American Motors resurrected the Rebel nameplate in 1967 to replace the Classic moniker. It was still AMC’s mid-size offering and would be branded as a Rambler only in ’67. From 1968 to 1970, it would be the AMC Rebel, itself replaced by the Matador in 1971. This beautiful 1970 Rebel STT has been mechanically renewed with the rest considered at least driver quality or better. There are traces of the one-year Rebel Machine in the SST’s appearance.
The Rebel SST was probably on a competitive par with the Chevy Chevelle Malibu. But production numbers weren’t even close with just 6,573 Rebel SST hardtops built in 1970. I remember being drawn to the styling of these cars and when I was a youth, I had a box full of AMC sales literature, including the Rebel (alas, that stuff has long since disappeared). The VIN on the seller’s car correctly decodes this as an SST with a 290 hp version of the 360 cubic inch V8, the largest displacement available except for the 390.
Probably the big news for this Rebel is that a bunch of stuff has been rebuilt in the last 1,000 miles. That includes the engine, automatic transmission, and rear end. The brakes are also newer with a front disc conversion having been done. And, finally, the suspension was rebuilt down to the coil springs, shocks, and bushings. A set of Torq-Thrust wheels were installed with rubber donuts supplied by Cooper.
But there’s more! The interior is new, and the speedometer has been rebuilt, reflecting 82,000 miles which may or may not be correct. While it looks great in the photos, we’re told the paint that was reapplied at some point was not top-notch and has a few flaws along with chips and dings. But the guys and gals at Cars & Coffee probably won’t care much because they may have never seen an AMC Rebel SST. If you’re looking for a solid-running and very presentable driving machine from the 1970s, this car can be found in Butler, Pennsylvania, and is available here on eBay where bidding has taken the ante to $26,400.
Nice one Russ, thanks for showing!
Love the more obscure and less popular classics. Mustang and Camaro fatigue is real :) but I still love ’em.
This one looks sharper than The Machine
I mean no disrespect to Matt^^, another member, thumbs up, but we lived with that stigma, “obscure and less popular”. Let’s back up a tad, shall we? The 1957 Rambler Rebel, I believe, was the fastest US production car except for the Corvette. A title it didn’t keep for long, but it was our moment in the sun. We pretty much did have obscure and less popular cars, until the late 60s when these hit the scene. AMC had a performance blitz that was 2nd to none. Anyone know who was responsible for that? Was it Teague? I read, this car would do 0-60 in 7.4 seconds and the 1/4 in 15.4. Again, not the fastest, but no slouch either. With as ignored as these great cars were, it only stands to reason, the only ones left are the ones people really loved. This is no exception. This car is only a few boxes on the order sheet from being a “Machine”. I know, I laugh at names like VW Thing, or Lancia Hyena, the Machine was pretty low brow too, but the cars were built by my friends parents and neighbors, and they had a lot of pride in their work, even though, the cars really were obscure and less popular. We never thought that, however. It’s a beautiful car, and as nice as it is, it was clearly loved and must be tough to let it go.
Thumbs up thing ain’t working or I’d give you one Howard
Good write up Dixon.
What a Wisconsin ride Howard. Love this car. These 4-Barrel versions put out 395lb/ft. 🔥
2.87 standard ⚙️ rear gear.
What a sweet highway cruiser 😎
I’m trying to forget about the ’71 4 dr only Plymouth Cricket.
That’s an odd color.Was it a factory color.
I like it,but I don’t.
I’m odd,but think it would look cool in a bright
metallic Lime Green color,with Machine stripes in
different colors.
“UP WITH THE REBEL MACHINE!”
Man, this color and those stripes. Is it lowered a little bit? I like how it sits. Very nice interior, egine detailed nicely. It’s a shame I didn’t win the lottery this weekend, because this one checks a LOT of boxes for me.
This car is in amazing shape. Most of these were recycled by the end of the decade.
Looks super! I like these a lot better than the later Matador Coupe. Unfortunately since I didn’t win the lottery this month either I’ll have to let this one go.
I love this car! Was it a standard color? I’ve only seen these in white.
Yes this is one of 14 standard colours with 2 more added after the colour chart was published. It is the original colour. I had a Machine that same colour. To this day, I don’t know which green it is for sure though.
In 1970, white was the most popular colour (white isn’t considered a colour, it’s a shade) followed by olive green which, when you get right down to it, this car is. It has a lot of metal flake in it and in person it looks pretty good. My mother had a 69 Rebel SST in that colour. Only a 6, but pretty quick regardless.
Yes, it’s factory color P90 Golden Lime Met. It was more prevalent on the AMX’s and Javelins. It is a BEAUTIFUL color.
