Clarification of Answer by
rippo-ga
on
22 Dec 2002 23:03 PST
james4-ga,
I received a follow-up email from one of the sources I contacted about
your 1902 Rambler replica which confirms that the manufacturer
identified in my original answer was based in Florida - my source
wrote that American Air Products was based in Fort Lauderdale.
My source (a member of one of the Nash fan clubs) sent me a scan of an
article that appeared in the "The Unibody Bulletin," the newsletter of
the Mad-City Ramblers Chapter of the AMC Rambler Club, issue dated May
2002. The source of the article is not identified, but it appears to
be a press release or news article published in a Michigan paper. Its
reference to American Motors dates it to after May 1954, when Nash
Motors merged with Hudson to form AMC. Below I've pasted the text of
the release that confirms that the manufacturer was based in Florida.
Note the geographical reference in paragraph five:
Page 6
Unibody Bulletin
Lathrup Village, Mich., - Gaslight Motors Corporation, a newly formed
automotive firm, today introduced its entry into the smaller car
field.
Featuring such advancements as an air-cooled engine, located in the
center of the vehicle, an automatic clutch, composite body
construction,
and tiller steering, the new entry actually is an authentic full-scale
replica of the original Rambler, first produced in 1902.
Gaslight Motors was organized by three American Motors Corporation
employees whose interest in the historical significance of the Rambler
prompted its comeback. James T. Moore is president; Carl Chakmakian,
vice-president and treasurer, and John R. Pichurski, vice president
and
secretary.
"In staging its dramatic comeback, the production goal of the 1902
Rambler will attempt to exceed the record 1,500 units produced by the
Thomas B. Jeffery and Co, Kenosha, Wisconsin, at the turn of the
Century,"
company officials said.
"Every detail on the 1902 Rambler has been duplicated as nearly as
possible from the original plans and existing '02 models," the company
said. "it is being manufactured for Gaslight Motors by the American
Air
Products Corporation, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, whose experience and
craftsmanship in the building of authentic old automobiles is widely
known.
"Like the original builder of the 1902 Rambler, Gaslight Motors
believes that, simplicity, durability and reliability are the three
cardinal
virtues in motor-carriage construction'."
Sold exclusively through American Motors' nation-wide Rambler dealer
organization, the 1902 Rambler has a retail price of $1,495.00, F.O.B.
Fort Lauderdale, according to Gaslight Motors.
The rugged two-passenger Rambler runabout, built on a 77-inch
wheelbase, is 112 inches long, 66-1/4 inches wide and 80 inches high
(55 inches
high with the top down. It weighs 640 pounds.
The authentic replica is powered by an air-cooled, one-cylinder,
four-cycle Clinton engine, one of the few concessions to modem
engineering
advancements. The four horsepower engine is located in the center of
the
car under the seat. It has a bore and stroke of 2-15/32 inches by
2-1/8
inches.
The '02 Rambler has a rugged transmission that gives the driver a
choice of two forward and one reverse speed, without manually engaging
a
clutch, which is automatic. It has two neutral positions.
The rear axle has a chain and sprocket drive, with the sprocket
enclosed for maximum protection.
The Rambler replica chugs along at a top speed of 30 miles per hour
and
delivers 60 to 70 miles per gallon on modern regular-grade gasoline.
Front and rear suspension consists of full-elliptic leaf springs. Its
wire spoke wheels are specialty made with extra wide hubs for greater
strength. They are equipped with 26x2.125 Goodyear diamond-stud thread
tires, with tube and rim shield. Brakes are of the rear wheel
expanding
type with bonded linings. Four-wheel brakes are offered as optional
equipment for certain state licensing requirements. The parking brake
is a crank-lever located on the outer right side of the car.
Scaled-beam headlights are standard equipment; with high-low beam
offered as an option for certain state licensing requirements.
Taillights
combine stop, tall turn signals, which are standard equipment. All
light
fixtures and hubcaps are made of special brass finished aluminum.
The Rambler's construction is of the composite type, using boat-grade
plywood. The chassis frame is a welded steel structure.
The right-hand, vertical tiller is used for steering the '02 Rambler.
Its horn is of the bulb squeeze-type.
Foam rubber seat cushions are covered with weatherproof red vinyl. A
five-quart fuel tank is located under the seat. A light tan all
weather
canvas-folding top, with roll-up curtain, is standard.
The replica features two trunk compartments, front and rear.
The body is finished with durable handrubbed enamel in the original
Brewster green color, and Rambler red is used for hand stripping and
chassis color.
Offered as optional equipment are a windshield and electric wipers for
California State licensing requirements.
,
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