AMC Ambassador: Why it Could Never Keep up With GM, Ford and Chrysler

[@ThisOldCarChannel]

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[@tetchuma]

AMC was truly the underdog of American automakers. I have deep admiration for them.

[@CJColvin]

Had Studebaker and Packard merged together with Hudson and Nash along with Kaiser and Jeep to create AMC man AMC would've definitely been the big 4th.

[@nickgee7291]

​@@CJColvin throw de Soto into the mix why not! now its a party!

[@CJColvin]

@@nickgee7291 Desoto was actually part of Chrysler (which was a direct competitor to Oldsmobile).

[@nickgee7291]

@@CJColvin no way! I didn't even know! so just like Olds another brand that a "big" killed off

[@CJColvin]

@Nick gee Yep it was killed off in 1961 just Oldsmobile was killed off in 2004.

[@recoveringnewyorker2243]

Speaking as a retired auto mechanic, I was taking auto mechanics in high school and college in the late 70s and early 80s. Everyone thought I was out of my mind when I said AMC built better cars than the big three.

[@ThisOldCarChannel]

Took a while but you were right!

[@aw-md6oi]

You are right on.Gosh those AMXs are the coolest cars.And The Eagle,way ahead of the curve withSUVs

[@The_R-n-I_Guy]

AMC had some great looking cars. Especially when you consider that they didn't have anywhere near the budget as GM, Ford, and even Chrysler. I think that's why there cars were so good. They had to use style and build quality to get people to buy them.

[@-oiiio-3993]

As had Studebaker.

[@ronaldsmith6829]

@@-oiiio-3993 I always wanted the '74 Ambassador wagon and ended up with Studebakers.

[@-oiiio-3993]

@@ronaldsmith6829 'Studes had a great reputation among those who owned them.

[@ThisOldCarChannel]

Got to admit, they really tried to keep up!

[@frdjr2527]

Only experience I have with AMC is the 1974 Matador I rented in California while on vacation there. Picked it up at SFO airport and returned it at LAX. It cruised very nicely on the 101 from SF to LA. I had the 2-door model that had a cool fastback look. LAPD drove 4-door Matadors around this time. You saw them on the TV show, "Adam-12".

[@-oiiio-3993]

"So, _that's_ a Matador." TV ad of the time.

[@frdjr2527]

@@-oiiio-3993 There was a Dodge Matador in 1960. It was the top-of-the-line Dodge model that year.

[@-oiiio-3993]

@@frdjr2527 I just 'Googled' those. Can't say I was aware of that one year model. Roofline is reminiscent of the Roman Red, fully equipped, 348 powered, 1959 Impala Sport Coupe I owned decades ago. I miss the days when 'fin jobs' were frequently seen in the wild. The old 'Highway Patrol' TV series used 1956, 57, 58, 59 Dodge Coronets as patrol cars

[@OldsVistaCruiser]

@@-oiiio-3993 - I saw a lot of Buick patrol cars on that show!

[@frdjr2527]

@@OldsVistaCruiser 1955-58 Buicks were often seen on "Highway Patrol". California Highway Patrol actually drove Buicks in 1955.

[@jamesa.7604]

I had a 1970 Ambassador Wagon back in 1981 that I paid $550 for. It got me back and forth to work and hauled me and my Grandmother to grocery stores and doctor appointments. It was a pretty reliable car. Kinda wish I had it now.

[@-oiiio-3993]

In 1969 Mom got a new Ambassador SST, from Keys Motors on Van Nuys Boulevard, which looked very much like the '70 model shown at 05:32 but for the color (hers was a deep metallic olive green, also with the cheesy faux wood side panels). It was the car I borrowed for high school dates and VNB cruise nights until I got a '56 Ford (2 door) Customline Ranch Wagon, my 'poor man's Nomad'. Wagons were great for Mulholland and the drive in theaters. The Ambassador had the 343 V8, the Ford a 312 'T-Bird Y Block'.

[@ThisOldCarChannel]

We all kind of wish we had some of our cars back. As a kid, we remember Mr. Collins who owned a 1972 wagon. That man was a machinist and knew a little about a lot! Thanks for watching!

[@johnthompson1280]

The AMC Ambassador is every bit as good as it's competition when it comes to styling and reliability.

[@jacobfleming565]

There's one for sale in Colorado if you're interested. It's cheap

[@paul.theeightiesluvr.1945]

​@@-oiiio-3993was one of them faster than the other just curious?

[@mrwilliamwonder]

My dad was an AMC new car dealer. Our family took vacations in Ambassadors. When people see the old pictures they say, "The Griswalds!" I liked the red, white and blue AMX. My dad had one when I was 10. I still have the AMX red, white and blue jacket!

[@kennethanway7979]

The javalin was gorgeous!

[@albertcarello619]

@@kennethanway7979 A real Ford Mustang and Chevy Camaro competitor !

[@jeffwins622]

Yeah, my Dad bought a 1970 Ambassador coupe right off of the showroom floor in a burnt orange and black vinyl top... He traded in his white 1966 Chevy Impala wagon... That was a memorable car growing up... I still remember the smell of that car! :)

[@danielulz1640]

I bought an eighteen month old, sixteen thousand mile, 1970 Ambassador DPL hardtop. I had the car for about ten years and it was one of the best cars that I ever owned. The 70 Ambassador grille was chromed, die-cast metal, NOT extruded aluminum.

