Button Pusher: 1959 Rambler Ambassador Custom

By Matt -- While paying Collier AMC a quick visit this weekend, the overgrown Matadors, Javelins, and Fuegos amongst the copperheads and poison ivy brought the urge to own another AMC back fiercely. And what better way to get into American Motors ownership than one of the first models to launch under the AMC banner? Find this 1959 Rambler Ambassador Custom with everything but brakes on craigslist in Atlanta, GA for only $2,000.

Ramblers are usually insanely cheap, still suffering from the boring image that they, fairly or not, cultivated in the 50’s and 60’s. This one appears to have been in long term storage judging by the old Virginia vanity tag and sticker, not to mention the pile of dust. And thank you, kind seller, for not using the term ‘barn find’! The car yard drives but if you’re super safety conscious, you may be concerned that the car currently has no brakes. The seller has done a good job of providing details about the car and is open to trades. After a brief text conversation, it’s worth noting that he’s a reasonable dude and mainly interested in American cars and as is specifically not interested in a 1991 Peugeot 405 Mi16. You may wonder how I know.

In the engine department, the late 50’s ramblers were seriously stout and very advanced, actually offering electronic fuel injection for a very short period (like, weeks) before pulling the plug due to manufacturing complexities. Or who knows, maybe the trailer that carried the ECU reversed the performance gains. But even in carbureted form, the 327 made 270 horsepower and AMC people will tell you sternly and politely that it’s not a Chevrolet motor. Adding to the novelty is a push button automatic to surprise and further confuse your friends.

See a better way to start your own stodgy reputation? tips@dailyturismo.com

Matt, a self-proclaimed bottom-feeder of the classic car market, spends half of his time buying cars, half of his time retrieving them, and the remaining third on keeping them on the road.