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Posted by A-V on April 16, 2008, 15:33:12, in reply to "Re: AMCs in Finland"
137.33.254.111
correction, ETYK meeting was held 1975.
--Previous Message--
: I don't think such a story exists yet. Might
: be a good idea to write it up for our
: magazine as well... I'll look into it later
: on.
:
: Shortly put (just a quick note, sorry for
: any mistakes, I'm sure my clubmates will add
: in and correct me if needed):
:
: There were 2 companies that imported
: Ramblers from the United States, another of
: these 2 also imported Rambler Classics from
: Belgium (Rambler Renaults badged back to
: Rambler Classics). Operations started early
: sixties but got into high gear in the
: mid-sixties.
:
: First one of these dealers was SMK (Suomen
: Maatalouskauppa) sold cars and farming
: equipment and from Ramblers they mostly sold
: basic models like American 220, Classic 550,
: both including station wagon models. These
: cars were joint-marketed often with big
: investments into farming equipments, for
: example: buy tractor and a combine harvester
: and get a Rambler for half the price and
: other such ingenious schemes. Keep in mind
: that Rambler was an upscale marque as
: compared to 'normal brands' for a Rambler's
: cost you could buy 2-3 Fiats, Ladas or other
: similar cheaper cars (it was still the most
: reasonably priced American car at that
: time).
:
: The second dealer was Wihuri which sold the
: full line including sportier models like
: Javelins, AMXs. Car sales being their main
: business area, they continued selling
: Ramblers up until mid seventies.
:
: All American Motors cars were sold in
: Finland as Ramblers with a few rebadgings
: included. For example AMC Hornet name was
: never introduced - instead they sold
: American Rambler (after the Rambler American
: model) with Rambler badges replacing Hornet
: badges. This was done becouse the Rambler
: name was a trusted marque with positive name
: recognition and it would have costed too
: much to market a completely new brand. They
: did start to include AMC logos in their
: material in a few years later, but soon
: after AMC's became too expensive to sell in
: numbers (due to currencies and import/export
: duties) and soon after the marque was
: dropped from the lineup for cars. Last batch
: of AMCs that came to Finland were around
: ETYK meeting (big USA/Russia meeting held in
: Finland in 1974(?)) when US diplomats and
: secret service brought some 30 Matadors
: (coupes and 4d sedans) with them for
: transporting diplomats and such. After the
: big meet the basicly new cars were sold with
: a slight discount thru Wihuri (as far as I
: know). I don't think newer models like
: Concords, Pacers or Eagles were never sold
: in Finland thru the dealerships even though
: there are a few privately imported cars
: around.
:
: These cars have had a strong following in
: Finland ever since they were sold as new.
: Americans were used as Taxis and got lots of
: good reputation thru carrying passengers
: whom had some cheaper car at home. People
: bought them used and thankfully kept a lot
: of the cars in good shape and they're still
: around today.
:
: I formed AMC Club Finland in 2000 with a few
: mates whom thought it would be a good idea
: to do so. There had been a registry for
: Ramblers before this time but the club
: wasn't really active anymore in those days.
: Also a few diehard Rambler-fans had their
: own very active local clubs. We sort of just
: collected the hobbyists under one roof which
: has helped in parts finding and enjoying the
: car itself thru our meets and travels. It's
: all thanks to the numerous active club
: members we have.
:
: A-V Nauha
: AMC Club Finland (Founder)
: http://www.amccf.com
:
: --Previous Message--
: Is there a link that tells us the full story
: of how AMC cars got to be sold in Finland? I
: am writing from Canada, where many AMCs were
: built at Brampton, Ontario, and I have seen
: them in Europe in the past. But please tell
: us more. How did these cars ever gain a
: following in Finland?
:
:
:
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