Rambler is an automobile brand name that was first used by the Thomas B. Jeffery Company between 1900 and 1914.

Charles W. Nash bought Jeffery in 1916, and Nash Motors reintroduced the name to the automobile marketplace from 1950 through 1954. The "Rambler" trademark registration for use on automobiles and parts was issued on 9 March 1954 for Nash-Kelvinator.

Nash merged with the Hudson Motor Car Company to form American Motors Corporation (AMC) in 1954. The Rambler line of cars continued through the 1969 model year in the United States and 1983 in international markets.

Rambler cars were often nicknamed the "Kenosha Cadillac" after the original location and their most significant place of manufacture in the city of Kenosha, Wisconsin. Cadillac is an unrelated luxury car brand, but Nash and Rambler cars became known for quality construction and numerous features, leading some to the label as a affordable higher level car made in Kenosha.

Rambler 1897–1914

thumb|Rambler Model L (1904)

thumb|Rambler Model forty-four (1909)

thumb|Rambler Model 55 Limousine (1910)

thumb|Rambler Model 55 Touring (1910) Wheel-Base 123 inches

thumb|Rambler Model 54 Touring (1910) Wheel-Base 117 inches

thumb|Rambler Model 54 Close Coupled (1910)

thumb|Rambler Model 53 (1910)

The first use of the name Rambler for an American-made automobile dates to 1897 when Thomas B. Jeffery of Chicago, Illinois, builder of the Rambler bicycle, constructed his prototype automobile.

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| 1951 || align="right"|59,702

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| 1952 || align="right"|53,000

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| 1953 || align="right"|41,825

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| 1954 || align="right"|37,779

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| 1955 || align="right"|83,852

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| 1956 || align="right"|79,162

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| 1957 || align="right"|109,178

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| 1958 || align="right"|217,332

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| 1959 || align="right"|401,422

|}

<gallery widths="220" heights="180">

File:1901 Rambler A -Charles T. Jeffery.jpg|Thomas Jeffery in his prototype Rambler motor vehicle 1901

File:Rambler, BS 8143, London to Brighton Veteran Car Run 2010, 1903 6.5 HP Runabout.jpg|Rambler 6 1/2HP Runabout 1903

File:Rambler, BS 8435, London to Brighton Veteran Car Run 2010, 1904 7HP Rear-Entrance Tonneau.jpg|Rambler 7HP Rear-entrance tonneau 1904

File:1909 Rambler.jpg|A 1909 Rambler

File:1913 Rambler 5-passenger Touring.JPG|1913 Rambler five-passenger touring car

File:1913RamblerTruck.jpg|1913 Rambler truck on display at the Iowa 80 Trucking Museum, Walcott, Iowa.

</gallery>

Rambler 1950–1957

Under the direction of Charles Nash's successor, George W. Mason, Nash-Kelvinator Corporation began the development of a small car that could be produced inexpensively for the post-World War II economy. Both General Motors and Ford had plans to develop smaller-sized cars after the war, but did not realize them. Moreover, steel shortages following the war limited the amount of raw materials that Nash could obtain. Hence, Mason ordered the development of a "compact car" that would have greater appeal to consumers, because the Crosley in production at that time was considered too small to be practical. The new Nash compact featured a unique convertible design. It included many standard features that were typically options on other cars. This approach maximized profits for the company. Nash-Kelvinator trademarked Rambler in 1950, the same nameplate as was used by its predecessor company in the early 1900s.

When introduced, the Rambler was an immediate success for Nash. As the steel quotas related to the Korean War eased, the Rambler line was broadened in its model types, first a station wagon and two-door hardtop (no B-pillar) named "Country Club", and later a two-door sedan. A further expansion of the line for 1954 included a four-door sedan and station wagon called "Cross Country" on a stretched wheelbase, which proved to be as successful as the first generation of two-door sedan convertibles. The Rambler became the most successful of the early post-Second World War American compacts compared to the Henry J (and rebadged Allstate version), Willys Aero, and Hudson Jet. Ramblers continued to use this styling until 1955 when the front wheels were revealed by a periodic design update.

