The practice of manufacturers releasing region-specific special edition vehicles was probably at its peak in the late 1960s, and it is a strategy that is rarely seen today. It resulted in some rare and desirable cars and some relatively obscure ones. One that falls into the second category is the 1969 AMC Rebel Raider. Like many models of its type, the Raider was a cosmetic package that offered the impression of luxury at a bargain basement price. The seller is frank about our feature Rebel’s needs, stating that the supplied photos paint a better picture than would be found via an in-person inspection. They describe it as a major restoration project, but it is among the most affordable complete vehicles of this era you will find in the current market. The Raider is listed here on eBay in Hudson, Wisconsin. The seller set their BIN at $2,500, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Mason for spotting this rare classic.
The Raider option was a cosmetic package offered to Rebel buyers via New York and New Jersey AMC dealers. AMC offered the Raider in three newly-released paint shades. Only three hundred cars received the treatment, with the totals split evenly across the three colors. Every vehicle also received a Black vinyl top to add an extra feeling of luxury. This Rebel is 1-of-100 ordered in Big Bad Blue, initially called “Blue You’ve Never Seen.” The Black vinyl top disappeared many years ago, with the roof now sporting a Black rust-preventative paint. That strategy was unsuccessful, with the roof carrying a few minor holes. They are the start of the problems because both rear quarter panels have rot, and crouching down provides an uninterrupted view through the rockers. The seller admits this car represents a significant restoration project, but this dark cloud does contain a silver lining. The floors appear to wear little beyond light surface corrosion, and the trunk pan seems solid. The trim generally looks good, with the seller’s decision to include a NOS grille and headlamp bezels a welcome bonus. There appear to be no significant glass issues. Still, for those considering tackling this build, it is worth remembering that the seller says the photos don’t fully expose the deterioration or problems. Therefore, arranging an in-person inspection could be wise.
This Rebel’s interior is crying out for attention but is essentially complete. Difficult to source items like the factory AM radio are intact, but the seller admits the front seat isn’t original to this car. The shopping list may not be long once you dig beyond the glaring faults. The seatcovers are toast, the pad is cracked, and the carpet has disappeared. However, the remaining Black vinyl upholstery looks surprisingly good and might present acceptably following careful cleaning. It is a strategy worth considering because the potential value of this classic means the new owner must minimize costs to remain financially viable.
The Raider package offered no performance upgrades, with every car featuring the 290ci two-barrel V8, a three-speed automatic transmission, and power assistance for the steering and brakes. The V8 produced a healthy 200hp and 280 ft/lbs of torque, allowing the 3,426 lbs Rebel to cover the ¼-mile in 17.6 seconds. That isn’t startling, but it was considered acceptable for a budget-priced vehicle in 1969. The news with this classic is mixed. The radiator and air cleaner appear to be the only missing major components, and locating replacements should not be difficult. However, that sweet little V8 is locked, and it is unclear whether this is due to lack of use or if it may have been the motivation for the car being parked initially. It requires careful inspection, but it could be salvageable if it can be made to turn.
Ford proved the master of the regional editions during the 1960s, with the Mustang California Special and High Country Special remaining desirable in the current classic market. I admit I had never heard of the AMC Rebel Raider, but the seller’s listing suggests I am not alone. The relative obscurity is probably partly due to the regional factor but also the exceptionally low production total. It is unlikely to become a mega-bucks classic, but the unpredictable nature of the scene means it can never be ruled out. It is an affordable project, and the parts required to return it to its former glory are readily available. If you want to march to the beat of a different drummer, restoring this 1969 AMC Rebel Raider could be an excellent starting point.
Well, shiver me timbers, always fun to hear of obscure names associated with “my” hometown make, even though, ’tis nothing special, and lots of dealers offered catchy names, some even with their own badges. I don’t see any “Raider” badges, and a hoaky promotion if I’ve ever seen one. I think it’s comical, in the ad, it says “American Motors RAMBLER Dealer”, as if it had to remind people of Rambler, a name dropped several years before. To be clear, the word “Raider” is generally associated with some not so nice people, and a silly name for a car that’s anything but evil.
