Stored 37 Years: 1970 AMC Rebel “The Machine”
To borrow the opening line from a 1970 AMC ad, “Standing before you is the car you’ve always wanted.” Well, maybe it’s the car you never knew you’ve always wanted. Sent in by an anonymous Barn Finds reader, this 1970 AMC Rebel Machine can be found here on eBay in Columbia Station, Ohio. After 26 bids, the current bid has been pushed to $18,988, but the reserve has not been met.
Seemingly sensing a need for a performance-oriented intermediate car, AMC’s development of the Rebel Machine resulted in just one year of production. In that one year they managed to pump out just 2,326 examples. Perhaps buyers heeded AMC’s disclaimer: “If you have delusions of entering the Daytona 500 with the Machine, or challenging people at random, the Machine is not that fast. You should know that.”
Recently being removed from a barn after 37 years of storage, the body of this Rebel looks respectable, with just some rear quarter and light inner rocker rust noted. The first 1,000 Rebel Machines built were finished in the red, white, and blue paint scheme we see here. The next 1,326 were finished in your choice of available solid colors.
The interior is claimed to be original, but, as the seller suggests, needs attention. The floor mounted shifter is not the correct style and the transmission tunnel has been modified to accommodate it. It’s hard to determine from photos, but I’d be curious to see if a very thorough cleaning and replacement carpet and dash could give this interior a “new” feel.
Between the fenders is a 360 cubic-inch V8 backed by a 4-speed manual transmission. The Rebel Machine originally came with a 390, which is included in the sale. That 390 is missing a few parts, including the exhaust manifolds and carburetor. There’s no mention made of its condition or potential to run. The same can be said for the 360 that’s currently installed, but it’s safe to assume a thorough going-through is in order after 37 years of storage.
I’ve long respected AMC – always seeming to effectively make the most of what little they had. That’s on full display with the Rebel Machine. The concept may have been a little late to the party by 1970, but it oozes cool today. To complete the bookend from that 1970 AMC ad: “Up with The Rebel Machine!”
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Comments
Kind of funny, the ’70 Rebel featured a while back, can’t get a bid, and this at $20g’s. The cars weren’t that much different, but in 1970, it was all about glitz and
trying to cash in on the fading muscle car scene. Like I said on the Rebel post, there are probably more clone “Machines”, than original ones. They weren’t all RW&B, and could be ordered in many colors. While the similarly attired SC/Rambler was a hit, this was kind of the answer to the question nobody asked. It still looked like grandpas Rambler, a tough image to shake, if ever. Great find and if it isn’t cancelled, you’ll be right at home with this years reunion in Kenosha.
Unfortunately Howard this yrs Homecoming has been postponed to 2021. I personally own a 68 Rebel SST because the roof line on the 70 is ugly. I am looking for a SCRAMBLER
It’s funny , but back in 1985, My dad was trying to educate me in regards to backyard mechanics. The Sc/Rambler Rambler I bought was all there, but THERE was in back seat/trunk.
He helped me get a basic understanding but we were missing several Hurst Sc/Rambler only parts, plus a brake booster.
My wife’s brother was one of original Autorama displayers and offered to paint the car.
Sure!
He had car for 6mos. but wouldn’t say how much..OK
Meanwhile while my Dad was visiting my Uncle he spied a primer blue ’69 Rambler American—OR so we thought!
Turns out car was an original Red White and Blue Sc/Rambler!!!
No engine, but all tags, mirrors, inside glove boxstickers , Headrests, gray(only year for basket weave charcoal gray seats/panels).
One headrest alone in mid ’80’s was going for $150 IF YOU COULD FIND ONE Year One had just started, etc..
Oh yeah. Pat’s brother laid down the most beautiful paint I’ve ever seen, including pin stripes which most people don’t know about!
Cost?/ I traded a solid 360 1970 AMX, PLUS a 1965 GTO Convertible , original tri-power, 4 spd. good running!!
The Rebel Machine code in the VIN numbers 4,5,6 and 7 are 190Y. 19 is Rebel, 0 is Machine and Y is 340hp 390 engine. Designates it as a true Rebel Machine.
