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If the term 'musclecar' is defined as a company's compact car with its largest engine, then the 1957 Rambler certainly qualifies as a muscle car.
In 1957 there was only one compact car, the Rambler, built by American Motors. It was the smallest car built in America that year. The term compact car was coined by George Mason back in 1950 with the introduction of the Nash Rambler. Mason was head of Nash Kelvinator Corp. This company later merged with Hudson Motor Car Co. to form American Motors. When AMC took their top-of-the-line Rambler Custom Country Club Hardtop and installed their biggest engine in it, their 255 horsepower V8, it marked the first time that a company took their compact-size car and installed their largest engine. In 1957, there was only one compact car, the Rambler. Many people think that the Pontiac GTO was the first musclecar, but when Pontiac built the GTO, they didn't use their biggest engine, which was the 421. The GTO got the 389.
In the April 1957 issue of Motor Trend Magazine, Motor Trend made a chart of all the Detroit factory hotrods. In their zero-to-sixty data, the Rebel scored a time of 7.5 seconds. The only faster time was 7.0 by the fuel-injected Chevrolet Corvette. So one could certainly make a case for the Rambler Rebel being the first musclecar.By Daniel Vaughan | Jul 2022
In 1957 there was only one compact car, the Rambler, built by American Motors. It was the smallest car built in America that year. The term compact car was coined by George Mason back in 1950 with the introduction of the Nash Rambler. Mason was head of Nash Kelvinator Corp. This company later merged with Hudson Motor Car Co. to form American Motors. When AMC took their top-of-the-line Rambler Custom Country Club Hardtop and installed their biggest engine in it, their 255 horsepower V8, it marked the first time that a company took their compact-size car and installed their largest engine. In 1957, there was only one compact car, the Rambler. Many people think that the Pontiac GTO was the first musclecar, but when Pontiac built the GTO, they didn't use their biggest engine, which was the 421. The GTO got the 389.
In the April 1957 issue of Motor Trend Magazine, Motor Trend made a chart of all the Detroit factory hotrods. In their zero-to-sixty data, the Rebel scored a time of 7.5 seconds. The only faster time was 7.0 by the fuel-injected Chevrolet Corvette. So one could certainly make a case for the Rambler Rebel being the first musclecar.By Daniel Vaughan | Jul 2022
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Recent Sales of the Nash Rambler
(Data based on Model Year 1957 sales)
Nash Ramblers That Failed To Sell At Auction
1957 Nash Rambler's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
| Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1957 NASH RAMBLER REBEL | 2004 Palm Springs Exotic Car Auctions November 2004 | $8,500 | |||
| 1957 NASH RAMBLER REBEL | NRRTBA08 | 2004 Palm Springs Exotic Car Auction February 2004 | $11,500 |
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1957 Nash Rambler
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