Launched on 15 December 1955, the 1956 model year Rambler Six ushered a "new era in motoring has begun" according to George W. Romney, President of AMC.

As the chairman and president of AMC, George W. Romney also avoided a head-to-head battle with the U.S. automakers by focusing the company on the compact car.

"[4] The redesigned Rambler line for the 1956 model year was bigger, about 8 inches (203 millimetres) longer overall, but still positioned in the compact car classification of the time.

The four-door Ramblers for the 1956 model year were completely redesigned, with a characteristic swept-back C-pillars (the Fashion Safety Arch),[6] unusual wing windows on the rear doors,[7] inboard, grille-mounted headlamps,[8] as well as "the widest windshield" of any car.

The Rambler was substantially smaller outside compared to the other popular domestic cars of the era, but its interior room was equal to the top-selling "low-priced" field.

"[12] The single-unit construction that was used by AMC on all of its models provided a marketing advantage by offering buyers a $25,000 personal automobile injury insurance policy at no extra cost.

[13] The Typhoon straight-six[6] for the new Rambler was based on the previous 195.6 cu in (3.2 L) block, but was improved and featured overhead valves and produced 120 bhp (89 kW; 122 PS).

[6] The station wagons were popular with buyers, and in addition to power brakes (standard on Custom models),[6] frequently ordered options included power steering, two- and three-tone exterior color schemes, a continental tire, Weather Eye heating and air conditioning system, as well as dealer accessory window insect screens to use with the individually adjustable and reclining front seats that could be used as a bed.

[18] The new Rambler Cross Country was "typical of the stylish, yet highly practical wagons built by AMC in the 1950s" and was offered in solid colors or two- or three-tone paint schemes.

[23] The first American journalist to drive a U.S. automobile uncensored through the Soviet Union was Harry Walton in a brand new 1957 Rambler station wagon assembled in Belgium.

[24] The engine was detuned at the Brussels assembly plant to run on the higher 74 octane gasoline, available only in certain gas stations, and on one occasion, "to the Rambler's eternal credit it swallowed the [ordinary Soviet] stuff, protesting mildly.

[24] The journalist drove 3,500 miles (5,633 km) from the Polish border near Brest to the port city of Yalta, and Walton reported the Rambler station wagon "galvanized Russians into attention everywhere.

"[25] Designs were developed for the big-car Hudson and Nash models to share the Rambler automobile platform by stretching the body about nine inches ahead of the cowl.

The innovative hardtop (no "B-pillar") station wagon body style was no longer available in the Rambler line, as it was reserved for the 1958 Ambassador models.

The Rambler models continued to be the shortest cars marketed in the United States – at 191 inches (4,851 mm) in total length – with room for six passengers.

"[35] Powering the Rambler Six was AMC's new 127 hp (95 kW; 129 PS) overhead valve (OHV) 195.6 cu in (3.2 L) straight-six.

A Borg-Warner torque converter "Flash-O-Matic" automatic transmission, with the "then-trendy pushbutton" gear selection on the far left side of the instrument panel, was optional.

[37] All Ramblers received rust-inhibiting by submerging assembled bodies up to their roof into a large 40-foot (12 m) vat of primer (not sprayed on) before the color coat was applied, a revolutionary process that was later copied by other automakers.

[38] After drying, an additional wax-based compound was sprayed inside girders, rocker panels, fenders, and other hidden areas in the car bodies.

"[39] A series of print ads also mocked the domestic Big Three automakers' standard-sized cars featuring illustrations by famous cartoonists showing the compact Rambler easily getting through places that would get the large "gas guzzling dinosaur" automobiles stuck.

[44] Together with the smaller Rambler American line, AMC "broke sales records" in 1958 as consumers valued basic transportation from their automobiles and no longer cared "how big their cars were.

Premium options and conveniences continued to be offered including "Weather Eye" air-conditioning, air suspension on V8 equipped cars, limited slip differentials, an exterior-mounted continental tire, as well as the American Motors' exclusive individually adjustable and reclining front seats with headrests that "would pay for themselves in safety if the car was banged from the rear.

[50] These station wagons featured economy in fuel consumption and overall use as well as 80 cubic feet (2.27 m3) of cargo space and room to fit 4-by-8-foot (1.22 m × 2.44 m) sheets of plywood.

The greenhouse was made "lighter" with a narrower C-pillar and roof profile, as well as slanting both the windshield and rear window at a greater angle providing for an "airy cabin.

The practice of separate Six and Rebel V8 models now ended with the focus on the Rambler name and the trim three levels: "Deluxe", "Super", and "Custom".

[57] The 1960 Rambler Six with its 127 hp (95 kW; 129 PS) 195.6 cu in (3.2 L) engine became the best selling model for AMC with 297,368 sold for the year.

[59] Because of the low sales volume, American Motors terminated its contract with Armadora Mexicana that originally began with AMC's predecessor company in 1950.

Complete Rambler models were again imported from the United States (between 1957 and 1958) and sold through a limited network of dealerships, most of which were located in Mexico City.

[60] Planta REO did not focus on the Rambler brand in favor of the Japanese one, being allegedly an important or the main cause of the low commercial success of this second venture of AMC in Mexico.

By March 1964, the relationship with Toyota was also terminated because the Mexican government increased the domestic content rate as well as the bankruptcy of Planta Reo.