A=American Motors
0=1970
C= 3 spd auto floor shift M= manual trans
1=Rebel
9=2dr hard top
0=Hornet, Rebel
Y=340 hp 390 V8
Cloned Machines are not that common. There are about 400 Machines left with least 150 of them in very good condition.
This car has a set of incorrect after market stripes on it and THE MACHINE decals are missing. The original grille, a tough to find part, is gone and has been replaced by a base line Rebel grille.
The only thing left on the car that says it’s a Machine to anyone is the Machine decal on the glove box door. Most people don’t mess with those unless they are doing a full, no expense spared restoration.
Those of use who care take a lot of trouble to ensure that clones are recognized. Even so, a well done clone can be more of a Machine than a real Machine if the intake, air cleaner gasket, exhaust manifolds are no longer with the car.
Surprising for most people is the suspension. A Machine’s suspension was generally much better than that of a SST or a base line Rebel. That’s what gave it the superior ride and unbeatable handling characteristics. Add the four caliper disk brakes and they drive and handle like a modern car only a lot faster.
I make brand new body panels for Rebels, Matadors, Marlins, AMXs, Javelins and Ambassadors, so I know who is doing what to what. There have been no clones being worked on in the last 3 years. I require photographs of every car I make parts for.
The only way a clone is done as a rule is by doing a full rebody. That involves either changing all of the tags and the special rivets or swapping out the driver’s door and the windshield sill plate, all of the suspension and the front brakes. All wheel power disc brakes were an option for AMCs in 1970 but I’ve never seen or heard of a Machine with them.
The only integral identifier is the last seven digits of the VIN on the frame rail hand punched by a person we suspect was drunk most of the time because the numbers are so far never aligned or even close to being aligned or all there in every case. There are a number of cars that did not get a Y or any other letter. But so far no one has volunteered a shot of a frame rail of a base line Rebel or SST.
There is one 1970 SST Rebel that is being built as an INVADER. It will look like a Machine but in a different colour with the correct stripe kit in a different colour. It’s nearly complete. We invented the INVADER name and I produced the stripe kit to match the original stripe kits which I also make.
I’ve been making the stripe kits since 1996. All of the best Machines have my stripes on them. I record the VINs of each car. If a Machine does not have my stripe kit on it, there is a chance it is a clone. The car shown here is a little different. It doesn’t have my stripes on it but the kit itself is not an original design. AMC lost the Artwork for the original stripe kits. The second generation kits had several flaws in them and one change. The change was the center chevron stripe over the rear quarters and trunk lid. The original centre stripe was beige, not white.
When the cars were new, there was some criticism that the centre stripe should have been white. So AMC picked up on that and for the 2nd generation they were white. However, since the Frost White paint the RWB cars were painted with had a beige cast to them, the white stripe looks harsh compared to the beige stripe with the Frost White paint as the background.
On top of that, the white stripe looks like it needs some sort of graphics painted in what looks like an empty white square.
Even so, this car looks like an easy restoration if a grille can be found for it.
Hey John, glad you are here
Interesting car. I didn’t realize there were only 1000 built. That means there are no more than a few hundred still around. Excluding AMC-specific events, you aren’t going to see yourself at the next show. Love the period-correct orange-yellow fog lights.
Another random thought: stored 37 years, but apparently under decent conditions. Makes me wonder, just how many old cars with some degree of collectability (or at least interest) are out there, hiding in that neglected garage down the street or in that forlorn barn out on the county road?
You would be surprised. When I worked in field service I had my head on a swivel anytime I went out. The most exotic one was a Chrysler 300C with the factory dual-quad 392, located off US250 in Pruntytown, West Virginia. I found a Mopar muscle graveyard near Society Hill, South Carolina too. Then there was that robin’s egg blue 65 Impala near Norwood, North Carolina. They’re out there, you just have to take the road less traveled to find the real treasures!
There were 1,936 Rebel Machines built.
2326
The assembly plant reported 1;926 built. Some moron in public relations made up the 2,326 number. It is NOT correct.
