In high school a friend of mine was embarrassed to receive one of these as an inheritance from her grandma. None of us had ever seen one, much less, knew what it was. It was in great shape in dark brown with a vinyl roof and had a 401 in it. She told us it was fast. We didn't believe her. When it embarrassed some of us in our 80's "muscle machines" I was a believer. I just recall looking in the passenger side mirror and hearing the induction honk of the 4bbl carb as it grew closer and closer. It would have passed us except we suddenly shut it down, no longer interested in racing the "big brown turd" as we called it. The better to avoid the L.
My Dad bought a new Ambassador SST 2 door in 1969. He was a GM and Ford guy. Got a new car about every three years. He kept that Ambassador until 1986! He told me it was the best car he ever had.
Adam, You could not 'pass up' buying it and we cannot 'pass up' watching this educational video 😁😁 According to my limited inquiries, this Ambassador was made in Wisconsin not Ontario.
When I was just starting grade school in Kenosha, WI., if you had told the class to draw a basic car most of them would have drawn an AMC Ambassador. They were extremely popular cars in their birth place
Back in the 70s, my homeroom teacher in 7th grade had an Ambassador SST. It was blue, with the same or similar front end as that. That car is in amazing condition. This video makes me want to own one.
I apologize if this comment is redundant but the video changed and I can’t see it. My great grandmother was a Chevrolet woman and an entrepreneur and her Chevrolet broke down in front of what then was called a Rambler dealer. She bought a yellow 74 ambassador “loaded” per legend with black top black interior. I do not know the trim level or V8 displacement. It was her last car and coincidentally the day she died the car did too and no body could start it. It is a car of hallowed antiquity in my family aside a dozen big GMs. This video means a lot to me personally. Thank you.
Adam, every time you get a new one I say to myself " that's my favorite of Adam's collection". Man, this car is SWEET!!!! Would love to know how in the heck you house such a huge collection. And how in the world can you keep them all insured, registered , maintained etc. That has to be a full time job in itself.
Always have had a soft spot for the under dog AMC. After restoring a 1968 AMX, I restored a 1967 Ambassador woodie station wagon in flamingo metallic, with a 343ci to haul the car & family to car shows. Both drove great and I was amazed how many thumbs up the wagon got! Love your informative series, keep up the great work.
The steering box was a Saginaw, but the pump was an Eaton unit. AMC used Eaton power steering units up until the end of '71. After that they used Saginaw pumps. It was smart to outsource the small parts, especially when it would have cost more per unit than making their own. All the domestics did it to one degree or another. Heck, even the Mustang used a Saginaw gear box.
My first car was a 73 Ambassador. It was my mom’s car. It needed a timing chain. I was told that if I could fix it I could have it. I became an auto mechanic because of that car. Thanks for sharing your great find!
I'm retired from trucking now. I used to haul cars and couldn't help noticing the "tie down" holes, exactly where the LIFT positions were. Would that all cars were so clearly labeled. Nowadays the trend is to strap tires in order to transport cars. But I was a chain era guy. You haven't truly known frustration in life until you have to transport a '65 Jaguar or '72 Rolls Royce or worse, something custom. The Asian import guys used to have beautiful no brainer tie down points... until they started changing to German wannabes and lost their normal tie down points. AMC was really pulling off the shelf in order to build their cars. No deep pockets there, I guess. But they were functional and easy to work on. I saw one of these up in Minnesota maybe 3 yrs ago. Looked like a new car, much like yours. Thanks for posting!!
I don't know why you keep saying that it's funny looking! I'm 68 and remember quite well when AMC was still in operation and building these cars! I always thought that the 71 Ambassador's in particular , was a very handsome design! So much so that I tried to convince my parents to buy one when they were looking for a new car....alas, they bought an Impala! It wasn't a bad car, but I've often thought how well that Ambassodor might have been!!!!
This is a beautiful Ambassador. It is good to know that there are some original, untouched beauties still out there. I love American Motors I’m glad Adam is a fan of AM as his is my favorite car channel on RU-vid. I had never considered that AM overextended themselves with the Jeep purchase. I have always thought of that marriage as the rightest of right unions. This is why your channel is so interesting, you give informed perspective on styling, finances and history with genuine enthusiasm. I can’t wait till your next AM car video.