[@-oiiio-3993]

In 1969 Mom got a new Ambassador SST, from Keys Motors on Van Nuys Boulevard, which looked very much like the '70 model shown at 05:32 but for the color (hers was a deep metallic olive green, also with the cheesy faux wood side panels). It was the car I borrowed for high school dates and VNB cruise nights until I got a '56 Ford (2 door) Customline Ranch Wagon, my 'poor man's Nomad'. Wagons were great for Mulholland and the drive in theaters. The Ambassador had the 343 V8, the Ford a 312 'T-Bird Y Block'.

[@danielulz1640]

@@-oiiio-3993 your mother was driving in style! The 56 Ranch Wagon was a good looker too. The 69 through 73 Ambassador wagons had identical sheet metal. Only the trim details changed from year to year.

[@-oiiio-3993]

@@danielulz1640 Correct on all counts. The vid didn't mention that the third seat (furthest back) faced rearward as did some other 'wagons' of the day. As a kid it was great fun to make faces at the drivers, front seat passengers, of the car behind.

[@YeOldeGeezer]

Jack Benny and Mel blanc at the beginning! They were always a riot

[@Dougc3157]

My grandparents had a silver blue 1966 Ambassador 990 4 door model. It was a nice looking car and the interior was nicely appointed. They were snowbirds and drove to Fla in it for 4 years so the car was dependable. Very underrated car line.

[@ThisOldCarChannel]

Appreciate ya commenting! Hey can ya do us a favor and subscribe to the channel. We can't tell who is subscribed or not so we're asking our viewers. Thanks - Michael and Danny B! :)

[@jeffb.2998]

Bought a 1966 Rambler Classic from my roommate in college (paid $250 for it and it was in perfect, low-mileage condition)...I owned that car for 15 years and outside of routine maintenance, never had a problem with it...always changed the oil every 3,200 miles and religiously lubricated everything...it was a great, comfortable and extremely reliable car...wish that I hadn't sold it

[@danheiser6458]

I have owned 4 AMBASSADORS and currently own a 1972 with the 401ci V8 with 38,000 original miles.

[@williambone7724]

I've always admired AMC, even the Gremlin and Pacer!

[@larryfromwisconsin9970]

My Army buddy in 1986 had a 1959 Rambler. Parts were readily available because they outsourced common components. When he needed a starter NAPA had one on their shelf. Of course everyone loved that the front bench seat folded down to make a full size bed.

[@ThisOldCarChannel]

hahaha! Nice!

[@robertarnold1449]

My favorite was Packards & Studebakers, The one I remember the most was my 1956 Studebaker Sky Hawk. What a great car. I'm now 92 years old and have been blessed to have had it.

[@-oiiio-3993]

Good stuff. I've never owned a 'Stude but remember a world in which they were often seen 'in the wild' and have long admired them. A former boss had an Avanti. Packard? _Ask the man who owns one._

[@billhorton2564]

When I was a senior in HS Auto Mechanics at Vo-Tech in 1979, I had a friend of the family sell me a 1959 Studebaker Lark 2-Door Wagon with 26,000 miles on it. It had the 259 V8, and I paid $500 for it. It had a new set of tires, and after a tune up and carburetor rebuild it ran like a beast. I put a paint job on it and sold it for $2000 two yrs later.

[@ronaldsmith6829]

I graduated from High School in 1974 and my dream car was the Ambassador Wagon with the big engine. I believe it was a 401 V8. I was planning on buying a travel trailer to live in whilst attending University. Never happened all the way around. LOVED those '74 models though. AMC had the whole lineup at South Coast Plaza Mall on display and I climbed all over the wagon, drooling all over it. It was a beautiful hunter green, as I recall.

[@michaelsignoretti7043]

I am 62 years old. From my teenage years my stepdad drove taxies. His last taxi was a1973 Ambassador. I put a motor and transmission in it on the middle of February while to snow was falling. At night. My back yard was lighted. It sucked,but, I got a new Sears and Roebucks engine analyzer for doing the job.

[@davidtosh7200]

For 1965, Rambler nameplate appeared the last time for Ambassador, Classic, and Marlin models, and for 1966, AMC badges appeared on Ambassador, Classic, and Marlin, but the Rambler badges only appeared in compact American for 1966, 1967, 1968, and 1969 before it was retired.

[@OLDS98]

Thank you for continuing the series and sharing the different models from different car companies.

[@THROTTLEPOWER]

I agree!

[@ThisOldCarChannel]

Thank you all for watching!

[@karlnitz1126]

My Dad had two, a 1970 and a 74. Both had the 360 V8, the 70 was rated the fastest production car of 1970. Both of em transported the Family, from west Michigan to Ft. Meyers Fla. round trip once. Nice cars, they held up well, being the era of low mileage trade ins, they were worth every penny spent.

[@ThisOldCarChannel]

Thanks for sharing!

[@cologeek]

My family had AMC products from 1966 to 1982 when our 76 Hornet got replaced by a Suburu! We had a series of Ambassadors ending with a 72 SST Wagon we got to haul a camper around. Sadly it was totaled in 1979 just before I got my driver's license. It had pretty good horsepower and could really move unloaded.

