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Most Wanted Classic Cars: Rambler Rebel (Part 1)

The Rambler Rebel is known as one of the earliest muscle cars. It was produced by AMC from 1957 to 1960 and 1966 to 1967. With its innovative technology, it was a ground-breaking automobile in many ways.

The first generation Rambler Rebel debuted in 1957 as a high-performance car that was built on a lightweight Rambler 4-door hardtop body with a 108-inch wheelbase, and it was fitted with AMC’s powerful 327 cid V8 engine. As such, it was the first post World War II production mid-size car that featured a big block V8 engine, and it was rated the fastest American stock sedan of its time by Motor Trend. The Rebel was offered with a wide range of performance enhancing features, including heavy-duty suspension, dual exhaust system, and front sway bar. The standard engine could make 255 hp, and an optional electronic fuel injection engine was available to boost output to 288 hp.

AMC continued to use the Rebel name in 1958, but it was no longer used to identify a specialty model. All the Ramblers that were powered by AMC’s 250 cid V8 engine became the second generation Rebels. The new Rebels were offered as Super, Custom, and Deluxe 4-door sedans and Cross Country station wagons, and they came with new grille, quad headlamps, and tailfins. In 1959, the Rambler Rebel was regarded as “one of the most attractive cars” by Car Life magazine. It received significant modifications, including a simpler side trim, restyled fenders and rear doors, more slanted windshield and rear window, narrower C-pillars, and smaller tailfins.