As CC has accumulated finds over time, I’m always surprised when a particular model year hasn’t yet appeared. So seems to be the case with the 1966 Rambler Classic, especially in the Rebel version (two door hardtop), now found by nifticus392 at the Cohort. Not that a ’66 Rambler is completely alien to these pages, as it appeared in far less ‘rebellious’ form once. As a humble 4-door Classic 550, in its most ‘Sensibly Spectacular’ version.
Rather than that humbler 4-door, today we got the spicier ’66 Rambler Classic model, the sensible Rebel.
For those new to the brand’s lore, the adjective is linked to the Rambler name thanks to its period advertising: ‘Sensible Spectaculars.’
A very telling message. After all, the company knew itself more ‘sensible’ than ‘spectacular’ in the public’s mind. A tough act to play in the youthful-oriented 1960s, even if not a completely fair assessment. The early Rambler Rebel had actually been one of Detroit’s hottest models back in 1957; at least when it came to performance specs.
How spectacular was this ’66 Rebel? It all depended on what was under the hood. Engine choices were wide; starting with the 232 CID inline six in two states of tune. Then, there were three options of V-8s; the 287 CID unit with 198 hp, and the 327 CID with either 250 or 270 hp. Disc brakes were standard on the Rebel, and additional performance options included power discs, a limited-slip differential, and an electric tachometer. Among other enhancements.
Of course, in keeping with Rambler tradition, the ’66 Rebel’s tie-wearing styling forever outweighs whatever ‘youthful’ intentions it may have. But such was the spirit of AMC at the time. It was something the company would soon try to change with the upcoming Javelin and AMX. In the meantime, sales for the Rebel numbered 7592 units for 1966.
Not that I mind our Cohort Rebel find. Indeed, I find it rather charming and pleasant enough. If it carries one of the hot engines under the hood, it may just have the right amount of rebellion I could handle in my adult age.
Further reading:
CC Outtake: 1966 Rambler Classic 550 – Still Sensibly Spectacular 49 Years Later
CC Capsule: Rambler Rebel, 1957’s Really Hot Sedan – 0-60 In 7.2 Seconds
I thought I knew Ramblers, but I never knew the AMC 327 was available in the Classic. I had always believed it was limited to the Ambassador.
My youthful dislike (OK-hatred) of our family’s ’59 American didn’t prevent me from liking the yellow 65 Classic convertible driven by our neighbor’s very attractive teenage daughter.
She looked soooo good in that car. To this day, my memories of the 65-66 Rambler Classic are indelibly linked to a very attractive girl. If AMC advertising could have achieved a similar linkage, this model might have been a best seller.
Call me crazy, but this honestly is one of my dream cars. Not a fan of the featured car’s pale yellow paint or vinyl top, but other than that — such a clean, simple design, and so much more rare and unique today than any other mid-sized, mid-’60s model from the Big Three. For me this nice clean white one fits the bill perfectly.
Sad that AMC updated this nice classy car design with Coke-bottle fenders and a misshapened rear door belt line that left this car looking like a lump to the end of its days. Chrysler didn’t update their A-bodies after 1967 and ended up selling a ton of them when Broughamification took the market by storm with its formal box designs. AMC just always zigged just when the market zagged – every time. I think the only timely hit it had was the AMC Gremlin. Chrysler bought AMC just after AMC put out their next big hit – the Jeep Cherokee.
After timing things perfectly at the end of the Eisenhower age and through to the Kennedy years, AMC just couldn’t time their products right when the market was ripe.
This is a “fancier looking” (at a glance), version of our “family car”. We got ours in late spring of “71”.
Car had about “10k” on the odometer.
Was a never titled one I believe..
Lasted us till about late “76”. Wasn’t a big “ruster”;
You seem to be thinking of the 67-69 Rebel, those had totally different sheetmetal from these 65-66 Classic Rebels, as well as some substantial under the skin tweaks like the elimination of the torque tube/coil spring rear end. The 70 added the coke bottle hips to the otherwise mostly carryover 67 body
Nice, clean, attractive Rambler. I don’t care too much for vinyl tops, but it works here. Looking at the rear fender I think I see a V8 call out but I cant tell if its the 287 or 327. Would it be blasphemy to, if possible, drop a 401 into it – true sleeper city.
Fine interior! Rambler had separately slidable front seats long before the bucket craze started, but didn’t properly bucketize them until late in the game. Could have established the trend first.
This is a nice car, I can even, just about tolerate the vinyl roof, it goes well with the yellow paint, but I would love to see the A pillars free of vinyl, it would add so much to attractiveness.
On looking at that detail, I couldn’t help noticing the windshield is higher than the roof gutter moulding, which means the stainless trim does not line up, a bit unfortunate that.
Still a lovely car I would be proud to have.
iirc, the 65/66 generation was on the same platform as the 63/64 Classic, but with a longer body. I remember the brochure for the 64 boasting about how short the rear overhang was, so that it could climb a steep driveway without dragging it’s rear bumper. The 65 seems to put all the new length in the trunk.
The 65/66 instrument panel was a huge improvement. I found the 63/64 panel too weird, in a 1959-60 way.
Handsome cars, but the advent of the Chevelle and Fairlane did not leave Rambler any place to hide.
Indeed and add also to the list, reskinned B-body Coronet/Belvedere/Satellite at Chrysler for 1966 and also the BOP Chevelle siblings (F-85/Cutlass/Lemans/Tempest/GTO/Special/Skylark) also eated into Rambler’s pie.
Shades of the 64-65 Malibu.
I have one of the 125 four speed Rebels produced this year. As far as i know there is only 7 of the 4 speed Rebels left. Mine has been featured i a number of magazine articles. It is the most optioned 66 Rebel i know of. It has the factory tachometer and the Custom interior. The only thing its missing is power windows. In a couple of weeks Im donating it the Rambler Ranch Museum
That’s very nice of you Ken to add to the amazing Rambler Ranch collection. Here’s their 66 Rebel.