Introduction
Welcome to RamblerGuy.com, an appropriate name since that’s what many friends call me! I’m Frank Swygert, known on several AMC/Rambler Facebook groups, and as “farna” on www.TheAMCForum.com and a few other sites. This is a partial mirror of Tom Jenning’s www.RamblerLore.com site, with some of my own material and comments added. I basically copied Tom’s site content (with his permission) and made changes as I deemed appropriate to my tastes. Tom and I have been “Internet friends” since the days of the old AMC List mail list from the 90s. We have discussed many of the things that he has documented, especially concerning 58-63 Americans and the 195.6 OHV six. In fact, he “stole” my idea for his Rambler Roadster! I had mentioned (several times) wanting to take a 61-63 American, cut the roof off, and weld the doors shut to make a roadster. He just got around to it before I did (and I may never). I’m glad he did, and I have to admit that he did a lot more than I ever would have. It was a well thought out and executed project, and I was a bit envious! When he put it up for sale in 2024 I seriously considered flying out to California and driving it back to South Carolina! In 2018 he drove it in the Hot Rod Power Tour through SC. It wasn’t far out of his way to swing by my house and stay over one night, then we both drove to Darlington in our Ramblers the next morning. His documentation is on this site.
Click Here for the American Independent Magazine/American Motors Cars Magazine Site
Cars
Tom and Frank's cars, present and past, some of them anyway.
Frank’s 63 Classic
Tom’s Rambler Roadster
Tom’s 1960 Rambler American two-door wagon
Disc Brake Upgrade!
11-10-2025
Many people use AMC factory disc brake setups to upgrade from front drum to disc brakes. This works well, I’ve done several cars, but in this day and age that’s not the best idea. AMC brake parts are getting harder to find and some are rather expensive when you do, especially the 75-78 disc setup that uses larger bearings and different spindles than all other AMCs (all other, disc or drum, use the same bearing set). You’re modifying the car from stock anyway, so it’s not really a restoration, so why not use more modern and available parts?
I developed a bracket that will fit any AMC two wheel drive car, all the way back to Nash models from at least 1952 on (1950 Nash Rambler). The rotors and calipers are 1998-2010 Honda Accord (V-6 automatic). The rotors are 11.1″diameter (282 mm). This means they only work with 15″ wheels. If you need brakes that work with 14″ wheels I would suggest the Scarebird standard AMC setup. They cost more than mine, but they have a good product that I have installed for a customer.
I also have brackets for rear calipers, but have only tested them on my 1961 American AMC 15 (six cylinder) axle. If interested in rear discs for other models contact me!
