It had only been a year since the Rambler name was retired from the Ambassador line and it would go away totally after the 1969 model year. If you wanted the top-of-the-line AMC Ambassador for 1967, the DPL – short for Diplomat – you got a convertible or a car like this 1967 AMC Ambassador DPL two-door coupe. The seller has this example posted here on craigslist in beautiful Bend, Oregon and they’re asking $9,500.
What a great-looking design, I can’t believe that AMC didn’t do better in the marketplace than it did over the years. Although, it certainly had its successes and most car companies have teetered on the brink of bankruptcy and obsolescence. It’s sad that they aren’t around anymore and it’s hard to believe that they have been gone for well over three decades now. I’m a wicked huge fan of stacked headlights and these are a nice evolution from the fifth-generation cars in 1965 and 1966, my personal favorite Ambassador era.
What a nice, crisp design. I’m not sure if the white exterior helps show off this car in all its glory or not but I don’t know if there is a bad color, or tone, for these cars. There are the usual nicks and dings here and there but overall it looks pretty nice. The seller has provided many good photos so kudos to them for that. They even included underside photos showing some soft areas underneath that would be my first task with this car. The trunk looks like it could use a little help as well. Here’s a great YouTube video showing the 1967 Ambassador DPL. I love how they show a woman checking out the luxury features but they say that the DPL is “priced for a young man who wants his luxury now…”
That interior though! AMC had some nice interiors over the years, including some great houndstooth pattern interiors on Ambassador DPLs, but this red brocade fabric is as good as it gets in my world. I’m fairly sure that SMS Auto Fabrics would have replacement fabric to repair the driver’s seat and any other areas. The back seat looks great with the original pillows, but the rear parcel shelf has some issues. I’m not sure if it’s showing rust or rodent damage or what that is, but it might be a chore to find a replacement. The dash crack may be harder to repair.
The engine is AMC’s 343 cubic-inch V8 which would have had 280 horsepower, 365 lb-ft of torque, and a four-barrel carburetor. The seller has owned this car for a couple of years and they had the transmission rebuilt and they say that it drives great but it needs a front-end alignment and shocks. Are there any fans of the seventh-generation Ambassador DPL out there?
Very nice, I have the Rebel version. This thing is really equipped, not stripped! Not only do I see optional electric windshield wipers, but factory cruise control and factory AC (not yet standard on Ambassadors in ’67).
Hard to tell from the photo but that master cylinder looks like the same type AMC used on their early disc brake systems. If so front brakes use 4-piston Bendix fixed calipers on solid rotors. Rear brakes would be a strange “non-servo” design for which parts are simply not available.
Also, AMC was still using trunnions on these rather than ball joints on the upper control arms.
Floors look a bit crunchy underneath but if the unibody structure is otherwise OK those can be fixed.
I just purchased a 65 Ambassador 990 Two tone paint convertible with the 270 h.p. 327 4 barrel power windows, power top and power brakes, factory a/c, bucket seats with the armrest and tilt wheel, faux wire wheel hubcaps. She is a beauty with 78K on her. I get more compliments and comments about her elegant and unique looks from people who love and admire the Ramblers and from teenagers and young adults who admire the car and ask what it is. I own a 63 Corvette Splitwindow, a 63 Ford Thunderbird Sport Roadster, a 57 Thunderbird E Code and a 70 AMX 360 Go Pack 4 speed T 10 with ac Big Bad Blue. with the shadow hood. And yet most people are drawn to and like the Ambassador over my other cars.
I agree with the writer, these cars are nice-looking. And you never see these around any more, maybe because of rust problems like this one has. Hopefully whoever buys it will fix its issues. They’d have a truly rare classic.
Rust problems? It’s 54 years old.
Add a set of American mags,& this would look even better.
There was one of these in a charcoal color,with mags,that looked
really nice,in Eureka (CA),where I used to live.
Putting mags on this beauty would be nauseous. Much prefer original full caps or wires would be an enhancement. My first new car purchase when I graduated from Texas Tech was a bright red convertible with white top. My specialty tags said “GAME”. Wish I still had that fantastic machine.