I’m glad you got your poor man’s Cadillac. What a gem, and I love the sick color! Them there checkered flags gonna help you win a lot of street racies! Being a Detroit-iron guy, your unfamiliarity with Mercedes-Benz kickdown switches (a buttun under the throttle pedal) is forgiven.
Adam, those chrome shades, as you called them, were actually referred to as drip shields or rain guards. They came as a dealer add-on and could also be obtained after-market for a variety of makes and models.
The Window shades were and still are made by The Auto Vent Shade Co. I've used them for many years. Last I knew the stainless steel ones are still available in addition to the PVC tinted shades for the newer cars and trucks without 1/4 vent windows.
Our local police department used to use these for patrol cars. In an odd quirk, the police chief at the time decreed that no squad car could have air conditioning. As a/c was standard, the local AMC dealer had to remove all the components upon delivery. They had a back room full of compressors, hoses, dryers, etc., all from the police cars.
Thank you again from a 🇨🇦 Canadian for your splendid, caring stewardship of historic 'not mainstream' cars gleaned from our nation. You're a gift to the classic car world, Adam.
Dick Teague was a magician making interesting cars on the cheap. The consumer guide stuff of the era preferred these as best full sizer. Even if AMC full size wasn't quite Big 3 full 🤫
I like this Ambassador, it does have a certain odd charm to it!!! When I was in high school in the seventies the school secretary had a 72 Ambassador Brougham, it was factory orange with a black vinyl top & black interior!!! Thanks for sharing another fun video!!! 👍👍🙂
The condition of this is really amazing! That clearly was someone’s pride and joy that they cherished. My guess is the buyer grew up without much and this was his/her first new car and they knew to take care of it and cherish it! As for styling IMO it’s the nicest year for Ambassador and looks well put together. Looking at the front clip as long as I did reminds me of some Japanese sedans from 60s early 70s though like 25-30% bigger lol. From rear I can see Ford LTD but if you stare at it long enough it reminds me too of a Dart Swinger from this Era. Anyone else see this??
The rear does evoke Chrysler to me - maybe the Dart Swinger, evoked by that angle. The overall shape of those AMC full-size cars looks like an Australian car (now that -thanks to the internet and RU-vid - I can see what they had back in the '70s way down under!)
I can't get over the condition of this beauty! Love the color too. Those look like Goodyear Arriva tires! Those were OEM on many 80's cars including all Chrysler M-bodies from about 1983 on. I think they stopped making them in 1992. I do see some similarities to the 1955-56 Packard's in the front end design. It's curious you describe the styling as awkward or strange.. I think it's perfectly balanced with not a bad line on it and better looking than any of the full sized cars from the "Big 3" in the early 70's. Great looking front end, rear, end and side profile. I think the 1965-73 Ambassadors (and Classics/Rebels/Matadors) are probably the most "conventional" looking AMC's built. Those headliners were functional but definitely did not say "luxury". Glad you are enjoying how it drives!
Adam, what a joy to see a 1971 Ambassador Brougham again! My hometown was swamped by 1971 Ford LTD Broughams during my junior high school years so not many AMC cars to spot around town, except for the Javelin. The example you own is absolutely beautiful. Congratulations!
The Ambassador may look like something styled in the former Soviet Bloc, but it's none-the-less charming, especially in that lime-green variant. Further, in AMC's down-sizing fashion, it provides what most drivers needed (except for power windows!?) without the Big 3 excess. What a find! Terrific video, Adam! And as someone else already commented, ALL car companies should hire "finance guys" with as much car insight as you. (From a brand-new subscriber.)
YES THATS IT!!!! I posted possibly looks like a60s Japanese sedan only 30% smaller but your take is spot on now that you mention it! It’s styling def reminds me of some Soviet cars I’ve seen
I had a '71 Ambassador Brougham wagon, with the woodgrain side trim, and power windows, with a two barrel 360 ( had a couple Matadors with 4 barrel 360s, same Motorcraft carb as Ford used on 460s) , and it could get 22 mpg on long trips, in flat territory. Great Car! 😊
That beautiful piece of mechanical engineering looks like it just rolled off the assembly line. Headed for a dealership somewhere in the good ole USA! 😁👍
Wow Adam I can’t get enough of this car I am sooo in love with it!!!! Sooo glad you bought it! Makes me smile every time!!! I LOVE it!!! Thanks for sharing this! Jeff
Love all your original cars. I grew up riding and driving in these cars through my youth and high school years. Truly amazing these cars are in this great shape.
