I miss this era – and interiors like the one in this car. AMC had some of the most distinctive designs and vehicles of any car company. Some might say unusual rather than distinctive but it’s the same thing for me. This 1972 AMC Ambassador Brougham is something we don’t see every day and it’s listed here on eBay in New London, Wisconsin. The current bid price is $4,001 and there is no reserve.
The Ambassador was made by AMC beginning in 1957 for the 1958 model year as an Ambassador V8 by Rambler. This one, while only fourteen years later, was already a seventh-generation car. Carmakers seemed to switch things up a bit more in previous decades with a generation sometimes only lasting one season. They were made until 1974 which was a one-year-only generation, oddly enough.
This car looks great overall, maybe better than plain ol’ great, actually. The first thing I would do would be to take off those JC Whitney exhaust extensions and then I would tackle the only rust that I see on the whole car which is shown by the seller on the bottom side of the very back of each quarter panel. It’s hard to know if there is or was any rust in the trunk because it appears to have been sprayed with a bedliner-type of material. It looks great in the photo.
Here’s the real attraction of this car for me, that sweet gold brocade interior! The seats look like they’re brand new both in the front and in the back. It’s a somewhat unusual color combination with the tan vinyl surrounding that gold brocade fabric but that really gravies my giblets. I don’t know if the matching armrest is original in the front, there wouldn’t have been cup holders in a vehicle in 1972 unless it was on another planet. People in those days, you know, drove, rather than texting or drinking $6 lattes while driving. The interior in this car looks pretty much brand new to me, how about you?
The engine compartment is as clean as the rest of the car is and this is AMC’s 360 cubic-inch V8 according to the VIN. It would have had 175 horsepower and 285 lb-ft of torque. The seller basically gives zero information about this car because it was donated, but they have included some inspection forms for the bidders to mull over while wondering if they should go any higher or not. This looks like a really nice car and that interior would clinch it for me if I were looking for a Matador sedan. Any thoughts on this one?
When I was a kid I rode in the back of one of these with my friend to go to Canyon Lake just outside San Antonio. I was too young to remember the interior color though although you would think I would remember the fabric. She’s definitely loud and proud. I love it and I would drive it as is and preserve this car.
Aw factor through the roof on this one. This was a very similar car to the 1970 Ambassador ex-forest ranger car the old man had. As far as comfort options, it couldn’t have been more the opposite. It was basically a green police car, complete with 390 AMX motor, posi, automatic, we dubbed it the “burn out king”, because it would lay 2 strips of rubber for a block. This car couldn’t be more different, appealing to mostly elderly folks that always bought Ramblers. For many, this was as good a car as they ever had.
13 bids going up in increments of a dollar, tells me interest isn’t strong with this one. Too bad, their loss, as someone is going to get the best AMC had to offer at the time. While many may think of Adam 12, I don’t think they ever used Ambassadors and used Matadors, and Plymouths before that. Simply can’t go wrong here, I’d love to have it,,,for the memories, you know and a heck of a nice ride.
Pete Malloy’s personal car was a 1974 Matador Coupe.
https://www.imcdb.org/vehicle_1073411-AMC-Matador-Coupe-1974.html
I seem to remember an Adam 12 Christmas special in late 1973 and someone in the police hierarchy drove a 1974 Ambassador woodgrain wagon.
When you go to the auction you can actually view a full inspection of the car. Never seen this before, good idea. If it sells for anywhere near the present price, someone is going to be a very happy buyer.
You mention the exhaust extensions Scotty, but what about the limo tint. That was very rarely done to these cars in the 70’s.
I don’t know about anyone else, but distinct and unusual do have different connotations. Distinct has a more positive lean, as unusual tends to be negative. The rear taillights reminds me of the 72 LTD set up, the front end is pure AMC. This could be the ultimate sleeper, as nobody would expect this car to be fast. Wake up that 360 with a few upgrades, tint the windows, and throw in some nice tires and rims and exhaust, and this Grannymobile could be a fun car. Get it for the right price, and you could have a cool ride.
Sorry, forget the tint, I am an idiot.
Sorry, forget the tint, I am an idiot, and the exhaust, I am a Michigan fan and didn’t sleep well.
The interior DOES look new. I dont think AMC ever offered that type of detachable armrest in the middle; probably aftermarket. This unique vehicle HAS LITERALLY thousands of possibilities…….its LIKE GETTING a ‘blank canvas’ handed to you……some of THE ITEMS have already been done ( i.e. exhaust tips & window tint )
But PLEASE, don’t drop in a 454 V8!
I have a ’71 Ambo,but not near as nice as this one. The ’72 has some nice upgrades over earlier models like Torque-Flite transmission, standard electric wipers, and sane HVAC controls. Comfortable road car overall but the steering wheel juts out pretty far, no arms-out driving position here.
My dad bought this used…pea green…from an “older couple” that might have been younger than I am now! …I wrecked it…t-boned but parked it in the driveway with “bad side” facing away from the house. He bought junk yard doors and still drove it until the oil pump went and it’s final end achieved. Truly a Joe Friday cruiser and my high school friends were always spooked by its PD presence.
That cupholder/armrest is definitely JC Whitney …but it works. It’s a cool scaled-down land yacht.
That interior material was used in a lot of 70 cars, a Olds that I had was so equipped. It usually doesn’t last long as it’s pretty thin. Definitely distinctive.
These old classic cars need to remain as OEM as possible. When you install custom wheels you oftenhave changed the load factors on the wheel bearings and the front end components. I know from being inthe auto industry that thousands ofhours went into the engineering of the suspensions and a countryhick is not going to improve on the perfromance and durability of these automobiles. Keep in mind there is that pressurised lip that keeps the lug nut tight on the OEM wheel. After market wheels often donothave this safety factor
In 1972 , i was 10
The old gray haired couple that live across from us , bought the exact same car
I found it totally ugly at that time !
50 years later , i still find it ugly!
Somethings never change …
And i still love convertibles and still own and drive them but only 2 seaters now , no kids , no grannie
On Ambassadors, the seat material matched the upper door material, and those appear to be original vinyl. I suspect the seats have been tastefully redone.
Auction update: this beauty sold for $4,651!