😃i have 10 👍pre 73
car’s & truck’s😎
That number of 1,000 built is plucked from a corporate notification prior to the strike in the last week in September of 1969. The strike lasted until the first week in November. There was not time to meet the 1,000 RWB goal before December. There is no documentation for this but when the time left to build and the factory’s ability to build the cars are factored together you soon realize that 1,000 cars that fast was not physically attainable. AMC did a lot with minimal real estate and personnel resources. So keeping track of the numbers has been reduced to a letter and an internal document. The letter, which I have a copy of, states the final production number of Machines was 2,326. An internal stock sheet lists the number at 1,936. Which is the most accurate is still a hot topic for debate but ultimately irrelevant now. I guess I’ve switched allegiance on this. Lee convinced me.
As for more Rebel Machine clones than real Machines, that is fantasy. The reason it’s fantasy is that so few Rebel SSTs and base line Rebels were built that they are much rarer than Machines.
A solid Rebel SST two door hard top is a find. A rust bucket is still extremely rare. So body parts typically come from 4 door sedans. Luckily the front fenders from 67 – 70 were identical except for the marker light opening and drill holes for chrome trim on the SSTs.
This is a solid example so you may rest assured no one in their right mind will leave that 360 in place. There are still a lot of 390 blocks around and the intakes are out there too as are exhaust manifolds. They take patience to find and large dollars to acquire.
I make the stripes and the body parts for these cars.
This one has what appears to be an after market set of second generation of stripes on it and for a change they were installed correctly but with mistakes in the actual graphics.
I would say this car will get a ground up restoration because the stripes cannot be saved, and the body damage is a little too far gone to leave as is. There is some rust in the usual places so there is no point in attempting to pretend a cheap makeover will do this car justice.
The interior will need a make over because the foam in the seats has aged and dried out. When you sit on the seats the foam disintegrates into powder. The seat covers will be fine with light use.
The really fragile thing will be the head liner. There are no after market pieces that are original and the head liner will drop and sag after the doors have been opened a few times.
As for fast, Rebel Machines were 14.4 in the quarter with their Hurst shift mechanism in unrepaired condition. They all came from the factory with a flaw that cost 1 second in a drag race. So the car was not slow. With Group 19 parts installed, the horsepower went from a modest 340 to 472. That was good for 12.73 as recorded in two different magazines in testing. The automatics went 12.81.
Nothing else tested in that era went that fast. No the Group 19 parts were not factory original but then, as noted, the factory had no room for doing that. So the dealer service bays were considered extensions of the factory floor. Many parts normally installed at Chrysler, GM and Ford in their factories were installed at the dealerships. So no car AMC ever produced could be said to be factory original because without the dealer installed parts, none of the cars were street worthy with very few exceptions.
In fact, when AMC attempted to send a second generation Javelin to CARS magazine for testing, straight from the factory, without going to a dealership for completion, the car fell apart to the extent that CARS magazine refused to test any more AMC products. This information is in the book Year One by Martynn Schorr the guy who promoted the Baldwin Motion cars. The 472 Horsepower Machines were also tested and recorded by his magazines.
The other thing the limited Rebel Machine ads failed to mention was that with a good driver behind the wheel, Rebel Machines were the best handling muscle cars ever built. Even today, braking and handling are still current. Mind you today’s drivers would find steering those Machines without power steering a challenge. But once you built up your arm strength to normal rather than sedentary, the steering was fine. With power steering, the car was matchless because they were so well balanced.
These cars are not the landing barges other muscle cars are. They corner and drift like sports cars.
Don’t let us forget comfort. No Machine owner ever forgets how truly comfortable to drive these cars are. That’s a major reason for their enduring popularity.
They all have a certain smell too that occurs in no other car. I’ve never been able to figure out what causes it. But after being in your garage for a while, your garage smells like a Rebel Machine. It might be the underpad. Even so, a blind person can identify them by the smell. And yes, it smells good.
As for the value of the car, Covid-19 changes everything. Prices will go down after we get through this because everyone is going to take a financial hit but old money. AMCs are not valued by old money.
