1961-1963 American

1961 American Two Door Wagon

1963 American Hardtop

General Information Body Styles And Trim Levels Engines Transmissions Production Numbers Serial Number Decoder Unit Body Identification Plate Bibliography

General Information

The "new" 1958 Rambler American was a little dated looking when it was introduced. It didn't quite look old fashioned, but it only had a couple of years in it. AMC officials knew this -- if it sold well they would have to revamp the car soon after.  There was to little time between the planned new models for 1963 and 1958 to build another new car, and the development cost would be to much. This meant that the American, in order to keep the sales momentum built from 1958-1960, would have to be restyled. There wasn't much money to restyle with -- most of the old car would have to be retained.

Ed Anderson, Chief of Styling, was given the job of making the American look new, but at the same time retaining all of the mechanical parts and inner body panels. It was to be a reskinning with only minor changes to inner panels. Anderson worked a miracle! He came up with a car that retained the same glass, mechanicals, and inner panels, yet looked like an entirely different car. All outer panels were changed except the side window frames. This retention was hardly noticeable due to the new squared off roof panel.

The only inner panel that was significantly changed was the firewall. This was necessary to improve the heater and get rid of the old fashioned floor mounted brake master cylinder. The inner fender panels, with their intruding hump in the center, were virtually unchanged since the 100" wheelbase car was introduced in 1950. The humps were originally required for the upper shock absorber mount, something that was redesigned as far back as 1954. They serve no other purpose -- the outer fender well panel was changed around 1954, eliminating the hump.

The interior of the 1961-63 American also received some attention. The dash panel was redesigned and carried the same instrument cluster as the big cars. This gave it a much more modern look and saved on cost as well. The rest of the interior was pretty much carried over from the 1960 model, but the new dash makes it hardly noticeable.

Mechanically (engine, transmission, suspension, rear axle, etc.), the 1961-63 models are identical to the 1958-1960 American. The lone exceptions are the instruments (sending units and operation are the same), brake master cylinder, and heating and air conditioning systems. This makes finding parts very easy!

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Body Styles And Trim Levels

The American line-up was increased to five body styles in 1961-63 in three basic trim levels. A sixth body style, a two door hardtop, was added in 1963. The trim designations changed every year during this transition period for AMC. Some models have more than three trim levels, some less. Levels are listed from lowest to highest.  Body styles and trim levels can be determined from the model number on the Unit Body Identification Plate . The body styles and trim levels are:

• 2 door sedan in Deluxe Business (stripped model, fleet sales only), Deluxe, Super, and Custom trim (1961)
• 2 door sedan in Deluxe Business (stripped model, fleet sales only), Deluxe, Custom, and Custom 400* trim (1962)
• 2 door sedan in 220 Business (stripped model, fleet sales only), 220, 330, and 440 trim (1963)
• 2 door station wagon in Deluxe, Super, and Custom trim (1961)
• 2 door station wagon in Deluxe and Custom trim (1962)
• 2 door station wagon in 220 and 330 trim (1963)
• 4 door station wagon in Deluxe, Super, and Custom trim (1961)
• 4 door station wagon in Deluxe, Custom, and Custom 400* trim (1962)
• 4 door station wagon in 220, 330, and 440 trim (1963)
  
• 4 door sedan in Deluxe, Super, and Custom trim (1961)
• 4 door sedan in Deluxe, Custom, and Custom 400* trim (1962)
• 4 door sedan in 220, 330, and 440 trim (1963)
• 2 door convertible in Custom trim in 1961 , Custom 400 in 1962, and 440 in 1963
• 2 door hardtop in 440 and 440H** trim in 1963

*Custom 400 models all had bucket seats and consoles. Console mounted shifters (manual or automatic transmission) were optional.
** 440H models were similar to the 1962 Custom 400 described above. They had unique large armrests in the back seat and used the convertible bottom seat cushion with a unique back cushion, making it a four passenger vehicle. Normal seating for the 1958-63 American was considered three passengers in the front seat and two in the narrower back seat.