[@Josie2013]

I come from a AMC family. My dad would buy a new Ambassador every two to three years. He ended up buying a Chevy after the Ambassador went out of production but he wasn't happy about it.

[@mikewasfaret9563]

Tha Ambassador name actually started in 1927 by Nash which became part of AMC.

[@tonychavez2083]

Love the 71’ model year. Thanks for mentioning AMC!

[@mikeadcock1592]

AMC was definitely underrated

[@parkependleton6453]

I always looked at Ramblers and AMC as being the minor leagues of American cars. They certainly implemented many fantastic innovations over the years. Something that you showed several different times in this video without mentioning were the late fifties Ambassador four door hardtops equipped with four functional vent windows. So equipped, these cars undoubtedly were extremely comfortable during long hot summer drives!

[@-oiiio-3993]

'Windwings' were common through the late 1960s and remained on some cars into the seventies. Note they are present on the 1974 Ambassadors shown in video.

[@ThisOldCarChannel]

They were always late in the game. Good built cars but always late!

[@rogergoodman8665]

After my Grandpop passed, my dad and my aunts all gathered to discuss his vehicles. His prized John Deere farm tractor and the 1946 Dodge pick up went to an uncle, my youngest aunt got the 1982 Cadillac Seville, a cousin got the 1970 Ambassador, my dad got the 1969 LeMans and I got his 1970 Pontiac Executive. The Executive was nice but was black on black with no AC, I really wanted the LeMans. I had to wait 14 more years, but I eventually got it and started its restoration. Nope, it's still not done!😂, although it's the only one of my grandpops cars still in the family, so I feel good about that fact.

[@-oiiio-3993]

In 1969 Mom got a new Ambassador SST, from Keys Motors on Van Nuys Boulevard, which looked very much like the '70 model shown at 05:32 but for the color (hers was a deep metallic olive green, also with the cheesy faux wood side panels). It was the car I borrowed for high school dates and VNB cruise nights until I got a '56 Ford (2 door) Customline Ranch Wagon, my 'poor man's Nomad'. Wagons were great for Mulholland and the drive in theaters. The Ambassador had the 343 V8, the Ford a 312 'T-Bird Y Block'. I now drive a (titled as) 1946 Willys Jeep with hopped up 225 Buick 'Odd Fire' V6.

[@donaldsmith6049]

My family had AMC products though out the 60’s and 70’s a 63 Ambassador 327 4 barrel, 70 Ambassador SST Wagon 360 2 Barrel, I personally had a 68 Javelin SST 343 4 barrel 4 speed and a 73 Javelin 360 4 barrel Auto (still lives) my brother had a 74 Javelin 304 and there were a 61 Classic Wagon as well as a 77 Pacer DPL 258 2 barrel. All were dependable great cars. The Javelins and the Ambassadors were extremely quick for the day.

[@frankm1424]

I owned a 1973 ambassador 401 4 barrel wagon posi trac rear end And it had very low rear end gears. And would it fly !!! Raced many stock vettes and cameros on the streets And they were shocked at this stock wagons power out of the hole. Unbelievable I was 17 so the car was 9 years old So many happy memories

[@albertcarello619]

@franjm1424: The performance of your vehicle would embarrass Cadillac owners trying to race you and get left in the dust!

[@billyjoejimbob56]

Brings back memories of the first car I owned in 1975... a well used 1966 Ambassador 990 4-door with slightly over 100K on the odo. It was well equipped with touchy power brakes, overassisted power steering, a 327 4BBL V8, and BorgWarner built Flashomatic 3-speed automatic. It drove well inspite of its archaic trunion type front and torque tube rear suspension. The engine had been treated to a valve job, and rust was accumulating quickly, but we got a few years out of it before it lost compression in one cylinder and started burning oil. Today's cars live much longer!

[@bobm8397]

Dad was a Studebaker man, but had bought a used 59 Classic in 62 as a second car. Time for a new car in 1966. Took a look at an Ambassador, Buick Skylark wagon, and a Chrysler Newport. All priced around the same amount. Chrysler Newport won, bigger and comfortable and better looking. I did buy a 70 Hornet new but that was the last of AMC. Newport owned for 13 years then was running around town for another 4 years

[@alanblanes2876]

I had a 1966 Ambassador --- an absolutely terrific car.

[@-oiiio-3993]

In 1969 Mom got a new Ambassador SST, from Keys Motors on Van Nuys Boulevard, which looked very much like the '70 model shown at 05:32 but for the color (hers was a deep metallic olive green, also with the cheesy faux wood side panels). It was the car I borrowed for high school dates and VNB cruise nights until I got a '56 Ford (2 door) Customline Ranch Wagon, my 'poor man's Nomad'. Wagons were great for Mulholland and the drive in theaters. The Ambassador had the 343 V8, the Ford a 312 'T-Bird Y Block'.

[@fernandobarajas3157]

It's amazing that along with the big Three AMC did yearly changes to thier cars. Chevrolet for 55-56 are close but 57 and 58 are one year only. They did major body changes every 2 years on GM 61-62/63-64 so on... Today cars don't have major re-skins for almost 5-7 years and some models seem to never change but in price..