At nearly 20 grand this is top dollar for the times. Luckily the air cleaner is there.
John, thanks for the history/information on the AMC 1970 Rebel. Enjoyed reading your post. Although I have never owned one of the cars, have seen several over the years at car shows. Was always impressed by their stance, graphics and aggressive look. CFJ
John’s post is why I love this site! The wealth of information you guys bring to the table is astounding.
There were more than a thousand built and the 1,000 number of RWB Machines that were supposed to be built before December 31st almost certainly didn’t happen since the factory was on strike for 5 of of the weeks when the cars were being built.
There are plenty of old cars archived in barns, garages, sheds, commercial buildings and hidden rooms – even in houses.
Since I make a lot of parts for AMCs and particularly Rebel Machines, I get to hear who finds what first. These AMC cars are found at a rate of almost one or two a week, so for more popular makes, it has to be more often.
I always thought these were neat muscle cars. I know they’re rare but man that’s a lot of scratch for a car that needs restoration and has non original engine/ tranny mods which may or may not work. You’ll definitely be unique at the local cruise though :)
It is a lot of scratch but Rebel Machines are peculiar in that way. People become obsessed with them without ever having driven one. The money is no object. Besides, once you have one in top shape, that’s when you find out how under-valued they are.
As an all round useful and fast car that is comfortable and a pleasure to drive and even just look at, they can’t be beat.
At 340hp, this car had the most powerful engine that AMC ever produced (the AMX 390 only made 315hp). Good that the claimed original (no way to really validate that. . .) engine comes with it, sad that the engine is incomplete.
Restored, these do bring some fairly good money, but I feel that a bidder would be in way over their head at the current bid price. Still, it only takes two interested parties to send the sale price into the stratosphere.
Neat car, but if it were me I’d prefer to have one of the 1,512 SC/Rambler’s, preferably in the ‘B’ Colour scheme.
‘B’ Scheme. A bit more sedate and a lot rarer with only 500 made.
I’ve wanted a SC/Rambler since I became an adult and started looking at other car besides Mopars. There was a old Rambler in someones back yard, and that was the first time I took a liking to them. I’ve liked the Machine’s since not long after.
Mike H. Nice rides got to love the patriotic paint scheme!! It resembles the first gen nova but I know is much more rare than any nova!! The rebel shown is a good looking car and doesn’t seem to be a rust bucket!! Worth the time and money in my opinion!!!
Funny I was thinking of the same thing, a Rebel Machine and Hurst SCRambler. They would great in my garage! One can dream..
The AMX 390 in 1970 was 325 hp.
The 1970 AMX 390 HP’S rating was 325, not 315 hp. 1968/69’s rating was 315 hp with out dogleg heads and a “Smaller” Carb.
1970 390 was 325 hp.
Drillnfill, great handle! Yea 19 large is amazing if its true- neat car with the 4 speed, you could leave the 360 kelvinator mill, build the 390?? Think you can get some goodies for these like aluminum heads. Still to do it right you have a lot of bodywork to do and restriping. Good luck. Stay safe!!
Cheers
GPC
Correct me if I’m wrong, but with that short block, a trip to a machine shop, and some catalogs that 360 could go from mild to wild.
Been a long time since I had my AMC’s, but if I remember correctly, the AMX 390 had an X in the tag on the valve cover, and the Machine 390 is a Y . Something to that effect.
I remember a guy showed up in town driving one of these back in the day. He was proud as punch that he’d worked the oil rigs, scrimped and saved, and bought the car with cash. A bunch of us came out of the coffee shop and looked at it. I was impressed but I would’ve bought something different, however, the crowd muttered: ‘Another damned Rambler,’ as they were walking back up the steps to the coffee shop. Even a rancher like my dad called them a Damn Rambler. I almost grew up thinking that ‘Damn Rambler’ was only one word, just like my relatives from way south referring to ‘Damn Yankee.’ AMC sure had a tough row to hoe. It built some of the best muscle machines on the road but still had to fight the “old school marm’s car” attitude. I hope this car gets restored back to its original and well-deserved glory…
Think about this car the next time you hear Kenny Chesney song “I was goin’ as fast as a Rambler goes, I could feel the speed from my head to my toes” .
