1966 Rambler Rebel V8

While the 327 V8 continued to be offered in the Ambassador from 1958 until 1966, the regular smaller Ramblers had to make do with the original 250 cu. in. version until 1963 when a 287 cu. in. version was made available. There was a Rebel nameplate from 1958 through 1960, but it only denoted the 250 V8 engine choice; separating it from the Rambler Six

The regular Rambler did not have access to the 327 until 1966 when the 327 was again made available, this time in the same tune as the 270 HP model used in the Ambassador. Even so, in the lighter Rambler at 2950 lbs, it was a good performer.

Significant though, was that with the Rebel, AMC again committed to a performance car with a distinctive performance image. Its sales in 1966 told AMC that the "Rebel" would be a good name for a performance vehicle - and a line of mid sized cars, that would be introduced in 1967.

What passed unnoticed in 1966 was that the lesser Rambler line received a totally new V8 at the end of the model year, the totally new  andmodern 290. Like the 250/327 when it was introduced in 1956, it was a completely new design that was as modern as anything offered by US auto manufacturers at the time. This engine would be the precursor to the 343. 360, 390 and 401 V8s that would give AMC a real performance engine.

Thus, the 1966 Rebel not only marked the return of performance to AMC, but also the end of the era for the engine that originally put AMC on the performance map.