For 1970, American Motors rolled out a bona fide muscle car in every sense of the term, the intermediate-based Rebel Machine.
While it didn’t sell in large numbers, American Motors’ first big swing at the performance market, the 1969 Rambler SC/Rambler, was well-received and generated loads of positive exposure for the automaker. (Read the Mac’s Motor City Garage feature here.) When the compact Rambler American body shell was killed off at the end of the ’69 model year, AMC next took the winning SC/Rambler concept and transplanted it up one class into the mid-sized Rebel platform. With the introduction of the intermediate-based Rebel Machine on October 25, 1969, American Motors now had a bona fide contender in the muscle-car category.
The first 1,000 cars in the Rebel Machine’s production run received red, white, and blue graphics packages in a patriotic motif similar to the SC/Rambler. For the balance of the model run—producing a grand total of 2,326 vehicles, experts say—the standard complement of solid Rebel colors was also available, combined with a satin black hood insert. Muscle-signifying visual elements included a functional fiberglass hood scoop with a built-in external tachometer, styled steel 15×7 wheels and trim rings, and special “The Machine” decal graphics, as shown in this AMC press release photo, above.
Three interior colors were offered, all in Ventilair vinyl with high-back bucket seats. With the 8,000 rpm tachometer mounted out on the hood, the instrument panel was virtually identical to the plain-clothes civilian Rebel. Buyers could choose from a Borg-Warner T-10 four-speed manual with Hurst shifter or a three-speed automatic transmission with console lever. Standard rear-end ratios were 3.54:1 with the four-speed and 3.15:1 for the automatic, and a Dana Twin-Grip limited-slip unit and 3.90:1 ring and pinion could also be had. Heavy-duty springs, shocks, and brakes rounded out the package. The rear leaf springs were said to be station wagon pieces, producing a sporty hot-rod rake.
As with any muscle car, the Rebel Machine was mainly about the powerplant. AMC’s 390 cubic-inch V8, normally rated at 325 hp and 430 lb-ft of torque in ’70, got a boost to 340 hp at 5100 rpm with the addition of the exclusive cold-air package, which featured a giant rubber grommet to seal the air cleaner assembly to the hood. Compression ratio was 10:1, demanding premium fuel to feed the 21.5-gallon tank and Autolite four-barrel carburetor. The 390 wasn’t nearly as fearsome as a 454 LS6 Chevy or a Ford Cobra Jet V8, but it was the most powerful engine in the American Motors portfolio. Engine photo by Christopher Ziemowicz.
True to muscle-car form, the Rebel Machine was offered with a healthy list of options, including air conditioning, AM/FM radio, power steering, and cruise control, all to be stacked onto the $3,475 base price. With the Rebel platform’s longer 114-inch wheelbase and considerably greater curb weight, more than 3,700 lbs, the Machine wasn’t nearly as quick in the quarter-mile as the lightweight SC/Rambler. The magazine road tests reported ETs in the mid-14 second range at around 93 mph—respectable enough for a basic muscle car entry, but hardly earth-shattering. AMC’s brief fling in the performance market was drawing to a close, and the Rebel Machine was a one-year model. When the 1971 models were rolled out to the public, it was gone.
The Machine is one of my favorites. I wish they had built it in 1968 and 1969 with the more attractive roof line.
1971 brought the Hornet SC/360. 285 horsepower with the optional Go Package that included ram air and a 4 barrel. It ran about as quick as the Machine but in a package that was less likely to get you noticed by the police or your insurance company. 784 were built, less than half with a 4 speed / 4 bbl. It didn’t seem too exciting in 1971 but by 1975 it probably would beat a new Corvette.
I remember them well. A good performer for most enthusiasts. Unfortunately there was always a stigma out west with AMC products. They could be the most powerful, best built, toughest cars in America and my hometown crowd would still write them off as ‘Just another Rambler.’ Too bad, really. They were everything they claimed to be….
There were 1971 machines made. They were toned down from 1970. I worked at AMC engineering and the company made unsold 71s available to employees at a huge discount .
There was no 1971 Rebel Machine as the Rebel was discontinued. There was a “Go Machine” option package for the Matador, but it was an option package available on all Matadors, including wagons and 4 doors, not a separate model.