Chassis No. B458942

350-cid, OHV Chevrolet V-8 engine, three-speed Hydra-Matic transmission, independent front air suspension, live rear axle with trailing arm air suspension, and front disc, rear drum power hydraulic brakes. Wheelbase: 100-inches

American Motors’ compact Rambler American was popular as a family car, but few of them were made into customs. This car, without doubt, is one of one.

Born as an American four-door station wagon at AMC’s Kenosha, Wisconsin plant, it was transformed by Richard Stokes at his Stoked-Out Specialties shop in Rockwall, Texas. The car’s unitary construction and compact size complicated the job, but Stokes was able to shoehorn in a 350-cid small block Chevy engine and install air-ride suspension on all four corners.

The crate engine has a polished Professional Products intake manifold, four-barrel carburetor, S&S headers and a March Performance pulley system. The firewall has been smoothed, custom inner fenders fabricated and the whole engine compartment is as sanitary as can be. The transmission is a Turbo 350 Hydra-Matic with Lokar console-mounted shifter. Front suspension is a Heidts kit. The rear axle is from a 1986 S-10 pickup and has ladder bar-style control arms. Air Ride Technologies air springs are used front and rear. The front has Wilwood disc brakes stopping 18-inch Billet Specialties Vintec wheels, while the rear drums have 21-inch Vintecs. Nitto NT555 rubber is used all around.

An Ididit tilt steering column sports a Billet Specialties wheel, nicely complimented by Classic Instruments gauges in the original smoothed dashboard. Climate control is by Hot Rod Air, using Phipps vents. The bucket seats, custom console and door panels are covered in pecan-color Ultraleather. The front seats have stitched surfer images, reprised on the air cleaner and complimented by a surfboard in the cargo compartment. Exterior paint is Standox Cyber Green with a Cool White roof.

The whole car rides just inches off the ground with a slight rake toward the front, hence its clever name “Slambler.” According to a former owner, it “can generate grins at shows, haul butt on the highway and still bring home the groceries.” Who could ask for more than that?