As I was cruising down Lomita Boulevard, a flash of pink caught my eye. Here in Southern California, some of the older repair shops still maintain outdoor repair bays, allowing you to see the customer cars. In most cases, the bays include a carport style sun shade, but this 1961 Rambler Ambassador rested on a single post hydraulic lift in the middle of the yard, completely exposed to the elements and passing eyes.
Lomita is a small community in the south end of Los Angeles county, with an agricultural history dating back before World War II. The sign in front of Gasser’s Garage states they have been in business since 1929, so perhaps they’ve serviced this Ford Flatbed since initial delivery.
Thinking there may be more treasures, I walked around the corner and spotted this 1961 Plymouth Fury convertible hidden behind a Chevy pickup. I’m not sure this mix of cars represents a typical day at Gasser’s Garage, but if so, it must be an interesting place to work.
Thanks to its central location, both sides of the Ambassador were available for photos, so I chose to share a second view. I’d like to know more about that stainless trim around the fuel cap. Was it a dealer added accessory, or an aftermarket gizmo designed to prevent paint damage from the fuel nozzle? After bit of online research, I discovered these fuel filler protectors were fairly common in the late fifties. To see some examples, check out this eBay link.
I’ve never stopped in but it’s always been full of old vehicles whenever I go by there….
-Nate
That Ambassador is identical in two toning scheme as my Grandmother’s 60 Ambassador wagon.
The 61 Ambassador is an example of one of AMC’s worst grilles. The other being the 74 Matador sedan and perhaps the 61-63 American.
Thanks for taking the time to catch these cars. They’re a treat to see.
The ’61 Ambassador has clearly inspired a recent fashion statement by a world leader who is well above the Ambassador level. His eyebrows and grille already matched, so he added the hair-fenders to complete the look.
Wow. Separated at birth. I’d love to have an old ’61 Rambler, but make mine a Classic. I ain’t gonna be seen in the Kim Jong Whatever Edition Ambassador.
He has Continental to entertain with anyway.
OMG, is that ever apt.
Too bad you didn’t walk over and shoot the Amby’s front end. it’s very distinctive and unique. As well as a bit embarrassing.
This has become a very rare car, and we’ve never, ever had one here at CC. I’ve been hoping to cover this car since day one, but it’s all about the front end. The rear is just a slightly tarted up Classic.
I would have done, but Gasser’s was closed.
You can’t tell from the pictures, but the cars were enclosed in a chain link fence (This is LA, after all…). For the clearest images, I stood on the sidewalk and placed the lense in one of the chain link openings, but that was as close as I could get.
Yes; I didn’t realize that.
Razor Wire seems to grow like vines down there.
LOL there is no razor wire at Gasser’s. LA has had the lowest crime rate of any major city for the last 10 years.
Great place. There is actually an outdoor single post hoist in Racine Wi. I couldn’t believe it the first time I saw it but after a couple drives by there it was. It is out front of what is now a Muffler Shop. Looks like the building was once an old time gas statiion from the 50s with two indoor bays and an office. And yes an outdoor lift on the edge of the parking lot. Maybe there used to be a building around it, Who knows?
I can think of a garage in Raleigh, NC that also has an oudoor lift, but it’s a newer dual post model. Always thought that was kind of interesting. Maybe they have more business than the two garage bays allow, and that was a way to accommodate more business without expanding the building?
The Midas in Ithaca, NY has an outdoor lift that is used for big vehicles too large to fit in their building. I have seen it being used on some chilly days.
https://www.google.com/maps/place/146+Main+St,+Ellsworth,+ME+04605/@44.541738,-68.423425,3a,75y,169.83h,90t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sHoMNiMI1r8mBiQQFcK-o7Q!2e0!4m2!3m1!1s0x4caef1ba77a143d1:0xb66878925c588d05
This one is in Ellsworth Maine the only other one i’ve seen up north is on Block Island.
Seen several in FL
The outdoor repair bay still exists in Northern California as well, just saw one the other day in Sonoma County. I’m not sure such a thing ever existed in the mid-west where I grew up but I like the idea of it. Why should the mechanic be stuck in a dark garage?
The `61 AMC Ambassador. A car that is best viewed from the rear. That fugly front clip ruins what is essentially a nice looking car. That `61 Plymouth ain`t no beauty queen either, especially in that red and black color scheme.
The rear 3/4 view of the Ambassador shows one of the best representations of this body that was in production for too long. It’s a cool little car, too bad it was so dated by ’61.
