Editing AMC Ambassador (section)

== Second generation (1960–1961) ==
{{Infobox automobile
| image       = 1960 AMC Rambler Ambassador sedan green NJ.jpg
| caption     = 1960 Ambassador V8 by Rambler
| model_years = 1960–1961
| aka         = Rambler Ambassador
| name        = Second generation
| body_style  = {{unbulleted list | 4-door [[sedan (car)|sedan]] | 4-door [[hardtop]] sedan | 4-door [[station wagon]] | 4-door [[hardtop]] station wagon }}
| wheelbase   = {{convert|117|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}
| engine      = {{convert|327|CID|L|1|abbr=on}} [[AMC V8 engine|V8]]
}}

=== 1960 ===
[[File:1960 AMC Rambler Ambassador sedan red and white at Rambler Ranch 3of7.jpg|thumb|right|1960 Rambler Ambassador Super sedan]]
[[File:1960 AMC Rambler Ambassador sedan red and white at Rambler Ranch 7of7.jpg|thumb|1960 Rambler Ambassador interior]]

The decision to discontinue the Nash and Hudson brands resulted in developing the second-generation Rambler Ambassador design.<ref name="how60-61">{{cite web|author=((Auto Editors of "Consumer Guide")) |title=1960-1961 AMC/Rambler Ambassador |date=19 November 2007 |website=auto.howstuffworks.com |url= https://auto.howstuffworks.com/1960-1961-amc-rambler-ambassador.htm |access-date=24 July 2022}}</ref> It was the only American midsize, luxury high-performance car offered in 1960. The "Ambassador by Rambler" was marketed by AMC as America's Compact Luxury Car.<ref>{{cite magazine|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=RFUEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA51 |magazine=Life |date=2 November 1959 |title=New Rambler for '60 (advertisement) |page=51 |volume=47 |issue=18 |access-date=10 August 2021}}</ref>

The 1960 model year lineup was reskinned, using new fenders, hood, deck lid, door skins, roofline, grille, taillights, bumpers, windshield, and backlight. The lower hood line, lower windshield cowl, simplified side trims, and egg-crate grille with stand-up letters spelling AMBASSADOR were significant. At the same time, the tailfins were reduced in height and were canted to either side, making for an integrated appearance, and the AMBASSADOR name was repeated across the rear trunk lid. The overall effect was relatively fresh, as the new roof had a lower, lighter look to complement the lower fins and grille. The design changes and the new grille provided "a more expensive look".<ref name="Katz">{{cite web |last1=Katz |first1=John F. |title=1960 Ambassador by Rambler: The flagship of American Motors' heyday |url= https://www.autoweek.com/news/a2121441/1960-ambassador-rambler-flagship-american-motors-heyday/ |work=Autoweek |date=24 September 2001 |access-date=10 August 2021}}</ref>

The 1960 Ambassador was available only with four doors in [[sedan (car)|sedan]] and [[station wagon]] body types. The station wagons had two rows of seats for six adult passengers or an additional rear-facing third row for an eight-passenger version. Additionally, a pillarless sedan ([[hardtop]]) and station wagon were available in the top-of-the-line "Custom" trim version. Three trim levels started with a "Deluxe" sedan reserved for fleet customers. The "Super" was the entry-level consumer version and available only as a pillared sedan and pillared six- or eight-passenger station wagon body styles.<ref name="Flory72">{{cite book |last1=Flory Jr. |first1=J. "Kelly" |title=American Cars, 1960-1972: Every Model, Year by Year |date=2008 |publisher=McFarland |isbn=9780786452002 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=1DiNAgAAQBAJ&dq=1860+Rambler+Ambassador+production&pg=PA72 |access-date=10 August 2021}}</ref> The top "Custom" trim models in both pillared or hardtop versions included fender ornaments, a clock, full wheel covers as well as additional padding for the rear seat, dash, and sun visors.<ref name="how60-61" /> To enhance the visual length of the cars, a full-length bodyside molding was painted in a contrasting color on the Super trim models or enclosed a brushed aluminum panel on the Ambassador Custom series.<ref name="how60-61" />

Ambassadors now came with a unique compound curved windshield that cut into the roof. This improved visibility, did away with the "knee knocker" dogleg design of AMC's first-generation wrap-around windshield, and resulted in an even stiffer unitized structure. The 1960 Ambassador had a low cowl, providing excellent visibility with the compound windshield. All 1960 Ambassadors came with a new instrument cluster under a padded cowl and illuminated controls for lights, wipers, fan, and defrost functions. Additional conveniences included a spotlight on the accelerator pedal and a net above the padded sun visors to hold lightweight items.<ref name="Katz" /> The top-of-the-line Ambassador Custom models came standard with individual "airliner" reclining front seats that now had even more luxurious fabrics than in previous years.