Adam, Thanks for sharing. If we ever find out that you had access to a time machine this entire time, it would come as a surprise to exactly no one. :)
Great review, Adam. Having taken my driver’s test in a ‘65 Ambassador, I’m nostalgic about this AMC. If you want to reduce the wind noise, remove those window rain guards. But they are functional and kinda cool! Thanks, John 👍👍👍
I had a 65 Ambassador 990 sedan. 327 V8 and loaded to the gills, but with three on the tree and overdrive. If I remember correctly, it had Ventshades too.
I learned to drive on my Dad's '65 Ambassador and drove it some during my Junior year in H.S. until I was able to buy my own car. I loved that car... so much that I bought a '65 Ambassador 990 about a month & half ago. It has 80,550 miles on it. Still tweaking it , but it's running pretty well now! Colorado car, minimal rust.
The Ambassador to which I’m referring was bought new, a 990H coupe. Creamy white with a red rood and red vinyl interior, center console automatic, bucket seats, 327 4bbl. Took my driver’s test in 1970 after a 4” snowfall in Mason, Michigan. It certainly wasn’t a “cool” car amongst my high school peers, but I wish I owned it today!
@@Primus54 sounds pretty cool to me! My 990 was bought used in 1971. It was a chocolate brown sedan with a white roof and a brown cloth and vinyl interior. What was strange was that it had almost every option and accessory that Rambler could screw onto one car! It had A/C, P/S, P/B, front disc if I remember correctly, dual reclining seats with headrests, clear brown Rambler full floor mats, bumper and door edge guards, Rambler visor vanity mirror and compass, window screens and Rambler mud flaps. The only things missing were power windows, tilt and cruise and I don't think that you could get tilt or cruise with a manual transmission. I had the car for about six months and traded it in on a 68 Rebel SST hardtop. And yes, I wish that I had it today, in the condition that it was then.
Congratulations on your new to you car. Growing up, the next door neighbors, who preferred AMC, brought home your car brand new and in white. My memory about it is a little fuzzy but I do recall the unique door handles. To me, the car looks like a car a government employee would drive back in the 1970s.
AMC made a lot of good decisions and, unlike GM and Chrysler, never was liquidated in bankruptcy. Their cars were often ignored by potential buyers. Summarizing their problem: there are many makers of small inexpensive cars and many low volume manufacturers. There are, and were no low volume manufacturers of small inexpensive cars. You mention the 71 Ford and the similar appearance of the back of this car. This styling was applied to the Ambassador in 1970 and the Ford had a different appearance then. The headliner was designed to absorb sound. Dick Teague is credited with the 55 and 56 Packards. I believe that the Packard you pictured was built well before Teague arrived. Excellent video - my nit picking aside.
Your AMC is absolutely beautiful! I like the looks of the front end. The whitewall tires compliment the car. Beautiful wheel covers. Well cared for. Just a handsome car all the way around. Congratulations on your purchase!!
Great review! You had mentioned that many think the front end is Dick Teague's homage to Packard. I don't see it. Teague was famous for the 1955 facelift, and for the "Request," a Packard show car, featuring a traditional Packard radiator. I just don't see it. But it is an amazing find. Too bad more people didn't even consider it, back in the day.
An absolute beaut from AMC. It's interesting to see such a clean car come from Canada, someone absolutely loved that car and it shows! Thanks for another cool video.
Hi, Adam. Thank you for sharing this. The AMC cars were so much a part of our world in the late 60's and early 70's. Your understanding of that era is exemplary, and it's as if you were living in it along with those of us who were. Thank you for sharing these vehicles, and the memories that come up through them. Cheers!
Thanks for posting, Adam. My grandfather bought a brand-new 1970 Ambassador, DPL trim, in the same color. It also had black interior, and it had a white top, which was not a vinyl top, but painted white. He said he bought it off the showroom floor. I remember at 11 years old how smooth and quiet it was to ride in it. This one you bought looks in impeccable condition!