[@-oiiio-3993]

The 1955 through 1957 Chevys shared the same 'platform', as did corresponding Pontiac and Buick models. 1958 Chevrolets are an entirely different body and chassis. I once owned a '59 Impala Sport Coupe with 'all the bells and whistles'.

[@tholmes2169]

Unfortunately (fortunately?) that’s due to modern crash testing standards.

[@barbmelle3136]

In the 1970's, four of us wanted to take a two week cross country road trip. We borrowed an Ambassador that was a couple years old. Old man green, 4 door sedan. It was better than trying to get 4 people and luggage in a Camaro. The car was comfortable, dependable, and got good mileage. We drove like young people drove, a little on the fast side. We did not have one minute of worry that that car would not make it, even in the mountains. I think the Amdassador was a lot better car than most people give credit.

[@davidlockley2635]

AMC did have the seats in the market. You could drive all day.

[@stevemilstein]

My parents had a 61 Ambassador Cross country Super Station wagon until it died in 1967. It was really cool with a rear facing 3rd bench seat. The rear tailgate opened like a car door . The rear facing seat could fold flat. It was the only brand at the time that had front reclining seats, push button starter and push button transmission. At 199 inches it was the smallest full size wagon of its day. The 270 hp v8 was really powerful. The ceramic muffler was guaranteed for the life of the vehicle. The Ambassador name goes back to American Motors previous name Nash . So Ambassador goes way back before 1959. I believe the Ambassador goes back to at least 1932 The second Ambassador my parents owned was driven by me back in 73 Ambassador Brougham . I drove this car through out college 1972-77. It had very sloppy power steering, and with many cars of that time would stall 2 times each morning right after starting. The air pollution controls were mandated by congress , but were not perfected yet. My brother had a 72 Gran Torino that always stalled when you first put the car in gear . While the 73 had sloppy handling, it did have AC and a great FM stereo radio, a very fancy interior that mimicked a Caddy. It was the first car the family owned that ran until 105000 miles. That was amazing in 77, most cars were done after 70-80 k miles . The gas mileage was about 10mpg, common before the first oil crisis of 73

[@albertcarello619]

@stevenmilstein: I had a 1972 AMC MATADOR 360 CUBIC INCH V8 2 BARREL CARB. That car accelerated as fast as any Cadillac from a stand start. I remember I raced either a 1969 or 1970 Cadillac from a highway stoplight. At full throttle we both stayed right beside each other up to 45 miles an hour and then the Caddy started to leave me when our transmissions upshifted into second gear. Imagine Cadillac like performance in an AMC MATADOR!!!

[@Primus54]

My stepfather bought a brand new ‘65 Ambassador 990H hardtop coupe which was a creamy white with a red painted roof. Interior was red with bucket seats, center console w/automatic shifter, and A/C. The ‘65 exterior design was reminiscent of the Ford Galaxie in the front and the Lincoln Continental at the sides and rear. Had AMC’s very strong 327 4-bbl. The automatic transmission was a “rebadged” Mopar 3-speed TorqueFlight. I took my driver’s test in it in 1970. Looking back, it was a really attractive and well-made car, but since it was a “Rambler” it wasn’t “cool”. We had reached the era of muscle and pony cars and early on AMC just wasn’t in the conversation. Thanks!

[@kevingaffey-sk2pm]

your a few years off on the chrysler transmission, american motors first use of the chrysler transmissions was for the model year 1972, your 1965 used a bor warner automatic

[@Primus54]

Correction to my previous post. The transmission was a Borg Warner, not a Mopar.

[@-oiiio-3993]

AMC also sold 327s to Kaiser for use in Jeep vehicles from 1965 - 67. Kaiser dubbed it 'Vigilante'.

[@albertcarello619]

​@@Primus54Still the 327 cubic inch V8 with either a 2 barrel or 4 barrel carburetor is a great strong performer!

[@Primus54]

@@albertcarello619 It was a very torquey motor that would scoot when the light turned green. Ours was the 4-bbl. It would get a little “winded” around 80-85 mph, but I never thought it lacked power.

[@mmjackk667]

How can you not love AMCs? So sad it's no longer with us. You could move 3 bodies, at the same time (!), in the trunk of the Ambassador. This was the top selling model in New Jersey, for 6 years straight. Every customer who bought this car, got a shovel.

[@That_AMC_Guy]

Well, not to nit-pick.... but, the Ambassador nameplate dates all the way back before the merger of Nash and Hudson. Nash began using the name "Ambassador" for it's topline models for model year 1927. Nash used the nameplate all the way up to the merger in 1954 and, AMC/ Nash/ Hudson used the Ambassador nameplate in 1955, '56 and '57... One could argue, although the parent company may have changed, the "Ambassador" name itself is one of the longest lived names used in the auto industry from 1927 to 1974.

