1971 AMC Ambassador

1971 ambassador hardtop turbocast ii wheels 1979–83



1971 ambassador station wagon

following previous year s redesign, 1971 ambassadors received minor changes , improvements. marketing tag line year underdog asking, if had compete gm, ford , chrysler, do? —that answered amc including more features, advantages, , benefits buyers of cars compared models larger competitors. reflected shuffling ambassador models 1971 , including more equipment in standard feature list. nameless base models dropped, sedan-only dpl trim line relegated base model status, , new top-line brougham trim line added above mid-line sst models. both sst , brougham models came hardtop coupes, sedans, , wagons.

the dpl came amc s new 258 cu in (4.2 l) 150 hp (112 kw; 152 ps) inline-6 7 main bearings. ssts , broughams featured 304 cu in (5.0 l) v8 engine 210 hp (157 kw) standard. borgwarner s shift-command automatic transmissions standard equipment across line. 2 of amc s 360 cu in (5.9 l) optional; 8.5:1 compression version two-barrel carburetor or high-compression four-barrel v8 required premium-fuel. previous amx 390 v8 gave way new 401 cu in (6.6 l) 335 hp (250 kw) v8 top engine option.

styling changes consisted of new fascia front. featured headlights contained in own chrome pods separate from, flanking new grille bright rectangular surround, rounded edges. natural cast pot metal grille insert recessed , featured bright vertical bar pattern. second set of parking lights added outboard of headlight clusters, , integrated fender extension eliminate need separate front marker lights.

taillights on hardtop coupes , sedans still ran wall-to-wall, twin backup lights moved center further outboard—approximately 8 inches in either fender side. once again, wagon received few changes @ rear, added new design optional woodgrain side trim, filled in upper bodysides. lower edge flowed downward aft of peak @ leading edge above each front wheelhouse, in similar fashion buick skylark s side sweepspear styling cue.

ambassador base models offered fleet buyers various police, taxicab, , other heavy-duty packages. governments , police departments in u.s. historically used standard-size, low-price line four-door sedans. equipped 360 or 401 engines, base ambassadors saw use police cruisers , support vehicles.