Collectible Condition: 1968 AMC Ambassador SST
Just for the record, this isn’t the first 1968 AMC Ambassador SST that we have reviewed here on BF. But, the last one was over seven years ago so I would consider this to be an uncommon car – it’s actually one of only 7,600 assembled back in ’68. This hardtop is a full-sizer and not one that initially comes to mind when I mentally peruse all of the ’68 domestic competition. Despite having experienced 88K miles of use and well over half a century of existence, this Van Nuys, California resident still presents as new.
SST, or Super Sports Touring, was a performance-oriented style designation for various AMC models. In ’68 it was an add-on to the Rebel and the Ambassador and eventually, it adorned the Javelin. In the Ambassador’s case, it meant a standard V8 engine, A/C (standard on all Ambassadors), a reclining front split bench seat, a unique grille with rally lights, full wheel covers, and badging. The Ambassador was available as a two-door hardtop, four-door sedan, and station wagon. The SST package could be applied to the hardtop as well as the sedan.
Styling is always subjective but I’d say that AMC nailed it with the Ambassador. It possesses a breezy, taut, balanced, forward-moving vibe, a typical approach domestic auto producers employed in the ’60s. Pontiac and Ford had moved on from over-under (stacked) headlights by ’68 but this top-drawer AMC product wears the design well. The Scarab Gold Iridescent finish and beige vinyl top covering are just perfect. That goes for the stainless steel trim and chrome-plated bits. Rounding out the corners are Cragar S/S wheels – the perfect accompaniment for a car of this era.
The multi-color, cloth and vinyl upholstery picks up on the exterior’s palette and is certainly a welcome departure from today’s funeral parlor’s somber hues. Best of all, it shows as being amazingly clean and unworn. The camel shade carpet, in particular, should be a source of ground in dirt, especially with 88K miles of use underfoot but that doesn’t seem to be the case. No doubt about it, this is an AMC interior – they have a certain look about themselves that is not to be mistaken for ChryCo, Ford, or GM innards. This Ambassador is not A/C equipped but the seller will include a complete kit that will involve installation.
The seller mentions that a 343 CI V8 engine supplies power but doesn’t tell us if it’s the 235 HP (two-barrel carburetor) or the 280 HP four-barrel variety. He does state, “Easy to start when cold, or hot. Cruises 60-85MPH on the freeway without any problems.” A steering column actuated “Shift-Command” three-speed automatic transmission makes the rear wheel drive connection.
I think any way you cut it, this is a fine-looking car in exemplary condition, and being a product from Fallen Flag American Motors makes it that much more enticing. Those with interest will find it here on craigslist where it’s available for $26,900. I’m not up on AMC market values so what do you think, priced right or not quite?
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Comments
The Ambassador. Forgot about this one. Sharp machines from the AMC.
Hopefully its the 4V. Either way both supply plenty of torque for effortless cruising. Shift-Command autoloader, 2.87 gear ⚙️ or optional 3.15 👌
Stan,
Air cleaner and decal indicates a 2bbl. The 4bbl used a different air cleaner and decal.
Sweet looking ride that I wish I had the funds for. This along with the Rebel always caught my eye . Regardless of which carb is on board I’m thinking a gear head will make this ride his or her own with the modifications he or she deems necessary . Myself I would be looking for that 4v & air conditioning installation. AMC did in my opinion give the public a solid option to the big 3 albeit a underdog who marched to their own drum.
Never ceases to amaze, as obscure a car as this, someone, somewhere cherished it. The mags could make a Yugo pop, and the stacked headlights never did anything for me, and was glad to see them go. I suppose I’ve come to accept long ago, AMCs lack of interest. I mean, look at this car and tell me how different it is from say a Torino. I read, this car new cost about $3170, while a ’68 Torino GT was about $2850, depending on options. The 343 was kind of an oddball, not a 304 and not a 360, and dual exhaust would certainly indicate a 4 barrel to me. They were great motors, all of them.
’68 was the height of Vietnam, and everybody knew someone that served, but for a 13 year old kid, life in Milwaukee was great at the time. 10 speed bikes, auto racing at State Fair, slot car racing, search lights indicating the new Ambassadors were in, oh yeah. AMC then was about the highest paying job, and a waiting list to get in. I’ve said many times, these cars were built by my neighbors and friends parents, and they held a high regard for quality. With Studebaker gone, without going foreign, AMC was the last holdout for many that didn’t want the Big 3. We all knew there wasn’t a chance we’d ever go past #4, but we knew what we had, and AMC cars gave us great service for years. Amen!
Howard,
Looks like this one actually has a 2 bbl, though it may have been converted to a 4bbl at some point. The air cleaner/decal on this one is indicative of a 2bbl 343. The 4bbl had a different air cleaner and decal. The VIN of course would confirm all this if it were available.
The dual exhaust may have been factory, or could very well have been added later too.
