1962 AMC American 400

Automatic

I own three of these convertibles. Don't need to sell one. Problem is, oh no, I found one more! This causes marital strife And,...furthermore....I still own two more cars, that's five total. Not bad, considering at one time I had 13 in various states of, well you know! I am getting older and spend less time playing car than I used to, so,.... this one is the sacraficial lamb. History: Nice car, originally out of the Atlanta, Ga. area. had an Air Force base sticker on it. Have owned about 6 years. Car was structurally sound. Missing ALL of the interior, broken windshield, no top, some of the top bows needed replaced, no top motor, some dents, brakes not working, bad muffler and exhaust, had not run in awhile, etc. Usual story of a neglected car. Still no rust and....it was a convertible !!!! My downfall,...I love drop-tops. Purchase price and shipping to California - about $2500 Car sat idle for two more years while other projects were accomplished. Decided to make it a drivable work-in-progress. Whats been done: Engine, Transmission, Drive train>>>; Head replaced due to cracks in existing one. New valves installed. Leaking trans seals replaced. Driveshaft removed, new (greasable) U-joints installed, shaft balanced. Installed new motor mounts, new transmission mounts. Rebulit water pump, generator, starter, battery (and replaced voltage regulator). Installed (pertronix) electronic ignition (no more points to change). In the last 3 months rebuilt fuel pump and carburetor. Has the correct vintage Holley one-barrel. And of course the essential oil and transmission changes. These systems were power flushed out until clean. New spark plugs and wires. did NOT overhaul the lower end (short block) as the car runs very well and did not need it. Chose to work other areas that needed attention so that the car could be used and worked on at the same time. Interior and exterior>>>; Located correct front seats. Seat frames sand-blasted, painted and recovered. Built/ repaired entire top mechanism and frames that hold convertible top to body. Installed new top and rear window at time of seat upholstery. Had door panels made also about 3 years ago. Replaced Windshield with the correct Solex glass. Did not replace windshield gasket. Replaced convertible top rail rubber (new reproduction) Located and rebuilt converible top motor and top cylinders. Top now operates as it should. New back-up lenses were found and installed to replace worn, cracked ones, and yes they do work when car is in reverse. Entire exterior body sanded and painted well enough to look nice until a final color paint choice. Car was all black when I got it, looked like original paint. Some minor body work was started. Some yet to be done, a dent in fender corner (gas tank fill hole side), area above center rear bumper, and some minor finish work to right-side fender area near headlight. There is also some minor pin-hole rust on outer bottom edge door skins. All of these areas are difficult to see, but will need attention to be perfect. As I stated, I performed the most-needed areas of repair to all places of the car that demanded attention and still could be driven as daily as possible. Suspension/brakes/front-end>>>; After getting the car to run respectably and look better, the next most glaring area of neglect and disrepair was tackled. Wheel cylnders were rebuilt and new brakes installed. Rear shocks with heavier duty outer coils gave the rear of the car the lift it need and greatly improved the too-soft worn out units. About $1500 of just labor and parts went toward rebuilding the front-end/suspension. This is an area of these cars that often get under looked and ill-maintained. This car was no exception. So,.... about 2 months ago.... new front shocks, new control arms, new (all 8 control arm) bushings, new trunnions where needed, new upper trunnion screws, new coil springs, replace missing alignment spacers. Wow! What a difference that made. Car did not get a wheel alignment, but hmmm, did not seem to need it. Tracks straight and true, no wobble or pull at all. Again, a wheel alignment should be made to be perfect. Tires were purchased about six years ago when car was purchased, they are about 50% worn due to pre-suspension work. They look okay, but are starting to age-crack. (replaced one rear tire 2 months ago) Front drums are worn and can no longer be turned, should be replaced. Again car runs and stops well, so not next thing on priority list yet. Other work performed>>>; Rebuilt wiper motor, works great! Replaced heater/defroster fan motor. Installed new heater shut-off valve. Located and installed superb looking instrument cluster, glove box door and lock (it works). Sanded and painted the dash. One month ago replaced fuel sending unit in gas tank, gauge now works. Installed new gas tank filler neck. Installed Correct radio and knobs. I do not know if the radio