Rambler Classic 770
“Little Car”

Leaving work one late evening, in a beaten-up Plymouth my dad bought at a police auction. I opted to take a slightly different route home. And I was glad I did, coming across a 4-door Rambler Classic 770 sitting in the middle of a vacant lot, with a “For Sale” sign in the window.

I could not believe that I’d end up with a second Rambler. Not only that, but the same year and color as my first. But this one, dubbed “Little Car,” melted my heart when I saw her.

Before I go any further, I should explain her name. It actually came by default, from saying “I’m gonna hop in the little car and head the the market” (or some similar phrase). Eventually, it became obvious that “Little Car” was the name. Not that I haven’t considered “Elsie” (based on the initials “L. C.,” again, for Little Car), to give a more “name-like” moniker. Another friend has jokingly referred to her as “The Sparklemobile,” — but “Little Car” seems to be the name that’s sticking.

I’ve learned a lot of the history of this car: she originally came from El Cajon, California, before traveling to the Reno, Nevada area. She then traveled back to Southern California, where I purchased her. Now, she lives with me in Northern California.

I suspect that her time in Nevada was not pleasant, as she suffered some heat-related damage here and there, especially to some of the interior vinyl and plastic. Also, a previous owner had reattached some of the exterior aluminum trim strips with screws (ow!), and there were signs of an accident or two.

Little Car has caused a me lot less grief than Goldie did, keeping it’s drive shaft (actually, it’s torque tube) in one place and not causing as much of a fuss. I’ve had to replace the starting motor and generator over time, and do a little work here and there, but it’s nothing I would not expect from a 35+ year old car.

Not that there haven’t been some challenges. During some recent brake service, I discovered that one wheel cylinder has been rebuilt partially backwards, and another side had a parking brake strut that had been welded together! I’m sure that — as I delve deeper under the hood — I’ll find more new and interesting things going on.

One rainy day I did end up in an accident, skidding across a lane on rain-slicked roads, causing a Tioga motor home in the next lane to hit Little Car on the passenger’s side front fender. Even then, I was able to drive away from that incident, with the car only a little worse for wear. I’ve since had the exterior damage (and much of the body damage I inherited) repaired.

Not all damage comes from driving the car: some neighbor kids once decided that she’d look better without a passenger-side ventilator window, and so they broke it out. I begged to differ, and got it replaced.

As you can see from the above photo, the engine is not what one would call “perfect.” This car spent many years as a daily driver, including by yours truly. But it all works, and it’s cleaning up nicely. There is even some of the original turquoise paint still visible on that block!

Even with the patch spots, and some tears in the interior, she’s still an attractive vehicle that does catch people’s eyes. So much so, that I even modeled with Little Car for one photographer’s art project. She was also in the June 2005 issue of Hemmings Classic Car magazine.

I tossed a battery in her at the beginning of 2001, and she started right up, even though she sat for about three years prior. Since then time, I have been putting a lot of time and effort into her, with a goal of getting her back in tip-top shape. Wish me luck.

There is a lot to be done. So much, in fact, that I have a separate page showing some of the various parts needed and other issues with the car. There are also a number of accessory items I’d like to find for her.

©2001– Gwendolyn Ann Smith