I owned a pair of ’67 Ambassadors from 1982 through 1994. I recall that by the early 1990s the original crossover was already being made of “unobtanium,” so it’s not unusual to see AMC V8s with dual exhausts.
Hello Howard! Always a pleasure to see and read your comments here on BF. I am especially happy today as the rear pics led to say aloud: Looks a lot like a Torino from here. Torino GT XL GT and 70 LTD are all subjects of admiration for me. First car I ever drove wasna Torino with a Mercury Montego 2nd. But this beauty is now part of that lesson. An total classic in my eyes. But best of all are your lyrical, loving descriptions of your early years, and AMC. Frankly sir, you should write a book!
Hi FireAxe, much obliged, but just a spoke in the wheel here. I often wonder if others that lived in a city that made Fords or Chevys, had the same feelings we did. Milwaukee was unique in that, before, during and after WW2, America took on a slew of immigrants, many of those coming to Milwaukee as machinists and craftsmen from other countries decimated by the war. I worked at a foundry years ago and there were several men that didn’t speak a word of English. Didn’t have to. Wasn’t just Ramblers either. We had AO Smith, Harley, Allis-Chalmers, Briggs and Stratton, and all the supporting industries, not to mention keeping all you sauce heads happy all these years, anyone could find a job in Milwaukee. I’m very proud to say I grew up in Milwaukee.
The second beautiful AMC listing this week. I’d have to get rid of the silly Cragers, but otherwise, this is almost as nice as the Classic listed earlier.
Amc always had cool cars that I never appreciated until later in life. This one is a very nice example and would drive as is.
343 was a high winder that didn’t give up alot to big blocks back in the day. I knew a couple of guys with that motor in their AMX. A great car for reasonable money in my opinion buy it and drive it with a smile on ur face. 😊 good luck to buyer and seller!
I accompanied my father to the Rambler dealer (the signage at this dealer never changed to AMC) in 1969 when he ordered a 1969 Ambassador SST. The 69 was identical inside. Outside, the headlights, grill and taillights went horizontal, an unfortunate change IMHO. I was a 16 year old gear head and convinced him to tick all the options EXCEPT disk brakes (power drums). Too new fangled for Dad. We had the 343 4 barrel, posi 3.15 rear and every other option. He handed down the Ambassador to me in 1976 with almost 200k miles on it. The only issues the car had to that point were the weak brakes and occasional overheating. I installed a 3 core radiator from from a police-spec AMC wreck and never had another overheat. Lost a lifter at 265k miles and replaced the lifters and push rods myself in the driveway. I sold it about a year later and saw it around my town for many more years. Great car.
I have a 1971 Ambassador SST. Has the newer front styling and – full ball joints in the front suspension, no trunnions!
Like this one, mine has the OPTIONAL electric windshield wipers. Imagine the surprise of someone who decides to walk on the wild side with AMC, trading in a Big 3 model on something like this 1968 Ambo, and not even stopping to think it might not come with electric wipers standard. Surprise!
Beautiful. My guess, based on the air cleaner, is a 2 barrel carb. All the AMC engines ( aside from the 390 oiling issue) were unstoppable. It is very satisfying that after all these years, AMCs are getting some well-deserved respect.
Nice looking Ambassador and a two door to boot. To me these look like a combination of cars that came from the Big-3 at the time. It’s easy to confuse the uninitiated into thinking it a Chrysler or a Ford.
From almost every angle except the interior, these remind me of 66-67 ford fairlanes I think they are great looking definitely not something you see everyday
I bought one of these as a beater for $50 in the early 80s. It had the 343 and ran well, but was almost impossible to find parts for. I drove it for several years until it jumped time and bent the push rods. I don’t know if other damage was done. At the time, I couldn’t see spending money on it, so junked it.
Just looked a 59′ Rambler Rebel 4 – door,rebuilt orig. Holley cab.
2 tone pink and gray.
This would have sold thousands more if it had been a GM product.
Bingo!
My parents bought a new 68 SST in 69 from a small-town Iowa dealer. It was a shade of turquoise/blue. It had white vinyl top and 343 four-barrel, auto on the floor really nice car. It was the first car they had with a/c. My dad left the snow tires on all the time, and I remember doing brake stands with it and making those snow tires squeal. He would be driving it and look at my mom and say this car is deuce all ways will remember that.
Ramblers( AMC, but always Rambler to me), did great burnouts. The old man had a 1970 Ambassador, ex-forestry ranger car, with all the pursuit gizmos, 390,AMX motor, 4 barrel, green, natch, we dubbed that car the “burnout king”. It had positraction and had no problem spinning both tires for a block. We did that a lot, and when the back tires got bald, we switched them to the front and told the old man, must be an alignment issue. That car had some steam.
The ask for this model AMC is rather ambitious when very clean Javelins SST’s are going for about the same. So l think a little over priced. Clean AMC though. Hope it finds a good home.
Kinda Fairlane- ish? I think its kool, fair asking price and different from the boring Camero, Mustang, etc you see at the weekend donut shop cruise? When did you last see one this nice?