The Rambler Rebel debuted in 1957 and would set the stage for mid-size performance cars of the ‘60s. It was only available with a V8 engine displacing 327 cubic inches. So, it was a light car given the horsepower-to-weight ratio. The Rebel line was expanded in 1958-60 and the muscle car focus was toned down. The seller has a ’59 Rebel V8, which ran when parked, but that was years ago. Located in a yard in Elk River, Minnesota, this AMC project is available here on Facebook Marketplace for $1,500. An attaboy goes to Zappenduster for the tip!
Originally, the Rebel was only offered as a 4-door hardtop, so it combined family convenience with spirited performance. The car was available with electronic fuel injection, demonstrating that AMC was trying to get ahead of the curve. By 1959, there were two variants of the car, the Rambler Six and the Rebel V8 (same body but different trim levels). In 1959, the Rebel was in its third year, and AMC tweaked the styling, mainly with narrower C-pillars, but the rear tailfins continued to sail high!
The seller’s Rebel still has a solid body, and we’re told the glass is good. Back in the day, the 327 V8 produced 215 horsepower with a 4-barrel carburetor and dual exhaust. The car also has an automatic transmission. It may have worn red paint when new, but it’s faded to pink (or was it pink to begin with?).
Once inside the passenger compartment, you’ll find some livable space. But the seats and carpeting will need to be redone later. Overall, the car is in “fair” shape, and the asking price seems reasonable considering today’s prices and the dwindling supply of classics like this.
That seems crazy cheap to my eye. My mom had one for a time, and it seemed like a really nice car. Pink is probably the original color.
These were popular in pink and white with black added in the interiors. At least it doesn’t have the continental kit stuck onto too many Ambassadors…
Man, I’d run in the opposite direction on this one. Rusty Ramblers from the Midwest should be avoided at all cost. I believe this is not a 327, but a 250. I read, the 327 was for the Ambassador in ’59( that AMC guy?) For ’59, the 250 got a 4 barrel and dual exhaust. I had a neighbor friend, a bit older, his mom had a car like this, only beige. He got his license before the rest of us, and I tell you what, that Rambler was the car of choice for the stoplight drags, within reason, of course. Very similar to my grandfathers ’61 Classic, with the rusted trunnions. I’d imagine these are the same. Rust aside, they were great, well built, dependable cars.
Correctamundo! If the engine in this car is original it is a 250 cid V8, albeit with 4-barrel carb and dual exhaust. It was the limited-production 1957 Rebel that was equipped with the 327. After that If you wanted the 327 you had to move up to an Ambassador. So while this Rebel is not a muscle car in the sense of the 1957 model it will certainly get out of its own way.
I have an owner’s manual for 1957 Rebel which was apparently printed before the “Electrojector” electronic fuel injection was yanked from the option list. The manual has a detailed description of how the injection system was supposed to work.