test by Popular Science found similar performance times and noted that their Rebel SST was the quietest-riding of the tested cars, but with the drawback of wind noise. The magazine also praised Rebel's reclining backrests for both front seats that reduce fatigue on long trips while a co-driver can stretch out and relax, as well as AMC's self-tightening seat belts that aid in buckling and in comfort. A survey conducted by Popular Mechanics after owners had driven their cars concluded: "in all, the report indicates that most Rebel owners are delighted with their purchases." Journalist and automobile critic, Tom McCahill, summarized his Mechanix Illustrated road test, "there isn't a better intermediate size car sold in the United States than the 1967 Rebel". The completely redesigned 1967 Rebel production was 75% of the previous year's. At the same time, the larger-sized Ambassador sales rose by almost the same amount. The possible reason for the two different outcomes could be the Ambassador's more elegant front-end design with only a $300 difference between the two lines. The greatest sales decline was in Rebel 4-door sedans, which was offset by the increase in Ambassador 4-door sedan sales. Buyers "upgraded" to the Ambassador as they "wanted more car – not less" and "AMC made the mistake" of offering Ambassadors with an I6 engine making them "really snazzy Rebels." 1968 The 1968 model year Rebels were introduced on 26 September 1967, and were no longer a Rambler in their name. The mid-sized models were now named the AMC Rebel, but little was changed except for the safety features and the mid-model year availability of the AMX V8 that was introduced for the new two-seat AMX model. For ten years AMC "strictly observed the auto industry's anti-racing resolution" but following the management change in 1967, the AMC Rebel began to be campaigned on the dragstrips. The top-of-the-line model SST came standard with the "Typhoon" V8 while all the other models were available with the I6 engine. The 1968 models were treated to a modest restyle of the trim, grille, and taillamps. New mandates by the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards for all 1968 model passenger cars were incorporated. Safety equipment included separate shoulder harness for the front seat belts, two rear lap belts, lighted side markers, padded seat backs, non-glare finish, safety design handles and armrests, energy-absorbing steering column, and optional headrests. American Motors did not wait