[@ericknoblauch9195]

There was an Ambassador on the television show The Brady Bunch in the 1970's. The car was a station wagon, and was driven by Alice who was the housekeeper. It is too bad AMC is no longer with us. AMC was formed by the merger of Nash Motors, and The Hudson Motor Car Company in 1954. The merger was supposed to also include Studabaker, and Packard too but something happened at the last minute. Studabaker, and Packard merged, and went their own way in 1954. If AMC had merged Nash, Hudson, Studabaker, and Packard, it would have created an auto maker that would have been larger than Chrysler was back in 1954. If that did happen, AMC probably would have still been around today. Chrysler bought AMC in 1987. What Chrysler should do now is revive the AMC brand. AMC had a cult following, and still does today. Volkswagen is reviving the International Scout, and if it is successful, Chrysler could do the same with AMC.

[@OsbornTramain]

You've got some pretty basic facts wrong here. The Ambassador began life as the Nash Ambassador and was part of Nash and AMC history from 1927 till 1974, 47 model years. It was always considered an Upper Medium Priced car in the Buick/Mercury/Chrysler catagory. Nash introduced the Rambler model in 1950 which was an economy car. When the Nash name was dropped in favor of Rambler, they didn't reduce price, they were equipped with V8 and still priced in the upper medium price range.

[@andrewinaustintx]

AMC was definitely formed from the two smaller independents Hudson and Nash. The 1941 Nash Ambassador 600 was the first mass produced unibody design by a US manufacturer.

[@ThisOldCarChannel]

You are correct. We could have gone WAY BACK to 27 however our youtube statistics show no one cares about the cars of the 20's, 30's and 40's. We new someone would mention it and here it is. lol......We also thought someone would say we didn't use the word Rambler enough or did not list engine sizes. Waiting for that. lol Our viewers have a SHORT attention span. Hell, I have a short attention span and only wanted the meat and potatoes. If I could have only produced 1970-74, I would have. We thank you for watching and commenting.

[@OsbornTramain]

@@ThisOldCarChannel well, maybe they have a short attention span, but your premise that AMC was doing something different or new by entering several market segments isn't factually correct. AMC from 1954 thru 1962 (Their biggest sales years) Had Subcompact Car, Metropolitan, Compact Car, Rambler American, Midsized car, Rambler/Nash Rebel and Full sized cars, Hudson/Nash Ambassador......there is only 2 years, 1964 and 1965 Where AMC only produced one sized car. Abernathy's decision to get back into all segments and mimic the sales success they had in 1960, 1961 and 1962 wasn't a radical idea or a change...he was just reversing what Romney screwed up, the idea of one car one size.......Abernathy fixed Romney stupid idea, and then their sales increased and by the mid 70's, they were producing some pretty big numbers in the way of cars in all segments.......just saying......it wasn't a radical idea, it was what they always did.

[@richruksenas5992]

@@ThisOldCarChannel No one cares about '20s, '30s or '40s cars? Are you delusional by nature or because of a bad choice.

[@ramblerdave1339]

​@@OsbornTramain In '64-65 they still produced the (all new, except for drivetrain) Rambler American, on a unibody that shared side panels and doors with the larger cars, but a narrower car with a 6" shorter wheelbase.

[@rickm.2956]

A buddy had a beater 65 red Ambassador convertible in the 70's. I really loved it. We had a blast in it until one day a wheel fell off! He spent about $100 getting it fixed and had many more miles of funky faded luxury.

[@scrambler69-xk3kv]

My parents owned two. a 1968 and a 1973 both great cars. We had a neighbor who worked a the local AMC dealer. He drove Ramblers and AMC's for years. One day my dad was talking to him and after a promise of a great deal we traded in the last Chevrolet we ever owned . When I was old enough I got a job there and through the years , I owned several AMC's. Wish they were still around.

[@calvincrews3885]

My favorite AMC is the Ambassador and Matador 4door sedans because of the looks and engineering

[@laststopbeforeheaven]

The 1972 Gold Ambassador in the beginning was my car. The picture was taken by me in front of my house. I sold it to a producer on Motor Car Weekly, who features it on his channel. The Ambassador name dated back to 1927 as a high-end Nash model. The 1958 Ambassador by Rambler was originally planned as the new Hudson and Nash.

[@-oiiio-3993]

In 1969 Mom got a new Ambassador SST, from Keys Motors on Van Nuys Boulevard, which looked very much like the '70 model shown at 05:32 but for the color (hers was a deep metallic olive green, also with the cheesy faux wood side panels). It was the car I borrowed for high school dates and VNB cruise nights until I got a '56 Ford (2 door) Customline Ranch Wagon, my 'poor man's Nomad'. Wagons were great for Mulholland and the drive in theaters. The Ambassador had the 343 V8, the Ford a 312 'T-Bird Y Block'.

[@ramblerdave1339]

​@@-oiiio-3993 Nice catch with the Ranch Wagon, been wanting one forever, any '52-59! Not in place of my recently purchased '63 Rambler American wagon, but to supplement it!

[@-oiiio-3993]

@@ramblerdave1339 I dug it. 'Twas my first car, had the 312 'T-Bird- Y Block. Another gem would be a '58 Edsel Roundup.

[@kaysguy]

I had a 73 Ambassador in 1981. It was slow and it wallowed around, but it was a tank

[@soundsatdjs1964]

My father owned a 1973 Ambassador Brougham wagon. It was the first new car he ever bought right off of the showroom floor. He was so proud, and I was nine years old sitting in the backseat. We pulled up and into our driveway. He put the car from drive and up into Park, and the entire dashboard fell right into his lap. Evidentially, they forgot to put the screws on from the factory. I’m nine and laughing my butt off in the back seat. For the next four or five years, we spent weeks in the auto shop, having the car repaired, and re-tuned as it would constantly go out of ignition timing.

