Editing AMC straight-6 engine (section)

==Predecessors==
{{Main|Nash Rambler straight-six engine}}
[[File:AMC 196.jpg|left|thumb|A 1964 Rambler American with a 195.6 OHV engine]]

The straight-six engine lineage at AMC goes back to [[Nash Motors]]. An economy-focused engine debuted in the 1941 [[Nash 600|Nash Ambassador 600]] model.<ref name="Trendsetter">{{cite web |last1=McGuire |first1=Bill |title=Trendsetter: The 1941 Nash 600 |url= https://www.macsmotorcitygarage.com/trendsetter-the-1941-nash-600/ |website=macsmotorcitygarage.com |date=16 December 2021 |access-date=17 April 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Perschbacher |first1=Gerald |title=Merger Mania: Nash and Hudson form AMC |url= https://www.oldcarsweekly.com/features/merger-mania-nash-and-hudson-form-amc |work=Old Cars Weekly |date=11 January 2021 |access-date=17 April 2024}}</ref> Its initial displacement of {{cvt|172.6|CID|L|1}} was subsequently increased to {{cvt|184|CID|L|1}} and finally to {{cvt|195.6|CID|L|1}} in 1952. 

After Nash merged with [[Hudson Motor Car Company|Hudson]] to form AMC in 1954, efforts continued to enhance performance and meet evolving market demands. The engine's architecture underwent a significant transformation for the 1956 model year, transitioning from a [[Flathead engine|flathead]] (L-head) side-valve configuration to an [[overhead valve]] (OHV) design.<ref name="RamblerLore">{{cite web |last1=Jennings |first1=Tom |last2=Swygert |first2=Frank |title=Rambler 195.6 ci overhead valve six — Brief History |url= https://www.ramblerlore.com/AMC/195.6ohv/index.html |website=ramblerlore.com |date=3 December 2023 |access-date=17 April 2024}}</ref> This modernization aimed to improve engine efficiency and power output.<ref name="RamblerLore"/> The flathead version was reintroduced in 1958, serving as the base economy engine for the newly launched [[Rambler American]] compact car.<ref name="RamblerLore"/> This dual-engine strategy persisted until 1965, catering to performance-oriented and economy-minded consumers.<ref name="RamblerLore"/>

To reduce vehicle weight and enhance fuel efficiency, AMC introduced a die-cast aluminum block version of the OHV {{cvt|195.6|CID|L|1}} engine in 1961.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://amcrc.com/feature/alum_eng.html |title=America's First Die-Cast Aluminum Engine (from: (1993 Rambler Reader, Vol. 14 No. 2) |website=amcrc.com |access-date=17 April 2024}}</ref> This innovative approach resulted in a significant weight reduction, with the aluminum engine weighing  {{cvt|380|lb|kg}}, compared to its cast-iron counterpart's {{cvt|460|lb|kg}}.<ref name="Magnante">{{cite web|url= https://www.hotrod.com/features/ccrp-0608-junkyard-crawl-aluminum-block/ |title=Junkyard Crawl - Alloy Granny |first=Steve |last=Magnante |date=21 September 2006 |work=Hot Rod |access-date=2 April 2025}}</ref> This aluminum engine was produced through 1964, showcasing AMC's engineering prowess and willingness to experiment with advanced materials.<ref name="Magnante"/>

While not known for high performance, this engine was known for reliability. This engine was also used in marine applications.

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