As American Motors began to move away from the Rambler nameplate (its final hurrah was in 1969), the 1966 Ambassadors were labeled as AMC. The cars had been heavily restyled in 1965 and now rode on a longer wheelbase than the similar Classic. This 880 model is said to have a mere 20,000 miles and has had the same owner for the past nine years. Located in Plymouth, Massachusetts, this show winner is available here on Facebook Marketplace for $13,900. T.J. comes through with another great tip!
Three trim levels of the Ambassador were offered in 1966: the 880, 990, and DPL (new). So, the 880 was the entry-level edition, but this was hardly a stark car. A 287 cubic inch V8 was standard, with a 327 being optional (the seller’s car has the former). Unlike a lot of these automobiles, this one was built with a 3-speed manual transmission with overdrive. The easiest way to spot a ’66 Ambassador vs. a Classic was the Ambo’s use of stacked headlights.
This AMC wears Balboa Blue and Cortez Aqua paint, which looks outstanding (original). The matching interior is equally nice. The presentation of the car is excellent, and it’s no surprise that it’s won twice at local car shows. Recent work done includes a rebuild of the 287’s carburetor, a new muffler, and some new suspension pieces. As a result, the Ambassador runs as nice as it looks (per the seller).
Originally sold in Kansas, the former Midwestern car is now in New England. It seems to have avoided harsh weather in both of those locales. Perhaps the seller has too many toys, and it’s time for this one to move on. If I were closer, I’d be tempted to take a run at it. How about you? Or reader Howard A?
Ha! Well, I would like it, but that stick, you know. Now, we go around and around about what a car with low mileage looks like, a better example you won’t find. It has the “rattle can” tune up, and in the front wheel shot, you can see the ill-fated trunnion at the bottom of the spring,( I think) and another on the bottom A arm, replaced by ball joints in 1967.
Again and again, great find, and realistically, probably one of the easiest column shifted cars to drive, if they can grasp the concept, that is. We won’t even get into the O/D part.
This is very similar to my grandfathers( not the Packard one) ’65 Ambassador. After the ’61 Classic, which I learned was NOT a trunnion failure that did it in, was the A arm connecting points to the body that rusted. He got the ’65, but didn’t drive it much, and was relegated to the back yard listening to the ball game and secretly smoking cigarettes behind my grandmas back. Like she didn’t know. Nice car, stick is gonna kill the sale.