| American Motors
Corporation 14250 Plymouth Road Detroit, Michigan |
| Engine |
200-hp, 290
cu. in. V-8 |
| Transmission |
3-speed automatic |
| Steering |
Power-assisted |
| Suspension |
Standard |
| Brakes |
Drum F, Drum R |
Check
list |
| Engine |
| Throttle Response |
Fair |
| Noise Insulation |
Excellent |
| Drive
train |
| Shift Linkage |
Fair |
| Synchro Action |
Very
Good |
| Steering |
| Effort |
Good |
| Response |
Fair |
| Handling |
| Predictability |
Very
Good |
| Evasive Maneuverability |
Fair |
| Brakes |
| Directional Stability |
Fair |
| Fade Resistance |
Good |
| Interior |
| Ease of Entry/Exit |
Good |
| Driving Position |
Fair |
| Front Seating Comfort |
Good |
| Rear Seating Comfort |
Fair |
| General |
| Vision |
Good |
| Heater/ Defroster |
Excellent |
| Weather Sealing |
Good |
| Trunk Space |
Good |
|
When American Motors
decided to meet the Big Three competition head on, the Rebel
SST was scheduled to be a big gun in their assault. Styling
was changed to be more look-alike, and the name of the series
was changed from "Classic" to "Rebel" to
make it more masculine, active, clean-cut and hard-hitting.
Unfortunately, the same 290 cu. in. V-8 remains, there's the
same imprecision in handling and stopping, and with it, a falling
off in quality control. AMC has made much of its flexibility
as a "small" manufacturer. AMC is better able to provide
the little touches that distinguish its cars from its mammoth
competitors, or so the company would have you believe. Trouble
is, the Rebel's doors still need slamming to shut properly,
and pieces of the insides have an alarming tendency to come
adrift. Nonetheless, the basic mechanicals seem to have a life
expectancy of 10-20 years and the 290 V-8, while not exciting,
is a good workhorse engine, clearly not over-stressed at its
200-hp rating. Visibility is less good in the SST than in its
plain-jane sisters, perhaps only an illusion because of the
trinkets AMC has added to try to glamorize the car.
But, despite the whiz-bang "SST"
designation the Rebel, at least with the 290 cu. in. engine,
can't touch the other Super Cars. |
