Vehicle Description
Cruisin Classics is proud to present to you this stunning and
highly original 1959 AMC Ambassador Custom. Less than 12,000 of
these luxury 4-door Custom sedans were made in '59 so you don't see
them very often these days - especially in this condition. This
beauty comes to us dressed in a good driver-quality respray of its
original colors - teal with a white roof. The brightwork and design
styling on this Ambassador are a feast for the eyes! It starts up
front with an ornate grille with a red white and blue Eagle crest
badge at the center and topped with "AMBASSADOR" lettering, a big
chrome bumper, twin side-by-side headlights, and some very cool
fender "gun-sights". The wrap-around windshield is surrounded by
gleaming chrome, as are all the other windows. Also gracing the
windshield are opposing wipers with bright arms. Both front and
rear doors are outfitted with vent windows and rain diverters that
add to the look. Long side-spears run the length of both sides of
the car, widening as they approach the rear, with an anodized
aluminum trim panel in the center of the spear. The drivers door
has a stylish side mirror, both front doors wear an oval-shaped
"Air Conditioned" badge, and all four doors sport elegantly
designed chrome door handles. The lower window trim flows past the
rear windows to become an accent that tops the fins which flare
gently outward at the rear. Unique tail lights jut out at the base
of the fins and Scotchlite reflectors are set in the rising fins
between the chrome to provide hightened visibility in the dark.
This Ambassador was not originally optioned with a continental kit,
but the previous owner found one, had it restored, and added it to
the car. The continental kit features an extended brilliant chrome
bumper beneath a full spare encased in a shell of teal and white
that is illuminated by two lights on the bumper - it looks very
dramatic in the dark! Raised "AMBASSADOR" lettering stretches
across the bottom of the trunklid with another AMC eagle crest
above it in the center and a "Rambler" script badge above that. On
the flat top of the trunk is a rear-tilting antenna for the radio
inside. Beneath the rear bumper you'll notice two chrome exhaust
tips poking out on either side. Completing the over-the-top
exterior look are body-color steel wheels with bright hubcaps with
AMC eagle crests at their centers - all wrapped in General
white-wall bias-ply tires.
Under the hood is a very stock and original-looking engine bay that
is home to a 5.4 liter 327ci AMC V-8. This was quite a quick engine
for its time with 270hp and a 0-60 time of around 10 seconds. This
V-8 is topped off with a 4-barrel carburetor, orange valve covers,
and a large black air cleaner. Mated to the 327 is a Borg-Warner
3-speed automatic push-button transmission known as the
"Flash-O-Matic". This transmission sends power to the rear via a
10-bolt rear axle. Other highlights under the hood include power
steering, power brakes (4-wheel drums), AMC's "Weather Eye" heating
and ventilation system, and coolest of all - working factory
A/C!
Luxury and style continue when you open the drivers door to reveal
a gorgeous, mostly original interior dressed in black, white, and
teal. This color scheme is accented on the door panels and seats by
glittering silver piping. The previous owner told us that the seats
have been re-stuffed, but the fabric is still all original - and it
looks great, with no splits or tears. The separated front seats
adjust independently and are designed to be able to lay down
completely flat to form a bed (for use when traveling long
distances). The door panels are stylish and in good condition, with
the exception of the drivers door armrest which is quite worn. The
doors all have newer-looking black seals and the black carpet looks
like it was recently replaced. Period-correct green Rubbermaid
double-wide floormats are in place in both front and rear to keep
that new carpet looking good. The padded black vinyl dashpad is
crack-free, but it has warped over time. On that dash top are two
vents with lift-up doors that not only push out air, but also allow
music to flow from speakers hidden inside the dash. Across the face
of the dash is decorative aluminum plating with horizontal ridges
and a teal painted section beneath it. Ahead of the driver is a
speedometer and gauges for fuel and temperature. The temperature
gauge is now inoperative, but an auxillary temp gauge has been
installed under the dash to keep an eye on things. The odometer
reads 50,638 miles and that is actual per the title! In the center
of the dash is a glovebox that contains an original owners manual.
Beneath the glovebox is the original AM radio which works most of
the time, but takes a little while to warm up. The radio is flanked
by an ashtray on each side and there are 2 additional ashtrays
mounted in the rear doors. Ahead of the passenger on the dash is
the original clock (inoperative) and an "Ambassador" badge. The
driver is treated to a black 2-spoke steering wheel with a horn
ring, teal "grip areas", and a centercap with the eagle crest logo.
To the drivers left, on the lower teal section of dash, are
controls for the lights, wipers, and climate controls that all work
as they should (and their backlighting still works!). To the left
of these controls is a panel with buttons for the automatic
transmission. The neutral button does double duty and also serves
as a push-button start - a really cool feature in a 65 year old
car! Look up to find that, above the dual visors, is a cargo net
that provides some extra storage and a tight teal vinyl headliner.
Back in the trunk you'll find a vinyl mat, a spare tire jack, a
1958 Ambassador service manual, and an original set of "twin bed
insect screens" - made by AMC to cover the windows while sleeping
overnight on the lay-flat seats (seriously!).
If you're looking for a classic car that will stand out in a crowd,
turn heads wherever it goes, and put a smile on your face every
time you drive it then you'll want to take a serious look at this
'59 Ambassador! This car was truly top of the line technology and
styling for it's day - and it's still just as cool more than a half
century later!
ENGINE
5.4liter 327ci AMC V-8
4-Barrel Carburetor
Orange Valve Covers
Power Steering
"Weather Eye" Heating and Ventilation System
Original A/C System - Working!
Dual Exhaust with Newer Mufflers
TRANSMISSION
Borg Warner "Flash-O-Matic" 3-Speed Automatic
Push-Button Shifting on the Dash
10 Bolt Rear Axle
BRAKES
4-Wheel Power Drums
EXTERIOR
Slick Teal Body with White Top
Beautiful Brightwork and Badging
Fender "Gun-Sights"
Ornate Door Handles and Side Mirror
Front and Rear Vent Windows
Chrome Window Rain Deflectors
Continental Kit
Trunk-Mounted Antenna
Dual Chrome Exhaust Tips
Body-Color Steel Wheels with OEM Hubcaps
General White-Wall Bias-Ply Tires
INTERIOR
Black, White, and Teal Cloth Seats with Original Fabric
Individually Adjustable "Lay-Flat" Front Seats
Original Door Panels
Newer-Looking Door Seals
New Black Carpet
Period-Correct Rubbermaid Double-Wide Floormats
Tight Teal Vinyl Headliner
Overhead Cargo Net
Stylish Dash with Ribbed Aluminum Accent Plate
Glovebox with Original Owners Manual
Original AM Radio
Cold A/C, Hot Heat, and Working Fan
Working 2-Speed Wipers
Original Black and Teal Steering...for more information please
contact the seller.
