What is it about a sweet station wagon that stops the three of us in our tracks? Finding a great longroof is right up there with a spot-on barnfind…not likely, but when they appear, they are worth the wait. Station wagons have recovered from the stigma of family trucksters for the most part, but unless you are a gearhead (or live in Oregon and have an ironic moustache) they still don’t get a lot of love. But this AMC Rebel SST has. Somehow, after fifty years of use, this Kenosha wagon has managed to survive pretty much intact, unmodified, and in one piece, minus gaping rust holes. For that alone, we approve.
Normally, when we think of AMC products for 1969, the Javelin, AMX and SC/Rambler come to mind. Loud, brash, and the point where American Motors felt cocky enough to play in the musclecar game. It was actually AMC’s high point…that phrase being used rather loosely, because compared to the likes of Ford, GM and Chrysler, they were far, far behind in having cash to lay out for projects. But in 1969, that didn’t stop them from working on such beauties as the AMX series of mid-engined sports cars and was starting production on the most important car the company unveiled in it’s history, the Hornet.
But look at this white-on-green beauty and tell me that you don’t see it parked, posing for the brochure pictures. Tell me you don’t see this car pulling into the parking lot with a load of Little Leaguers piling out from everywhere. AMC might have been the odd duck in the auto game, but the Rebel can stand up next to a Chevelle, Country Squire, or a Coronet wagon and be just fine. We might not be, however…I’m already picturing Machine wheels and the plans for a 442ci stroker AMC, and I know the other two aren’t far behind.
eBay Link: 1969 American Motors Rebel SST
We had a 69 Ambassador SST coupe with a 390 when I got my license. I’ve had multiple wagons, and drive one now, so this car really hits a lot of my buttons, BUT…
could the ad be written any worse, short of typing it with the caplock on? I think the appropriate term is “functionally illiterate”.