1960 Rambler Ambassador Custom

Following the establishment of American Motors Corp. (AMC) in 1954 via the merger of Nash-Kelvinator and Hudson, the top-tier Ambassador was offered as a V-8, long-wheelbase Rambler. Only about 22,000 Ambassadors were produced in all for 1960, including 10,949 examples of the Rambler Ambassador Custom Sedan.

Formerly part of the Sterling McCall Old Car Museum collection, it was acquired by the famed RE Robert Monical Collection in 2007, then sold along with Mr. Monical's estate in 2017 to Mr. Phil Skinner, a well-known automotive hobbyist, writer, and staple member of the Edsel Club.

Sold by Worldwide Auctioneers for the third different time, the Grand Rapids Classics Auto Museum took ownership from Mr. Skinner in the fall of 2024. According to the Sterling McCall Old Car Museum, this 1960 AMC Ambassador Custom was built at the old factory by enthusiasts using leftover parts.

Continuing to benefit from an older full restoration, it features striking white over pink livery, with grey patterned seating surfaces punctuated by pink inserts on the seat backs and bold V-shaped white stripes. Door panels and armrests are trimmed in pink with horizontal V-accents in white. Other distinctive features include a two-tone steering wheel with an elaborate chrome horn ring, AM radio, clock, and accessory compass.

Under the hood resides the nicely finished AMC 327 cubic-inch V-8 engine producing 275 horsepower, matched to a three-speed manual transmission with Borg-Warner T85 overdrive. Less than 1,300 miles have been added since the body-off-the-frame restoration.