Throughout the 1960s, the Ambassador was American Motors’ top-of-the-line automobile. And to make it more distinctive than the Classic it was based upon, the 1965-66 Ambassadors gained wheelbase and unique styling, including stacked headlights. This 1966 edition is a 3-seat wagon in 880 trim, the Ambassador starting point. It seems well-equipped, though sports “poverty” hub caps. Located in McCordsville, Indiana, this nice wagon is available here on Facebook Marketplace for $14,500. “Sam61” found this cool tip for us as vintage wagons are “in”!
In the first half of the decade, AMC was focused on perpetuating its economy car image. That changed in 1965 as the Ambassador was repositioned to compete as a full-size car, though its exterior dimensions fell just a little short compared to the Chevy Caprice or Ford LTD. But the wheelbase was four inches longer than the Classic (but had the same interior dimensions), and the reworked styling from 1963-64 was quite different. You could say the changes worked because Ambassador sales went from 18,600 in 1964 to 64,000 in 1965 and then 71,000 in 1966.
The seller’s wagon has a 327 cubic inch V8 engine, which was optional in ’66 yet standard two years earlier. It also has a 3-speed automatic transmission (Borg-Warner?), and we assume both are original to the machine. But there is no mention of mileage or if either has ever been rebuilt. The wagon has factory air conditioning, and we presume power steering and brakes.
Not much else is said about this Ambassador, which was now badged as an AMC in 1966 instead of Rambler (they were moving away from that name). The body, paint, and interior all seem nice enough in the photos, and there is nothing said of any repairs done or needed. It’s presented as a nice wagon that you can drive home. It might be a bit pricey for a “Rambler” since the listing is now a month old. It should attract a little attention at Cars & Coffee, plus be practical at other times.
This is in amazingly original condition. It’s hard to imagine that there are many of these with a 3rd seat in existance.