Anyway, no way on this car, too far gone for any interest. Perhaps a shred if it had the plastic on the seats, but it’s a car that didn’t muster much interest then, outside the midwest, that is, and I doubt much today. A REAL shame, as this, I feel, was the zenith in AMC cars. They were great cars.
And another thing, any car that was used as a police car, and this had the same guts as the Matadors, is A-OK in my book.
Notable on this one is that it has the relatively rare electric windhield wiper option.
Actually aside from the engine being locked up and some missing parts it looks to be in better shape than my ’67. The cost of restoration is way too rich for my blood so I just keep mine up mechanically. Looks terrible – runs and drives great. (Hey, I’m told that Rat Rods are “in”!)
The holes in the roof were probably already there and the rest of the roof was rusty so he just sprayed something like Eastwood rust preventative on it. The trunk is solid most likely because AMC painted them they didn’t have the water based spatter paint GM used with a vinyl mat and once the crappy rear window sealant they used leaked water it would be damp under the mat and rot out the trunk. I think it’s a fair price for what it is.The problem I see here is parts availability especially quarters but maybe I’m wrong.It’s a money pit for sure imo though.Glwts.
Body parts are definitely scarce. I actually have a set of Rebel hardtop factory quarter panels bought at an AMC club show decades ago sitting up in my garage rafters. I bought them thinking I’d use them for my ’67 but the guy who would have helped me install them moved halfway across the country.
Don’t forget the Ford Torino Northwest editions or even the recent Chevy Silverado Texas trucks. This AMC was a good looking car in its day, in its condition now it might be worth it if someone “buys it now” though it will take a lot of work.
My dad bought one of these new when I was 9 years old. It was really cool owning a car that got so much attention because of the color, at least for the 2 years we had it before it returned to the earth.
Used to be known as “Diamond Jim Vogel”?
Not that I know of.
The writer states, “but it could be salvageable, if made to turn”. The stuck motor would be the least of it, the easy part. Good luck with the rest of it, unless there’s a mother lode of parts stashed in Kenosha. Which may be, people seem to keep restoring Studebakers with leftovers from South Bend.
The Studebaker guys have the advantage in that their factory parts were not destroyed. When Chrysler took over AMC one of the first things that was done was to trash all of the pre-1980 AMC parts in stock at the factory and at dealers. The only ones left were those that individuals managed to get their hands on before the purge.
Had a ’68 RAMBLER Rebel, great car! 290 V-8, 3 speed stick transmission, 24 MPG. BIG front seat.
My ’67 Rebel actually says “RAMBLER” on the hood and the steering wheel. Last year for the Rambler name on AMC’s larger cars.
Too far gone to restore, maybe too far gone to save for parts.
Nice car, worth an AMC enthusiast saving it. It would be the only one at the next AMC car show.
Speaking of regional editions, don’t forget the Buick GS California and GS Colorado.
The last regional edition that I recall was the Meexury Cogar Blue Max and that was in Cleveland during the 1980s.
My dad had a 1967 Rambler Rebel, in 1968 they changed to the flat door handles (all AMCs except the American) and the car was called the AMC Rebel. The Rambler American compact continued through 1968 and in 1969, the last year for the name Rambler the Rambler American was called the AMC Rambler. Rambler went out with a blast making the wild 1969 AMC Rambler Hurst S/C Scrambler with AMC’s biggest small block the 390 and other performance enhancements, 13.9 seconds quarter mile out of the factory and easily modified to run in the 12’s. They get big money today and even the Scrambler clones with a Jeep 401 (the last mod to the AMC small blocks/390) in either 2 door hardtop or the more available 2 door sedan get good money. I guess you could turn this Rebel into the other limited edition muscle car, the “Rebel Machine” clone and that would add a lot more value than being a limited edition Rebel “Raider”. The Rebel hardtop had a new roofline in 1970 so the 1969 Rebel Machine clone would more obviously not be a Machine.
