American Motors was the only independent American manufacturer after Studebaker departed in 1966. But they did a pretty good job of competing with the big three for a few decades. The full-size car was probably where they didn’t do quite as well, but none the less, they had a great product. Here is a fine example of American Motor’s full size 1965 Rambler Ambassador 990 2 door hardtop for sale here on eBay in Chico, California.
The 1965 Ambassador shared its body with the mid-size Classic, with a four-inch stretch in the wheelbase to 116 inches and an overall length of 200 inches. For comparison, the smallest other full-size car for 1965 was the Plymouth Fury with a 119-inch wheelbase and 209.4 overall lengths. To make it look more like a full-size car, American Motors gave it the stack headlight treatment like several other full-size cars of 1965 did. This car wears its original Woodside Green paint. Of 64,145 1965 Ambassadors produced, 5,034 were 990 2 door hardtops, with another 6,382 being 990-H 2 door hardtops, which were a little sportier with bucket seats and console.
Unfortunately, the extra wheelbase space was between the front wheels and front doors, making the interior the same size as the Classic. The seller describes this Ambassador as being in “amazing condition for a 53-year-old, all original car”. He/she describes the interior as stunning, which I tend to agree with, as far as describing its condition. American Motors was ahead of most other manufacturers by offering a split front seat, which this car has. The car also has its original working AM radio.
Even though the 1965 Ambassador came with a standard 6 cylinder, the first owner opted for the 327 4-bbl V-8 producing 270 horsepower, the largest engine available that year. Other options are power steering and power brakes. This Ambassador has been driven 65,802 in the last six decades. The only flaw I can spot in the pictures is a slight dent in the forward protruding horizontal bar on the grille. Other than that, I think the highest bidder of this Ambassador will be getting a fine example of a sixties American Motors car.
My grandfather had a 4 door ’65 Ambassador. It was the nicest car he ever had, and was also the last car he would ever drive. It was a very nice car, so much so, even my dad, who was a stout Cadillac owner, enjoyed driving it. I was never a fan of stacked headlights, but it sold a lot of cars for AMC. It was AMC’s heyday, and kept many a Milwaukenosha worker busy. The workers were proud of what they did, and it was a good car. None survived, and this is an outstanding example of one. I rarely, if ever, saw a 2 door.
https://www.google.com/maps/place/4000+Garden+Rd,+El+Sobrante,+CA+94803/@37.9666444,-122.3133319,3a,75y,162.3h,88.39t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sZ2ZPYU_9Md87XaH9FoR4_g!2e0!7i16384!8i8192!4m5!3m4!1s0x80857782d410113d:0xf3fa4cd6dbc469fa!8m2!3d37.9663003!4d-122.3132983
It appears that if the original owner, Mr.William E. Richmond still resides in the same house, he has traded up to a Winnebago and a Honda Civic. LOL (Unfortunately, I am willing to bet that the original owner is deceased.)
https://www.google.com/maps/@37.8657163,-122.2676995,3a,75y,224.21h,97.2t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sSGdY_GbirxkD-GltvVuNHg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192
I wonder if anyone that works at the Berkeley Toyota dealer knows that it was a Rambler dealer at one time.
They probably never even heard of a Rambler! (Heck, most car salesmen I’ve talked to barely know about what they’re selling!)
This one is real nice! I used to have a 1964 Ambassador 990 which although it had different dashboard and exterior styling was substantially the same car under the skin. It will really move out well with the 327 and still get decent gas mileage. Same AC controls under the dash as the one I had, though this one has just an AM radio. (Mine had AM/FM with Vibratone. State of the art, baby!) And this Ambassador has the rare electric wiper option! It doesn’t get any better than this! (Well, maybe if it had the optional front disc brakes. Discs are pretty easy to retro-fit though.)
No underside photos but being a lifelong CA car I’ll bet it’s rock-solid under there. Never all that plentiful when new, these cars dissolved long ago where salted winter roads are the norm.
That is a very good looking car, I’ve seen Ambasadors before but in a two door version it looks real good.
Very nice I’m not partial to 2 door cars but this one is an exception. Very nice.
I keep wanting to see a hopped-up Ambassador with the badging altered to say AMBADASSADOR.
Nice Car!
This is a nice, rare car in great shape, but I like the more formal roofline of the 1966 models so much better:
https://barnfinds.com/taxman-cometh-1966-amc-ambassador-dpl/
I LOVE DAT CAR…the color, not so much but I would deal with it
Nice car. The paint does look quite faded, but no signs of “patina” or rust, yet. Interior is great looking! Love the 327, 4bbl! Quite a lot of engine to move this little gem. If I had the money, I would get this one… Of course, I would have to make room for it. But, I would go through all the safety stuff first, the, just drive it everywhere. This car really appeals to me. Most of my “adult” life, I’ve been a big block hot rod lover. But, recently, old age has taken me down a notch or two and I am really into the more practical cars, now. But, that’s okay. I still appreciate almost everything BF has found…except for some of the outrageously priced ones.
Of the 63-66 this Ambassador is the best.
Great details like the grille, tail lights and roofline.
I don’t mind the roofline on the 66, but I like this one on the 2 door hardtop better.
This 65 and the 67 are my favorite years.
Very nice car. Like the styling and even the color and I would think the 2 Dr. HT. is fairly rare. Love to have it in my garage!
I bought a 1967 Ambassador convertible as a self gift upon graduating from college. It had a 327 rbbl engine with standard 3-on-the-tree. I added after-market AC and went off to my high school teaching job. Loved that car -but lost it when couldn’t keep up payments. Oh, yeah! It was a bright red!
You’d have a hard time finding a nicer one, if you like Ramblers. Hope it finds a good home, up to 8 grand right now!!
Good luck to the new owner.
And factory A/C to boot ! Looking at the washer fluid bag makes me chuckle.
I purchased this car. Its a gem!!!
lucky you Bryce. Enjoy.