This SST is a great example of what could be done with a Rebel that did not start out in life as a Machine. The SST production run didn’t include any 4 speed cars. But Car Craft (November 1969 edition) tested a mule the previous summer, prior to the production run as near as we can figure. It had a 390 in it and a four speed transmission, Twin Grip (posi) and 3:54 gears. It was the intake and exhaust manifolds short of being an actual Machine. In the quarter it did 14.5 at 98.37 according to the journalist who was at the wheel. The Machine, on product launch day at Dallas, Texas, International Speedway only posted 14.4. There were significant reasons for the Machine’s poor showing that have never been acknowledged since by the press, but what the SST’s numbers showed was that the SST could easily be made into a Machine and run in the mid-13s which is what a Rebel Machine with the production mistakes eliminated would do.
The only difference between the two was the intake and the exhaust manifolds. In testing with the optional Service Package, Machines ran in the 12s as tested by the rodder and Super/Stock magazines and Superstock Magazine – both published by Martyn Schorr of Baldwin Motion fame, who is no fan of AMC. Believe it or not, to achieve those numbers, one of the corrections that had to be made was to either install air bags (also optional) or change the station wagon springs in the Machine to the softer springs standard in the SST.
One of the reasons these cars remain popular to this day is that they are so easy to work on. AMC intended that backyard mechanics be able to improve the performance of their cars on their own and many owners today do just that. Especially now since you can find almost anything online. Even better is the AMC network of owners willing to help that as a group is the largest of any marque. When you buy an AMC, with a bit of online sleuting, you find yourself welcomed to this vast community. Too bad it didn’t exist as it is while AMC was still in business.
The interior shown here is identical to that of a Machine with the exception of the dash overlay which looks far superior to that of the plain grey plastic in the Machine. Those bucket seats were the most acclaimed seating of any car according to journalists who tested them in 1970. Today, they are just as comfortable as the were then. Nothing else I’ve ever sat in comes close.
Something rarely mentioned in articles about muscle cars is the overall handling characteristics. Rebels, in my opinion, are the best handling intermediate cars ever made. They corner, stop and accelerate with aplomb. This car is, I believe equipped with the same four caliper disc brakes and the stiffer front coil springs the Machine has. I think this car has them too. Nothing stops better built in that era. One reason for that is because these cars are so well balanced front to back. They ride like a dream and handle like a dream.
This owner spared nothing on this build. I’m saddened that he’s selling it but the next owner is going to get a fabulous car.
Nice car, that being said, no way on God’s green earth is a STOCK Rebel Machine turning mid-13’s……keep dreaming……
I prefer the S/C Scrambler 4spd just because one of my friends bought one new and he put his gas station money in to the upgrades. We all worked at the gas station one time or another, it was so we could work on our cars at night using the hoist and tools.
Very nice presentation and attention to detail on this on. I believe this shade was called “Golden Lime.” Kudos to the builder for resisting the temptation to include a color change with the other modifications, and kudos for finding appropriate contrasting colors for the stripes.
BTW… Butler is near Pittsburgh, and if you want to see for yourself where most of the “only in Walmart” pics are taken, visit the Butler Walmart.
John, I couldn’t agree with you more. I have a 70 AMX and I am a member of the AMO and GLCAMC Club. The AMC Forum is full of guys willing to help with answers to any questions you may have. I find us AMC owners are a tighter group than any other car manufacturer club. Just my opinion.
Dare To Be Different and Too Cool To Be Forgotten.
One of these days, I swear I will own an AMC car. This one is sweet, but the timing is wrong. The ’67 Marlin in Cincinnati got away, the east coast ’79 Spirit AMX 304, 4 spd got away, somethings going to pop soon, I can tell!
Over the years I owned three Ambassadors and enjoyed them all very much. If the money comes in I’d love to own another.
I had an aunt and uncle on my mother’s side this time who always had Nash’s and Rambler’s. At the time, being around 6 to 8 years old I didn’t like them or appreciate them. I thought they were ugly and weird. Especially since I had already become a Cadillac Diva.
Over the years as I was approaching legal driving age I started to like them a little. The AMC American was still a little Rambler to me, but the Javlin and AMX were very cool. As was the Marlin (the Ambassador based 1967)
My sister’s boyfriend had a AMC Machine in 1970 after she totalled the ’68 Road Runner. Pretty cool cars IMO.
This one is a beauty in gold. I love the roofline and the taillights in the rear bumper as most 1970 & ’71 cars had.
I always wonder what AMC cars would look like today had they not been sold to Chrysler and junked like some old torn up worn out sofa.
It had already been junked by the time Renault acquired them. They began selling retreaded Renaults since all that was left were Eagles, CJs and the new Cherokee. We’re fortunate to have what is left. BTW, this is an awesome looking car.
@Nelson C
You got that right. I worked at an AMC/Renault dealer for a short time in the 80s.
Renault ruined AMC and the only thing
Chrysler was interested in was Jeep.
Then, Chrysler was bought up by Stalantis and we’re lucky we still have Dodge and Ram.
But now we have no Challenger or Charger – very stupid – for sales – to discontinue ’em before something else was READY to replace em.
What amazes me is that Dodge could have tooled up a 2 door Charger 15 yrs ago – probably in just a week or so – & never did.
Really nice car and wouldn’t be ashamed to own it ! Just sold one of those scoops a month back and it went to the West coast….
Sold for $26,700!