The Sensible Spectaculars: '65 Rambler Lineup

This is a small AMC brochure featuring its full lineup for 1965, eight-pages, 10 1/2 x 6 1/2 inches. It was probably a car show piece, which frequently were smaller, cheaper and featured all of a makers car in one brochure. I've always liked the typography used in this piece, with the word "spectacular" printed in a full rainbow of colors—truly spectacular! The cover image shows the familial resemblance that Edmund Anderson brought to AMC that year, with all three lines featuring segmented horizontally-ribbed grilles and simple bumpers with amber turn signals located at the other edges.

The Ambassador for 1965 was redesigned and once again gained length and prestige with a 4-inch stretch in wheelbase to 116". This compared with the 108" of 1962 and 112" of the 1963-'64 models, but still an inch short of the 117" span of the '58-'61 models. Vertical headlamps, first seen on the '57 Nash, and later on the '63 Pontiacs, gave the Ambassador an upscale appearance. It's too bad that bodystyles didn't include a 4 door pillarless hardtop, as Nash offered them as far back as '56 for sedans and even wagons. Technical features included "Double-Safety" brakes with optional front Disc Brakes, V8s and a new inline 6, adjustable steering wheels, reclining bucket seats and new "miracle" fabrics. I love that sliver of woodgrain on the wagon, and that dark blue sedan is elegant!

The '65 Classics featured a 112" wheelbase, and sported new and larger-looking facelifted bodies. Bodystyles included a 4 door sedan, 2 door pillarless hardtop, convertible and wagons. Engine choices included a Six and several V8s, and the wagon could be had with 2 different tailgates, one that folded down and one that swung out. For '66 Ford offered its first "Magic Tailgate" that could do both, but AMC gave you one or the other.

Ah, the Rambler American, the direct descendant of the first 1950 Rambler. Offered only with sixes this year, the American had features such as curved side glass, a standout feature in the low-price class. Available in a full spectrum of bodystyles and trim levels from basic sedans to sporty and luxurious hardtops and convertibles, a Twin-Stick transmission was also available, which included a separate overdrive lever. Those red vinyl reclining bucket seats are glorious, aren't they?

Update:

Both the Classic and Ambassador were available as 2-door sedans as well, for both '65 and '66, in various trim levels. They weren't included in this brochure, but as they weren't considered "sexy" I can see why they left them out of this very small car show edition. Thanks to loyal, and erudite, reader, Paul for this clarification! See the comments section for the details. I think this is the best part of my blog—the dissemination of information from "both sides" of the keyboard! Thank you.

Coming Up Very Soon by Popular Demand:

I've just found my 1975 AMC brochure featuring the first wide small car, the fishbowl on wheels, the Pacer. Scanning as I type this!