1967 AMC Rambler Rebel

The first American Rambler was a bicycle built by Thomas Jeffery and R. Philip Gormully in Chicago in 1892. Fast forward several decades, to the 1950s, which proved to be a very difficult period for independent automakers in the United States, with most in terminal decline. Packard's story would come to an end, followed shortly thereafter by Willys, and Studebaker would succumb in 1965. Due to a variety of circumstances, the Nash-Kelvinator Corporation renamed itself American Motors Corporation in 1952 and the Nash Rambler became the American Motors Rambler. The Rambler would achieve a modicum of success for American Motors, and in 1959 production would reach 337,120 vehicles. By 1963 it was 511,038, all of them Ramblers. The Rambler had capitalized on a niche market that soon caught the attention of the now-dominant Big Three, who added similar products to their portfolio with various sizes and configurations and lavish ad budgets.

In 1967 Rambler designer Dick Teague created a new design for the mid-size Rebel line and created the Rebel series resting on a longer 114-inch wheelbase. The bodywork was modern, crisp, clean, rounded, and bucked the norm with tasteful restraint. The two-door styles had semi-fastback roofs, and the list of available body styles included two- and four-door sedans, station wagons, and convertibles. Three special, limited-production station wagons were offered including the Briarcliff sold exclusively in the Eastern portion of the United States. Only 600 buyers residing in coastal areas were able to purchase the Mariner, while those from the Midwest could purchase the Westerner. Just 400 examples of the Briarcliff and 500 of the Westerner were built.

The new intermediate Rambler Rebler took over the duties previously performed by the Rambler Classic. The Rebel's wheelbase was two inches longer than its predecessor with engine options similar to the previous year. The trim levels offered on the 1966 Rambler Classic included the 'entry' level 550 line and the 770 line offered with a higher level of trim and accouterments. The 'Rebel' trim level was a hardtop coupe priced at $2,520 and 7,512 examples were built.

The Rambler Rebel 770
The Rambler Rebel 770 Line added chrome molding along the lower portion of the bodyside arching over the wheel-housings. The sedan was priced at $2,420, the hardtop coupe at $2,445, and the station wagon at $2,710. The four-door sedan was once again the most popular with 24,057 examples built followed by 18,240 of the station wagon and 9,685 of the hardtop coupe.

The Rambler Rebel SST
The Rebel SST was offered as a convertible and a hardtop coupe. They wore a modest Coke bottle dip along the beltline, squared-off front fenders, and gentle use of chrome trim. The performance persona was personified by its simulated air intake scoops ahead of the rear wheel openings, slightly flared wheel arches, and the '290' badging located near the front headlights. Power was sourced from a standard 290 cubic inch V8 engine delivering nearly 200 horsepower at 4,700 RPM. A three-speed manual transmission was standard and an automotive was a $186 option. The hardtop coupe was listed at $2,600 and the convertible at $2,870. The convertible was far more exclusive with just 1,686 examples built compared to the 15,287 of the hardtop coupe. The Rambler Rebel SST Convertible was built for only two years, 1967 and 1968, with just 2,518 examples delivered in the two years.

Among the list of optional equipment included the four-barrel version of the 290 CID V8 delivering 225 horsepower. A 343 CID V8 with two-barrel carburetion delivered 235 horsepower and the four-barrel version had 280 horsepower. A four-speed manual transmission was available, as was a Shift-Command automatic transmission with a thumb-button operated floor shift. Power steering, power brakes, and a tachometer were available.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jun 2005