The Ambassador nameplate was one of the longest-running in the history of U.S. auto production (1927 to 1974). In the days following the merger between Nash and Hudson to form American Motors, the name would represent the finest car that Kenosha produced. The seller’s 1971 edition in top-end Brougham trim may be largely original, including the two-tone white over yellow paint. Wearing a little engine compartment bling, this “Rambler” is available in Phoenix, Arizona, and here on craigslist for $5,800. Another great tip brought to us by Tony Primo!
After a redesign in 1969, the Ambassador was treated to a facelift in 1971. AMC decided to get aggressive in promoting its products since the company, at best, would rank 4th in domestic automobile production. Things like a bumper-to-bumper warranty and a standard automatic transmission in the Ambassador were how AMC tried to break out of its underdog status. Ambassadors came in three trim levels: DPL, SST, and Brougham, with the latter racking up the larger of the sticker prices. Broughams had either 304, 360, or 401 cubic inch V8 power under the hood.
Ambassador sales weren’t in the same ballpark as the Chevy Caprice and Ford LTD, AMC’s principal competitors in that market. More than 41,600 Ambassadors were built in 1971, of which 13,100 were Brougham 4-door sedans (the biggest seller of the lot). The seller’s car may have spent a lot of time in the garage in the past 55 years if the 31,000-mile odometer reading is right on. We’re told it has the 360 engine and a new set of tires.
Somehow, the car’s two-tone paint has held up nicely after more than five decades. The white/yellow colors are offset by a dark green interior, which would have been the only logical choice other than black. We’re told the Ambassador is a “fun driver” and is currently registered for roadway use. Everything is shipshape, though we wish the selection of photos could have been better chosen. One photo shows a set of aftermarket wire wheel covers that don’t appear in the others. Kenosha Kadillac, anyone?
I think that is a pretty reasonable price. ..A fun car to run around in. …👍
Price sounds almost too good to be true, but granted these are not anywhere near as popular as cars from the BIg 3. Even back in the day you didn’t see them around much and today they are all but extinct and forgotten.
I happen to have a 1971 Ambassador with the 360 V8 engine, though not nearly as nice as this one and with much higher mileage (well north of 100K miles).
1971 was the last year for a number of “Ramblerisms” left over in AMC cars, including the Ambassador. The automatic transmission is the old Borg-Warner unit, vacuum windshield wipers were still standard (this car has the optional electrics), and the HVAC controls are a confusing array of 4 sliders and a knob. (Ambassadors of this vintage of course came with standard air conditioning.)
The 1972 model year brought in the superior Chrysler Torqueflite automatic transmission, standard electric wipers, and more modern/rational HVAC controls.