1968 American Motors AMC Rebel SST Convertible Survivor & Ride on My Car Story with Lou Costabile 

I'm most impressed that it has an AM/FM radio. And cruise control. That was a relatively expensive option at the time. Beautiful car!! AMC made some nice car's in that era but it's rare to see one today.

Calcutta Russet was definitely one of the prettiest and most unique AMC colors of the period. And you're right, Rebel convertibles were scarce even when new.

Wow Lou that is one beautiful AMC convertible! These are as rare as a needle in a haystack! It has been many many many years since I have seen one of these AMC Cars. I love the color and wheels of this car and the style the tail lights and the front end and the futuristic radio and dials it had and the way the cruise control worked was futuristic. Very nice automobile and a great piece of AMC Automotive History! I so enjoy the Ride Along 2 Lou that was so much fun! As always Lou thanks for sharing I enjoy this very much and the owner was awesome you could tell he loves his AMC convertible!

I'm not a big AMC fan, but, I'd have to say that car is a sharp-looking car. It really works as a convertible. I was also born in 1968. It would be pretty cool to own a car that was made the same year of your birth. Actually, for about the first 12 or 13 years of my life, my grandmother had a '68 Dodge Coronet sedan that she bought when it was new. My uncle made her sell it to get a "K" car, I believe, in '81. But I thought it was cool that she had a car that was made the year I was born. I don't know if that '68 Coronet is still on the road, but it was for some time after my grandmother sold it. There are some cars that, to some degree, have sort of a timeless look to them and that Rebel SST kind of has that kind of look. I too like the chrome trim piece that goes from the rear bumper, all the way to the front bumper. It sort of makes the design of the car flow from the back to the front. Thanks for sharing that, Lou. :)

Gorgeous! A mechanic up the street from me had a turquoise one of these back in the early '80s. I looked at it when a "For Sale" sign went in the window but it was more work than I could handle then. I should have bought it anyway. We had an AMC dealership just a few miles away in the next town.

The Javelin actually outsold Plymouth's A-body Barracuda in 1968 and 1969. The second-gen Javelin also managed to outsell the E-body Challenger and Barracuda a couple of times in the 1972-74 timeframe.

The folding seats went all the way back to Nash, part of AMC's heritage of course.

Extremely excellent example Lou! Although those wheels are not stock. They are terrific examples of the AMC sport wheel option, I believe those we're not available untill at the earliest 1970.

I'm glad to call the owner friend, Dale's a great guy.

I absolutely love any cars from American Motors. This color combo is totally gorgeous.The Rebel has been on my wish list for years hope to get one someday but considering the rarity of these they are hard to find. They were unusual even when new. Really enjoyed seeing this.

I forget about AMC often . They were different but cool . This one is definitely rare. Thanks Lou

Nice, clean rare car! SST for real! 😎👍🏾🥳

I’ve never seen a Rebel Convertible! I live in Milwaukee! AMC the factory was located not too far from where I lived. I’ve seen Ramblers, Gremlins, Marlins, Pacers, etc. But never a Rebel Convertible!

Fantastic car!!!! Love the sculpting of the bumper/fender/quarter panel transitions and those tail lights and marker lights are a really nice touch for a custom look.

Another rare one, Lou! I love that color and that convertible top, too. You definitely don't see 1of these everyday. Thanks for finding and sharing Dale & his Rebel SST with us.

Wow, what a find!

Now there’s a car that you don’t see everyday. As a matter of fact I don’t recall ever seeing one and I grew up 30 miles from the factory. It was AMC’s last convertible. People who bought AMC’s were usually more fuel economy buyers. The neighbors on both sides of me growing up bought them.

I love AMC cars Lou. I had a 1972 AMC Gremlin when I was in high school. It was grasshopper green.

Hi, Lou! Whether it's old cars or women its always a joy when you find the right one. I'm still waiting for the right woman, but I've had my right old car for over 20 years, and Dale is very fortunate to have found such a rare ragtop beauty as this. I couldn't help but notice how that Calcutta Russet color blends in perfectly with the barn! (Well, today they would have to call it Kolkata Russet!) BTW, AMC had previously used the Rebel name from 1957 to 1960 for V-8 Ramblers, and Dale mentioned that this Rebel replaced the Classic in '67. Aside from slight physical detail changes, the biggest difference between the '67 and '68 Rebels was that the former was a Rambler but the latter was not, so only the American was still labeled a Rambler in '68 and '69, and after that the Rambler name was phased out completely. The Rebel was in turn replaced by the Matador in 1971, though there was much similarity between the two. Lou, it never ceases to amaze me how many fascinating cars you have managed to treat us to! So, looking forward to the next great ride!

Great car find, great video as usual, Thanks for going through the brochures, cool.

