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April 15, 2008
1963 AMC Rambler Ambassador Muscle Car on eBay
Now I love Ramblers (I own four), and this 1963 Rambler Ambassador on eBay looks really stunning in the photos, but it really is a stretch to call it, as its seller claims, "the first muscle car." If any AMC Rambler can lay claim to that title of being the first muscle car, it would have be the 1957 Rambler Rebel, which in 1957 would only be bested by a Chevy Corvette (it was even faster than a Chrysler 300). More…
By the classic definition of the species, a muscle car is intermediate sized 2-door coupe or convertible with a wheelbase of 116 inches or less stuffed with the biggest V8 possible, typically 6-liters or more. (the muscle car archetype is the 1964 Pontiac Tempest GTO equipped the 389 cubic inch V8). Now this Ambassador is the right size dimensionally, riding as it does on a 112-inch wheelbase, but the boat anchor 327 V8 (not to be confused by the Chevy V8 of the same displacement–they are two entirely different engines) is not exactly a high-powered motor, even though it has a 4-barrel carb and high compression. With a 0-60 time of around 8 seconds, it was certainly quick for its day, but with big block Impalas, Galaxies, and various intermediate-sized Mopars running around with 413 Max Wedges under the hood, all that this cool Rambler would see would be their tail lights.
With all that being said, this is one really cool car. It’s about the same size as a then contemporary Mercedes 220. It has individual bucket seats that have backrest recliners (name another American car of that era so equipped) and it’s equipped with AMC’s unique console-mounted Twin-Stick overdrive, a floor mounted 3-speed manual with an overdrive gear, giving the car extremely long-legged cruising capabilities. Personally I think that the 1963 Ambassador is the apogee of AMC. 1963 was AMC’s second-best sales year up to that time, and the Ambassador was the fourth best selling nameplate that year. And to boot, it was the same year that the entire American Motors line-up garnered Motor Trend’s Car of the Year award.
As the seller accurately states, show up at a cruise night in this, you’ll surely attract attention. Most people will think, judging by the decals on its valve covers, that it’s Chevy-powered, even though the V8 externally resembles an SBC only in that they share the number of cylinders bores; visually they are as different as two V8s can be.
Visually, the 112-inch wheelbase 1963 and 1964 Rambler Classics and Ambassadors, look very similar, and their styling, if you can call it that, has held up well over the years. They also share some design similarities with the 1964 to 1969 Rambler Americans and Rogues and share many structural elements. Personally, I’ve always wanted to own a V8-powered 1963 or 1964 Rambler, especially one of the rare 1964 2-door hardtop models, one of which is currently available on eBay as well. I view them as being hyper cool, sharing the basic roofline as my own 1968 Rogue. Also cool are the 1963 and 1964 Rambler Classic and Ambassador station wagons, especially when factory-equipped with the 287 or 327 V8, the Twin-Stick overdrive and bucket seats (one equipped that way showed up on eBay about a year ago and I still kick myself for not buying it).
I’m going to watch this sale carefully, but with four AMCs currently in my stable (a 1964 American 440 ragtop, the aforementioned 1968 Rogue, a 1969 American 440 station wagon, and a 1988 AMC Eagle station wagon), I would need this one like I need… well you get the picture. Still, it will be fun to see if it makes reserve and if so, what the ultimate sale price will be. I just hope that it will end up in the collection of a true AMC collector, someone who will appreciate it for what it is, a very unique car built by a very quirky car company.
Comments
Sebastian
Dec 11, 2008 at 11:48 pm
HI my name is sebastian, i live in argentina.
I have a rambler classic 380 1968 made in argentina whit tornadp engine.
http://www.fierrosmdq.com.ar/clasicos_ika_001.html
Regards
RAY
Dec 11, 2008 at 4:58 am
I HAVE A 1963 RAMBLER AMBASSADOR THAT I JUST PURCHASED FROM THE ORIGINAL OWNER. IT IS A 6 CYLINDER 3 SPEED ON THE COLUMN. THIS CAR IS IN LIKE BRAND NEW CONDITION. NO RUST OR DENTS ANYWHERE. ENGINE PURS LIKE A KITTEN. HAS A SPLIT RECLINING BENCH SEAT. VERY ORIGINAL CAR NEEDS NOTHING. TURN KEY AND GO, SERIOUS INQUIRERS ONLY.
reb1960@optonline.net
Raredan
Sep 12, 2008 at 3:46 am
Hey Rich,
You still own the first luxury SUV – that awesome Super Wagoneer?
