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 (note that the vacuum modulator is 100% unobtainium), 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.
The AMC “large car” platform these are based on was in production from 1967 to 1978.
I like the green interior, I disagree that the only other logical choice with the yellow wouldve been black though – I was expecting tan/brown.
At the time, he’s very nice cars. They were well-built, Road nicely, we’re relatively fast, and basically just well thought out.
Wow, if I wanted a reasonably priced vehicle for use in good weather or on the weekend, this would be a fine candidate, four doors and all. Harrison will agree on the doors, not sure about the car.
I always thought this was an attractively styled sedan. Then the 1974 Matador/ Ambassador models showed up. Yikes.
A beauty, i imagine the Borg Warner unit could be swapped for a Torque Flite ( did Amc use 727’s or 904’s ) or in the interest of originality there must be someone somewhere that has that modulator. I adore the whitewalls but would put on the original air cleaner assembly back
It’s possible to swap in a Torqueflite but AMC 1972+ engine crankshafts are different. You’d either have to pull the crank on an older engine to have it machined or use an adapter.
https://theamcforum.com/forum/borg-warner-to-torque-flite-727-conversion_topic17216.html
The vacuum modulator for the Borg-Warner M11 trans used by AMC is a real problem. The auto parts listings invariably show the wrong modulator. There has been some work done in adapting the available part. See the later part of the following thread – this is a discussion that has been going on for over 15 years at the AMC forums:
https://theamcforum.com/forum/bw-m11b-vacuum-modulator-availability_topic74574.html
Trans swap has a problem: torque converter nose is different. Under car modification could be done, in principle. AMC cars used the 904 in small cars and the 727 in big cars. Javelins had the 904 with small engines and 727s with 401 and probably the 360 too. Jeeps used the TH400 and that probably has a different crank flange than the 67-71 crank and the 72 & up Torque Flight crank. Way back, a person installed a TH700 in his 1970 AMX; i do not know the details.
…pretty sure that’s a white vinyl-top, not a two-tone paint job.
I tried to use a AMC 727 in my dart with a 383 but it didn’t work
Now why in the #$%& wasn’t this type of instrument cluster used in The Machine?!!
Ramblers were actually 3rd in sales for several years in the early 1960’s, out selling Plymouth. See the full history on AMC in the documentary The Last independent Auto Maker on PBS and youtube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10ySQ6YnxvQ
Splendid looking Ambassador. AMC went against style and made the roofline for ingress and egress of the rear seat. The yellow and green combination was quite common then.
Its in Arizona AND theres no AC !!!??? No wonder they want to sell it .
Ambassadors came with standard air conditioning starting in 1968. However, there was a delete option for fleet cars and people who wanted to save a few bucks. So either this car was originally ordered with AC deletion or the AC has been removed. There isn’t a shot of the interior where the HVAC controls can be seen to the left of the steering wheel. With AC it would have 4 vertical slide controls, plus a knob for AC temperature control. Without AC there are just 3 vertical sliders. (There are AC vents visible in the dash.)
The compressor is visible, so this definitely has a/c. If it’s operational is another question.
I had the 401 police engine in my ’71.
It was extremely quick and fast! No one expected a 4dr to whip ’em…
Beautiful looking car. I hope it went to a good owner.
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Perhaps SOLD.