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Muscle car · 6 seats

1968 AMC Rebel

Muscle car powered by 1968 AMC Rebel engine family.

Exact-year Rebel 770 hardtop retained as the stock-presenting family baseline for the grille, lamps, hood, roof, glass, body, brightwork, side markers, and wheel-cover context; the photograph proves 770 hardtop appearance, not another body's trim or drivetrain.
Series 550, 770, and V8-only SST
Bodies Hardtop, sedan, wagon, or convertible by series
Engines 232 six through running-year 390 V8
Chassis Independent front and four-link rear; coils at all four wheels
Production 79,325 body-table total; 73,895 conflicting summary

Story

1968 AMC Rebel

The 1968 Rebel was AMC's 114-inch-wheelbase intermediate family. The 550 covered the value end, the 770 added trim and cabin equipment, and the V8-only SST concentrated the sport treatment. This page keeps all nine documented trim/body combinations together without implying that every Rebel was an SST or a factory big-block car.

Seven power paths

The 550 and 770 started with the 232 six, while the SST used the 290 two-barrel V8 as standard. AMC's revised January engineering sheet documents two 232s, two 290s, two 343s, and the running-year 315-hp 390. Three-speed, overdrive, four-speed, and Shift-Command applications were not universal, so engine, carburetor, gearbox, axle, cooling, exhaust, emissions equipment, build date, and records must agree.

Body, chassis, and cabin

The 550 came as a hardtop, sedan, wagon, or convertible; the 770 omitted the convertible; and the SST came only as a hardtop or convertible. Every Rebel used coil springs at all four wheels, independent front suspension, and a four-link live rear axle. Brake size, front sway bar, heavy-duty chassis parts, power discs, Twin-Grip, seating, upholstery, and controls varied by configuration.

Production, price, and proof

The preserved body table adds to 79,325 Rebels and supplies nine end-of-model-year base prices, while a separate historical summary reports 73,895. That conflict remains visible. Start identification with the VIN, model and body numbers, title, shell, plant and sequence evidence, then reconcile the engine, transmission, axle, chassis, paint, trim, options, dates, and ownership history.

Rear three-quarter view of the same exact-year 770 hardtop retained for the pillarless roof, deck, Rebel script, lamps, bumper, exhaust outlet, and body seams.Christopher Ziemnowicz via Wikimedia Commons · CC0

Price history

Values

Nominal dollars from original price sheets, auction archives, and approved value references.

Original Price

Values move with paperwork, originality, options, condition, venue, and body style. High bids and guide values are labeled separately from completed sales.

Reference records

Options, Colors & Components

Source-backed details for trim, chassis, production, and authenticity.

Engine Details

  • 232 one-barrel inline-six 232 cu in; 8.5:1; 145 gross hp and 215 lb-ft · Standard 550 and 770 six-cylinder path; not available in SST · engine assembly / specification
  • 232 two-barrel inline-six 232 cu in; 8.5:1; 155 gross hp and 222 lb-ft · Optional 550 and 770 six-cylinder path; not available in SST · engine assembly / specification
  • 290 two-barrel Typhoon V8 290 cu in; 9.0:1; 200 gross hp and 285 lb-ft · Standard SST V8 and optional 550 or 770 V8 path · engine assembly / specification
  • 290 four-barrel Typhoon V8 290 cu in; 10.0:1; 225 gross hp and 300 lb-ft · Optional V8 path documented by the revised AMA specification · engine assembly / specification
  • 343 two-barrel Typhoon V8 343 cu in; 9.0:1; 235 gross hp and 345 lb-ft · Optional 550, 770, or SST path with Shift-Command automatic · engine assembly / specification
  • 343 four-barrel Typhoon V8 343 cu in; 10.2:1; 280 gross hp and 365 lb-ft · Optional 550, 770, or SST performance path · engine assembly / specification
  • 390 four-barrel AMX V8 390 cu in; 10.2:1; 315 gross hp and 425 lb-ft · Running-year optional V8 path in the January 1968 revised AMA sheet; build date and order evidence are essential · engine assembly / specification

Transmission

  • Factory transmission Fully synchronized three-speed column manual; standard where allowed, but not with the 290 four-barrel, either 343, or the 390
  • Factory transmission Three-speed manual with overdrive for eligible 232 and 290 two-barrel applications
  • Factory transmission Four-speed floor manual for eligible V8 applications; not available with the 343 two-barrel
  • Factory transmission Three-speed Shift-Command automatic with column control or SST console control by seating and option configuration