[@davidkastin4240]

We had a 63 Rambler wagon. My 2 favs are the Javalin and the Matador Coupe. What's a Matador? 😂

[@davidkastin4240]

Ah and the Marlin.

[@1_Papa]

My fondest memories of the AMC Ambassador, were of a blue SST wagon (no woody-sides) , which belonged to a "friend of the family," who gave us a ride home from my half-brother's house one night. New car smell was so amazing back then and the way it made those deep Chicago potholes feel so smooth! Now, factor-in the fact that, with the exception of my full-blooded brother, we were all big lard-asses and how that sporty, SST interior trim made our big booties so comfortable for the trip! I MISS AMC SO BAD! 😭!

[@garylangley4502]

I had a 1974 Ambassador station wagon with a 401 V8 engine, automatic, and a class 3 or class 4 hitch. The hitch was huge. The original owners must have had a large travel trailer. By the time I got it about 10 years later, the transmission was in very bad condition, but I had it rebuilt and it ran great.

[@-oiiio-3993]

In 1969 Mom got a new Ambassador SST, from Keys Motors on Van Nuys Boulevard, which looked very much like the '70 model shown at 05:32 but for the color (hers was a deep metallic olive green, also with the cheesy faux wood side panels). It was the car I borrowed for high school dates and VNB cruise nights until I got a '56 Ford (2 door) Customline Ranch Wagon, my 'poor man's Nomad'. Wagons were great for Mulholland and the drive in theaters. The Ambassador had the 343 V8, the Ford a 312 'T-Bird Y Block'.

[@christopherkraft1327]

When I was a kid my family had a 63 Rambler Classic Cross Country 660 wagon that my dad bought new. It had air conditioning & the third rear facing seat & a tailgate that opened like a door. It had a six cylinder engine & was gutless!!! Thanks for sharing this interesting look at the Rambler Ambassador!!! Ramblers Rule!!! 👍👍🙄

[@ThisOldCarChannel]

Memories is all we have Chris. This is why we keep doing this. We may get a few things wrong but it's the memories of the classics that we try to bring with our videos. Thanks for watching!

[@christopherkraft1327]

@@ThisOldCarChannel thanks for doing what you do!! 👍

[@davidhoffman8122]

I have ALWAYS been an AMC fan. I even bought an AMC Spirit in 1981. Had that car for over 10 years. Even drove it over 3 years in the Philippines. Was about the about the only car that could take the HUGE potholes.

[@MAGronemeyer]

My aunt and uncle had a 1968 Ambassador SST equipped with a 343 V-8 engine with automatic transmission. They drove that car for years! It was extremely dependable, and had an air conditioner that would freeze you out of it!

[@scrambler69-xk3kv]

I loved our 1968 Ambassador. I remember that AC vent in front of the driver with the little door over it that you could close. I think about it once in a while and I think it was our favorite car.

[@dennisroote9145]

My parents had a '68 Ambassador wagon. Tough as nails. I took my driving test in it. I think my parents still had the car when I graduated from college in 1984.

[@johnthompson1280]

The AMC Ambassador is every bit as good as its competition when it comes to styling and reliability.

[@baronvonjo1929]

So many people reminiscing about AMC and I dont think i have ever seen one

[@jonclassical2024]

I learned to drive in my Mothers 3 on the column 1963 Rambler 2-door...it was a TANK, no feet of snow in southern PA even slowed it down!

[@elevenbucks5682]

I worked at an AMC dealer [2] for 12 years as a parts man and mechanic. Over the years I owned a 68 Rouge 290 4 speed, a 59 Classic and 2 1970 AMX's, one of which I put a 401 bullt with group 19 hi po stuff, wish I still had one.

[@tech408]

I loved my 1970 DPL, Yellow with green top and green interior. It had no power but did have a decent ride, great comfortable interior and a cool dash for the times. The vacuum windshield wipers were a very unreliable, the front end was a little sloppy and I had to have the Borg Warner auto trans rebuilt. Rust was also a problem as it was with all cars of the era but I still loved that car!

[@ThisOldCarChannel]

Never knew they had a DPL until I researched for video. I'd like to see one in person!

[@tedkerr2230]

I learned to drive on a 68 Rambler with the no clutch 3 speed manual transmission. Most reliable car my parents ever has!

[@Trefoile]

The 1958 Ambassador is beautiful.

[@sonicdewd]

I practiced standard shifting in a 1973 Ambassador station wagon. I look back now on how rare standard shift in a station wagon is!

[@JesseBaker-qe8hj]

My Pops bought a 1971 Ambassador station wagon. It had the 360. My brother would race it and win. The farthest seat back was backwards.

[@T5d1Va]

Our family had one in the mid-70s, a 1971 if I recall correctly. It was a white sedan and my dad seemed to loved it!

[@carlv8168]

Our driver's training car in high school in 1968 was a brand-new Ambassador with a 360 engine. It was a nice driving and comfortable car.

[@scrambler69-xk3kv]

360 did not come out until1970. It would have been a 343.

