AMC At the Pumpkin Run Nationals

 

The deal became official in May, 1954 when, what was called a merger between Nash-Kelvinator Corporation and the Hudson Motor Company, was finalized. Though it was more of a take over by Nash-Kelvinator it resulted in the creation of the American Motors Corporation, then the fourth largest auto maker in the USA. The deal was the result of a major price war between Ford and General Motors, a battle which would essentially cause the likes of Studebaker, Packard, Willys-Overland, and Kaiser to all shudder their factories. Early success came in the form of the compact Rambler. Still, AMC didn't have the finances to maintain constant styling changes and to fully compete in the full and mid-sized markets. They did flex some muscle with the Javelin pony car and the AMX muscle version. Even with those they were losing money. In 1978 French automaker Renault stepped in with a joint manufacture and distribution deal. By 1980, Renault was the primary owner of AMC. Through all of the tribulations, though, AMC had one consistent seller, the Jeep, which they had purchased when Willys-Overland ceased operations. It was the Jeep, AMC's primary asset, that ultimately prompted Chrysler to purchase Renault's shares of stock and take over the company in 1987. Most everything AMC was stripped save their four wheel drive entries and today, only the Jeep survives. Still, there were a number of AMC vehicles on hand for the 49th Annual Pumpkin Run Nationals. Among them was a Rambler American convertible, a Javelin, a couple AMX models, a 1964 Rambler, a Hornet, a couple more AMX models, and another Javelin.