Others have confirmed though, that ’61 was the year that this car wore that other world front end – sort of a ’60 Imperial / ’61 Buick mash-up. Rambler had a few problematic faces on these cars, the earliest versions (1956?) had faces even a mother would have hard time looking at.
If I could parts bin the perfect Ambassador, I’d use the shorter Classic body (the wheelbase stretch was all ahead of the cowl, use this body and trim from the rear 3/4 view, use a ’59 / ’60 front end, and use the very rare 4 door hardtop body that was discontinued by ’61.
Then, introduce it in 1956 and it probably would have sold in history changing numbers.
Wonder if you effortlessly can open and close the doors on that airborne Rambler Ambassador? Nice selection of vehicles and SoCal’s ability to have things outside boggles my mind. School cafeterias, schools built so you have to walk outside to get to classes, shopping malls, car repair places, etc.
The sheet metal protective cover reminds me of the bit of adhesive plastic one would put around keyholes of older vehicle to prevent damage. I have seen a few people use the fuel nozzle to open the fuel filler door.
Teddy ;
Pretty much yes ~ old Ramblers were fairly tank like in their uni body construction , I find them in Junk Yards occasionally and I like to show folks how the doors still open and close like a Mercedes .
FWIW , those out door hoists are coll until you have to actually work with one ~ the direct sun light bounces off the pavement all around you and you get sun burn whilst in the shade more or less , it’s hot too .
-Nate
Thanks for the info you two.
The Amby being a unibody, I should hope that the doors open and close when the car is on the lift! It’s not like this is a rusted X frame Chevy.
Funny how cars that I considered “Terminally uncool” or “Geekmobiles” 40 years ago I find quite desirable today.
My oh my, that Plymouth convertible is calling my name. But I agree with phil b on the 2 tone job. The first question should be whether to paint the top of the body red or the bottom of the body black. And all the discussion of the Amby’s front end, and nobody mentions the 61 Plymouth? That Ford truck is the only pretty face in the joint. 🙂
I once saw a super low mile 61 Plymouth at the Auburn labor day auction years ago. A low trim 2 door sedan, flamingo coral with silver interior, slant 6 and a 3 on the tree. I was in a swoon over the car until my companion (my car-mentor Howard) said “kinda campy, don’t you think?” I’m still sorry I didn’t try to buy it, it probably sold for next to nothing in the early 90s.
A face only a Mopar geek could love.
Lovin’ it JP. Very Lexus like as someone pointed out. “Super Sonic Rocketship”.
In fact, we could even have an Ugly Contest.
Of course, what’s interesting (or not) about the ’61 Amby front end is how obviously it was influenced by the ’59 Olds front end, which was of course recycled on the ’60 Corvair. It was a brilliantly advanced idea, but the Amby’s imitation doesn’t quite pull it off.
love that patina!
Did they call these cars “Ambys” back in the day, or is that a modern invention?
When we were kids, we called them much worse names than that 🙂
I don’t remember that name being used back then. I think I picked it up here from other CCers.
The Plymouth wins the Ugly Contest, as it’s wacky from every angle – front, side and rear. Even the instrument panel looks like it was designed by people on an LSD trip.
The Ambassador is essentially an unusual front grafted on to an otherwise sensible, prosaic car.
I had an aunt and some cousins that lived in Lomita until the mid 90s, I visited 2 or 3 times while stationed in Northern California while in the Navy. I’m a heavy duty car nut but I couldn’t tell you anything about the cars and the area as I was too busy getting caught up with my cousins’.
Friends of my parents had a 61 Sport Fury hardtop that I always thought was so cool. But then, my folks had a 60 Country Sedan, as did many of my uncles which were traded for 63 or 64 Country Sedans.
My father’s foster mother had a brother that drove a string of Nashes then switched to Ramblers. ALL were 2 tone sedans and with the exception of a “bathtub” Nash, all were forgettable.
Wonder if the A/C in that Rambler still works. (The little badges on the front doors told me it has A/C.) I remember seeing these when I was a kid and these were pretty new.
Wow, I had never even seen one of those before! Most others just used window stickers. I remember getting all excited seeing a 63 Studebaker with the sticker, until the owner told me that it came on the replacement piece of glass he put in the car. Bummer.
My first thought was, “The Ambassador’s original buyer sprang for air conditioning, but didn’t bother paying for an outside rear-view mirror.”