[@carlv8168]

@@scrambler69-xk3kv Thanks for the correction.

[@claytonbouldin9381]

I always had a soft spot in my heart for AMC and Studebakers for some reason.

[@THROTTLEPOWER]

Great vid, really enjoyed!!!! 👍👍

[@billyhensley7770]

I've had numerous AMC cars my dad had pacers hornets we had gremlins ambassadors ramblers and I have to say we had great service out of all of them AMC made great cars it's sad that there not around anymore

[@glennelbey4454]

As compared to today's cars, I would be supremely happy with the simplicity of an Ambassador wagon.

[@frankm1424]

Oh yes for got to mention super elegant styling they still look good to me today

[@seed_drill7135]

The Ambassador dates back to the 30’s, but Nash ceased production in 1957 and the model transferred to Rambler. It was also more of a stretched midsized car, as opposed to the true full sized Nash.

[@AdamWaffen]

It was based on a mediocre mid size car -the Matador- with a longer wheelbase. Like the Matador was in mid size market, the Ambassador was a substandard offering in the full size market.

[@ThisOldCarChannel]

Yes....The Nash days. We did not have time to take it that far back. Thanks for watching and your comment!

[@stevedeleon8775]

My best friends dad had a 1973 Ambassador sedan it was Frost Metallic Blue with white & light blue vinyl seats

[@chapmand63]

We had the 1975 Matador wagon.

[@dawndelrocco2078]

Thanks for the video on the beautiful AMC Ambassador. When I was a kid, my grandfather bought a 1970 AMC Ambassador with the DPL trim. It was an olive green four door sedan with a white painted roof (not vinyl) and black cloth interior. It had a V-8 and I remember it rode very quiet. At the time, Motor Trend magazine did an article on a 1969 Ambassador, and called it the "Poor Man's Cadillac!"

[@lilymae4131]

Mom had a 1970 Ambassador 4 door white with a 360 V8, and a blue vinyl top, I was 15 and learned to drive in that car we lived in Florida at the time and the a/c in that car was so very cold, none of the new cars come even close.

[@theoneandonly6431]

The LAPD used the AMC Matador from 1972-1974. Officer's reaction to them varied greatly. Some loved them. Others were so irritated by the car that they would have arrested you if they could have for insulting an officer.

[@ThisOldCarChannel]

YES They did. I didn't add that. Video was too long already. Thanks for watching.

[@Raquila47]

You'd have to go back pre war when the Ambassador was super high line. Starting in 1958 does a great disservice to a high quality automobile of past years.

[@carlc5748]

Gerald Carl Meyers was the innovative man that came up with the "AMC buyers protection plan". He became the youngest CEO of American Motors in 1977. I did work at his home in the Los Angeles area, beginning in the late 1970's, on and off until the mid 1990's.

[@ChadQuick270W]

The 1973-74 OPEC oil embargo killed a lot of mid and full size car sales. As you said, people were buying smaller more fuel efficient (in relative terms) vehicles.

[@JosephAGilardiJr]

And as it went along it did indeed keep up and did very well for a small market out there AMC was really an unsung hero they made very good...

[@jamesgoddard871]

Inherited a 69 ambassador from my father ( military staff car version) . It was a tank with a six cylinder engine , a huge fuel tank and vacuum wipers . Could go nearly thousand miles on a tank of gas . Never let me down . Good car .

[@scrambler69-xk3kv]

My uncles owned a Rambler/ AMC dealership for many years. We owned several One of my favorites was our 1973 Ambassador sedan. Smooth quiet riding car. Their biggest problem was sales numbers that did not allow them to restyle and update their cars as often as the big three. Most people would not buy one because of their resale value. The only way you got anything out of an AMC on trade was to trade for another AMC. and since they were not that different from the AMC you were driving now, people either would not buy one in the first place, or they would buy a different make at trade in time.

[@r.h.5052]

Good piece I currently have a clean low mile 70 DPL as a summer ride. Made a few alterations. 4 wheel discs,better springs and a 5 speed

[@cmdrflake]

Ah, they occasionally produced really nice looking cars. One of our neighbors was an AMC (Nash, Hudson, Packard.) dealer who let us look their cars and try them out under supervision, of course. I bought an AMX in 1971, great car. Kinda costly, but it really performed well.

[@-oiiio-3993]

AMX were _very_ cool and largely overlooked / underrated by the 'muscle car' set.

[@ThisOldCarChannel]

That they did.....

[@pascaldeslongchampsmoncton1490]

I bought my wife a 1970 javelin sst, in 2009. No engine or transmission in it, but we got a 3 speed rebuild, and found a 360 out of a 81 wagoneer. Cool car.

[@killerkarma3574]

I think the AMC Eagle was ahead of its time.

[@WCM1945]

I had a '76 Brougham. Bought from a co-worker in the early 80s, and learned it had been a Boston police car. It was very comfortable and handled rode very nicely. Took it on a short vacation, but my homemade valve job didn't help the engine. I never took the heads off an engine since. It was still the typical white-over-blue paint, and few cars would try to pass me!🤭😆🤣

[@yossarian6799]

The Ambassador was an unusual car in that it wasn't a true fuel-size car, but rather a mid-size car with an elongated front end. It shared its body with the intermediate Classic, Rebel and Matador. Nevertheless, it was as comfortable as a full-size car and its high equipment levels made it a real value-for-the-money proposition. Interesting note: the 1965 Ambassador was made from 1966 to 1975 in Argentina by IKA (Industrias Kaiser Argentina) and was equipped with the overhead-camshaft "Tornado" engine. It was a very expensive car in that country was often called "Argentina's Cadillac".