The Rambler SCrambler and the Rebel Machine, both shared the same paint schemes and drive train.
Not the same drive train! Both 390s
but different hp…
No. Rebel Machine motor was the Y code 1970 390 that was a bit different from the 1969 390. In addition to different deck height, rod length & most importantly, cylinder heads for 1970 390s, Y code motors had enlarged exhaust manifolds and perhaps a better intake manifold. The Y code motor was only available in the Rebel Machine & the AMX/3.
Was you were when little boy with flat? Used to be known as Roberta?
At least the seller is honest about condition and the monumental task ahead if the car is to be restored. How many of these ads have we seen where the seller is far less-than-honest.
It could be the real deal.
https://www.hemmings.com/stories/article/1969-american-motors-rebel-raider
as they are a real thing.
My dad checked all the right boxes late 1967 and early 1968 we had a 68 Rebel SST sitting out front. It was a 390 with a 4 bbl’ with factory duels. Buckets and auto on the floor. Mom had lots of fun with that car Shut down many of the BIG 3 back it the day. Got taken out in 1973 by a 69 Lincoln that ran a red light. My CRAZY cousin and my Insane dad took the engine and made a BAD LITTLE GREMLIN
I feel it’s worth the money, can be saved, 5k for decent maaco body paint work, another 5k to sort out engine, transmission etc, and could be a nice under 15k car, that is not the same ol same ol…
Is hard pass one word or two?
I own a 1969 AMC Rebel. It has a transplanted AMC 360 engine. With factory bucket seats, console, and vinyl roof, it’s as much muscle car as any of that time. ( I also own a ‘Cuda, Challenger, and Javelin, so I have something to compare to). This Rebel is worth saving. If only for the unique factor. Have never seen another on the road, and this is only the second one I have seen advertised for sale. I look all the time – I own 30 classic cars. If you dare to be different – this car’s for you!
Needs total restoration?! My friend’s old Nova is drooling over these bumpers, floors, doors, quarters & even rockers. & it’s still being used! Some said it should have been in the junkyard in 1981! lol
If that steering wheel center is heavy & all steel, i bet it was made by the same vendor that made the center part for the Chevy ’68 delux steering wheel. They look very similar.
If these NY met area only cars were painted by the FACTORY(as opposed to by the dealer) in special colors, i would think that a buyer in another part of the country could have SPECIAL ORDERED(for extra money) a big bad color on a rebel or any AMC in those areas too, thinking of that specially ordered red ’73 T-bird ad on Barn Funds.
I also had a 67 Rebel, two doors with a 290 V8, bought it as a teen for $275. I made a lot of discoveries in that car. That the front seat backs folded flat into a bed. Handy for teens… How easy it was to swap out a starter and alternator, usually procured from the local salvage yard; how to install brakes, a water pump and a new carburetor, all of which were needed in short order. That the rocker panels were apparently the thickness of paper mache. It had a nasty habit, unfailingly when I was on a date, of stalling when I turned a corner and then refusing to start, invariably requiring the battery to eventually be jumped off. I discovered that this was fairly common among unibody cars of that era that had been hit and not repaired properly. When a turn, either direction, added to the torsion placed on the unibody when a ramp or apron was in the turn, the body would flex just enough to lose ground and it would stop, not to start again until the body went back into place. I traded it for a Dodge Challenger.
I wouldn’t say the regional marketing editions are a thing of the past; all of the “Big Five” full-size truck manufacturers (I’m including Toyoder and Datsoon) still make Texas Edition models. I think Ram even offers a MegaCab in the Utah Edition…so you can haul around 8 or 9 wives…😂😂😂