1959 Nash AMC Rambler Custom Cross Country Station Wagon
Cross Country station wagons accounted for a substantial share of Rambler sales during American Motors’ record 1959 model year, when the independent manufacturer attracted over a quarter-million buyers with its compact formula of smaller dimensions, family practicality, and superior fuel economy compared to Detroit’s mainstream offerings.
Featuring AMC’s “Double Safe Single Unit Body” unibody construction, the wagon offered up to 80 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seat folded and could accommodate full 4-by-8-foot plywood sheets.
Four-door bodywork was available as sedan, hardtop, or wagon variants, with the optional Flash-O-Matic three-speed automatic transmission and an available AM radio.
Power came from a 196 cubic inch overhead-valve inline-six with an 8.7:1 compression ratio and a single-barrel Carter carburetor, producing 127 horsepower at 4,200 rpm. Independent front suspension paired with a live rear axle, while four-wheel drum brakes handled stopping duties.
Available in Deluxe, Super, and Custom trim levels, Cross Country wagons proved exceptionally popular, helping AMC finish sixth in US auto production for 1959 and generate approximately $60 million in profits.
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