All Ambassadors included the AMC's {{convert|327|CID|L|1|abbr=on}} [[AMC V8 engine|V8]], but for the first time, it was available in two versions. First was the original {{convert|270|hp|kW PS|0|abbr=on}}, {{convert|360|lb·ft|N·m|abbr=on}} of torque, performance version equipped with the 4-barrel carburetor and a 9.7:1 compression ratio, which required premium fuel, and a second economy version running on regular gasoline making {{convert|250|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}}, {{convert|340|lb·ft|N·m|abbr=on}} of torque, equipped with a two-barrel carburetor and an 8.7:1 compression ratio. The 1960 Ambassadors continued with an independent front suspension with upper and lower A-arms, an enclosed drive shaft (torque tube) with a live rear axle using 4-link trailing arms, and coil springs at all four wheels. However, the suspension was revised, resulting in better handling.

Equipped with the {{convert|270|hp|kW PS|0|abbr=on}} {{convert|327|CID|L|1|abbr=on}} V8 and the BorgWarner pushbutton-operated three-speed planetary gear and torque converter automatic transmission, the Ambassadors reached {{convert|60|mph|km/h|0}} in just over 9 seconds and passed the quarter-mile in 17 seconds. The Ambassadors featured soft springs and a solid build, making them ride silently and smoothly, according to reviewers.<ref name="Katz" />

The year set a new record for AMC, with total production reaching almost half a million cars and total revenue exceeding $1 billion.<ref name="how60-61" /> The [[Rambler Six and V8]] along with the [[Rambler American]] represented almost 95% of AMC's automobile sales.<ref name="Flory72" /> A total of 23,798 Ambassadors were built for the 1960 model year, with the Custom sedan being the most popular body and trim version (10,949 units).<ref name="Flory72" /> Only 302 Deluxe (fleet) sedans were delivered.<ref name="how60-61" />

=== 1961 ===
[[File:1961 Rambler Ambassador Custom blue-fl.jpg|thumb|1961 Rambler Ambassador Custom]]
[[File:1961 AMC Rambler Ambassador 4-door pink rear.JPG|thumb|right|1961 Rambler Ambassador]]

The 1961 Ambassador continued the previous year's {{convert|117|in|mm|0|adj=on}} primary [[Unit body|unitized platform]], but received an unusual new front-end styling that was overseen by AMC's in-house design department headed by [[Edmund E. Anderson]]. The pillar-less four-door hardtop sedan and station wagon models were no longer available for 1961.

The Ambassador's new design consisted of a trapezoid grille and headlights that floated in a body-colored panel. At the same time, the front fenders arched downward and forward of the leading edge of the hood. Unlike anything else on the market, AMC's marketing department promoted the look as "European". While the new look was meant to distinguish the Ambassador from the lower-priced Ramblers, it was neither a consumer success nor well-received in the automotive press. Moreover, overall automobile industry sales fell as the entire U.S. economy was experiencing the [[recession of 1960–1961]].

Standard was the {{convert|250|hp|kW PS|0|abbr=on}} {{convert|327|CID|L|1|abbr=on}} V8 with a [[Manual transmission#Synchronized transmission|synchromesh manual transmission]]. Optional was the {{convert|270|hp|kW PS|0|abbr=on}} "power pack" version with a dual exhaust system featuring new ceramic-coated [[muffler]]s guaranteed for the life of the car.<ref>{{cite magazine | title=Ambassador V-8 has changed appearance|magazine=Popular Mechanics |volume=114 |issue=5 |page=90 |date=November 1960 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=9tsDAAAAMBAJ&q=Ambassador+shows+a+considerably+face+smaller+grille+curved-down+1961&pg=PA88-IA1 |access-date=23 August 2014}}</ref>

The 1961 [[Pure Oil]] Company Economy Trials, designed to parallel everyday driving experiences closely, saw the Ambassador capture 9 of the first ten places in the V8 engine category and win the top of its class.<ref>{{cite book |last=Foster |first=Patrick R. |title=American Motors Corporation: The Rise and Fall of America's Last Independent Automaker |publisher=Motorbooks |page=59 |year=2013 |isbn=9780760344255 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=_Vb0AwAAQBAJ&dq=1961+Rambler+Ambassador&pg=PA59 |access-date=13 September 2020}}</ref>

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