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Engines

The following engines were available:

• 196 cid L-head inline six, 1bbl (90 hp)
• 196 cid OHV inline six, 1bbl (125 hp, standard 1961 Custom, 400, 440; optional all others)
• 196 cid OHV inline six, 2 bbl (138 hp, 1963 only; standard 440H, optional all others) 

There is a machined pad on the left (driver's) side of the engine near the front and just below the block/head division. This pad contains the Engine Day Build Code.

Beginning in late 1959 the six character Engine Day Build Code was adopted. The first digit indicates the calendar year the engine was built. 1959 = 1, 60 = 2, 61 = 3, etc. Numbers repeated, but no zero was used (1967 =9, 1968 =1; due to a change in the numbering system, 1980 and later uses the last digit of the year (1980 = 0, 1981=1 etc.) . The next two numbers will be the month the engine was made in. A letter code will tell engine size and compression.  A is 195.6 L-head w/1bbl, C is 195.6 cast iron OHV w/1bbl (there was an aluminum version of the 195.6 OHV, but it wasn't available in the American -- only 1 bbl versions used). It is possible that the engine has been replaced with a newer or older engine. 195.6 cid six cylinder engines made between 1956 and 1965 are direct bolt-in swaps and are externally identical, though water pump design varies slightly on the 56-57 OHV engines. 

Note: Engine dates are calendar dates and not model year dates. Since model year production actually starts in the previous calendar year, it is possible to have, for example, an engine coded 1958 in a 1959 vehicle and be correct but an engine coded 1960 would not be correct for the same car since no 1960's were manufactured in calendar year 1958.

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Transmissions

The following Borg Warner transmissions were used in 1961-63 Rambler Americans. There is no marking anywhere on the car that will determine transmission type. 

• T-96 three speed manual, available with an optional overdrive (OD) unit, 1961-63.
• Borg Warner "Flash-O-Matic" three speed automatic (air cooled torque converter, cast iron case, vacuum modulator -- predecessor to model 35) used only in 1961. 
• Borg Warner Model 35 (T-35 on transmission ID tag) "Flash-O-Matic" three speed automatic (air cooled torque converter, aluminum case, throttle valve cable instead of vacuum modulator) used in 1962-63.
• "Twin-Stick" T-96 three speed manual with overdrive. Transmission used different internal gear ratios than the normal T-96/OD. Shift mechanism was wired to provide five forward gears (along with different ratios) -- 1st, 2nd, 2nd+OD, 3rd, 3rd+OD. Normal three speed with OD could not be shifted in this manner -- standard gearing would provide little difference between 2nd+OD and 3rd gears. Available only with OHV engines, only in 1963.
• "E-Stick" T-96 three speed (with or without OD) and automatic clutch. The E-Stick unit was the automatic clutch. This relied on a rather complicated mechanical and vacuum control system to automatically engage and disengage the clutch. It was meant to provide the ease of driving an automatic transmission car with close to the same economy as a stick shift. In practice, the clutch didn't last as long as with a standard stick shift, especially in city driving. Engine oil pressure was used to operate a servo that worked the clutch backs wards -- the more pressure on the clutch arm the harder the clutch was engaged instead of disengaged. As engine rpm went up, so did oil pressure, which meant a tighter clutch. It was only used in 1962 and 1963.
  

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  Production Numbers

Columns with no number indicate that the body and trim style were not offered for that year.

Dates of model introductions:

1961 - October 5, 1960 (Custom 400 late April 1961 -- only produced three months)
1962 - October 6, 1961
1930 - October 5, 1962

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Serial Numbers

Serial Numbers

Before January 1966, all cars had a manufacturers assigned serial number, not a VIN, which was mandated by the U.S. government for all cars built from 1966 on. The serial number is on a tag located on the top of the right side shock tower in the engine compartment.  The serial number gives no information except year and model series. Technically, any changes can be made to the car that were available from the factory and it will be "correct". Serial numbers were assigned to the car when it was ordered from the factory. Numbers with a single letter are assigned to cars made in Kenosha, WI. If the first letter is followed by a "K" the car was built at Kenosha as a "knock-down" kit intended for final assembly in another country. These kits usually lacked tires, belts, batteries, and sometimes interior upholstery. Those items were supplied from local sources at the assembly point. If the first letter is followed by a "T" the car was built in the Brampton, Ontario, Canada plant. The first serial numbers used for that year are listed.

