This one brings back memories. Right about the time I was trying to get a 1979 Cutlass running and driving…which puts me at about 14 years old…a big red sled came into the yard. Up until that point I knew the very minimums about AMC: I knew they were dead. I knew the good side (AMX, Javelin, Hornet SC/360), the more, uh, traditional side (Gremlin, Pacer) but very little of the in-between outside of the Eagle wagon. That red Ambassador came to it’s end in our yard, though the why escapes my memory, but the car made an impression. It was huge, rivaling the 1975 Caprice that was in the yard about the same time. The interior was pure 1970’s plush, with paisley interior that you sank into. I used to open up all the windows and nap in the car in the afternoon, it was so comfortable.
So when this 1971 Ambassador SST’s Craigslist ad hit my inbox I knew I had to run it, if for nothing more than the fond memories of the old one. This 304/automatic car is a one-family, low mileage example that hasn’t even turned 50,000 miles yet and the current owners claim that it’s in a good “driver” state, which is very believable. It’s not perfect but it’s a car you can get in, fire up and drive without worry. These don’t come around too often and rarely in this condition. For a buy-in of $3500 it does break the purchase mark of the Rough Start guidelines, but it’s still well under the $5,000 mark. Depending on what’s left over after the typical tune-up issues, I’d invest in a thorough cleaning and detailing and some good touring tires.
CLICK HERE to see the Ambassador’s Craigslist ad!
(Thanks to Scott Brown for the tip!)
It’d be cooler if it was a 2-door, but I’d rock it. Put in a warmed-over 401 with self-learning EFI and bag it and drive it everywheres
I’d take it. With the right engine it make a god sleeper. But is that Lincoln in the garage for sale?
Just looking at that interior I can already smell it….
Pap had a gold one. I can remeber the 401 badges on the fender…but for the life of me I have no idea what year. My grandmother always bitched about how fast he drove that car. It met it’s end by the hands of Pa road salt and the ravages of time. I’d rock the hell out of this car as is…love it.
Ambassadors are cool cars, but they look so much better as 2 doors. $3,500 is a lot for a more door AMC, I’m just saying, esp. with the 304. That being said if you had a good size stash of AMC parts, and a spare 360 it could be fun. These old AMCs ride great though so leave the suspension the same just rebuild it. My Matador rides like a old Cadillac. I am loving the inclusion of America’s other manufacture guys.
My dad had a 69 Ambassador SST coupe. Fully loaded. The air cleaner had a factory sticker on it that said “AMX 390”. It would really scat, especially compared to my car at the time, a slant six powered 60 Plymouth Suburban wagon with three on the tree.
Unfortunately, the four wheel drum brakes were a nightmare. I snuck it out one night, and damn near killed myself try to haul it down from speed.
That is one blumtastic grannymobile.
I’d drive it. Definitely a 390 or 401 with EFI and a bagged suspension. You rarely see these cars and this was one of the last years that was a good design before the Coffin Nose Ambassadors graced us with their presence.
As for people complaining about the price, if a car of that vintage runs, drives, and has a reasonable body, $3500 sounds about right. The days of sub $1000 driveable classic cars are gone.
These cars rode like the more expensive cars of this era. A few mods to the 304 would surprise a lot of people. Price? Spot on for the condition. I’d drive the hell out of it!!!
How can someone use classic and AMC Ambassador in the same sentence?