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.
The color was called “Cotillion pink” back then–an actual shade they offered.
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 the 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.
Wow a ’59 Rambler with electronic fuel injection? I would love to see that system and play with it. Was it made by Bendix? Did it ever reach production? Any write ups about the system? You would have thought that if it was any good. They would have put it on the Avanti . How about it? Anyone out there have anything on the system? Also, a 250 V8 Rambler engine? 4 barrel? I’m learning alot of new Rambler stuff today! How long was the 250 used? Was it a robust high reving engine? (Thinking Chevy 302 here)
Wayne, follow link to learn about the Electrojector
https://macsmotorcitygarage.com/the-first-electonic-fuel-injection-1957-bendix-electrojector/
@Wayne, Actually it would have been the 1957 Rebel with electronic fuel injection. That was the Bendix “Electrojector” fuel injection system. Reliability problems caused AMC to cancel its use at the last minute. Probably just as well seeing as how Chrysler installed the same Bendix system in a few cars for 1958 and it was a disaster, they were all ultimately converted back to carbs.
However, Bosch licensed the system from Bendix and continued to develop it into the D-Jetronic system used in VW “Type 3” cars starting in 1968.
https://macsmotorcitygarage.com/the-first-electonic-fuel-injection-1957-bendix-electrojector/
A pink 4 door with pink interior and a fuelie 327 would be the ultimate sleeper. You can just imagine some guy pulling up next to one in his 57 Chevy with a 283 and yelling over- ” Hey are you taking your grandma’s car shopping?”
Sleepers being an understated/unfast looking car that is quick, but pink with 4 doors is just mocking the loser of the race. :D
Thank you Gary and The AMC Guy!
I appreciate the assistance!
Have a great day!
Thanks AMC guy! NOW, tell.us about the 250 4 bbl. V8? Was it a rev happy engine? It sounds intriguing! How many and how long was it used? Is it a cousin to any other AMC engines?
I’ve never had a car with the 250 V8, though it is in the same family as AMC’s 287 and 327 engines and I have owned those.
Those engines were known mainly for smoothness rather than high performance. They were very heavily built because they were a rush job ordered when the parts-sharing agreement between Packard and Nash/AMC went sour. David Potter, who had been hired away from Kaiser, was the chief designer and the engine went from design to production in only 18 months. (The first V8 engine offered in the big Nashes was sourced from Packard.)
The 287 and 327 “Gen 1” engines were used through 1966 in the Classic and Ambassador. The 327 was also offered in the Kaiser Jeep Wagoneer as well as a marine version sold by Grey Marine. They were cancelled when AMC’s new line of “Gen 2” V8s (290/343/390) went into full production.
The final “Gen 3” AMC 304/360/401 V8s were basically the same as the “Gen 2” mills but with increased deck height to allow for a longer stroke.)
Nothin’ sez “Muscle Car” like a pink, 4 door Rambler.
Pretty funny. I like it!
Cool car. I like it a lot. For that price I’d take a chance on the rust.
I’ve got a ’57 custom, bottom trim level for 1957, 6 cyl 3 speed with OD, nice old car and a blast to drive. Love to get my paws on a ’57 Rebel! AMC made some great cars in those day, not everyone’s cup of tea but I love ’em! VIVA to the weird cars!!!!
cool but it’s sporting some rust in those floors and who knows where else.
I’ve told this story here before – in about 1968 one of my best friend’s family was very much an AMC family. His dad always had a new Ambassador and Mom drove a 59 Rebel identical to this one, inside and out. The interior/dash picture brings back a lot of memories!.
My buddy and I rearranged the letters on the grill and the 59 was MABEL for the rest of it’s life.
Re:Mabel
Nice story.
I’ve always thought of rearranging the letters on our older Toyota Camry to
MYCAR!
That is a lot of head turning potential for a starting price of $1,500. Have the only one at almost every show you attend to