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For other meanings, see Rambler.

The original Rambler was an automobile produced of the Thomas B. Jeffery Company then by its successor, Nash-Kelvinator Corporation and finally, by its successor, American Motors Corporation (all in Kenosha, Wisconsin).

Thomas B. Jeffery Company's Ramblers (1897-1914)

Rambler was a name employed by Thomas B. Jeffery, a bicycle maker in Chicago, Illinois. In 1897 Thomas B. Jeffery built his first Rambler automobile prototype.

After receiving positive reviews at the 1899 Chicago International Exhibition & Tournament and the first National Automobile Show in New York, Thomas B. Jeffery decided to enter the automobile business. In 1900, he bought the old Sterling Bicycle factory in Kenosha, Wisconsin and set up shop. He started commercially mass-producing automobiles in 1902, and by the end of the year had produced 1,500 motorcars, one-sixth of all existing in the USA at the time. The Thomas B. Jeffery Company was the second largest auto manufacturer at that time (behind Oldsmobile).

Rambler introduced such early technical innovations as a steering wheel (as opposed to a tiller), interchangeable wheels and spare tires.

In 1914, Charles T. Jeffery, Thomas B. Jeffery's son, replaced the Rambler brand name with Jeffery (in honor of his now deceased father).

In 1916, the Thomas B. Jeffery Company was purchased by Charles W. Nash, and became Nash Motors in 1917. The Jeffery brand name was dropped at the time of the merger and the manufacture of Nash branded automobiles commenced.

Nash's Ramblers (1950-1957)

Under the direction of Charles Nash's successor George W. Mason, Nash-Kelvinator Corporation began development of a small car that could be produced inexpensively. The product was to be named the Rambler, an homage to the earlier product produced by Nash's predecessor. However steel shortages resulting from the Korean War conflict limited the availbility of steel for Nash, and so the product was reconfigured to be a small up-market sedan convertible, which was introduced in March 1950.

American Motor's Ramblers (1957-197x)

In 1954 American Motors was formed from the merger of Nash-Kelvinator and the Hudson Motor Car Company. Ramblers were then badged as both Nash and Hudson brands, with no visible difference between the two. The Nash and Hudson makes were continued through 1957, after which all of AMC's firm's offerings were marketed as Ramblers, with the exception of the 1958 and 1959 Ambassador model.

In 1963, the entire Rambler line received the Motor Trend Car of the Year award. The Rambler name had acquired a stodgy image, however, and AMC began to phase it out in favour of an "AMC" marque beginning in 1966. Rambler made repeated attempts to enlarge its market niche, with performance cars such as the Rambler Marlin, AMC Javelin, and AMC AMX and luxury cars like the AMC Ambassador, but despite critical approval consumers seemed to consider Rambler only as a manufacturer of economy cars.

AMC continued to sell cars under the Rambler nameplate through 1969 in the U.S. and Canadian markets, after which it was dropped entirely in favour of the AMC marque. The Rambler name continued well into the 1970s in international markets, including Mexico and Australia.

In Argentina, the Rambler American became the Renault Torino in 1967 and was offered until 1980.

In modern times the car is principally remembered from the novelty song Beep, Beep (The Little Nash Rambler) performed by The Playmates in 1958.

See also

• List of automobile manufacturers

Resources

The Standard Catalogue of American Cars 1946-1975, John Gunnell, Editor. Kraus Publications, 1987. ISBN 0-87341-096-3

External links

• The Nash Car Club
• Ramblers History on amcrc.com
• Ramblers from 1900 - 1904
• Ramblers History on emory.edu
• AMCyclopedia AMC/Rambler History/Documentation Site

• Automobiles
• Defunct American car companies