I am not an American Motors guy, but this Rebel looks very nice and sporty. Nice color also. It is definitely not a Gremlin. Lol. Good video Lou!

I always thought these look like little Roadrunner but much much rarer. I’d bet there can’t be a handful left in existence today. You always bring us the best Lou! How in the hell do you find them? Cheers Lou!

Very nice Rebel and Trunk Treats. My uncle had a 1968 Rebel in light green. It was a sedan but still seemed interesting and different to my immediate family (dad was a GM guy, my uncle an AMC fan). Thanks for the trip down memory lane.

Super rare super nice AMC guys. Always liked the Rebel and this one pops with this particular paint color. Nicely done Lou, appreciate the video.

Extremely rare and beautiful! Sweet! Thanks Lou!

A treat to see indeed Lou. Excellent time capsule.

Wow! That car is beautiful !👍🏼

Subscribed, Dale is a great guy, an encyclopedia for AMC’s.

Nice car! Just got to love the survivor cars. GREAT VIDEO LOU.

I have such a huge appreciation for unique ultra rare classic cars like this . Thank you Lou 👍

Nice ride! Looks similar to a roadrunner.

My dad owned a 1969 Rebel SST 4 door, 290 v8 auto. Root beer brown. I loved that car.

Pop came home with a '69 sst in 1970. Yellow, black vinyl top. 290, auto. Took my drivers test in that car in 1974. Learned to adjust the points from that car.

What a awesome car ! I have always liked the mid to late 60s AMCs. If you ever run up on a Rambler Rouge please do a video if it. I have always been interested in them but very rarely see one.

Anybody else notice the 68 GTX/Roadrunner styling Qs? Another rare, and beautiful car. Love the drop tops Lou, keep'em coming 👍

Another great video Lou love watching your channel. I never knew that they made a Rebel Convertible. I got a buddy that used to have a 1969 Javelin with the SST option it had a 343 V8 in it.

I had one with that color! A wagon with 232 six ant 3 on the tree. I loved it! It must have been 1987 when I sold it, wish I never did.

This car had a similar face with the '69 Dodge GT. Another STUNNING and SEXY car made by AMC, the other one is the Javelin. I love them both.

Super nice! My elder cousins daughter was one of these bikini girl models in Detroit in the late 70`s. Been a long time but I believe she was draped across the hoods of Chrysler products for a few years time. lol. She is now a great grandmother. Still lovely. A very kind and gracious lady.

Nice car. Love it.

An accordion throttle cruise controller!? Al Yankovic would've loved to own this car! Which makes it all the more kewl! Jokes aside - this is one sweet ride! Original paint, original engine and runs quietly. WoW! I'm adding another WoW to the first one. I may have to upgrade my rating system for 60s to 70s cars with perhaps a Groove Factore (GF) from 1 to 5. I mean - it is 2021 for pete's sake. Gotta change with the times, ya know? I knew you knew, Lou! I just knew it. :-)

I love it when you take us for a ride.

Amazing video Lou! I love the Rebel! Almost purchased a Machine with perfect body and I definitely regret not buying it! The convertible Rebel is definitely a rare bird!

That's definitely going in my imaginary specialized car museum, a museum devoted to "the last one made". Other cars in this museum: 1975 Imperial 1969 Corvair 1960 Edsel 1976 Eldorado convertible

I always thought these were in response to the Mopar B body of the time, but special just the same. IMO, this car was AMC's styling masterpiece. I'll bet as optioned, that's 1 of 1.

Probably one of the nicest looking cars AMC ever made . It has a bit of a resemblance to a 69 Plymouth Satelite .

Im so glad I came across this channel and subbed..I love old cars, thanks! Wonderful video!

Wow! Nice!

Happy New Year Lou! Thanks for continuing to bring us these AWESOME cars during these difficult times. I really enjoy getting to watch your videos after I sign off of work for the day. Hope you and your family have a happy and safe 2021! If you ever find yourself in Central Pennsylvania, I've got a '69 Buick that would be honored to be featured on your channel!

Happy New Year! Great vid, the supporting docs and literature make a world of difference bringing you back to the time and getting the full picture. A shame that brochures are essentially a thing of the past, very difficult to secure a complete non watered down product brochure these days. The dealer or the manufacture will just say go to our website...just not the same.

Super rare! Nice. I had the same FORD Motorcraft 2100 carburetor in my classic Cougars. AMC often used mechanical components made by the Big 3.

Let me know if you miss American Motors.... I do.

AMC was a legit manufacturer back in the day, however I guess economics led to it’s demise. Sound engineering in the product though, but the styling was some what stodgy. Textured rubber mat in trunk is cool. They certainly did try to market it, unfortunately I think the product was just a tad too plain, a bit bland.I used to collect glossy brochures from dealerships back in the 60’s. Interesting time machine Lou! Amazing examples like this still exist!

