American Motors Corporation began muscling its way into the performance car niche in the late 1960s. It was a fruitful period that saw the AMX, the Javelin, and the Rebel SST emerge from the company’s economy-car portfolio. Offered with a host of V8 engines, the evolution of these models collected fans back then, while today each has carved out a corner of the collector car market. This 1968 Rebel SST is listed here on eBay with bidding at $19,600, reserve not met. A buy-it-now price of $25,000 can put the car in your garage with certainty, bypassing the five bidders vying to win it. Drive this Rebel home from Rollinsford, New Hampshire. Curvette, thanks as always for the tip!
The Rambler Rebel was launched in 1967 on a mid-sized platform with an in-line six-cylinder engine. One year later, the car was rebranded as the AMC Rebel, distancing the model from the Rambler’s family/economy roots. The SST variant, equipped with a V8, gave buyers a reasonably-priced muscle car option. This example is powered by a 343 cu. in. eight, in fine cosmetic condition at the very least, backed by a Borg-Warner column-shift three-speed automatic. This kit produced about 235 hp with a two-barrel, or 280 hp if the four-barrel was installed. Zero to sixty came up in 7.5 seconds with a four-barrel. The seller notes that the underside is as tidy as the topside.
The interior has been restored with non-original front buckets upholstered in cloth, matched to the rear seats, and an aftermarket armrest/cup holder console. Several auxiliary gauges are mounted here and there – on the column, and under the dash both right and left of the steering wheel. I’m guessing that means the originals don’t work. But the interior is spiffy enough that a new owner could simply jump in and drive.
The SST trim was a step above in the line-up, with wheel arch moldings, faux chrome vents just in front of the rear wheels, a better grade of seat cushioning, special badging, and AMC’s mid-range interior appointments. That said, it was not a luxury car; that berth belonged to the Ambassador. But as far as looks go, this Rebel has the bigger Ambassador beat by a mile, with its short deck, sloping rear window, and long hood. I love the vintage wheels and the dark green paint. Finding a nice Rebel SST coupe for sale is not easy. That said, higher prices are accorded to the convertibles, while sedans can be found for mid four figures. What do you think of this seldom-seen AMC sports coupe?
Nice car and a great write-up!
Had a 343 in my ’68 Javelin SST and it was fun!
Small point, but the Rebel debuted in 1958.
I don’t recall the hood treatment, but that could be lost to the fog.
Those look like the “louvers” used on hood of first generation Camaro SS’s and 1968-1972 Novas SS’s.
Steve R
Actually the Rebel was introduced for the ‘57 model year. The only car that was faster in ‘57 was a fuelie. Corvette.
Looks really nice showing its muscle heritage!!
I love it and anything from the muscle years 😉
These were really great looking cars… every bit as pretty as anything from the big 3 in that time period.
I love this…….if you were to buy it, you’d generally be one of one at most if not every car show!
I have a 1967 Rebel (still branded a “Rambler” that year) with 343 V8, 4 barrel carb, and automatic transmission. I would not describe it as a “muscle car” but it will definitely get out of its own way.
Nice looking car ! I know the rims not original , but I think they look good. The compass on the dash is really dated by 30 years. Would have to toss that .
I miss AMC.
never saw an AMC with nova hood grates. personally, I would have left them off.
My first car was a ’67 Rebel with the 290 V8 that I bought for $240 in 1974. It looked nice, but it was very unreliable mechanically. It would stall out after turning a corner without warning. Not every turn, but never convenient. And I would inevitably run the battery down while trying to get it started. Later, I learned that the car had been wrecked and rebuilt, and that the unibody had been separated in the front and apparently was not repaired correctly. That apparently caused a loss of continuity when the spot where the unibody would flex on certain turns, and the engine would not start again until it got good and damned ready. On the other hand, I was a senior in high school and appreciated the fully reclining seats.
Those hood thingies are ‘68 Chevrolet SS trim, hope they come off easy. The ‘70 Mopar buckets don’t grab me either.
I’d like an alligator to grab you.
I really liked the look of the ’67 to ’69 Rebels – I thought the C-pillar and rear passenger windows were much better looking than the ’70 to ’73 models. It looked much smoother and possibly offered a little more view for the rear passengers, not to mention a lesser blind spot for the drivers! Don’t get me wrong, I liked the ’70 Rebel “Machine” because it was different than the other garden variety AMC products (except the Javelin and AMX). AMC had something with the outside door handles on their products from ’68 on (except the AMC/Rambler American models that were still stuck with the old handles). IF I were in the market for an intermediate sedan, I’d snap this one up. It is something other than the GM/Ford/Chrysler products that were as common as rain water!
Thanks for the post. I own a 68 Rebel 770 and have experienced the pleasure of watching people from a good distance walk right past some amazing big 3 cars without a glance to come look at mine. It’s great to see a nice Rebel get bids up to that level regardless of it not reaching the BIN price.
My first car I started driving was 71 amc matador I loved driving that car except when it warmed up it would not go into reverse and that funky radio you couldn’t buy an aftermarket radio to replace the original
if it was a rebel machine it would be a keeper. they had a 390 with 3.91 gears and bad ass!!!!
We had an AMC Rebel SST custom that was ordered by Boeing Everett plant for the 747 program. It was 343 HP 4 barrel with holes drilled in the fenders for 8mm pace/take-off filming. Like the McQueen Bullitt car we considered it a family heirloom and my 4 cousins learned to drive with it.
Replacing the 2 barrel carb with a 4 barrel will not change the HP from 235 to 280. Compression on the 4 barrel engine is 10.2:1 and two barrel is 9.0:1