There is a great story there too.
Dan
ron storck
Jun 15, 2008 at 9:04 pm
1963 ambassader w 327 4 door factory power steering brakes and ac
if interested cal 636-493-3846 ask for ron
Ronald Storck
Jun 15, 2008 at 9:01 pm
I BAUGHT A 1963 RAMBLER AMBASSADER 880 4 DOOR WITH THE 327 2 BARREL, WITH THE INTENTION OF RESTORING IT IT DRIVES BUT HAS A FAIR REAR MAIN LEAK, VERY AND I MEAN VERY LITTLE RUST,EVERYTHING IS THERE ORIGINAL HUBCAPS, DEALER BOOK ,SPARE TIRE ECT, IT HAS THE 3 SPEED AUTOMATIC,D2 WICH STARTS OUT IN SECOND GEAR,D1 WITCH STARTS IN FIRST, AND LOW,1ST, ANY WAY I PAID $1800 FOR CAR, I FOUND AND BAUGHT 4BARREL INTAKE MANIFOLD, IT WAS RACED SO IT HAS SOME MACHINING DONE TO IT FOR BETTER PERFORMANCE, I PAID $525 WITH SHIPPING, I ALSO BAUGHT A PAINTABLE GASCAP ,$100, AN ENGINE GASKET REBUILD KIT $120,a timing chain and gear $90,and believe it or not i think i found the only remaining front grill brand new still in dealearship box,(some out of bussiness amc dealership in tenn.)for a steal $500 with all of the intention of having the engine rebuilt, it runs great now just the rear main leak, frame up resto, the works! but then i got side tracked and baught a 2008 black ford mustang bullitt,……….. im on the fence about letting the rambler go but if someone offered me what i have into it, or more $ i just might let it go, oh and by the way, with the 4 barrel it is rated at 300 horsepower, i have the specs,and everything youd need to rebuild engine, short stroke, you can have bored to 4 inches,also it is one of the few ive ever seen with factory,power steering,power brakes,and yes factory air condioning, not the under the dash dealer installed but this car has a whole different dashboard with big round ac vents, was nevr smoked in, and even the ciggarett lighter works ,i know caus it popped out on my lap cherry red hot as i was driving it home from arnold mo, i live in st charles mo
IF INTERESTED
CALL RON AT
636-493-3846 I SCREEN ALL CALLS SO I MIGHT AWNSER AFTER (generic message
Stewart
Apr 17, 2008 at 5:16 am
This is a beautiful car.
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The reclining seats and the console mounted shifter are my favorite parts…
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I’d love to own it.
Rich Truesdell
Apr 16, 2008 at 1:19 pm
GT Wildfire…the mill hasn’t been upgraded, all 1963 Ambassadors were equipped with a 327 ci. V8 (and it’s an AMC, not a Chevy V8 as the AMC 327 has different bore and stroke and looks nothing like a SBC) and a 327-powered Ambassador will scoot from 0-60 in just about 8 seconds, which when put in the perspective of the time was pretty damn quick. The more I look at this car, the more I want it (what does it say about me?) but wish that it was the available 2-door sedan or station wagon model. Also, sorry that the link to the 1957 Rambler Rebel story wasn’t active when this went up but has since been fixed; I hope you will take a look.
GTwildfire
Apr 16, 2008 at 1:18 am
WOW. I remember way way back around 1969 or 70, probably ‘69. My Mom use to own one of these… in the same color.
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We were up in the Pocono Mountains, going to pick up my sisters from Girl Scout camp. I remember it was having trouble climbing hills and ended up breaking down. We ended up staying at a motel across the road from a lake overnight until my Dad could come the next day. We ended up going for a swim. I was about 4 or 5 years old at the time.
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That car brought back a far-off memory. I’ve seen very few of these.
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Oh and good thing the mill’s been upgraded!
RK
Apr 15, 2008 at 8:56 pm
My first car when I came to this country was a 1967 AMC Ambassador that I got from my dad. I just loved the car. Unfortunately don’t have any pics of it….wish I did.
retroman
Apr 15, 2008 at 7:53 pm
Traditionally, folks credit the 1964 Pontiac Tempest GTO as the first muscle car, but it only debuted 2 weeks ahead of the Mustang and was originally scheduled to be released a little later than the Stang. Aside from that, the Stang had a longer life as a concept car going back to 1962 at Watkins Glen. With all formalities aside, I’d have to say the ‘57 Rambler Rebel is quite a competitor for the title.