I can't get over how handsome this car is! I've never seen an AMC Ambassador look as nice as this one, part of it is the color, it's absolutely fantastic! But actually it IS a very handsome design. As with most AMC in my opinion, they're mostly let down by the interiors. They're functional but just a little weak in terms of true comfort and certainly can't be called "luxurious". Still, this is a great car, I haven't been inside one since I was a very young kid and our neighbors had one. Just one really good looking automobile! PS : your videos are absolutely THE BEST in terms of covering these woefully neglected cars. Your videos are so thorough and informative, I really look forward to every new post you do! Fantastic!
That was great. I've driven just about everything from the 70's, but in the 80's, and in my opinion those are about the most fun to drive big cars. Are they the quietist, softest ride, most luxurious? No. But they were a great driving car in ways you just have to experience first hand to get it.
You’re never truly excited about vehicles in your videos. This time, I can tell by your tone of voice, that this Ambassador is one of a kind. Excellent content as always ☺️
I knew you were going to be blown away by that color! And yes the 360 was/is a terrific power train, and they always ran nice and smooth. I also think the front end treatment is quite gorgeous, with the quad lamps tucked in nicely and the nice middle grille that rises with the hood, and the the really nice large parking lamps integrated into the bumper. Just a very nice clean look IMHO. I don’t even really mind the bumper guards as they kind of mirror the outside tips of the bumper, and sort of bracket the parking lamps. Very clean and stylish and it works for me! 😍
Wow, another fantastic car. Been an AMC fan since I was a kid, had a number of Javelins and AMC era Jeep CJ's when I was younger, so I think this car is great.
Motor Trend magazine did a comparo test in the early seventies with this Ambassador Brougham coupe, and equivalent Big Three offerings. They were quite complimentary and especially compared to the flabby Ford, also liked the handling. It's a beauty, all right! I remember when these were on the road quite a bit back then, at least in the Houston area.
I was in the National Guard in the early '70's. Our maintenance platoon was given the task of doing PM on several staff cars of a Headquarters company. I got to drive the vehicles back & forth. They were Ambassadors! Had never even been close to before. I remember being impressed that for the time, they drove and rode well, & were quiet.
In high school a friend of mine ended up with an Matador, he took great pride in how ridiculous that car was, I thought I was the outcast with my Mopars then this guy shows up with an AMC Matador. It was a strange car but man stop that throttle and that right rear tire could spin all the way to the steel belts. Fun times and memories. Thank you.
What a wonderful car and great information on it. That 360 motor is nothing to be ashamed of. It provides a perfect mix of sound, performance, and economy in a reliable overall package. The Ambassador was a VERY underrated car.
My dad was an AMC fan. I learned to drive in his 1970 hornet. Vacuum operated windshield wipers…you haven’t lived until you have driven in the rain on a hilly road with vacuum wipers. Huge gas tank, 20 gallons if I recall. Had the straight 6 and he put over 300k on it until it rotted out from underneath.
My first car was a '75 Hornet D/L with the 258 straight 6😁Velour upholstered reclining front seats, cold A/C, tilt wheel. Bought it for 350 bucks in 1987 with only 75K miles from an old Italian gentleman, had original window sticker in the glove box😁
When it was Nash there was a tank under the hood that stored air for the wipers,it eliminated that issue with the wipers barely working when going uphill or acceleration. It was a option item.
A word about the headliner. I had a '64 Rambler 770 coupe. The owner's manual mentioned the headliner in that was Fiberglas, and basically care free. I think the headliner in this Ambassador is probably the same.
Absolutely stunning car!! Just beautiful! Love the AMC engines, too! Regarding the AMC V8's, I recall how in the mid-to-late '70's, the car magazines took special interest in the high performance credentials of Big Three's "heavy duty" half-ton trucks because they could be optioned with 454/460/440 engines in relatively lightweight two-wheel-drive pickup configurations that were exempt from the smog controls that plagued traditional cars of the time. One of my favorite reads in those days was Pickup, Van & 4WD magazine, which typically championed the 454 Big 10 short box pickups as one of the fastest automobiles of the later '70's. Nevertheless, the one vehicle they tested that "closely pressed" the performance of GM 454 was the 1976 401-powered Jeep Cherokee Chief! The fact that the AMC 401 -- motivating a full-time four wheel drive full size sport utility vehicle -- could nearly rival a lightweight 454 pickup was not lost on the magazine staff!
