The Rambler Ambassador: A Classic American Car That Faced Tough Competition
In the mid-1960s, American Motors Corporation (AMC) faced the challenge of competing directly against the dominant trio of GM, Ford, and Chrysler. To do so, AMC needed to create a full-size car that could rival popular models like the Impala, Galaxie, and Monaco. With this goal in mind, the Rambler Ambassador was born.
For the 1965 model year, the Rambler Ambassador underwent a wheelbase stretch and a restyling by Dick Teague. With its sleek design and impressive features, it became the flagship car for AMC. Recently, a vintage Rambler Ambassador convertible from 1965 was discovered at Colorado Auto & Parts, showcasing the glory of this once-snazzy vehicle.
The Ambassador 990 convertible was not the most expensive car in the 1965 Rambler lineup. The Ambassador wagon and the sporty Marlin were priced slightly higher. However, with a price tag of $2,955 (equivalent to $29,907 in 2024 dollars), it was considered quite costly for Rambler customers accustomed to more budget-friendly options like the Classic and American models.
This particular Ambassador model was outfitted with AMC’s largest engine at the time – a 327-cubic-inch V8 rated at 250 horsepower. While some may associate the 327 engine with Chevrolet, it’s important to note that AMC’s version predates Chevrolet’s. Interestingly, Kaiser-Jeep purchased AMC 327 engines for their trucks during the same period and referred to them as “327 Vigilantes.”
The base engine for the 1965 Ambassador was a 232-cubic-inch straight-six known as the “Torque-Command.” This engine lineage continued in later years, with descendants of the 4.0-liter variant still being used in Jeep Wranglers as late as 2006.
In terms of transmission, the Ambassador came with a three-speed column-shift manual as the standard option. However, the showcased Ambassador features the optional three-speed automatic transmission with a “Flash-O-Matic” shifter located on the center console. If buyers desired a factory-installed radio, they could choose from “Duo-Coustic” or “Vibra-Tone” rear speakers.
While the Rambler Ambassador gained some popularity, its sales numbers paled in comparison to the offerings from Chevy, Ford, and Chrysler. AMC sold just under 65,000 Ambassadors for the 1965 model year, a stark contrast to the millions of full-size cars sold by its competitors. Interestingly, the Ambassador’s size played a role in its slow sales since it wasn’t much larger than the midsize cars offered by its rivals.
Despite its challenges, AMC continued to compete with the Detroit Big Three until Chrysler eventually purchased the remaining assets of the company in 1987. This marked the end of the Rambler marque, as all AMC cars in subsequent years featured American Motors Corporation badging. The Rambler name did live on for one more year as the model name for the AMC Rambler, which was essentially a rebranded Rambler American for the 1969 model year.
Today, a fully restored Rambler Ambassador from 1965 would command a high price. Unfortunately, the showcased car has seen better days. Its body shows signs of rust, and the interior has endured many years of exposure to the elements. As a result, restoring this vehicle would be a costly endeavor.
Overall, the Rambler Ambassador was an ambitious attempt by AMC to compete in the fiercely competitive American automobile market of the 1960s. While it didn’t achieve the same level of success as its competitors, it remains an iconic symbol of American automotive history.