• 1961 B221001, BK10701
• 1962 B375001, BK13001, BT100201
• 1963 B515001, BK15001, BT110001

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Unit Body identification Plate

The Unit Body Identification Plate for a 1961-63 Rambler American can be located on the latch edge of the driver's door. It can be decoded as follows:

Body

This is the number assigned to the body as it was being produced. It is different than the serial number. Bodies were produced in batches, so the numbers aren't consecutive to each series. 

Model

This identifies the body and trim styles. The first two digits are the year, the last two or three identify the series, body style, and trim level. Blanks indicate that the body and trim style was not available for the year in question.

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Trim

 In 1960 a four character code that may be prefixed by a "T" was adopted. The first character is the last digit of the model year. The second character represents the seat type 1960-63, the model (first digit of series) from 1964 on. The third is the upholstery and trim color, and the fourth is the upholstery material for 60-63 and seat type for 1964 on. Special order interiors were available for large orders (usually fleet vehicles) and will have a code of "00". 

1961-63 seat types are as follows:

• 0 - Standard Bench, Deluxe, 220, and Business
• 1 - Standard Bench, Super, Custom, and 330
• 2 - Standard Bench, 400, and 440
• 3 - Reclining Bucket, Pleated Vinyl, Convertible only
• 4 - Reclining Bucket, Custom 400, 400, 440, 440H
  

1961-63 colors are as follows:

• 2 - Silver
• 3 - Blue
• 4 - Green (Aqua, 1963)
• 5 - Red
• 6 - Copper (1963: Ivory for 220/330, Gold for 440/440H)
• 7 - Maroon
  
• 8 - Aqua (61-62)
• 9 - Gold (61-62)

1961-63 material types are as follows:

• C - cloth inserts, vinyl trim
• V - all vinyl (porous vinyl, 61-62)
• P - porous vinyl (1963 only)
  

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Paint

The following colors were available in 1961-1963. The original color can be determined by looking at the Paint code on the Unit Body Identification Plate. If there are two codes separated by a dash, the first code is the primary body color and the second code is the upper body (sometimes roof) or accent color. For example, a car that was black with a white top would have a paint code of 1-72. Paint codes may also be prefixed with a P or suffixed with an A. Note that some cars were painted non-standard colors. These cars will typically have a code such as " 00" or "SPEC". This was reserved for large orders in the special color, usually for fleet use. 

Instrument panels were painted body color (primary body color if two tone). Remaining interior moulding and trim was painted one of the following colors to harmonize with trim (seat) color. Interior colors were usually semi-gloss to reduce glare.

• R-154 Ravine Medium Gray Metallic (1961)
• R-155 Fairbanks Dark Blue Metallic  (1961)
• R-156 Delmar Dark Green Metallic (1961)
• R-157 Whirlwind Dark Tan Metallic (1961)
• R-210 Inca Silver Metallic (1962) - used with all colors except blue, green, aqua, and gold trims.
• R-213 Aqua Mist Metallic (1962) - used with all aqua trims.
• R-214 Corsican Gold Metallic (1962) - used with all gold trims.
• R-215 Elmhurst Medium Green Metallic (1962) - used with all green trims.
• R-217 Algiers Medium Rose Copper (1962) - used with copper trims.
• R-260 Cape Cod Blue Metallic (1963)
• R-261 Aegean Aqua Metallic (1963)
• R-262 Briarcliff Red (1963)
• R-263 Concord Maroon Metallic (1963)
  
• R-278 Black (1963)
• R-352 Corsican Gold Metallic (1963)
  

Color samples can be viewed at  http://autocolorlibrary.com/aclns.html

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Bibliography

The following sources were used to verify the information contained on this page:

• AMC Rambler Club 1958-1969 Production Handbook
• Standard Catalog of American Motors, ISBN 0-87341-232-X, Krause Publications
• American Motors, The Last Independent; Patrick Foster, ISBN 0-87341-240-0
• Encyclopedia of American Cars, 1940-1970; Richard M. Langworth, ISBN 0-517-294648
  
• 1961-62 American Motors Technical Service Manual
• The Compact Chronicles, copyright 1992, Frank Swygert
• DuPont Automotive Finishes book (1959-71)
  

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