1968 REBEL

I posted this in the wrong section the first time...

Hello all AMC enthusiasts. I'm looking for some comments and insight to my upcoming project. I plan on building the ultimate street AMC Rebel, one whos likes has never been built before to my knowledge. It will have the performance and handling of a Z06 wrapped in a Rebel body. To me, the Rebel is the best looking body style to ever hit the streets. Always has been, ever since I had one back in high school in the late 70's. The only body style that even comes close is the Cuda, but even that runs a distant second. And I'm not including exotics, because that is a totally different animal in my opinion. I plan on spending roughly $35,000 to make this dream car come true. So before anyone jumps down my throat about spending that kind of money on a Rebel, let me explain my madness. First of all, I've never built a car based solely on what it will be worth at the end of the day. I don't think many people who love cars do that. Could I go spend over $50,000 to get a high performance car that will do what I want?  Sure, but what is the point? It would just be another Vette, Shelby, Viper or any other modern musclecar in that class. I want something completely different. This car will rival just about anything on the street, because that's where it will be...on the street. This will be a daily driver if I want it to be. I will drive the heck out of it and enjoy every second I'm behind the wheel. It's not going to be a car that I dust off on Saturday afternoon so I can take it downtown, drive it around the block a few times, and get it back home before a bug hits the windshield. Never saw the point in that. Then after 10-15 years, it will go to my son for him to enjoy. And hopefully after that, my now 8 month old granddaughter will have a crack at it. So at the end of the day, I want this car to be around for many many years, and I don't think that kind of money is out of line for a car like that. For those people that claim to have upwards of 80, 90, even a $100,000 to build their cars, I call bullsh*t. Unless you have someone else completely build your car, I don't see how that is even possible if it is planned out right. And I'm not going to put a value on the work I will put into it. Although time is money, this is something I enjoy, and I consider it therapy. I have a completely rust free 68 that was sold at Don Rice Rambler in Glendale, California. It even came with the black plates, as well as the Don Rice Rambler license plate frames when I found it. It looks like it was put to bed around 1978 and hadn't seen the light of day since. It's not a beauty, not even close. It has faded paint, door dings and a worn out interior. But it's clean, and perfect for what I want. I figure the rough costs will be:

Suspension (Probably Control Freak) and wheels - $8-10,000
Drive Train - $12-$15,000
Interior - $3-$5000
Miscellaneous - $5,000
Body and paint - I will do myself (and it will be perfect)

I know some will think these estimates are low, but I will be doing most of the fab work myself...

So after this long drawn out rambling, here is where I need some comments. I want to use a modern drivetrain, and in a strange sort of way I thought a HEMI set up out of a Jeep SRT8 would be a way to go. I know, I know, it's not really AMC, but my thought process is that it came out of a Jeep! I will take all comments to heart, and if there is an outcry that I'm doing my Rebel wrong, then my backup plan would be a fuel injected 401. I'm sure there would be no problems there. So, let's hear it.

you wanna make it really handle like a vette, get an art morrison max g chassis complete with ford 9 inch, wilwood brakes and everything you need (quoted 13k for a javelin).  This is what I plan on doing to a 69 or 70 javelin when I finish pharmacy school.  Go with boze or forgeline 3 piece wheels that's (4-5k wheels alone), because a rebel is so big i would go with 18s. If i were you i would do indy aluminum block (have it built by Nick Alfano .  I plan on doing a gforce street 5 speed, i was quoted 7500 for that.  Interior you doing stock (3-5 k would be a good estimation for that)?  You go away from stock, custom autometer gauges will run 1k, corbeau seats (what i am putting in my javelin) are around 2500 including harnesses, seats, tracks etc.  Then you need headliner, recover rears seats, new carpet, nice stereo, and speakers, you may end up above 5k for that, not sure though it all depends. The car your planning on building, if its what i have in my head can be difficult to build for 35k.  Doing the bodywork and paint is a huge plus and will save you 10-12k on a nice paint job. Depending on what your doing to a car 80k can easily spent, particularly in the world of pro-touring.  


Edited by BADJAV390 - Mar/28/2012 at 11:55pm

That is exactly the look I am after. I'm doing some preliminary designs right now, and will post them in the next day or so...

BADJAV390, that is really nice! I sure have my work cut out for me... Here are some first round ideas for what I want to accomplish...

I tend to like these wheels a lot on big body cars