works, have alternative CD player and ipod installed (they do NOT go with the car) I don't use the original radio. Replaced/repaired cigarette lighter. It works and is a good power/charge source outlet. Details, details, details>>>; As you have read this restoration/recreation goes on and on using much in the way of blood, sweat and dollars. With what I have spent dollar-wise in just parts and labor, I have more-than-likely exceeded the value of the car. A common story unless you are restoring a full classic or specialty or muscle car. I acheived what I have intended - a car I could work on as time permits and still enjoy driving it too. All too many folks selling their cars expect too much, that is, wanting to get back every cent they invested PLUS what they think their car is worth. I am not striving anywhere near that ambition. I had no real intent of selling this car, just enjoying working and driving it. At some point I would have totally finished it and been gratified by the final reward. But, wanting another car added to your stable is hard to justify, something's gotta "give". I have placed a reasonable value on this car's (ebay) price. Other stuff>>>; The car also has had the entire exhaust system renewed. The radiator has been hot-tanked and added another row to keep things cool. It never overheats. Things I have purchased for the car that go with it are an Original factory center console. Needs restored, but it's complete. The interior windshield moldings, which are all on except for the top section. It needs the areas cut out that allow room for the top latch mechanisms. Sun visors, in very good condition. I bought a back seat, however, it is not for a convertible. I checked with my upholsterer, and he said he would cut out the center section and weld the rest together to fit. He says this is a common practice for him. Having had no interior, they car does not have the side overlay arm-rest pieces that fit on either side of the back seat and cover the convertible top piston area. I have not been able to locate them yet. I have a trunk lock I purchased, but it needs a key made. I have door locks for appearance but have no idea if they work or have keys for them. These can still be purchased through an AMC Rambler vendor. I have the lower body side molding that goes to the car, it has holes drilled for upper moldings too, but I do NOT have those. The car has Chrome foil pin-striping kit which looks like the side molding. Things still to do>>>; Still room for fun repair like the horn does not work. Replace door seals. Reline felt areas inside window channels and door fuzzies. Insulate floor and add carpet. Passenger side rear window crank slips, either needs new handle, or regulator splines are worn. Driver side vent wing has broken bottom pivot, I will provide replacement part. Need to Oil up and free the vent pulls to get them working, and finally finish body work and paint. And, at some point the lower half of the engine will need rebuilt. Does not show indications of that yet, while it still runs well that is fine with me. Driving impressions>>>; This car starts and runs and stops daily. It easily handles freeways at 70 mph. With the work of new suspension, it goes where it's pointed without alarm, it's not as agile as a new car. It acts likea 50 year old 1962 "new" car. It's windows rattle and undercarriage noise is normal for a car not completed with insulation or door panels. The car travels 20 to 50 miles each day, and further on fun weekend outings. Still,... having never had a complete overhaul I am reluctant to over stress by going more than 100 miles in any direction. There is no engine knock or noise. It hums along very nicely and has good power for it's age. Much work has been completed on the most glaring areas that needed it. Attention to fine details comes in scales of priority, and this car is well on the way. It will drip and use some oil considering it still has the original (unrebuilt) engine. You will not see smoke come from the exhaust or engine compartment, but attention to oil amount is important. And Finally>>>; Have done my best to describe this car. Given how long I've owned it and the numerous things, big and small, that have been repaired I would suppose there is something I have overlooked. If you have questions, do not hesitate to ask. The car is for sale locally, so it may sell outside of this auction before closing, and if it does not sell, well, I'll just keep driving it and finish it as I had originally intended. Sale terms>>>; $250 NON-RETURNABLE deposit within 3 days of auction close. Balance due within seven days of auction close by (completely funded and closed) cashiers check or cash may be used if car is picked up by buyer. Car can be held for 14 day's after completed auction date close/completed payment. Storage fee applies after 14 days. I am available to meet and assit with car hauler or transport. S'all folks.