In 1954 the Rambler offered the first combination heating and air conditioning unit available on American cars. The unit could be an add-on or could be installed at the factory for $395, which at that time was about the lowest-cost unit available in an American car.

In 1954, American Motors Corporation (AMC) was formed from the merger of Nash-Kelvinator and the Hudson Motor Car Company. Following the merger, 1955 and 1956 Ramblers were badged as both Nashes and Hudsons, with no visible differences. Rambler became a marque in its own right for the 1958 model year. The Nash and Hudson makes continued as a "senior" model only through 1957, after which all AMC's offerings were marketed as Ramblers, except the imported 1958–1962 Metropolitan.

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File:Nash Rambler (4252280021).jpg|1951 Nash Rambler Custom two-door sedan

File:1952 Nash Rambler blue wagon front.jpg|1952 Nash Rambler wagon

File:1954 Nash Rambler Custom Country Club at 2015 AACA Eastern Regional Fall Meet 3of9.jpg|1954 Nash Rambler Custom Country Club

File:Flickr - DVS1mn - 55 Rambler Country Club (3).jpg|1955 Rambler Country Club

File:1956 Nash Rambler (11398983695).jpg|1956 Nash Rambler 4-Door Sedan

File:1957 Rambler Custom Cross-Country wagon AnnMD-a.jpg|1957 Rambler Custom Cross-Country wagon

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Rambler 1958–1969

thumb|upright|Rambler logo, 1960s

With the elimination of the Nash and Hudson marque, Rambler became the primary AMC make for 1958. At the start of the 1960s, George Romney made a marketing decision that more fully unified the Rambler model names under the Rambler brand. In 1962, the Ambassador, a top-trim level model, was officially brought under the Rambler name (it had previously been named the "Ambassador by Rambler"). The former Rambler Six and Rambler Rebel V8 were renamed the Rambler Classic. While the top-line models for 1958-1961 were advertised as the "Ambassador V-8 by Rambler", but on the cars themselves, the badging was "Rambler Ambassador".

In 1958, AMC re-introduced America's first successful compact car, the Rambler American, after a three-year hiatus. This car was essentially the no-frills, economical 1950 Nash Rambler, but slightly restyled and modernized with a new grille and full cut-out wheel openings.

In 1963, the entire Rambler line received the Motor Trend Car of the Year award. However, Romney's departure to become Michigan governor opened the door for his successor, Roy Abernethy, to redirect the company towards a strategy of competing head-to-head with the Big Three (General Motors, Chrysler Corporation, and Ford Motor Company) with a variety of bodies and automobile platforms. This new plan also included marketing the various models apart from the Rambler brand name, which Abernethy thought would be a hindrance in the market segments he hoped to pursue.

One of the first moves in that direction was the development of the 1965 line of Ramblers, which visually split the Classic from the Ambassador while still sharing many parts. Once again, the Ambassador had a unique, extended wheelbase. In addition, AMC introduced the Marlin, a hardtop fastback intended to enter AMC in the youth and personal luxury market segments as well as also positioning it as a "halo" vehicle. While AMC planned to produce only 500 for the 1969 model year, the "Scrambler" proved popular so two more groups of about 500 each were built. All featured the same V8, four-barrel carburetor, and close-ratio four-speed transmission of the AMX, plus Hurst shifter, Twin-Grip (limited slip) differential, and cold air hood.