The Rebel was a underrated car. Great looking and if they put the 390 cop engin 4 spd In it it would have given the 383 road runners a run for there money. Still I would love this car, it a keeper.

Netflix removed The Office this year. My Car Story is my new Favorite program. Keep up the good work.

Starting to appreciate AMC more.Nice car.

The daughter of the local Harrisburg PA Rambler dealer drove a white convertible SST. England Motors, it was.

The tail lights actually look like mustang lights turned on their side. Love the color.

Lou slips on his dental garb yet again and yet again extracts another hen's tooth 🦷😏.

Fantabulously presented

In the Spring of 1968, I bought a ‘leftover’ 1967 Rambler Rebel SST fro “ Rambler City” on “The Alameda” in San Jose, CA. The car was white with a red interior, and it had a 290 V-8 that was gold in color. I was surprised to see the blue engine in this 1968! On September 22,1968, the car was totaled in an ‘rollover’ accident in southeastern Oregon, very close to the Idaho border.

Thank you Lou. - Absolute awesome car - LOVE IT

Another sweet one. Thanks lou I love the rare ones

What a beautiful car. Beautiful color!

Love that car

Wonder if that lone '68 390 Rebel is still out there in the world somewhere?

Great job uncle Dale

Like the hardtop better but still a great looking car. AMC made some great looking and reliable cars.

If I ever had unlimited time and resources, which will never happen, I'd love to build a wicked Rebel Machine or Matador Machine clone. Any 67-70 Rebel coupe or 71-73 Matador coupe would do.

My 69 Ambassador SST 343 that I had had the same type of wheel. Nice vehicle.

Lu s s t stands for substantial sport transportation that is the mark of SST

GREETINGS. From Venezuela, . >. . . >.

Just imagine if AMC had put a 390....or 401....in this combination....looking at this car though it shows the wisdom of Chevrolet and how all others eventually followed. Roughly 280 cubic inches is enough for a car this size as long as you watch the weight. Thing is you need about 1 hp.cu. in. to get it moving aggressively. Look at the MoPar 273, the Ford 289 HiPo or even the Studebaker 289. It can be enough if you squeeze it tight enough. Stude went for a McCullough blower. Chevy used fuel injection. But the numbers work, and you end up with a really well-balanced car.

Goodday Lou, What a beautiful body especially the hardtop's, you don't see many of them come up for sale at the auction houses at all. Both the convertible & hardtop are similar to Dodge & Plymouth B Bodies from 1968 you can see the similarities. Love how there is a 770 model, special number to me, but the Ambassador with the stacked headlights looks awesome, have you done a Ambassador hardtop in the past? Beautiful cruiser with the top down. Your number 1 Fan in Australia Louis Kats from Melbourne Australia ☺ 👍 ❤

Cool Rebel~! One of a Kind for Sure~! :-)

Kinda looks bronze. Nice car for sure. I'm sure AMC guru Patrick Foster would approve. 😊😊😊

AMC was obviously borrowing from Plymouth on styling as it looks a lot like the roadrunners and GTx’s , but it’s a cool car for sure!!

I had a ambassador, to me it was luxury.

I thought this car would be a hot performer with the 343 cubic inch V8 with either a 2 barrel or 4 barrel carburetor. This us also back in the days when cars were much more fun to drive.

Special sport touring .

Awesome automobile ! Thanks for sharing the video .But I wish you didn't put your fingers all over those rare brochures, how rude!!!!! But again thanks for showing this beautiful piece of AMC history.

The Reble Machines came with 390s

Great car, Lou, the color combination is gaudy, however. I love AMCs, I felt they did more with less.

❤

68 first year for side makers on US cars

I have a chance to buy one butternut yellow 290 with a 4- Barrel have some patches has the wrong steering wheel he says it's the right one but I know it's wrong 74000 mi in a barn North Carolina now here in Florida

1 thumb down...a hater who's Mustang got smoked by a '70 AMX. It's been 50 years man - Rambler boys spoiled a few parties...

I agree, every guy would be an AMC guy if those cars came with the bikini girl!!!

Isn't this a rebadged Coronet?

Does anyone else see a Plymouth Satellite /Road Runner clone?

Does anyone else have anti aliasing issues on Lou's videos?

Morning 10,000 for the car it is a convertible debating

My dad bought a new 1968 ambassador sst with a 343 two barrel. I told him I figured out what the sst stood for. I told him it stood for super slow turtle

Nice 69 Roadrunner lol

The car is weak because by comparison, it offers a lot less performance than other brand name musclecars. Very disappointed but not surprising that it does prove why AMC was not one of the big three. Low level performance car from people with low level innovative, creative and automotive thinking. It's no wonder that so few were made....car is all show but no go....very desirable and popular in those days, lol.

Nice looks a little like a road runner, the back is almost the same /////////////////////////////////