Here is is, another Sunday afternoon, and once again I’m gawking at old cars online. Today’s special is this handsome ’71 Ambassador Brougham sedan, looking particularly fetching in dark red with a black vinyl roof.
This was the flagship of American Motors. All Ambassadors, while using the same body as the midsize Matador, got a longer hood and front fenders, with a correspondingly stretched wheelbase.
This went back to the Nash days, when the postwar upside-down bathtub-shaped ‘Airflyte’ cars, the 600 (later renamed Statesman) and Ambassador had similar long- and short-nose differences. With the Ambassador getting more chrome and a fancier interior, of course.
In 1971 there were three flavors of Ambassador: Base DPL, mid range SST, and top-drawer Brougham. The sedan started at $3,983 and weighed in at 3,541 pounds.
There was also a Brougham coupe ($3,999) and Brougham wagon ($4,430).
I particularly liked the 71-73 two door hardtop, though I’ve never seen one in person.
Broughams came standard with a V8, which, depending on your power needs, could be a 304, 360 or 401 CID V8. The 401 packed 330 horses.
This one is currently on kijiji.ca, with is kind of a Canadian Auto Trader/CL-type site. From the description: “2 Owner rust free car, matching number 360 V8, automatic, factory air conditioning, power steering and power brakes. A/C all there but not blowing cold. Believed to be 55,000 original miles (ED: or perhaps kilometers?) and original paint with painted on pinstripe. Serious inquires only, no low ball offers. $6,900. Great affordable cruise night car.”
That would be in Canadian dollars, I presume. Looks like a very nice, rust-free car, and in a most excellent color combination!
So now that I’ve gotten my writing in for the day, I think it’s time to grab a novel and head out to the deck for some Internet-free R&R. Or as my friend Laurie Kraynick often says, *BARTENDER* Take it easy, folks!