Red Rebel: 1959 Rambler Cross Country Super Wagon – NOW $19,500

by | May 2023 | Classifinds, Wagon Wednesday

(To stop the slideshow and expand the pictures, click on the current photograph below)

May 8, 2023 Update – After sitting out the winter months, the seller posted a fresh listing for their LS-Powered ’59 Rambler wagon we’ve been tracking the sale of since May of 2022.  This time around, the seller lowered the asking price to $19,500.  That’s a substantial price drop from their original ask in May of 2022 of $32,500.

December 13, 2022 Update – While this “Classifind” expired recently, given the seller’s history, we suspect may not actually be sold yet.  For now, we’re labeling this ride “Sold?” However, we will keep an eye out for an updated listing.

November 10, 2022 Update – After a nearly two-month pause, the seller of this LS-swapped ’59 Rambler we’ve been tracking since May just listed the car for sale on Craigslist again.   In their latest listing, the pictures, description, and already reduced ask of $21,000 remain in place.  That’s quite a price drop from their original ask in May 2022 of $32,500.

September 28, 2022, Update – While this “Classifind” expired recently, given the seller’s history, we suspect may not be sold yet.  For now, we’re labeling this ride “Sold?” until we come across a replacement listing for it.

August 8, 2022 Update – The seller replaced their expired Craigslist ad with a fresh listing. In it, the description and pictures remain the same. However, the seller decided to lower their asking price by another $4,000 to land at $21,000.

July 2, 2022 Update – After a brief pause following the expiration of their first Craigslist ad, the seller just posted a fresh listing for their LS-Swapped ’59 Rambler. While the pictures and description remain the same, the seller reduced their asking price by a substantial $7,500 to land a current ask of $25,000.

June 28, 2022, Update – We just confirmed the listing for this “Classifind” expired, so with no replacement found, we’re assuming this ride is “Sold?” until we come across a new listing for it.

Many classic cars will never achieve a level of desirability (and value) that will make it worthwhile to keep or restore them to their original condition.  In these cases, the car will likely be worth more upgraded as a street machine or restomod.  A prime example is this White and Red 1959 AMC Rambler Cross Super Wagon for sale, originally listed in May 2022 in Kulpmont, Pennsylvania (Wilkes-Barre).  Now featuring a 5.3 Liter LS V8, an overdrive transmission (we assume to be a modern 700R4 and not the original unit), four-wheel disc brakes, and other modern upgrades, this Rambler’s almost stock exterior appearance promotes it to restomod status in our book.

Currently offered for $21,000 (the original ask was $32,500), Classic.com, the analytics and search engine for the collector car market, confirms the ask is at the high end of this guide’s limited five-year results summary for all models of late-fifties Ramblers.  By clicking on the green dots in the graph below, you can navigate to each comparable car sold as a way to help you make an educated bid on the car we are featuring for auction here:

As a second data point, the  Collector Car Market Review Online Tool reveals the seller’s ask falls between this guide’s #2 Very Good” estimate of $18,175 and its #1 “Excellent” appraisal of $28,375.

In the late fifties, one of the first cars offered by the newly-formed American Motors Corporation was the Rambler Rebel.  While the first generation models for ’57 and ’58 earned a reputation for being the first factory-produced intermediate-sized high-performance car when equipped with AMC’s 327 cubic inch V8, the second generation car introduced in 1959 toned things down a bit.

The 1959 model year Rambler Rebels featured hoods without ornaments, a new full-width grille with large inset turn signal lamps, bumpers and bumper guards that reduced the overall length by nearly two inches, a thinner roof panel look with narrower C-pillars, windshield and rear window slanted at a greater angle reducing wind resistance, simpler bodyside trim, and restyled rear doors and fenders with a smooth line to the smaller tail fins.  All Rambler Rebels benefitted from bigger brakes, improved dashboard-mounted automatic transmission push-button controls, and numerically lower axle ratios for improved fuel economy. A new option was adjustable headrests. The 1959 Rebel came standard with a 250 cubic inch V8 topped with a four-barrel carburetor and connected to dual exhausts which helped make 215 horsepower with a very respectable 260 foot-pounds of torque.

The Osborn Tramain YouTube Channel features this 1959 Rambler Commerical:

Based on the pictures provided, this 1959 Rambler Cross Country appears to be a nicely modified, LS-swapped example that blurs the line between Resto-Mod and Street Machine. The only thing we would look to add is a Vintage Air system to keep things cool inside for hot cruise days.

Here’s the seller’s description:

Looks great, runs good, lots of goodies on this car, 4 wheel disc brakes, 5.3 LS motor, overdrive transmission, Ford explorer rear, Ladder bar rear, New dual exhaust, New tires and rims, New powdered coated bumpers, perfect red velour interior, custom rear carpet, floor carpet like New, optima battery, this car is a real head-turner Garage kept, partial trades on 1940-1967 cars and pickups, no motorcycles, Cash Only, calls and texts only, serious buyers only, no scammers please., Thank you

Show or go: What would you do with this Rambler Rebel Street Machine?  Please comment below and let us know!

2 Comments
  1. Mike

    How can you get ahold on the seller of this 1959 amc rebel wagon?

    Reply
    • Guys with Rides

      Hi Mike, as of this writing, the seller’s link to the Craigslist ad still works, and you can contact him directly at that like provided. Like virtually all of our Craigslist Classifind Blog posts, the private sellers are often unaware that we featured their ride in our daily theme blog. We have no financial interest in the sale of any Craigslist Classifind ride.

      Reply

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