Then I looked at the brochures for both the 1961 Rambler line, and the 1961 full-size Chevrolet, and noticed that none of the cars pictured were equipped with an outside rear-view mirror.
The modern iteration of the 61 Ambassador: 03-05 Saturn L
I think any major city in America would have a chain link or similar fence around its auto repair places. Bay Area and Seattle would. Other parts of the country wouldn’t have enough old hobby cars to fill their lots and if they did half of the time the cars would be inside because of weather. I can’t think of one new car lot in LA that has a fence of any kind.
Prime, easy-to-snag parts on old cars can disappear quickly in any city. Lomita in particular is a super-safe area, a major sheriff’s station is right down the street and there are always cops driving by. Still why lose a set of expensive hub caps if you don’t need to.
If Paul or any other car/railroad enthusiasts visit Lomita to get a look at Gasser’s Garage, don’t miss the railroad museum, only six blocks away at 2137 West 250th Street.
Google Earth Street View:
It’s tucked off the beaten path in a residential neighborhood, and your picture shows almost everything there.
Looking at Google maps, it has to be the smallest railroad museum in the world
Nevertheless ;
If you’re a rail fan or have little kids , it’s a nice place to spend a few hours .
-Nate
Car designers of the 50s took the trouble to hide filler caps behind flush fitting doors and owners buy trim to highlight them. Nice collection though there are some repair shops around here like that filled with classic machinery on the right day.
Prolly done so the dumb-azzed gas station attendant could find where to insert the pump nozzle?
🙂
I absolutely love that Rambler.
Was American Motors more likely (than Ford, GM or Mopar) to have their cars factory equipped with Air Conditioning in the late 1950’s/early 1960’s?
As a child in the early 1960’s; I seem to recall seeing a LOT more Rambler’s with below the dash, hang down A/C units than the other USA car makers.
Perhaps just a local (New Orleans area) option?
AMC really pushed air conditioning in the late 1950s and 1960s. Effective heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems had been a Nash and then AMC selling point.
The Weather Eye heating and ventilation system developed by Nash was a major advance, and soon copied by every manufacturer. If I recall correctly, AMC was also one of the first manufacturers to offer a “modern” automotive air conditioning system – meaning, all of the components were located under the hood, instead of under the hood and in the trunk. It was probably the first to offer this type of system among low-priced cars.
Probably had something to do with Kelvinator-a subsidiary of Nash at the time. The fully intergraterd air/heating system was a major advance for its time-especially when one compares it to the trunk mounted units in GMC, Mopar and Ford units of the era. For what its worth, Pontiac had the first “modern” air conditioning system in 1954. It was mounted under the hood, and had air ducts mounted in the dash like today`s units.This system became available on all `55 GM products except Cadillac . They went “in dash” in `57. My uncle had a rare `62 Ambassador two door-essentially a Rambler Classic with air, and it was a very efficient system that kept the car very cool in hot,humid weather.
Don’t forget that GM had Frigidaire and Chrysler had Airtemp back then. Chrysler’s Airtemp did the a/c for the lower floors of the Chrysler Building when it was built in the late 20s. I think the very first automotive a/c system was in a Packard, either 1940 or 41. I have not really researched it, but suspect that it was fairly different from the systems that became widely used in the 1950s.
I do recall in the early 70s when the AMC Ambassador became the first new car with standard air conditioning, beating even the luxury 3.
Yes,Packard had an available air conditioner as an optioin in 1939. It was a trunk mounted unit and it had a large vent on the rear package shelf that the cooled air came out of.I saw a `39 Packard sedan at a car show in NJ about two years ago that had air. Since the owner saw that I was a serious car buff, he demonstrated it for me. It did cool the car and dehumidified it too. Was very comfortable inside, but he said that it tended to fog up the inside of the window on humid days.What was really amazing was that it still worked after more than 70 years! Also, Cadillac had a similiar unit as an option in 1940 that pretty much worked in the same way.They were a five hundred dollar option, a very high price in those days, so needless to say very few cars were equiped with it.
back in 1972,Dave Ammann, a co worker at Northwest Plaza cinema,inherited grandpas
61 plym green 2 dr stripper i dont think he could bear to drive it much Dad had a 60,but at least his had a 318 and powerflite these cars must have been styled by guys on
acid When I was a teen we hitchhiked its gotta be better than driving a 60 plym
through steak and shake I think they would asked you to leave
How did Chrysler think any body that wasnt blind could buy one of these how how how