Origin of the AMC V8

When the American Motors Corporation (AMC) was formed in May of 1954, neither of its two parent companies, Nash and Hudson, had a V8 engine ready for production. AMC President George Mason, who was an advocate of sharing technology among the four independent automakers then in existence, understood that a V-8 engine would be essential for the 1955 models . He contracted with the Packard Motor Company, soon to be Studebaker Packard, for a supply of Packard Clipper V8 engines and transmissions to be sent to Kenosha for installation in the top-line Nash Ambassador and Hudson Hornet models for 1955 and 1956. However, Mason and his successor, George Romney (Mason passed away during 1954) also understood that an AMC V8 was urgently needed. Fortunately, Nash had done some development work on a V8 and was able to put a V8 into production in the spring of 1956, after perhaps 18 months of intensive work. The first AMC V8 was a 250 cubic inch (4.1 liter) engine with a 2 barrel carburetor and a horsepower rating of 190. Instead of offering it as an option in the Nash Statesman and Hudson Wasp, which were smaller 6 cylinder versions of the Ambassador and Hornet, it called the V8 models Ambassador Specials and Hornet Specials. Thus equipped, the cars offered performance competitive to similarly priced Dodge, Pontiac and Mercury models, but few buyers were look at Nash or Hudson in 1956.

The next year, AMC dropped the Statesman/Ambassador Special/Wasp/Hornet Special models. The large Ambassador and Hornet remained in production with a 327 cubic inch (5.35 liter) AMC V8 replacing the Packard. Rambler buyers were offered the 250 V8 used in the Ambassador Special/Hornet Special. A highly collectible Rambler Rebel 4 door hardtop was built in low volume (1.500 units) with the 327 V8/ 4 barrel/ 255 hp used in the much larger Ambassador and Hornet models. This car was a definite high performance car by the standards of 1957, which meant that it could reach 60 mph very quickly and stay there, but suspensions and brakes, although much enhanced over standard models, were inadequate. The model was dropped after one year because it was not consistent with AMC's strategy of selling practical transportation, but the "Rebel" name was applied to Rambler Deluxe/Super/Custom models for 1958 - 1960 which were equipped with V8 engines.

      Rambler Rebel and Classic V8 models, 1958 - 1961.

The Rambler Deluxe, Super and Custom models for 1958 were completely redesigned from the 1956 - 1957 models, although they were built on the same 108 inch wheelbase and were the same size inside and out. The cars appeared to be larger, and this appealed to many buyers who wanted something in between a small car and the very large "low priced" Chevrolet, Ford and Plymouth which were Rambler's competition. AMC called them "compact", which they were, but the weight difference between a comparably equipped Rambler and one of the others was only about 200 pounds. What AMC was really selling was practical transportation, a family car comfortable for six five people, well built and economical. This formula worked very well for 1958 and succeeding years, while AMC had a monopoly or near monopoly. AMC was the only manufacturer offering across-the-board unit body construction (adopted by Chrysler in 1960, followed by GM and Ford) and complete immersion rustproofing, two factors that contributed to their success with the practical minded.

The standard V8 for 1958 - 1961 was the 250 cubic inch V8. For 1958 and 1959, the standard and only version came with a 4 barrel carburetor and produced an advertised 215 hp. Transmission choices were manual, overdrive and the "Flashomatic" supplied by Borg Warner. Because of the weight advantage, this car offered slightly better performance and less fuel consumption than competing cars, according to contemporary evaluations. Interesting options included a front torsional anti roll bar, dual exhausts, and for 1959, rear air cil suspension. But Rambler was selling economy and practicality, not performance, and it is not likely that many were optioned this way. For 1960 and 1961, the standard engine was a two barrel with 200 hp, and the 4 barrel/215 hp became optional. Also for 1961, the "Rebel" name was dropped in favor of "Classic V8". A major revision of the 108 inch wheelbase unit body for 1962 placed both the Classic and Ambassador on this platform, but the Classic models did not have a V8 option.

                        U.S. and Canadian production

No Ramblers were built in Canada between 1958 and 1960. AMC opened a manufacturing plant in Brampton, Ontario in 1960, and 3.568 Classics were built for the 1961 model year. It is not known how many were V8 models.

                                           1962 Ambassador V8

This model should be considered here because it was a continuation of the 1958 - 1961 Classic V8 with an Ambassador nameplate and equipment.   AMC dropped the  117 inch wheelbase unit body used for the 1958 - 1961 Ambassador models and built both Classic and Ambassador models for 1962 on the same 108 inch wheelbase. The main difference between the two is that the Classic was only available as a six,  the Ambassador only as a V8, the same 327 cubic inch (5.35 liter) V8 used on 1958 - 1961 Ambassadors. The engine was available  with either a two or four barrel carburetor, 250 or 270 hp. The only other difference is that the Ambassador had a sway-stabilizer bar on the front because of the engine weight, and interiors were more deluxe. Both cars had an optional dual hydraulic cylinder system for power brakes, a useful innovation offered for the first time. The 108 inch body was heavily revised for 1962.  When it was introduced in 1956, only four-door models were offered to minimize production costs, but the 1962 revision permitted them to offer two door sedans for the first and only time, because a brand new platform for both cars would be introduced in 1963. The cars sold better than any of the 1958 - 1961 models, in what was a good year for the company.

                                                     U.S. and Canadian production

The Rambler American and Ambassador were added to the assembly line at AMC's new Brampton, Ontario, facility for 1962.  The actual number of cars built for the 1962 model year was  12.944.  It is not known how many were Ambassadors, but from serial numbers it can be estimated that approximately  7.600 Classics and Ambassadors together were built.

                                  Sources

5800 series summary of U.S. production - automobiles. AMC internal memo, 1958.

5900 series summary of U.S.production - automobiles. AMC internal memo, 9/17/59

Mike Sealey. AMC V8 engines. (article at www.allpar.com)

1958 - 1969 AMC production handbook. AMC Rambler Club (www.amcrc.org).

Ward's automotive yearbook.

Standard catalog of American Motors. Motorbooks International, 1993.

Auto Editors of Consumer Guide. Encyclopedia of American cars. Publications International, 2006