In the mid-1960s, American Motors Corporation decided to compete more directly against GM, Ford, and Chrysler by creating a full-size car to rival the Impala, Galaxie, and Monaco. The Rambler Ambassador became that car for the 1965 model year. A rare find of a 1965 Rambler Ambassador 990 convertible was recently discovered in a family-owned junkyard just south of Denver city limits.
The Ambassador 990 convertible was not the most expensive Rambler in 1965, but it was priced at $2,955, which was considered steep for Rambler shoppers. This particular model came with a 327-cubic-inch V8 engine, the largest engine option available at the time. The base engine was a 232-cubic-inch straight-six, which was still being used in Jeep Wranglers in 2006.
The car features a three-speed automatic transmission with a “Flash-O-Matic” shifter on the center console. Optional rear speakers, known as “Duo-Coustic” or “Vibra-Tone,” could be added if desired. Despite its unique features, AMC only sold around 65,000 Ambassadors in 1965, while Chevrolet sold over a million of its full-size models that year.
Unfortunately, this particular Ambassador is not in great condition. The body is rusty, and the interior has been exposed to the elements for many years. Restoring it would be a costly endeavor. The car’s historical significance as the last model year for the Rambler marque in 1968 adds to its value, but the practicality of restoring it remains questionable.
Despite its slow sales and ultimate demise, the Rambler Ambassador 990 convertible remains a rare find and a testament to American Motors Corporation’s attempt to compete with the Detroit Big Three. The legacy of the Rambler marque lived on briefly with the AMC Rambler in 1969 before transitioning to American Motors Corporation badging on all subsequent models. The history of the Rambler Ambassador serves as a reminder of a bygone era in American automotive manufacturing.