  • Rambler Hornet
  • Australia 1970–1975
  • Costa Rica 1970-1975 (as "Rambler SST" and "Rambler Unisex")
  • Mexico 1970-1977 (as "VAM American" and "Rambler American")
  • South Africa 1970-1971
  • Venezuela 1970-1977
  • Rambler Javelin
  • Australia 1968–1973
  • Belgium 1967 (as "Renault Rambler")
  • Costa Rica 1967-1970
  • Mexico 1967-1970 (as "Rambler Classic")
  • New Zealand 1967-1971
  • United Kingdom 1967-1970

International production

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File:Rambler Classic IKA.JPG|Rambler Classic made by IKA, Argentina

File:1964 Rambler Classic 660 (27414915636).jpg|1964 Rambler Classic 660 built by Campbell Motor Industries, New Zealand

File:Cancerdaytehran.jpg|The Sherkate Sahami Jeep company built the 1966 Rambler American from 1967 until 1974 in Iran

File:Rambler av.jpg|1967 Renault Rambler sedan, built by Renault, Belgium

File:1971 Rambler Regal (21213649360).jpg|New Zealand-assembled 1970 Rambler Rebel

File:1974 Rambler Matador Sedan (9347190925).jpg|1976 Australian-assembled Rambler Matador (U.S 1974 model)

File:1975 Rambler Hornet Sedan (45676182011).jpg|1975 Rambler Hornet built by Australian Motor Industries, Australia

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Companies that undertook the production of Rambler vehicles outside of the United States either by local assembly or full import included the following:

North America

  • Vehículos Automotores Mexicanos (Mexico): 1963–1983
  • Purdy Motor (Costa Rica): 1964-1973
  • Motorizada de Costa Rica (Costa Rica): 1974-1978
  • Nassau Motors (Bahamas): 196?-197?

Australasia

  • Australian Motor Industries (Australia): 1960–1977
  • VW Motors Ltd (New Zealand): 1958-1962
  • Campbell Motor Industries (New Zealand): 1964–1971
  • Luzon Machineries Limited (Philippines): 196?-1970

Europe

  • Renault (France/Belgium): 1962-1967
  • Jacques Poch (France): 1970s
  • Jean-Charles (France): 1970s
  • Nash Concessionaires Ltd (United Kingdom): 19??-1960
  • Petrol Motor Power Co. (United Kingdom): 1902-1912
  • Rambler Motors (A.M.C) Limited (United Kingdom): 1961-1977
  • Peter Lindner GmbH (Germany) 1969-1977
  • Wilhelm Karmann GmbH (Germany): 1968-1970
  • Kolberg & Caspary AS (Norway): 1958-19??

South America

  • Automovil de Francia (Venezuela): 1963-1968
  • Constructora Venezolana de Vehículos (Venezuela): 1968–1977
  • Industrias Kaiser Argentina (Argentina): 1962–1972
  • Juan Carlos Lutteral (Argentina) 1979-198?
  • Indauto (Chile): 1964-1967
  • Automotores Franco Chilena (Chile) 1967-19??
  • Rambler del Peru S.A (Peru): 1963-1966
  • Industria Automotriz Peruana S.A (Peru): 1966-1970

Africa

  • National Motor Assemblers (South Africa): 1964-1967
  • Rosslyn Motor Assemblers (South Africa): 1968
  • Motor Assemblies Limited (South Africa): 1969-1970

Middle East

  • Pars Khodro (Iran): 1967-1974

Trademark

American Motors stopped producing cars using the Rambler trademark in 1970. In 1973, Action Age Incorporated wanted to register "Scrambler" for an off-highway vehicle and, in a case before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, contended that the trademark Rambler had been abandoned. This registration was opposed by AMC and the court determined that even though the manufacturing of Ramblers ended, the trademark was not abandoned because AMC continued to have commercial activities such as parts with the Rambler name on the boxes as well as franchising dealers that retained Rambler in their name or marketed used cars under the Rambler trademark.

The Rambler trademark registration expired on 12 December 1994, because Chrysler (the company that acquired AMC in 1987) did not file an affidavit of continued use.

References

  • AMC Rambler Club encourages and promotes the preservation, restoration, and collection of automobiles produced by American Motors Corporation as well as collecting information and printed matter relating to these cars
  • Rambler History on amcrc.com
  • Ramblers at ConceptCarz