Kenosha Cadillac, I like that name! Sure brings back memories. My father had a dark green with black interior 1971 AMC Ambassador SST Wagon with a 360 V8. It sure was a luxurious car for the era, though I never thought of it as being an alternative to Cadillac, but I guess it really was. It was nice for road trips to Florida and New England. The sound of the buzzer key reminder and vertical radio and HVAC controls seem like it was just yesterday. I can still hear the sound of the starter, the sound of the 360 V8. My dad bought the car used in 1974 (3 years old), kept it until 1987, but it had been relegated to second car status by then. I even drove that car a few times with my dad in deserted parking lots before I got my license. Not as nice condition as yours, but definitely above average for most 16 year old cars at that time. An AMC fan and his wife bought it on the spot. They drove 2+ hours to come see the car, they arrived in another AMC, I forget which one, might have been an Eagle sedan.
"Hermetically sealed." Great line and it would have to be coming from rustbelt Toronto where I happen to live. Congrats, your enthusism for this one is cool.
We used to remove the noise maker buzzer so we didn't have to listen to that noise when we opened the door. It is just a little box near the fuse box as I recall.
Fantastic review, super tasty ride you found yourself there Adam. Very happy it ended up in your paddock where something that nice belongs. I have always been a big fan of AMC, largely due to their "underdog" status. Had a few friends over the years with 71-74 Javelins and would still give my left arm for one. Another friend would ONLY buy and drive Hornets into the early 2000's. Never heard of him breaking down...ever! But what really got me on this video (as with your FOMO treasures of the era) was when you pull the door handle...the distinct, solid "click-click" and the door latching- those sounds make me gasp every time. What a beautiful sound that exudes "quality craftsmanship"! Keep the vids coming! Wringing my hands feverishly awaiting the next!
Back when these AMCs were new I as a kid thought those door handles were so unique and mod. Also recognize that dash - without the fine woodgrain applique and many options - from the baby blue 1970 Hornet (which, of course, featured three-on-the-tree) my friend's Dad bought ca. 1975 from a neighbor as a commuter car. Talk about basic transportation - but his dad made my frugal father look like a big spender!
Adam I’m amazed how many of your collection have been found here in Canada. The salt used on the winter roads , especially in Ontario, is why for decades cars were replaced every 3 or 4 years. I remember owning cars that started to rust out after only a couple of years (especially 70s Fords). Thanks for preserving these unicorns.
Very nice car in so many ways. The styling has held up well and the color perfect. The condition is outstanding. I attend a car show during the summer in Kenosha at the History Museum where there are few AMC cars that regularly show up. Have even seen an Ambassador Wagon. Have talked to some former AMC employees about there insights into working at the companies.
Hi Adam! We purchased a 1971 Buick Skylark! My mother needed a new car! I was 13 and would check out every new car that year! A class mate at the time his father bought a 1971 Matador! I remember I thought it was a nice looking car! It was a lot cheaper than my mothers Buick At 3,993.00 out the door! Which I was elated That we had a gorgeous car not to be embarrassed of! My older brother said that AMC was not a very good car manufacture!!! Some year later my sister needed a car, she was limited on what she could afford. So I Found a 1976 AMC Pacer X left over in January of 1977 got the car for $4,500.00 out the door I think you either loved AMC styling or hated it!!! The Pacer had many Quirks as well! Quality Was lacking, but it got her through graduate school and she used it until 1984 and it had 140,000 miles on it! Thanks for the great memories! Love the Ambassador!!! Enjoy!
Hi Adam, I think your right about the better appearance with out the vinyl roof, I think its cleaner and sportier looking. And you are correct, the stainless steel side window deflectors are aftermarket, as is the white plastic moldings on the car, the moldings are applied with two sided sticky tape. By the way, factory air conditioning was standard equipment on the American Motors Ambassador. American Motors did produce a good engine by the way, inline 6 and V8. The International Harvester 304 V8 was/is an AMC 304 V8. Please reply Dave...
