1956 Nash Rambler Cross Country Wagon
Introduced under the newly formed American Motors Corporation (AMC) but still marketed as a Nash, the 1956 Rambler Cross Country Wagon debuted an industry first: a power-operated roll-down rear window that allowed convenient access to the cargo area without raising the tailgate.
This practical innovation complemented the Cross Country’s distinctive roofline, which followed the sedan’s profile before dipping behind the rear seats and leveling out again. The design allowed Nash to share door stampings between body styles, while the subtle roof dip accommodated a standard roof rack that blended neatly into the car’s overall silhouette.
The wagon rode on a 108-inch wheelbase and measured 191 inches overall. Built using unibody construction rather than the traditional body-on-frame method, it weighed approximately 3,400 pounds. Chrome bumper guards adorned both ends, while painted steel wheels carried full-size Rambler-script hubcaps and wide whitewall tires.
Power came from the Typhoon 196 cubic inch overhead-valve inline-six, producing 120 horsepower with a Carter two-barrel carburetor. This engine was a modernized version of Nash’s earlier flathead six. A four-speed Flashaway Hydramatic automatic transmission handled shifting duties, while a three-speed manual with overdrive was also available.
Options included power steering and power brakes, both operating hydraulic drum systems at all four corners. Total production of Cross Country and Super Station Wagon variants combined reached 21,554 units for the 1956 model year, making it one of the more successful “compact” wagons of its era.
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