Restored 1965 Rambler Classic 770 Countryman station wagon with a red, white, and blue authentic, re-created, American Motors dealership banner, at the 2024 McLeans Island swap meet.

Making American Motors Great Again

March 3, 2025 / / No Comments

The project: Re-Create an American Motors Classic American Car Dealership Banner from the 60s.

The Allure of a 1960s Car Dealer Banner

There’s an undeniable allure to an authentic car dealer banner from the 1960s, a cherished relic that transports us back to an era when automotive culture was as much about bold design statements as it was about engineering prowess and value for money.

A Symbol of Post-War Ingenuity

This 1960s Rambler banner, with its vibrantly patriotic red, white, and blue hues, served as proud beacons of post-war American ingenuity.

Drawing Crowds at the Swap Meet

This banner in association with the car drew enthusiasts and casual onlookers alike to the owners’ stall at the 2024 McLeans Island swap meet.

Handcrafted Authenticity

Handcrafted with care, they embodied a tactile authenticity—lustrous, pearly white polyester satin and solid cut vinyl colour printing re-creating the era’s optimism and craftsmanship.

Preserving a Legacy

Recreating such a piece, as my spouse and I did with the 1965 Rambler banner, preserves not just a design but a story, infusing it with durability for modern display while honouring its historical mid-century modern roots.

A Celebration of Nostalgia

It’s a celebration of nostalgia, a functional art piece that elevates any classic car showcase with its vivid presence and timeless appeal.

Driven by Design: Celebrating the 1965 Countryman with Mad Men-Era Panache

High front three-quarter view of a restored 1965 Rambler Classic 770 Countryman station wagon with a re-created Rambler dealer banner, shot at McLeans Island swap meet.
Behold the stunning 1965 Rambler Classic 770 Crosscountry, paired with our handcrafted 1965 Rambler dealer banner, shining at last year’s McLeans Island swap meet—a perfect blend of vintage design and modern craftsmanship.
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Bearded man in grey marle t-shirt with 1970 Rebel SST design stands beside New Brighton Pier, pointing symbolically towards Chile.

Revving up a Classic Rambler: The Making of a 1970 Rambler Rebel SST Tee

January 23, 2025 / / No Comments

Living in a small New Zealand country town, my friend and client, a Freezing Worker with a passion for restoring classic American muscle cars, especially those from American Motors, approached me with a unique commission. His project was to immortalise his cherished 1970 Rambler Rebel SST on apparel, inspired by an advertisement from the April 1970 issue of New Zealand’s Reader’s Digest.

Concept Development

The brief was clear—to recreate the black and white ad of the Rambler Rebel SST in colour, but with a modern twist suitable for today’s fashion. The first step was understanding the nostalgia and the essence of the car’s era. The brief to maintain the advertisement’s simplicity yet enhance it with a contemporary touch to resonate with both car enthusiasts and fashion aficionados.

The 1970 Rebel SST, one of the coolest muscle cars to come out of AMC… she’s as fast as she is pretty, and looks great on a grey marle t-shirt.
Back view of a bearded man in a grey marle t-shirt featuring a 1970 Rambler Rebel SST large print on the shirt front and an American Motors logo on the back, posed next to New Brighton Pier, a concrete structure stretching towards the ocean.
Reviving the spirit of 70s American muscle on New Zealand shores. This custom print of the 1970 Rambler Rebel SST, complete with the iconic American Motors logo, is captured beside the robust New Brighton Pier. If this pier were a freeway, it would take you all the way to Chile’s west coast!
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