I miss the era when vehicle companies redesigned vehicles more often than they do today. I realize that it can be bad for those who like the latest styles and then have to keep paying for the latest and greatest, but it sure is fun seeing all of the two-year designs from back then. This 1965 Rambler Ambassador 990-H is posted here on craigslist in Auburn, Washington, and they’re asking $17,500. Here is the original listing, and thanks to Curvette for the tip!
Most of you know that the fifth-generation Rambler Ambassador was only made for the 1965 and 1966 model years, and that the easy way to tell them apart is that the ’65 cars have the wraparound rear window as seen here. The ’66 models had a flatter rear window that didn’t wrap around on the sides. I prefer the 1966 models, but that’s like saying you like red better than green. There is no bad choice for this generation of the Ambassador. Here’s a 1965 Rambler Ambassador brochure.
We’ve seen a few 1965 Rambler Ambassadors here on Barn Finds, and one was a similar two-door hardtop, but with a painted black top, and it wasn’t an “H” trim level car. The Ambassador came in a base level 880, then the mid-trim 990, with the 990-H as the top trim level. I’m a big fan of stacked headlights, and this generation has some of the best.
Frost White paint is a nice contrast to the beautiful teal interior in the 990-H, which included “slim bucket seats” with a center armrest. The interior photos are a little lacking in this listing, unfortunately. We don’t get to see a driver’s seat view of the wheel and dash, but the interior looks pretty much like new from what is shown in the many detailed photos. In fact, the front seats were reupholstered in NOS fabric, so that’s why. The back seat looks perfect (no word on whether the hat goes with the sale…), as does the trunk, and they even included underside photos, showing what appears to be a rock-solid car.
It’s always a win to have an engine photo, especially in a craigslist or facebook marketplace listing. This one is AMC’s 327-cu.in. OHV V8, which, with the 4-barrel carb had 270 horsepower and 360 lb-ft of torque when new. Power passes through a BorgWarner Flash-O-Matic three-speed automatic and sends power to the rear wheels. The seller says this one has rebuilt heads, a new timing chain and gears, a rebuilt radiator, a new water pump, a new heater control valve, a new Holley 4-barrel carb, a new fuel pump, and more. The AC has been converted to R134a, and as almost always happens, it leaks, so it will need to be checked out. Are any of you fans of the fourth-generation Ambassador?
Super cool Scotty. The cars in the brochure are really sharp. The CL ad was deleted, so it seems this car flew off the shelf.
I realize some of you “Big 3 ” types laugh, this is the best they could do? And yes, this was the best that came out of Milwaukenosha. This is the last Ambassador to be called a Rambler, 1966 it was the AMC Ambassador, and never meant to compete with the Impalas and LTDs. George Romney still believed smaller cars were the answer, and threw everything they had at this car. Thing was, AMC couldn’t shake it’s Rambler image with a mere name change, and a lot of people missed out on a truly wonderful car. I read about 64,000 Ambassadors were sold in 1965, no call-out on how many were the 990H, but it couldn’t have been very many. Certainly not the million Fords and Chevys, but kept us working. While the author lists the updates, he failed to mention the most important one, the electric wiper update! Not sure if “deleted” means sold, but someone will find out what great cars they really were.
Howard, George Romney was long gone by 1965. This was an Abernathy car.
The ’65 and ’66 Rambler Ambassadors are great looking cars. I always liked the stacked headlights. Until reading Scottys write up, I never realized the difference in the back windows between the two years. And I’m usually pretty good at spotting stuff like like. Add that to the list of new things I learned on Barnfinds that I didn’t know before. Nice write up Scotty, thank you .
My ’65 880 has the flat rear window. Either they changed it mid-year or the 880 never had the wrap-around. Either way, great car, I’ve owned it almost 45 years now.
I owned a ’66 Ambassador 880 four door with the 327 2-barrel, automatic transmission, non-power brakes and manual steering. It had the heavy duty springs for trailer towing, but it was one of the smoothest riding and quietest running cars I ever knew. Wish I still owned it today.
Too bad AMC didn’t make it. It would be interesting to see what their modern offerings would be.
Call me a pessimist, here is my $.02: Unfortunately, due to overzealous government mandates, manufacturer unions, and the fierce competition, they’d probably make the same generic, unreliable crap that everyone else does. And warantees will be useless because of most parts on nationwide backorder.
snappy looking AMC and looks like it sold already. good deal if you were looking for 1 of these
I don’t see anything to dislike about this car. Great, classy style with the wire caps to make it more so. Add in the probably rare option of a/c on a rare model and a new interior, no wonder it went fast!
Nice write-up Scotty!
Nice clean car ! Don’t see these around in this shape! Btw look at that battery! These 327 ran strong ! Glwts ! Peace!
*ahem*
if it were only black.
.
Then it would truly be a
SLEEK BLACK BEAUTY.
I remember in the 1960’s when my father was telling someone how he just could not understand why one of his co-workers bought a new Ambassador, because for that kind of money he could have a much better car instead of an off-brand car. And then years later in the 1970’s it didn’t help when a neighbor who used to be an AMC salesmen told the story how he was driving on a Chicago expressway when the hood on his Rambler flew open and he couldn’t see thru the windshield so he had to pull over driving with his head out the window. I don’t remember my father discouraging me from buying my first of 3 AMC cars in 1978. I actually bought the ’78 Concord because the Sand Tan interior looked so great and my first choice, the Motor Trend Car of the Year, Toyota Celica, was only being sold at sticker price or higher that year.
My dad bought fords for years, until our new 1966 Mustang and our new 68 LTd started falling apart. Total junk. He switch to AMC and never looked back. We bought them up to the end and I still have a few today.
Nice clean AMC here with AC. My grandpa was a AMC man last car he owned was a 1973 AMC two door hornet
I’ve never seen this hardtop and I remember every car I’ve seen since 1958.
This takes the Ambassador to a new level. I have a favorite ’65 now!
Does anybody else here wonder why they remember ever detail of every car but not remember the much more important things in life?
We’re car guys and girls!
GONE.
Thanks for the brochure link, Scotty. The hardtop is a sharp looker, the convertible, even better.
I bought the car almost immediately after seeing the add…..put a deposit on it and I never DREAMED I would own something this nice. The couple that sold it to me were amazing to deal with…and I am blessed that they allowed me to be the new care taker of their car. I’ve had it about 3 days now, and still can’t believe I can call it mine. These people take care of their product like no one I have ever met!
Congrats Raymon! It’s always nice to hear the success stories.
Congratulations Rayman. You got a sweet one!