Well, if he had an original MACHINE I’m sure they’d have needed to increase the tempo of the song because they went like Jack, the Bear!
Had one RWB, in high school, my buddy had one too.
His was “Group 19” 4:10 rear, & cam.
Mine was a bit higher mileage.
His was his first car, bought in ’77(?), mine was my second car bought in ’78.
Both 4 speed.
He still has his, & my Machine 390.
I sold mine with a 343 in it(long story)
Mine turned up untouched since ’83. I sold it for $900, they wanted $9000.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7hch0wQD1w
x ac a lee what I wuz thinkin (wid da hot rod lincon) after the geomechs comment.
Sorry, I loved the AMX. Great size, 6.4L, double race stripe, rally gauges. Did U ever see the AMX/3? A Bizzarrii mid engine that wuz almost made 4 usa? Bumper laws AMC dropped the project. This and the orange controls box, sompin bout hemi and thats al I know bout ’em. (well, the eagle awd models and the pre minivan the mpv Summit – that’s more my speed).
chrisful..Yeah, actually saw one(well, just body shell) at the old AMC HQs on Plymouth Rd. in Detroit back in late 1970’s? Early ’80’s??
It was tilted on its side at one of blgs. in the huge, nearly abandoned complex.
Chrysler used it for extra capacity engineering work after AMC had built it’s very cool AMC Center, in nearby Southfield, Mi.
It was there for a few years–Gone now!!
Nice find but hardly worth current bid without the Machine 390 and shifter. Saving grace it has the Machine wheels, hood, and air cleaner flapper. Stick a 401 in it or keep the 360, but it’s not worth 20K
MB If a pos shell rusted out Cuda, Charger, Camaro is worth way more what this is selling for then you don’t get it.
It need a correct engine $10-15 k , interior redone, paint, ad another 20-25k and would only be worth 50-55k when pristine. I have owned enough A MC cars to know.
@Lee. Nope wrong, the Machine 390 was rated at 340 go. Different can, and intake form the standard 390. I owned one.
I said the AMX 390 was 325 hp, not 315 like some other guy said. The Machine 390, Y code is 340 hp and 430 ft lbs torque.
I have owned 3 machines and been into AMCs since about 14 years old (40+ years.). None of that really matters anyway. It was semantics, on your end.
@Lee, sorry, I thought you were suggesting the 390 form an AMX was an acceptable replacement. It’s close but not the same.
The heads were done slightly different also in the early Machines. I believe later all the 390 heads were done the same way, as The Machines.
Your pricing for resto is waaay off. If you pay to have it done it’s still high and doesn’t add up.
Heck, the wheels alone are worth the current auction price.lol
With it’s Rebel name, i would have liked to have seen 1 of these on the Dukes of Hazard, but no jumps please!
Was the Machine or SC/Rambler ever featured in any movies?
The Machine should have gotten the SC/Rambler’s mirrors.
Any magazine race the 2 against each other?
I guess we will never see any AMC dynacorns.
Rebel Machines handled jumps with ease and better than anything Chrysler built. The Dukes of Hazard shows wasted so many Chargers that if Rebel Machines had been trashed at that rate, there would be none left.
BUT, Rebel Machines would not have fallen apart like the General Lee did. I was the subject of many police chases back in the day when it was a sport. Launching over a road crown or a railway track always left the 440 cruisers squashed on the road. The most expensive road kill around. I am far from the only one who would say this. Rebel Machines were a blast to drive like a bandit.
The best of it was that there you were with a car that could be seen for a mile at least and you could still outrun the cops. That’s what made it a sport. Better radios and higher fines ended the fun.
I don’t see how AMC UNI-bodies could be any stonger than Chrysler’s. I remember the early gremlin door hinges rusting away because inner fenders were missing or something. & good luck finding a ’68 Javelin.
