It’s true, American Motoring Companies spent the majority of the 1960s playing catch up against the Big 3 when it came to production and design development. It wasn’t because they were lacking in the creativity department, but more of not possessing the same level of resources where designing and engineering new vehicles were involved. When the AMX Rebel did eventually make it to market, it provided an enticing, unique alternative to what Chevy, Ford and Mopar were offering.
The 1970 AMC Rebel Machine is a perfect example of what a company doing its best could achieve, with the minimalist resources it had. Don’t get us wrong, the AMC Rebel Machine was worlds away from an afterthought, it was a mega muscle car that could stand proud in front of any car Detroit could bring forward. Sure, it was too short a season for the boulevard superstar, but with that, it did make an impression that continues to be felt today by classic performance car fans, and collectors.
The AMC Rebel Machine Has An Iconic Design That Lives On
Towards the end of the 1960s, the AMC Rebel Machine was no stranger to the drag racing scene, as American Motors used the NHRA to parade in front of the growing young, performance-seeking crowd, which were ready to splash their disposable income on high-output street machines.
Now, AMC needed to translate that track momentum into a production car, and the result was far from subtle. The AMC Rebel Machine hit the scene in a USA-inspired red, white, and blue color scheme. This trio of colors reflected the name of its manufacturer, whilst celebrating the extreme color schemes of the current muscle car era. Later editions of the Rebel were made available in single colors, but who would want that? We’re all about the early edition design, full of stripes and woops, featuring a big blue hood scoop. The AMC rebel made it possible for gearheads to feel what a joy it would be to drive, just by taking a glance.
Similar to many other muscle cars of that time, the AMC Rebel Machine was incredibly spacious inside the cabin, and that’s thanks to its midsize design. AMC believed it was important to focus on driver's comfort, with cruising in style and convenience being their goal. Delving deeper into the AMC’s cool design, the cabin proposed a simple, but decisive style. A sleek dashboard, which was rather reminiscent of a jukebox, displayed its sleek, yet refined layout. The typical '60s muscle car design continued, with analogue gauges, a tricolored armrest, manual window, and not one driver-assist in sight! We must admit, one of the coolest features that sat proudly on the AMC Rebel Machine was the hood-mounted tachometer.
The AMC Rebel Machine Featured A Booming Engine For Mega Performance
Hidden underneath its striking colors was AMC’s hottest-ever engine. A 390 cubic inch V8 shared similar internals to the hot AMX two-seater, instead improving its power output to 340 horsepower, alongside an impressive 430 lb-ft of torque. A four-speed manual was standard, with an automatic version available. With your foot to the pedal, the AMC Rebel Machine could zoom through the quarter mile in a couple of milliseconds over 14 seconds, which was worlds apart compared to its competitors, such as the Chevrolet Chevelle SS. If all that power wasn’t fast enough, buyers could rock up at their local AMC dealership to be greeted with a long list of à la carte upgrades which can boost the Rebel Machine’s engine output to 400 horses, allowing its quarter mile time to drop to around the 12-second range.
AMC Rebel Machine Production, Cost, And Legacy
Sadly, the AMC Rebel Machine was only produced for one year before both the name, and the concept were retired. AMC sold just over 2,600 Rebel Machines, before the line ended, and was replaced by the less-exciting Matador in 1971.
Let’s get into the important stuff, the price. The AMC Rebel Machine hit the market with a price tag slightly more expensive than a Pontiac GTO, at $3,450. In today’s market, expect to fork out in the region of $50,000 for an example that’s been well maintained. Earlier in 2022, a pristine example sold for a whopping $80,000, which is easily justified by many gearheads due to the car’s rare nature.
The AMC Rebel Machine has it all – masses of power, a loud appealing design, and driver comfort was kept in mind throughout its production. It seems that this AMC model was born in the wrong era. Had this stunning muscle car continued its production for just a little while longer, it could have been one of the most popular sough-after cars of its time. Nevertheless, we stand by the AMC Rebel Machine being one of the coolest muscle cars ever to grace our roads.
Sources: American Motors Corporation