I love the flaps for the center air conditioning vents. No question which way you want them to face, or whether you’ve got them open or closed.
My dad’s ’61 Classic had two flaps on the top of the dash that opened up for the AC. He had to have a new motor installed under warranty at about 1000 mi, something with the oiling system. If someone slammed the hood too hard it would break one of the headlight bulbs on occasion.
Looks a lot like a Ford Fairlane to me, which i’ve always admired. Which I didn’t pass on that ’66 or ’67 GTA I could have bought for $500 back in the late 80’s…
It sure does. Being a Fairlane Fanatic since my pastor GAVE me my first 66 Fairlane 500 (C-Code 289/SelectShift Cruise-O-Matic Trans) in 1983. Owned more tha 2 dozen over the years. In my eyes, it really looks like it has a 66 Mercury Comet Cyclone nose with a 66 Fairlane back end. If those tail lights had a center reverse light, they’d be a dead ringer. -Keep on Keepin’ on. ~S
I live in Bend and would be happy to put some eyes on this nice specimen if anybody is interested
Are there any fans of the seventh-generation Ambassador DPL out there? Darned right there are! I owned a ’66 Ambassador 880 4-door, a ’67 DPL hardtop like this one with the Custom interior and a ’67 DPL convertible. I had more enjoyment and fewer problems with those three Ambassadors than with any other domestic brand cars I ever owned. Let’s hope a real fan steps up and gives this car a good home.
Totally looks like a Galaxy 500, I want either in my driveway NOW!!!
I remember as a kid, the USPS used 4 door 1967 Ambassadors as postal vehicles. They were right hand drive with 6 cylinders, because I saw the “232” on the front fenders. They were short lived, but they had them.
Potomac Electric Power Company (PEPCO) in the DC Metro area used AMC as their service vehicles. I bought a 1970 Rebel from a government auction around 1981.
Very Cool. My Grandparents and parents had AMC’s when we were growing up. The red interior brings back memories. The AMC windshield washer bag is the same on all my Dad’s Rebels…They all had the verticle radios. I never heard of a 343CU inch. Pretty neat.
DPL, the letters , are actually the initials of Don Paul Leonardi, the designer of the DPL interior
Daral, that’s the first time that I’ve heard that. I’ve seen it mentioned several times on different websites that DPL is short for Diplomat and I get zero references to that name on Google.
Most know my Rambler/AMC roots. This car was as good as it got. I was glad to see the “stacked headlights” go, but not a deal breaker. Not for the management that had GM limos, this was the best car for the average “dome light installer” on the line. They were mighty proud to have this in their driveway. We really had a great pride in building thing, and produced great cars. My grandfathers last car, after a succession of Ramblers, was a ’66 Ambassador 4 door. He felt he hit the big time in that car and rightly so. To him, and most other Rambler followers, it was the nicest car offered without jumping ship. Someone going to get a sweetheart here, I only wish I could buy it for the author someday.
You’re way too kind, Howard. Thanks! As long as you’re buying, I’ll take a ’66 model first, but I’d love to have this ’67.
Age is relative to the rust issues ,there’s 70 year old cars without a rust spot anywhere, and 8 year old rusted garbage driving around, upkeep is everything, and of course geography is a lot also,but as much as I love seeing unusual cars on here,this one is simply priced too high for the metal work needed, I feel half as much is a fair price.
Mine had that leak since it was new. Grandfather bought car new and complained to AMC. Never was fixed right til I replaced the whole window lip and made it so it would be sealed by urethane in 2015
looks like a 4 wheel drum brake master cylinder. that interior will make your head spin!
I owned this car for a period of time while I was restoring an identical 67 DPL that I bought brand new in June of 1967. This is a very well equipped, very original car. Still had the factory date coded ignition wires and most of the original hoses and clamps. Yes, it has some rust issues but nothing major or structural. When I sold it I had included NOS upholstery material that I bought from SMS to repair the front seat. When I sold it it needed transmission work ( no reverse ) but ran fine. I hope that it finds a good home.