First generation AMC Ambassador

1958

1958 ambassador custom hardtop sedan continental tire



ambassador hardtop (pillarless) cross country station wagon

american motors planned produce stretched 117-inch (2,972 mm) wheelbase version of rambler platform nash dealers new nash ambassador, , hudson dealers. shortly before committing production of new long-wheelbase versions of hudson , nash, ceo romney decided abandon nash , hudson marques.

despite fact nash , hudson names canceled, work on car continued, , american motors introduced debuted in fall of 1957, 1958 ambassador v-8 rambler on 117-inch (2,972 mm) wheelbase. features included 327 cu in (5.4 l) v8 (equipped 4-barrel carburetor , dual exhausts , rated @ 270 hp (201 kw; 274 ps) , 360 pound force-feet (490 n·m) of torque) mated borgwarner supplied 3-speed automatic transmission push button gear selection.

in 1956, amc first produced own v8, modern overhead valve v8 displacing 250 cu in (4.1 l), forged steel crank shaft, when equipped 4-barrel carburetor rated @ 215 hp (160 kw; 218 ps). in 1957, amc bored , stroked 250 cid v8 327 cu in (5.4 l) displacement when offered in rambler rebel used solid lifters , bendix electronic fuel injection rated @ 288 hp (215 kw; 292 ps).

in 1958, ambassador equipped hydraulic lifter version of amc s 327 cid v8 rated @ 270 hp (201 kw; 274 ps). although amc s 327 cid v8 shares displacement chevrolet small-block, amc s 327 came out 6 years before chevrolet first offered 327 in 1962.

the ambassador available in body style exclusive line, pillarless hardtop cross country station wagon. 1958 ambassador offered in single high level trim level , came equipped such luxury items electric clock, twin front , rear ashtrays, nash tradition deep coil spring suspension front , rear, split reclining front seats fold down bed, upscale fabrics interior.

management had found public associated rambler name small economy cars, , did not want upscale nature of new ambassador closely associated rambler s favorable, economical image. therefore, decision made larger ambassador marketed ambassador v-8 rambler in order identify rambler name s burgeoning success, indicate air of exclusivity showing different kind of vehicle. however, car wore rambler ambassador badges on front fenders.

the 1958 ambassador substantially longer car 108-inch (2,743 mm) wheelbase rambler 6 , rebel v8, although both lines shared same basic body, styling, , visual cues. however, of ambassador s 9 inches (230 mm) of wheelbase (and, therefore, overall length) added ahead of cowl, meaning passenger compartment had same volume smaller ramblers. ambassadors came plusher interior , exterior trims while front end incorporated rebel v-line grille prototype hudson model. through effective market segmentation, ambassador positioned compete larger models offered other automakers.

model identification located on car s front fenders , deck lid. super trim level ambassadors featured painted side trim in color complemented body color; custom models featured silver anodized aluminum panel on sedans , vinyl woodgrain decals on station wagons. ambassador body styles included four-door sedan , hardtop sedan, four-door pillared station wagon, , aforementioned hardtop station wagon, body style first saw duty industry first in 1956 nash , hudson rambler line, on of 1958 ramblers based.

the ambassador had excellent power-to-weight ratio time , provided spirited performance 0 60 mph (0 97 km/h) times of less 10-seconds, , low 17-second times through quarter-mile (402 m) dragstrip. equipped limited slip differential, power brakes, power steering, power windows, , air conditioning. numerous safety features (such deep-dished steering wheels , padded dash boards) came standard, while lap seat belts optional.

1959

for 1959, ambassador received revised grille, side trim, , redesigned rear door skins swept tailfins instead of terminating @ c-pillar. scotchlite reflectors added rear of tailfins increase visibility @ night. front , rear bumpers on 20% thicker, , featured recessed center sections protect license plates. adjustable headrests available option front seats, industry first. amc touted added comfort headrests provided, potential reducing whiplash injuries in event of rear-end collision. other changes included activation of starter through neutral pushbutton (on automatic transmission equipped cars), , addition of optional powr-saver engine fan, featured fluid-filled clutch quieter high-speed operation.

the 1959 model year saw addition of optional air-coil ride air suspension system, utilizing air bags installed within rear coil springs. engine-driven compressor, reservoir, , ride-height control valve comprised rest of system, other automakers discovered, troublesome nature of air-suspension outweighed benefits. amc discontinued unpopular option @ end of model year.

ambassador sales improved considerably on 1958, reaching output of 23,769; half of custom four-door sedans. rarer hardtop station wagon, of 578 built.