1968 AMC Ambassador wagon

Hee guys & gals,

I have seen this car for sale here in Holland for a low price, probably because it needs some body work. Now I have two questions for you.
It is advertised as having a V6 engine. Is this possible?
Second, how is it with availability of parts? I have been looking at an Eagle as well and I know they share a lot with Jeep, but I have no idea about the ambassador.

Thanks, Henri

 

Not likely.
If it's not a V8, it's probably a straight six 258.

 

Yeah, Senri. Andy's right. I was shopping for a new 1968 Gremlin back then and they only offered the straight six or a V8. I don't think they ever had a 4-cylinder. Maybe its modified or strictly a Euro model.

 

Well, I have send him a message asking what engine it has and if it has the third seat. It is registered as a hearse, but my idea is that that is a long time ago. I think I read it was imported already in 1974 orso.

 

Got the answer today, ity is a L6, hope it is the 258 and not the 199. I have seen some nice goodies for the 258 from Clifford Performance, which I remember from the time I was restoring a Jeep CJ-5. He even dropped the price a bit. I will make an appointment and let you know.

 

I'm excited.

 

It should be a 232CI ( Torque Command )inline 6. This is the predecessor to both the 199 & 258 engines. Factory rated @ 145bhp w/ 1bbl carb & 155 w/2bbl. These are excellent engines, and AMC cars are generally lighter than other American cars due to unit body construction. I have owned a couple of 232 Ambassadors that would get cozy to 100mph on the top end. Pretty good for an economy engine. You can learn more about AMC's @ amcforum.com.

 

Yep, you are right, it is probably a 232. And you are right about the weight as well. I think meant to be positioned as just below full-size, but with the dimensions not much falling short of one, this Ambassador is registered at just below 4000lbs, it is much lighter then any of the Big 3 full-size wagons. I just looked at a 1973 Chrysler T&C, which is a staggaring 5200lbs! And Chrysler also used this unit body construction. Was the ambassador not delivered standard with the L6?
I have not made an appointment yet. She is really cheap, but I guess it needs some serious bodywork and as I don't have a garage or any place to work on it, it is not such a good idea right now. And I also have to admit that I have some fear for the availability of spare parts.
But thanks for the correction!