Fifth generation AMC Ambassador

1965

1965 ambassador 990 convertible

no matter how success new ramblers achieved in marketplace, roy abernethy not satisfied. using experience gained outstanding salesman guide, abernethy closely looked @ direction american motors competition going , decided company more successful if products competed more directly big three. achieve pushing amc vehicles further upmarket among various market segments, shaking off company s economy car image, , offering vehicles once again in 3 major american car size classes: compact, intermediate, , full-size. american , classic strong competitors in former 2 segments, 1965 model year, set sights on turning ambassador proper full-size car stretching classic s wheelbase , giving different styling. general sizes of automobiles @ time based on industry standard wheelbase lengths, rather on vehicle s interior , cargo space. 1965 ambassador represented fundamental shift in corporate ideology, shift away fuel-efficient vehicles, bigger, faster, , potentially more profitable cars.

although ambassador rode same platform 1963–64 forebears, 1965 models looked all-new. american motors designer richard a. teague styled 1965 ambassador panache , gave car overall integrated look. motor trend magazine agreed, calling strikingly handsome automobile. built on 116-inch (2,946 mm) wheelbase 4 inches (100 mm) longer classic, teague extended beltline level stacked quad headlights vertical taillights. new ambassadors attractive built amc s detroit-based competitors, , list price of around $3,000, few quibble cost of ownership. new disc brakes power brakes optional.

the ambassador received longer, squared-off rear fenders vertical wrap-around taillights, taller decklid, squared off rear bumper mounted low, , squarer rear wheel arches. @ front, ambassador again sparked minor controversy new vertically stacked quad headlights, recessed in bezels, flanked all-new horizontal bar grille. new wall-to-wall grille projected forward, horizontally, in center, create effect opposite 1963 s grille treatment. front end design provided bold, rugged appearance.

once again, ambassador’s entire wheelbase ahead of cowl, meaning interior volume same intermediate-sized classic. new body style debuted in ambassador lineup 1965: attractive new convertible offered part of 990 series. first time convertible offered in ambassador line since 1948. ambassador body styles (except 990-h coupe) offered seating 6 passengers, coupes , convertibles having option of buckets seats center console , floor shifter. ambassador 990-h up-scale two-door hardtop model, available in 5-passenger form.

ambassadors saw expanded list of trim lines, convenience options, , engine choices. 990 , 990-h models back, while 880 models new economy leaders in 1965 ambassador line, $2,512 price two-door sedan not attractive compared models better trim, buckets seats, , special interiors. ambassadors came standard amc s new 232 cu in (3.8 l) inline-6 engine, first time since 1956 ambassador available 6 cylinders. far more popular in ambassador, however, 2 time-tested 287 , 327 cu in (4.7 , 5.4 l) amc v8 engines.

american motors management decided ambassador once again accept standard six-cylinder engine, since full-size competitors (e. g. bel air , impala, ford custom 500 , galaxie, plymouth fury) came six-cylinder engines standard equipment. therefore appealed wider range of customers ambassador getting. also, since classic smaller , styled differently, ambassador six-cylinder not threaten cannibalize classic 6 sales, company s sales volume leaders. changes on target sales of repositioned ambassador more tripled.

motor trend magazine tested ambassador convertible twin-stick overdrive transmission , found commendably economical, averaging 16.4 mpg‑us (14.3 l/100 km; 19.7 mpg‑imp) on 1,000 miles (1,600 km) run, , noting ... traveling comfort ambassador s biggest selling point, along exceptionally powerful bendix duo-servo drum brakes ...with thin bucket seats recline, driver , passengers can enjoy high degree of riding comfort... many passers-by commented on car s looks... our summary: nice, comfortable, quiet, built family automobile rather neglects performance market.

1966

1966 hardtops featured formal roof design – dpl model



1966 amc ambassador 990 convertible



1966 ambassador 990 cross country wagon

for 1966, minor changes greeted ambassador range. v-shaped horizontal louver spanned unbroken between headlamps , effect continued twin rectangular trim pieces attached side of front fenders @ leading edges headlamps. effect repeated in new vertical wraparound taillamps top-line models receiving twin set of horizontal ribbed moldings across of trunk lid simulated of front grille. hardtop coupes received redesigned roofline angular in appearance angle cut rear side windows , rectangular rear window. backlight no longer curved , wrapped around c-pillars. changes made more formal notchback popular @ time.

station wagons received new roof (that did not have pronounced dip on rear cargo area) redesigned tailgate , optional simulated woodgrain exterior side panels. available two-rows of seats standard bottom hinged tailgate electric, retracting rear window or optional rear-facing third row featured left side hinged rear door, regular exterior door handle on right side. station wagons carried cross country badge.

the 880 served base model line. two-door sedan price leader @ $2,404, finished least sales model year. more popular , better trimmed 990 models available in sedan, wagon, hardtop, , convertible versions. options included vinyl roof, wire wheel covers, am/fm radio, adjustable steering wheel, , cruise control. new luxury dpl (short diplomat ) two-door hardtop debuted @ top of range.

the dpl included special lower body side trim, numerous standard convenience items such reclining bucket seats upholstered in brocade fabrics or optional vinyl. optional interior trim featured houndstooth fabric , included 2 throw pillows. dpl model aimed compete new, more upscale trimmed plymouth vip, ford ltd, chevrolet caprice , oldsmobile cutlass supreme.

the 232 cu in (3.8 l) i6, 287 , 327 cu in (4.7 , 5.4 l) v8s remained in line, transmission selections included new console mounted four-speed manual. ambassadors continued ordered automatic transmissions.

motor trend magazine tested 1966 dpl equipped 327 engine has snap hadn t felt before , automatic transmission experienced healthy wheelspin both rear wheels [because of twin-grip limited slip differential]... subtle changes in year s suspension, include longer shocks , different springs, have pronounced effect on way car feels , handles. welcome improved steering response. car has new feet-on-the-ground feeling, , body lean seems have been reduced. ride remains good... before, interior s outstanding feature of ambassador. quality such other luxury cars, higher priced ones, imitate it...

perhaps biggest change, however, ambassador lost historic rambler nameplate, car marketed american motors ambassador or amc ambassador . abernethy again responsible marketing move, attempted move stylish new ambassador further upmarket. him, meant rambler name, , economy car image eschewed give car clean slate in market turning away economy , toward v8 performance. evidence suggests abernethy on right track moving ambassador upscale compete other manufacturers luxury models sales of amc s flagship jumped 18,647 in 1964 on 64,000 in 1965, , in 1966 went more 71,000. although ambassador accounted mere fraction of total passenger car sales in u.s., important step in bringing amc s products in line consumer of day wanted.