I can’t figure out how this Machine’s oil filler pipe & coil could be so rusty. The coil still works? lol
body and style are great, although odd to see such a short shifter . Puzzling to see the rusty engine and contrast between it and the body. Mount a dash tach and new shifter and you have a enhanced interior.
Multiple AMC owner here including a pair of SC/Ramblers in A and B scheme,along with many other brands.Really nice,correct Machines go for 25-30k all the time.This one is 40 grand from that point.Worth saving of course,but not at this price .
The grille is the wrong style the original has a red/white and blue strip and the grille has no chrome it was all black. The grille matches the SST of the same year.
Still kicking my as for letting an Orange Machine slip away but the guy did say he wanted to keep it for his boys. Trouble was the tank was gone rusted and he was down on the fact he couldn’t find one. He did move away but I didn’t ask or check the mail box for a forward address…..that was in the early 90’s and his car hadn’t been trashed – and my favorite color !
I don’t think anyone makes a new gas tank for these intermediates & who know how many other AMC cars.
I guess maybe start with a cheap new early mustang or camaro tank & “make” it fit.
Great patriotic statements both cars pictured above are.
& i bet a lot of these rebels(modernized) could have been sold(before Corona), like Challenger.
More than Camaro i bet.
Tho please no smaller side windows!!
There are gas tanks around, you just have to look. All Rebels, Matadors and Ambassadors used the same tank.
There are lots of gas tanks around still. All Ambassadors Matadors used them and they were made for 11 years.
Big day for AMC fans, neat one here and as I said about the 360SC Hornet, something you don’t see everyday……unless of course you own one.
Saw a picture once of a prototype for the Machine. Not a fastback and it reminded me a little of a ’67 SS396 Chevelle. Looked better than this style, more aggressive.
They are quick, as I was told at the age of seventeen by a co worker, he said Rebel, slight pause, then called it the machine. Fastest car in the town he grew up in. Faster than his 396 ElCamino, which I was quizzing him on all day.
A bit ratty for that for kinda dough…
Yes the grille is wrong and expensive to replace but the chrome on it correct and valuable.
The grilles were all black. The RWB (25A) cars had the RWB graphics applied on the bottom.
The Red, White and Blue designation flagged the Red Streak graphic elements, white was the paint and blue was the paint and the last blue stripe element over the rear quarters and the trunk lid.
The “white” centre stripe was not white. It was beige. That’s how you know the stripe kit on this car is not original. Also, the stripes are spaced too far apart.
In the dark, the beige stripe glows white when lighting hits it.
The accepted reason the Charger was used in the Dukes of Hazard was because there were so many available to destroy. There were never enough Machines to be able to readily procure them for the stunts.
Compared to a Rebel, those Chargers are pretty flimsy. Those of us who were chased by the police back in the day knew to jump the railroad tracks to lose the cops. Their cars were a mess after the crash landing.
Machines with header got dents in the bottom upon impact, Stock Machines suffered no damage at all.
Chargers of course were even weaker than the four door cruisers the police used. So the stunts in the tv shows chewed up a lot of them.
The magazines didn’t race the Machine against the SC/Rambler for a few reasons.
The magazines existed to sell new cars.
So the was no financial upside to pitting two very low selling cars from the least popular auto maker against each other.
The cars were in different classes due to weight.
A stock SC/Rambler was going to beat a Machine every time unless the SC/Rambler driver was incompetent.
If it were a race demanding great handling, The Machine would have won with equally skilled drivers.
Another thing I just noticed is that the front of the hood is bent due to the accident that must have destroyed the grille.
As for AMC unibodies being stronger than Chrysler’s, comes down to inner structure. AMC built a lot of interior strapping, gussets, braces and so on into their bodies that don’t exist in Chryslers. That’s why Chrysler products sound like tin cans when you close the trunk lid for instance and why they collapsed when landing after a high jump.
As for rust, no American car was impervious. But Fords were a lot worse than most.
Design had a lot to do with it too. The way the side windows and front fenders were designed guaranteed rust, but the design dictated the speed at which salt and rust ate your car.
Was this car originally titled in Findlay, Ohio?