American Motors made an early performance statement in the late 1950s with the Rambler Rebel. Those cars came standard with a V8 engine rather than an inline-6. But it was phased out after 1960 as AMC focused more on their economy and affordability issues. Fast forward to 1966, and they resurrected the nameplate and the image of the earlier cars. The seller bought this ’66 Rebel off the original owners with plans to restore it. But that isn’t in the cards right now, so the “rare” automobile is available here on Facebook Marketplace and can be seen in Lakeside, Arizona. It will cost you $7,500 to add this vehicle to your collection. Thanks, T.J., for this Kenosha tip!
The 1966 Rebel was a modified Classic 2-door hardtop with a formal roofline. Reclining bucket seats were par for the course, yet a six-cylinder engine was the starting point. But performance was just around the corner with an available 270 hp, 327 cubic inch V8, and a 4-speed manual transmission. The seller’s car has the former (dealer installed? One is listed on the MRSP), but with an automatic tranny instead. Just 7,512 copies were produced, so how many could be left after 60 years?
As the story goes, the seller found this Rebel wasting away in a carport. It may have just 50,000 miles, and most of the cosmetic issues seem to be related to Mother Nature or the passage of time. The original owners kept hold of the car’s build sheet and maintenance records. We’re told it was running when it was parked, and the seller was able to get it started without too much effort. He/she has replaced the brakes and tires.
Rust doesn’t seem to be an issue, but the body does have some dents and/or dings. The blue paint is well faded, and the sticker says the car once had a vinyl roof covering. The interior needs some attention, as you would expect, and these cars even came with pillows that matched the pattern on the seats! The seller might consider a trade as long as you have a true 1960s muscle car.
This car doesn’t look like the name Rebel fits it.
This car looks like a granny car. 👵
A nice paint job a rebuild on the motor and if you could find a stick that would make it a nice daily driver.
It’s rare, but $7,500 is a lot of money for a project car without strong following that needs everything. Many people on this site like to say the market for vintage cars in going to crash. If it does, those without an enthusiastic following will lead the way down, you can see it happening with many makes and models from the 1950’s and earlier.
Steve R
I like these Rebels and also the Rogues. There simplicity coupled with the V8 makes for an incredible combo. But $7.6k is not practical for a car that needs everything. Plus, its an auto on the column. I like this for a winter project but $4k would be a more realistic price.
While certainly not a muscle car these are pretty quick with the 327, though the relatively inefficient Borg-Warner automatic transmission blunts this a bit. (A friend in high school had a ’65 Classic with 327 and manual trans. His “grandpa car” surprised a lot of people at stop lights!)
Price is way out of line for a Rambler in this condition though. Might be a decent deal at half the price if it runs OK and is not rusted out underneath.
I miss AMC. :-(
Yeah, way overpriced. Unless you are dealing with blue chip investment vehicles like say, a Plymouth Superbird or well optioned Vette, the antique car market appeals most to empty nesters yearning for the cars they loved in their teens. Then they age out or die off. So, to start with a car of this vintage would appeal mostly to people who are pushing 70 at best. Also, as one who pushed through that barrier I assure you no teenager from that era was lusting after that Rambler coupe, unless it came equipped with Barbara Eden.
And Barbara Eden is aging out too!
That little Holly 2bbl. sure looks lonely up there on the intake manifold. Why so many cars without an air cleaner? Are there so many “air cleaner collectors” out there that there’s going to be a shortage? I like the car, ut would like it more with a manual gearbox. $7,500 for a non-running needs everything car is a steep ask. $3,500 tops in my book.
What came first, the lack of air cleaner or the desire to show the engine better? Or I do have it but why bother, like why bother to clean it up much before a few photos? Who knows? Not likely to sell this way.
The AMC 327 is a really good engine!
I am not an AMC guy, but I had a 1965 Rambler Ambassador w/327, dual bucket seat interior (front and rear), console shifted 3 spd. That was one of the nicest driving “old cars” I ever had/drove, and I’ve had quite a few. Way under rated IMO, and in hindsight.
Why would the 327 be “dealer installed” ? It fit in the Ambassador. Identical cars except for the extended length and trim. Or the four speed manual? Both were factory options.
I found that paragraph in the write up very confusing
Cool ride. Too much buy in for what it is. Needs to be 3-4k less to be worthwhile.
it’s neat and the paint wear looks great in the pics. needs some vise grip shine juice on it. as many of today commentors have said bit on the high side. cash money $2500-4k. no more. not a big follow on these. i think it’s cool but that’s me
Not uncommon in that era to go down to the dealer, look at the three or four new cars in the showroom, and then sit down with the salesman to order what you wanted. “Options” hadn’t quite morphed into packages that contained one feature you wanted and four others you didn’t care about. Delivery could take a while.
Doesn’t look like the guy bought it with plans to restore it , more like a flipper who thinks he found gold ; the facebook pics show it sitting on a trailer with the passenger window smashed and the glass all over the trailer. I’d say he bought it, but the doors were stuck from sitting so he dragged it in gear onto his trailer , then smashed the right door glass when he got home so he could get it out of gear so he could back it off his trailer and garage it.
The Ramblers of this styling were handsome cars. This one is optioned well. But for $7500 it’s a bit steep. I think $2500-$3500 is more reasonable for what all it needs.