "fat list" really meant "comprehensive list." Yeah, brevity is a weak point; lots of cars to talk about...
DSLPWR = former 1987 300SDL license plate. Instant classic. :)
@DSLPWR: "DSLPWR = former 1987 300SDL license plate. Instant classic. :)"
Oh. I thought you were bragging about having second-rate internet access.
:p
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