based on wheelbase length standards that were set by the industry, rather than the modern vehicle classification by interior and cargo space. The 1965 Ambassador represented a fundamental shift in corporate ideology, a shift away from primarily fuel-efficient vehicles, to bigger, faster, and potentially more profitable cars. Although the Ambassador rode the same platform as its 1963–64 forebears, the 1965 models looked all-new. American Motors' designer Dick Teague styled the 1965 Ambassador with panache and gave the car an overall integrated look. Motor Trend magazine agreed, calling it a "strikingly handsome automobile". The overall linear design look could be described as "chunky" or "chiseled". All Ambassadors were built on a wheelbase, or longer than the Classic models. Teague extended the beltline level from the stacked quad headlights to the vertical taillights to visually stretch the cars. The Ambassador featured longer, squared-off rear fenders with vertical wrap-around taillights, taller trunk lid, squared-off rear bumper-mounted low, and squarer rear wheel arches. At the front, the Ambassador again sparked minor controversy with its new vertically stacked quad headlights, which were slightly recessed in their bezels, as they flanked an all-new horizontal bar grille. This new wall-to-wall grille projected forward, horizontally, in the center, to create an effect somewhat opposite to the 1963's grille treatment. The front-end design provided a bold, rugged appearance. Overall. the new Ambassadors were as attractive as anything built by AMC's Detroit-based competitors, and with a list price of around $3,000, few could quibble about the cost of ownership. As was the case before 1962, the Ambassador's entire extra wheelbase was ahead of the cowl, meaning that interior volume was the same as the intermediate-sized Classic. Another new body style debuted in the Ambassador lineup for 1965: an attractive new convertible offered as part of the 990 series. This was the first time a convertible was offered in the Ambassador line since 1948. Ambassador body styles (except station wagons with three rows of seats and the 990-H hardtop) offered seating for six passengers, with coupes and convertibles having the option of buckets seats with a center console and floor shifter. The Ambassador 990-H was a premium two-door hardtop model, available only in 5-passenger form with standard bucket seats featuring fold-down center armrests in both the front and back. Ambassadors also saw an expanded list of trim lines, convenience options, and engine choices. Interiors were redesigned and featured a new dashboard.