Options

Engines and Induction summarized from reviewed factory and marque references.Classic Muscle · Reference illustration
  • 550 Rebel 550 series factory · comfort · Base hardtop, sedan, wagon, or convertible; model number, body, trim, and records must agree.
  • 770 Rebel 770 series factory · comfort · Upgraded hardtop, sedan, or wagon with series-specific cabin and exterior equipment.
  • SST Rebel SST series factory · performance · V8-only hardtop or convertible with grille, simulated quarter vents, reclining seats, wheel covers, insulation, and series trim.
  • 390-4V 390 four-barrel V8 factory · performance · A running-year option in the revised AMA sheet; VIN, engine identity, build date, drivetrain, chassis, and paperwork must agree.
  • FOUR-SPEED Four-speed floor manual factory · performance · Eligible V8 application only; gearbox, clutch, floor, controls, axle, dates, and records must agree.
  • SHIFT-COMMAND Shift-Command automatic factory · comfort · Column or SST console control and power-team application must match the body and seating configuration.
  • TWIN-GRIP Twin-Grip limited-slip differential factory · performance · Carrier, ratio, housing, dates, and order evidence define one installation.
  • POWER-DISC Power front disc brakes factory · safety · V8-only factory option; calipers, rotors, hydraulics, rear drums, wheels, dates, and records must agree.
  • HANDLING Handling Package factory · performance · Spring, shock, sway-bar, wheel, tire, and power-team content varied by application.
  • THIRD-SEAT Rear-facing third wagon seat factory · comfort · 770 wagon option with side-hinged tailgate and power window; body, hardware, trim, wiring, and records must agree.

Paint

Exact-year Rebel SST convertible close view retained for Scarab Gold paint, SST grille badge, quad lamps, bumper, side marker, and brightwork context; these visible details do not prove another car's trim or drivetrain.Christopher Ziemnowicz via Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 4.0

Appearance

Interior

Exact-year 770 cabin retained for the plaid bench trim, door panel, steering wheel, column automatic, instrument panel, pedals, and control layout; current belts, mats, accessories, and condition remain subject-specific.Christopher Ziemnowicz via Wikimedia Commons · CC0

Chassis

Production

Transmissions summarized from reviewed factory and marque references.Classic Muscle · Reference illustration

Authenticity

Rear Axle and Ratios summarized from reviewed factory and marque references.Classic Muscle · Reference illustration
  • VIN, series, and body identity 1968 AMC VIN, Rebel line and body symbols, 550/770/SST model number, title, shell, plant, sequence, and ownership history that agree · Dashboard and door-jamb VIN locations, body/model tag, title, welded shell, plant and sequence evidence, and ownership records · fraud detection
  • Engine and transmission path Code-, casting-, date-, and record-supported 232, 290, 343, or running-year 390 with the allowed induction and manual, overdrive, four-speed, or Shift-Command application · VIN engine and transmission symbols, engine valve-cover tag and displacement casting, carburetor, intake, exhaust, emissions hardware, gearbox, controls, dates, and records · numbers matching
  • Axle, brakes, and suspension Power-team-correct axle, ratio, open or Twin-Grip carrier, drums or V8 power discs, sway bar, springs, shocks, steering, wheels, and tires · Axle housing, carrier and ratio evidence, brakes and hydraulics, front and rear suspension, steering, wheels, tires, dates, and order or service records · date correctness
  • Paint, exterior, and cabin Tag- and record-supported Lustre-Gard color, roof or top, series moldings, stripe, wheel treatment, upholstery, seating, instruments, controls, and ordered accessories · Body and trim tag, protected finish, panels, roof or top hardware, scripts, moldings, cabin, option hardware, invoice, and build evidence · trim correctness

Still Researching

  • production The nine body rows sum to 79,325, while a separate historical summary reports 73,895. No serial-audited ledger reconciles that conflict or splits engines, transmissions, axles, colors, trim, options, plants, dates, exports, or survivors.
  • engine The January 1968 revised AMA sheet documents the 290 four-barrel and 390 paths that the earlier sales brochure does not enumerate, so running-date and availability boundaries remain essential for one car.
  • paint colors Fourteen colors are documented, but no reviewed complete selector resolves every body, series, two-tone, vinyl-roof, convertible-top, stripe, interior, plant, and running-date combination.
  • interior Factory and specialist material establish seating, patterns, controls, and major options but not every trim-code, color, material, body, roof, option, and running-date combination.
  • authenticity markers Public model-year references cannot establish one survivor's born-with shell, drivetrain, axle, chassis, finish, trim, options, or component dates.

Codes & names

Names & Engine Codes

Common names and codes are grouped so LS6 references point to the same engine, not separate pages.

Brake Systems summarized from reviewed factory and marque references.Classic Muscle · Reference illustration
1968 232 one-barrel inline-six 1968 AMC Rebel engine family
1968 232 two-barrel inline-six 1968 AMC Rebel engine family
1968 290 two-barrel Typhoon V8 1968 AMC Rebel engine family
1968 290 four-barrel Typhoon V8 1968 AMC Rebel engine family
1968 343 two-barrel Typhoon V8 1968 AMC Rebel engine family
1968 343 four-barrel Typhoon V8 1968 AMC Rebel engine family
1968 390 four-barrel AMX V8 1968 AMC Rebel engine family

Photo and video gallery

Gallery

9 photos and videos

Sources & Documentation

Reader contributions

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