In an effort to upgrade its image, American Motors redid its mid-size cars in 1967 and dropped the Classic name in favor of the renewed Rebel moniker. And the Rambler part of the branding was also dropped on the Rebel in 1968 (and altogether with the 1969 American). Located in Tucson, Arizona, this 1968 Rebel 2-door hardtop is said to need some TLC, although the body work portion may go a little deeper. It’s available here on craigslist for $10,000. When was the last time you felt like a rebel?
The Rebel began as a V8 version of the Rambler in 1957. Then, it returned in 1966 as a snappy version of the Classic. And took over the whole intermediate series in 1967 and held that place until the Matador arrived in 1971. The 1967-70 Rebel was an Ambassador on a shorter wheelbase and with less bling. If you inspect a 1968 Rebel like this one, you won’t find a Rambler badge anywhere. Gone in favor of a hipper company (or one that was on the way to becoming one).
A lot of the changes for 1968 were safety-related, like side marker lights and shoulder belts for passengers. Also, AMC’s new “paddle” exterior door handles came along, providing a flatter look to the side panels of its cars. The SST was the top-of-the-line Rebel, which we assume applies to the seller’s car since it’s a 2-door hardtop rather than a more pedestrian sedan. In that case, a 290 cubic inch V8 would have been standard fare (which is what we think is under the hood of this AMC).
We’re told the car runs and drives and needs some “TLC.” But if you look around the outside of the vinyl top and the inside of the roof with the headliner missing, more trouble could be brewing. The odometer reads under 20,000 miles, which we assume means the gauge is on its second time around. The seller suggests this is a good project car to build a hot rod out of, but I’d be more inclined to restore it to its original specs. When was the last time you saw one of these Kenosha Kadillacs? And thanks for the tip, Barn Finder Barney!
These are good looking cars, but how much of a market is there for one that’s a project with a $10,000 asking price?
Steve R
I briefly owned a station wagon version of this car. I bought it used from a friend as a temporary driver. It had a 343 as I remember and a Borg Warner (I think) automatic trans. It was reliable but hard to start when hot. I kept it for around a year and sold it to a priest at a local church. Overall not a bad car, I wouldn’t mind having it back.
What are those holes in the air cleaner, gramps? Speed holes, makes it go faster. A Rebel, you say? Hmm, generally, the people that bought these cars were anything BUT rebels, old men mostly, that happened to work at AMC. The employee parking lot was filled with these cars, and rightly so. I happen to have known neighbors that worked at AMC, and guess what they drove? Many times I’m sure, a car coming down the line, a worker would say, “hey Louie, put an extra lock washer on that bumper, that’s my uncles car. The sireen is a nice touch, although not sure who would steal it. These were good, homebuilt (to me) cars, made with pride and took what the Midwest happened to dish out. Great heaters, poor rusters and the V8 was no mileage champ, even with the speed holes, but with Studebaker history, we had it made,,,for a while. Nice car, 120K probably, AZ. about the only place you’ll find one like this, and I got news for “Justin”, better take the low-ball offer,,,
My dad was a sucker for plain Jane models. He bought a used 68 with a 290, no power steering, power brakes or even a radio. Even had a rubber floor. It didn’t stay in our house very long. My mother always missed the turn to the house due to manual steering.