This is a popular misconception. While AMC did provide some inline 6s, and a few 401 V8s to International, the IHC 304 was designed and built in-house.
We always had the big Ambassador in our family. My Dad loved the AMC product and we had over 14 of them throughout the years. Our final was a deep maroon 1975 Brougham.
I once read a contemporary road test in Popular Mechanics (or Science - can’t remember) comparing a Matador against a Chevelle and some other Chrysler or Ford offering. The Matador completely blew the competition out of the water on every measure. So your respect for this Ambassador is well-placed, Adam.
My father was a Rambler man and owned several, mostly Ambassadors. One of them had special brackets that would support the front seat backrest when in the fully reclined position. The "bed" feature I'm told was not popular with parents of daughters back then. Especially when drive-in theatres were still around. Great channel Adam and I'm envious of your collection. Cheers from Alberta , Canada.
There is just something so smart, and distinctive about these Ambassador models in styling. Clean, trim, and almost timeless in my view. It still looks almost current even today. Add in that these were a reliable, and nice riding car, and it really was a good value. AMC's biggest issue was a limited budget for marketing and poor dealer network.
I knew Cliff and enjoyed his company at many local car shows we attended over the years. Wondered where his car went after his passing. I am soooo happy you are now the cars owner and care giver. Happy trails in it Adam! 👍
Born & raised in the MKE area, growing up AMC's were understandably common place. My father drove a Javelin (6cyl) his 1st cousin a Gremlin (also 6cyl, drove the same), family friends had a hornet, etc. My neighbor had a dilapidated Ambassador in his driveway for years - could not tell you the year, but there was something about that car which intrigued me... Very glad to see this expose'. Excellent find.
Congratulations for your great👌channel! For me one is of the best RU-vid channels indeed... I saw a video review of the 1966 AMC Ambassador DPL and the interior caught my eye; specifically the rear seat with a couple of throwback pillows 🤩
This is my favorite car in your collection. I'm impressed. You are fair and accurate in your description and evaluation of the Ambassador. This body design began in 1967. You might say it beat the GM downsized full size cars to market by 10 years. I personally love the styling, packaging and performance. I did have an opportunity to ride in a 1972 Ambassador coupe while attending an AMC show in Kenosha in 1998. Powered by the 401, its acceleration was breathtaking!
Congratulations on your procurement of another magnificent specimen! Love that green-gold color; we don't see much of that any more. "Funny-looking but charming" is an apt description.
After watching your "features and quirks" video from yesterday, I watched the RCR review of a '72 Ambassador Brougham. The car in that video also has the shades (or whatever they are) over the door windows.
What a great car! I always thought those cars were cool looking. I love one owner well-loved cars. I recently purchased a 2012 Honda Accord. 75,000 original miles well maintained and in beautiful condition.
Hey Adam! I'm glad you finally got an AMBO! I'm nothing less than astonished you found such an excellent unrestored example of an AMBO that is an incredible FIFTY-ONE years old! Maybe some day you can will find in perfect condition the triple black 1971 AMBO 2-door coupe with the 401 that was featured in the 1971 AMC sales brochure! Keep searching the great white north Adam.
Hi, Adam. Thanks for the review/road trip of the Ambassador. I really should have investigated this car when I first saw it advertised as the dealership was only 30 miles away from my home. You have found another gem. By the way, those things over the side windows are called Ventshades. They were popular starting in the fifties and into the late eighties and were great for letting in some air while keeping out the rain. They fell out of favour when cars started to be made without upper window frames. I still have a brand new set for a 1982-89 Chrysler Fifth Avenue, which I will install if I ever buy such a car (or its sister vehicles...Dodge Diplomat or Plymouth Gran Fury (Caravelle Salon in Canada). I really enjoy your videos. Thanks for producing them.
It has been suggested the rear-end lighting arrangement is similar to (or borrowed from) the Ford LTD of the same vintage. Although there is some styling similarities with the Ford [as was VERY common between all 4 corporations at the time] I feel the rear light arrangement has much more in common with the '68 through '71 Javelin's and AMX's. Those are Dick Teague styling ques and a very typical AMC design re-purposing. As far as the handling, this platform being based on the Matador which was very popular as a Police model based on those very handling AND engine [401 4bbl.] combinations.
