History of the REBELS Auto Club
In the fall of 1955, 30 young men gathered to form an auto club, which they named the Rebels Car Club of Lincoln, NE. The membership increased to better than 70 in a few weeks (and yet today, the current REBELS Auto Club is STILL one of the most active clubs in Lincoln).
The objective of the Rebels Car Club was to promote safe driving and the true meaning of hot rodding. To promote safer, more courteous driving, the club worked on many city projects, like helping the Lincoln Safety Council and their annual "Citywide Circle of Safety Vehicle Safety Check".
Back in the day, there were rules! You had to be at least 16, have a valid drivers license and own a car with at least 3 modifications. Dues were $.50 a month, and you had to be current to run the drag strip at the old airport out on Highway 77.
For more on the history of the 'Original' Rebels Car Club, see 'How It All Started', which is the last article on this Page..
In April 1960, the Rebels Car Club received national recognition in Hot Rod Magazine because they were featured as the "Club of the Month" – which, in those days, was an outstanding achievement.
In 2008, writers Richard Parks and Jack Stewart wrote an article in Hot Rod Hot Line, which at the time, was considered the 'Worlds Largest Online Rodding Magazine.' The article was about Dick Wells, one of the original founders of the Rebels Car Club.
In addition, Dick Wells himself wrote an article in 'Rod Action' Magazine in December of 1972, outlining how the Rebels Car Club began.
Download and read BOTH articles below:
Original REBELS
'Original' Rebels Car Club
The Photo to the left is from the article in the April 1960 issue of Hot Rod Magazine . All Members of the 'Original Rebels Car Club were not in this photo. However the ones that are in the photo, are as follows:
To the left is a photo of the original Club Plaque, from the first pouring of the material. It has the Cross of the Sword & Rebels flag on it. At the time the lifted edges and letters were highly polished by each Member. In addition, the club displayed a very large Rebel flag behind the General Lee at car shows all over the Midwest. The Rebels Car Club used the confederate flag back then, but it was never meant to be anything other than representing the Club name, just as it does today. The flag was suspended on two side poles at car shows and displayed behind the General Lee Dragster with a big red-colored shag rug in front and underneath. The Rebels trophies were lined up on the rug in front of the General.
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