Last week, I covered this beautifully restored 1960 Rambler American, and today, I’m going to stay in an AMC vein but move things forward eleven years and review this 1971 Ambassador, a find courtesy of Barney. Unlike the American, this is not a restored car, but it’s certainly a well-preserved original. South Bend, Indiana, is where you’ll find this 54K-mile specimen, and it’s available here on craigslist for $11,000, obo.
The Ambassador moniker graced several different Nash models off and on over the years. After 1957, the Ambassador became a model under the Rambler brand and continued there through the 1965 model year. Always considered a “compact full-size” car, the compact aspect was ditched with the ’65 redesign, and then in ’66, the Rambler brand designation was dropped, so this full-sizer was now simply known as the AMC Ambassador. For 1971, the Ambassador rode on a 122-inch wheelbase, supporting 210.8″ in length and tipping the scale at 3,700 lbs. Body styles included four-door sedans and station wagons as well as a two-door hardtop. Trim levels were three with Brougham (Perhaps this subject car? – note the C-pillar badge), SST, and DPL. About 42K Ambassadors emerged from AMC’s Kenosha, WI assembly line in ’71, and this particular car is one of 13K Brougham four-door sedans.
The seller states, “The car is solid… it came from Florida and it’s not rusty.” The body appears to be in good condition and there is no indication of rot or crash damage. The silver-blue finish still retains a respectable shine, although in some images, it appears mismatched – perhaps due to the lighting. The chrome bits and stainless trim are sound, and there are no obvious worries about the black vinyl top.
The interior’s condition matches that of the exterior; it is in very gently used condition. The vinyl upholstery still looks fresh, as does the dashpad and door panels. Going with that Florida car claim, I imagine this Ambassador has been properly garaged to protect it from the sun. One concern noted and that’s the A/C system. It was considered inoperative, and the seller removed the compressor – it is included in the sale, however.
The listing claims that this sedan “runs great” and that’s thanks to its 285 gross HP, 360 CI V8 engine. This is an optional engine fed by a four-barrel carburetor, and it appears to be original and not modified. A three-speed automatic transmission handles the gear-related chores.
I’ll admit that I’m not that familiar with AMC Ambassadors, of this era or any other. I will say that this is a nicely styled sedan and is certainly worthy of its top-tier slot; it should have been a viable competitor to the Big Three. Its production stats (42K units) aren’t trifling, but that output was a drop in the bucket compared to what Ford, Chevrolet, and Plymouth were conjuring 54 years ago. And that’s too bad, as competition, with a twist as AMC provided, is always encouraging; unfortunately, it wasn’t enough to really move the needle. This is a nice find, and I’m sure it will appeal to an AMC aficionado, and maybe others. Let’s talk price, at $11,000, what’s your thought, priced right or not quite?
I like it, but nobody like the stuff that I like!
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No, *I* am Sparta… I mean, *I* like AMC sedans!
I do ✋️ Rex. Very cool AMC. 285hp as Jim said, even better news is 390lb-ft. Out back 2.87 gears were standard. 3.15 optional. Bet this Ambassador sedan moves out sharply. 🏁
Put me in with Rex and Stan. This is in incredible condition, love the colors and options too. Very handsome car.
This was the old mans ex-forest ranger car, only on the other end of the spectrum. May have been a 1970, but was a cop car through and through. I realize the irony of driving a car like this after my “run in with the law”( see Allstate scooter post) but this was different,,,a total cop car. It had the “AMX” 390, cop shocks, cop suspension, even a spotlight. The color? Green, natch. Me and my brother dubbed it the “burnout king”, 2 stripes for a block. We’d switch the back tires to the front, and told the old man, must be an alignment issue, stupid kids.
These were simply the best cars AMC/Rambler made, with years of Hudson/Nash quality, and we were mighty proud of this car,,,,yet, didn’t matter. AMC always played 4th fiddle, and people that bought these didn’t want the “other 3”, for whatever reason. I’ll bet my next SS payment,,,wait, not that, but being in South Bend only proves we had a kindred relationship with Studebaker buyers, and this person bought the next best thing to a Studebaker, although they may think t’other way ’round. They were great cars.
I thought by this time A/C was standard on these but don’t se a compressor on this one. Still this is a beautiful car at a good price. Somebody’s gonna get a nice ride.
Seller states that they removed the compressor.
… @HowardA ” We’d switch the back tires to the front, and told the old man, must be an alignment issue, stupid kids.” I snort laughed.
As far as price fairness… $11k seems very fair for the condition of this car but I wonder if its plain Jane appearance and extra doors would scare off potential buyers. I hope not — would be a great family hauler
What a nice different car from the big three.
I love that color!
There is something ”european” in the style of the body, not by size but style.
For the mileage and condition, this is a good buy.
I’m very familiar with the 1971 Ambassador because I’ve owned one for about 30 years now. Mine also has the 360 V8, but the 2-barrel version, and is definitely not in as good condition as the one being offered here, which also has an AM/FM radio and clock. (Mine has AM radio and no clock.)
@Rustytech is correct, air conditioning was standard on these and I can see the controls for the AC as well as the vents in the interior photos. However the AC compressor (the old York 2-cylinder paint shaker) would be visible to the left of the distributor so it is missing in action.
This car does have the desirable electric windshield wiper option, as does mine. It’s hard to tell from the engine photo but it the master cylinder appears to be the drum type.
1971 was the last year for the ancient Borg-Warner automatic transmission. It works OK but is no Torqueflite which is what AMC introduced for the following year. Hopefully the vacuum modulator is in OK condition since that part is currently unobtainium. For 1972 AMC also introduced standard electric wipers and simpler, more modern HVAC controls. (To control heat and AC on this car you need to manipulate 4 levers plus a knob!)
In the write-up, it was stated that the original AC compressor was considered ‘inoperative’, but it will be included in the sale.
Thank you for pointing that out.
JO
Ah, I missed that. I think the thing to do would be to install a more modern Sanden compressor in its place, like the ones typically used in today’s aftermarket AC systems.
That years Ambassador was a beautiful car,comfortable competively priced car. Think 11k high especially with ac repairs needed
I bought a 72 Ambassador in 1980 at the age of 19 for $400. It had no rust, a 360 2 barrel and about 80,000 miles. It was an ugly brown color. My dad had some toro red paint he got from work so I sanded it down and sprayed it red. I drove it a year then sold it for the same price I paid. It was a great car
When I see this body, all I hear is, “One-Adam-12, One-Adam-12, see the man..” Although the show used 72-74 Matadors, so the grills differed from this ’71, the basic body and rear were almost identical. And the AMC door handles are unique to any other marque.
I am pretty sure this was my Grandmother’s car. Bought new and garaged in North Redington Beach FL until the 1990’s. It didn’t have many miles on it.
I have fond memories of riding in the back seat in 1981 on a family trip to New England. When I got my license I quickly learned that it would roast the tires!
I wonder what the axle ratio is.