[@ThisOldCarChannel]

They were great cars! Thanks for the watching and sharing with us! We can't tell if you are a subscribe or not. Can you please help us by subscribing? Please?

[@yossarian6799]

@@ThisOldCarChannel my pleasure.

[@Camelcando]

Thank you for all the line-up detail. This did not answer the question posed in the description- AMC Ambassador: Why it Could Never Keep up With GM, Ford and Chrysler. You mentioned they were ahead of their time and had many innovations.

[@jamesstuart3346]

Notice how the styling of all American cars, not just AMCs, became simpler and more conservative during this time. This was the result of Elwood Engel's revolutionary 1961 Lincoln Continental which ended the Baroque Era of the 1950s

[@poky1958]

My parents got a 1970 Ambassador, and I thought it was Terrific, 1970 was the best to me.

[@robertmoore2049]

My mom didn’t own an Ambassador, but a Matador. Excellent video, Brothers! I really enjoyed it and learned something new!

[@charlesharmon4926]

My grandma had a ‘63 Ambassador. They gave it to my parents around in 1968 as a wedding gift. When my mom graduated from LSU in 1968 she drove it to and from work. Dad kept a case of oil in the trunk and it burned through a quart of oil every 3 days. They called it Betsy the Brown Abortion.

[@manoman0]

I remember an AMC Matador in my neighbourhood. An extremely big coupé while the others were Austins, Morris, little Fords. I was amazed.

[@RaymondHaley-bi8lx]

The ambassador was AMC,s flagship model, they were the first full size cars to come with a 6cyl engine as standard equipment, they were ahead their time, I think the other 3 car companies could've helped AMC, instead of watching them fold, but greed and imports started chomping at the bit, and made the domestic auto industry fall on its ass, unfortunately the biggest casualty was AMC.

[@luisdelossantos5338]

There were only two AMC models in my entire neighborhood in the late 70's. One of which was an Ambassador wagon driven by my 3rd grade teacher in El Paso, TX.

[@paulw.woodring7304]

Dad was a Rambler man for a lot of years in the 60s to the 70s, I think mostly because they were a little cheaper than the other makes. He had two Rambler wagons, a '63 with the interior seats that completely folded flat, and then the first new car he bought in over 12 years, a '72 Ambassador wagon. In between he had a '66 Olds 88 sedan for towing a travel trailer. The Ambassador was bright red, black interior, the showroom floor model. Roof rack, A/C, and rear-facing jump seat. I partly learned to drive on that car. It was OK. It had room to haul a number of my friends around, so I liked that. I always considered it to be more of a mid-sized wagon, more like a Chevelle, certainly not as big as a Caprice wagon, or the '67 Chrysler Newport sedan he bought used from a relative. Now that was a boat!

[@marksmith8928]

Been driving Ambo's bought second hand for decades. Dead nuts reliable and comfortable cruisers. Still have a couple. Likely the last I'll own as they are getting scarce.

[@chiconian49]

My dad bought an AMC Ambassador wagon in the mid 60's. It was a piece of junk. The timing chain broke during warrantee, which was lucky, however he was stuck on a business trip out of town and had to pay motel bills until the car was fixed. Something was always breaking on the car, so I loaned him my Ford while it was in the shop. After he owned the car long enough to write it off as a business expense, he bought a Ford which was relatively trouble free. After that, he bought only Fords.

[@WCM1945]

Your father had a lemon. I have had two Fords. Never again. That goes double for any Chrysler product.

[@albertcarello619]

@chiconian49: Broken timing chains also happen in many Buicks as well. I think the same material as the AMC CAR you had. My cousin had a Buick with this issue and a neighbor of mine also had a 1970 Buick with timing chain problems.

[@ramblin327]

I have my great grandfather’s 1964 Rambler Ambassador 990-H as pictured in the advertisement in this video with shift command. It’s white with red interior. I consider it one of the first smaller luxury cars and had very nice style and trim. The 327 with the optional Holley 4barrel and higher compression had sturdy reliable torque at 360 ft-lbs and 270 hp. I’ve heard they may of built as few as 1,464 990-H top trim cars and 50 with the red interior. I’ve seen 13 known examples left. Great unknown and underrated cars!

[@ramblerdave1339]

Yes, the 990H had a beautiful interior, much nicer than my '64 990 4 door. I also had a '64 Classic 770 Hardtop, but not an H.

[@ramblin327]

@@ramblerdave1339 that’s a good point the had and American 44-H and Ambassador 990-H but no Classic 770-H.

[@ramblerdave1339]

@@ramblin327 They made a 770H ( basic difference, bucket seats and console), but I didn't have it.

[@ramblin327]

@@ramblerdave1339 yes you could option a classic with console, buckets, hardtop, and v8 but they never labeled it as an H trim on the classics for some reason.