My August birthday always happens during the Indiana State Fair, and what I often want for my birthday is a trip to the fair with as many of our (all grown up) kids who can make it. It’s common to find at least one classic hanging out in the infield parking lot. Sometimes they get elite parking, like this 1967 Rambler American Rogue I found right next to the fair entrance gate.
The 1966-69 Rogue was based on the American 440 two-door hardtop, but came with a slightly nicer interior and some different exterior trim bits. Rambler introduced the Rogue in ’66 specifically to showcase its all-new 290-cube “Typhoon” V8, which came in 200- and 225-HP versions. It could be mated to a column-mounted three-speed automatic or a floor-mounted four-speed manual.
You could get the 232 six in a Rogue if you wanted one, and starting in ’67, a 343 V8. But the 290 was the most popular choice. That’s not to say the Rogue was popular, however; only about 22,000 of them were sold total across the four-year run. I guess most buyers didn’t find the price premium over the 440 to be worth it.
Ramblers were not uncommon during my 1970s kidhood, but most of them were the lower-trim versions. Skinflints bought Ramblers, you see. I don’t recall having ever seen the hardtop in person before. This car manages to be stubby in both height and length, yet somehow the package hangs together and is attractive.
Further reading
A 1967 Rambler Rogue convertible spotted by Aaron65
A 1966 Rambler American sedan by Paul Niedermeyer
Vintage Car Life Road Test: 1965 Rambler American 440-H – Hot Six! by PN
The rear lift accentuates the stubby aspect .
Very Conservative yet a pleasing looking car .
-Nate
I didn’t think much of the American when they were still common on the streets, but now I think they’re attractively styled for as simple as they are.
It was probably around 1974-75 when I was at a Thanksgiving or Christmas gathering of my step-Mom’s extended family. One of the cousins who was a little older than I was (probably 17 or so) was excitedly sharing the news that he now had a car. I asked him what it was, and I have never forgotten the strange look on his face when he said “A 67 Rambler Rogue”.
That look was part pride, part bemusement, part embarrassment, and maybe a little bit of irony. I remember thinking – what an unusual and interesting choice. At that age I was heavy into Mopar and Ford love, so I couldn’t go all-in with congratulations, and it wasn’t a GM car so I couldn’t stifle a groan, but remember thinking that he could have done worse. I don’t think I ever got a ride in it, and don’t think he had it much past high school. He remains the only person I ever knew with one of these.
Today, I find the styling on these fairly attractive. It’s no 67 Dart Swinger, but that hardtop worked really well on the conservative but mostly-attractive body. Nice find, and I really love the color on this one! I knew they were not common, but I did not realize they were as rare as they are.
Reminds me of a fellow I knew at college who had some sort of snafu with the BMV over registering his car. I overheard him say to whoever on the phone was trying to sort that, “Make model and year? 1976 AMC Pacer, of all things.” Those last three words did a lot of work in that sentence!
Have not seen that version and I kinda like it.
Agreed, a nicely styled car. It could have sold here at the right price.
That’s a very pretty one all right, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a Rogue in person but I am a lifelong Rambler American fan. 290 and a 4 speed would be fantastic in that car.
Here’s first day of school, September 1971. I am not paying attention to the camera, admiring our twin Rambers.
What a great shot! But they might have renamed it for the Canadian market?
I’ll take the two-barrel 232 six in mine; as fast as many small V8s. Stay tuned.
Cool!!
Doug! Terrific first-day-of-school photo. Your Dad and sister’s expressions are priceless. Yours is ok too. 😉
I’m trying desperately – and unsuccessfully – to figure out what lunchbox your sister has.
I think it’s H.R. Pufnstuf if I recall correctly.
Thanks!
Just around that time (1971), I recall seeing a live H.R. Pufnstuf show at Six Flags Atlanta. Right in the midst of the national mania for that show and other things Sid and Marty Croft.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jkN5kDxprU
You can’t do a little ’cause you can’t do enough.
(54 years later, I still don’t really understand what that phrase means)
“67-8” were two really good years to get an “ole. American”. Build quality was rather good then.
Still used those “stupid, vacuum, wipers” though.
The Rogue is a compact, simple, and attractive car. I can’t recall ever seeing one before, but frankly it’s the type of vehicle that I could have run across back in the day and never actually registered what it was.
At this moment, I’m just very happy to see a bright sunny green day in August…here at the end of February. Thanks for that!
I think this was my favorite AMC car if looks alone were the criteria. Simple, uncluttered. Reminds me of another car I owned, a ’65 Dodge Dart.
Styling is subjective, of course. But it is amazing how certain tweaks in metal and trim make or break a design.
As an upscale sporty compact hardtop, this car is inoffensive, but may be the dead last pick for style in its class.
My ranking for the class of 1967, requiring that it be a hardtop, so Falcon is out, would be:
Cougar – Pretty kitty!
Mustang – A classic already.
Firebird – Nice, but derivative of GM full size styling.
Camaro – Caprice lite.
Dart Swinger – Would have been a style leader in 1964.
Barracuda – A bit too much Valiant shines through.
Nova – The style leader of 1964.
Rambler American – The school librarian struts her stuff!
I think it’s unfair to compare against ponycars, but for me there’s really nothing, certainly on this particular Rogue on mag 500s, that makes it more librarian than a 66-67 Nova or 66-69 Dart. Without the context of what was “cool” back then for me it doesn’t stand out as an inferior design, it more so just kind of blends in.
Personally I always found Novas kind of dumpy. The 327 made them stuff of legend but they’re not as pretty as a Corvair or Camaro or Chevelle or Impala. I don’t think the American is “better” looking but it’s about equal.
I concur. Everyone gets mad at me every time I say this, but every Nova before 1975 had awkward proportions and absolutely terrible exterior detailing. Brand equity apparently counted for a lot in this respect.
As seen through 2025 eyes and without the context in which Ramblers were viewed in the ’60s, I think this Rogue is an exceptionally good-looking compact. Great photographs of its stylistic details.
“. . .without the context in which Ramblers were viewed in the ’60s.”
Brings to mind the qualifier I now get with every medical checkup. “For your age . . .”
Beautifully styled, simple automobiles. Popular car in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa. They were built for many years in Iran. It continued in production in Argentina til the early 80s by IKA (Industrias Kaiser Argentina) with refreshed styling that made the car look European!
The best Compact of the 60’s bar none.especially in 440 configuration/Rogue
My favorite compact of the 60s is the 63 Falcon Sprint, but I do like the Dart and Chevy II of the same period. This Rambler is a sweet looking little car, and with the availability of a V8 and a 4spd, dang, It’s hard to believe they sold so few.
Jim, those are some very good shots of a fairly hard to find car. I saw this car at our local Grand Rapids version of the Woodward Cruise-In about three years ago. Like many others here, I never really gave this generation of AMC much thought. I thought they were for skinflints and old folks. I don’t even remember seeing these Rogues as a kid, but I lived in an area that heavily favored GM products.
But, seeing this car that day, I came to a new appreciation for the old American. It was as contemporary as the competition of the day, primarily the domestic compact cars. And as straightforward as those cars, too.
Pic 2
Pic 1
Very nice writeup, Jim. I’ve always liked the looks of that generation, especially those outfitted with red, white and blue paint jobs, hood scoops and 390s!