Years ago, I had an aged relative who had never gotten a driver’s license. He used to refer to cars as “machines”, I never once heard him use the words automobile, auto, or car to describe a four rubber-wheeled steel box. Well, if he had seen this 1970 AMC Rebel and called it a ‘Machine” he would have been spot on. Earlier in the week, I covered this 1969 AMC SC/Rambler, AMC’s hi-po offering for ’69, and now we have their ’70 entry in the form of a Rebel-based Machine. This car is in a bit better shape than the Scrambler so let’s check it out. It’s located in Ozark, Missouri and is available, here on eBay for a current bid of $40,450 with the reserve not yet met. There is a BIN price of $75,000 available too.
With just under 2,000 Machines produced, according to Hemmings, most had a red, white, and, blue paint scheme that was as outlandish as the SC/Rambler. Later in the production year, Hemmings further acknowledges that solid color versions were available too. The seller states that he has owned this Machine for about twelve years and managed to amass only 800 miles during that time. He adds, “Nice factory-colored enamel with only a few minor flaws. Blue paint in lower body gas road chips (see pics) Stripes are in very good shape. Chrome is also very nice. Parking and taillight lenses are great“. I will admit that it presents exceptionally well and any imperfections are more than likely due to very minor road rash – even 800 miles of use can’t avoid an errant stone here or there. I had forgotten that these came equipped with a hood-mounted tachometer, a feature that Pontiac made famous. It’s mounted on the rear edge of the hood scoop, a component that actually does channel air into a plenum and then into the air cleaner. Finally, Magnum 500-styled wheels round out the corners and are the perfect kicks for just such a car.
Power comes about thanks to a 340 gross HP, 390 CI V8 engine. In this case, the intake manifold has been replaced with the “dealer installed option of aluminum Edelbrock 4 BBL intake manifold, headers, and a new 600 CFM Holley carb“. Really? I haven’t encountered such options for one of these; does that gel with anyone’s recollection? – the Hemmings review makes no mention. The original components are included in the sale so maybe it was a dealership swap? Anyway, the “Y” designation in the VIN authenticates this engine and a four-speed manual gearbox gets the go to the ground. The seller adds, “The car runs and drives as it should“.
Inside, we find bucket seats separated by a central cushion that features a very patriotic fold-down armrest. The odometer reading is 3,900 miles but there is no claim to authenticity here – and if it were a genuine recording, it would be something to crow about. I mention that because the upholstery appears to have experienced very little usage – and there’s a reason for that as the seller explains, “All new carpet, headliner, seat covers, door panels, and armrests. The mirror needs replacing and the driver’s seat cushion is weak. The dash pad and dash are very nice“. The instrument panel is austere and the horizontal speedometer is not one that I immediately associate with usage in a top-drawer muscle car, but it’s hardly unheard of either.
OK, no doubt about it, there’s no denying this Machine’s fine condition, it’s fabulous! But $75K worth of fabulous? Let’s take that one under advisement and discuss further; what says you?
Very nice AMC but price might be a little high except to a true AMC collector
A LITTLE HIGH?????? Ya think??
High is the key word there.
The broken down drivers seat belies the mileage claim. Unless the original owner weighed 450lbs.
Good point!
JO
I do remember there was a couple of dealer installed options including one that installed 2 x 4 bbl carbs.
Not many out there ! Not many chances to see one for sale !
Price seems high. If you’re an AMC collector and have the
money might be worth the chance to own one.
Look up group 19 in AMC options…
May surprise you.
Edelbrock R4B dual plane manifolds, Edelbrock STR 11 cross ram manifolds,
Plus mega breathing Holley carbs, plus ignition systems, and on and on…
Over the counter bits available at your local AMC dealer
Thx!
JO
Worked as a service intern at the local AMC dealer ’82-83. Group 19 was the best-kept secret since COPO over at GM. A lot of that stuff found it’s way into my 390-transplant Gremlin.
Good info Rock. Good write up J.O.
Love these AMC 4spd rockets. Also like the more versatile front seat offering.
Wow the 2nd Machine in a week. That’s really rare!!! The July 30th top out at $48,000 and it didn’t hit the reserve yet. I was guessing at $50,000 Didn’t sell bid closed. Now this one asking BIN $75,000 well good luck !… The other one was clean also. Maybe the AMC folks don’t want to spend the money since inflation and living cost is way way up. I get it. It’s a lot of green backs. This one won’t sell either. The time is way off until things change in this country. 🇺🇸🐻🇺🇸
Until things change in this country? Like we all get in a time machine and go back to an era when gas was cheap and the outs knew their place?
Until those who are in are shown the way out.
What Rockwreck said: Group 19 hi-perf AMC Dealer installed hardware. Serious stuff.
My 2nd car was a 1970 AMC special edition Javelin SST with the 390 Go Pack stock original from an AMC dealer my dad found.l purchase the car for 1200.00 dollars with the simulated side exhaust and rare aluminum slot wheels.Of course l didn’t know what l had. Awesome car and I sold it to buy a Cadillac, l know don’t say it, man if l only knew then what I know now but I guess you could say that for many of us.
I love an AMC underdog all day long! You rarely see you one of these, especially in good condition. I love it!! Channeling, the Mark Donahue, AMX in SCCA racing!
I believe one of these crossed the block at Mecum for $100,000.
I have a soft spot in my heart for AMC, so I like it, but not at $75K. That’s just too much.
Kenosha cried.
These never got the respect like the big three. Had a friend would drag race , total stock. He had to strengthen the body. It would torque the body pulling the seat bolts out! Ha.
super cool cars, much prefer over just another Mustang or Camaro but this one seems a tad iffy. Stripes painted with a brush? Why bother to vacuum the carpets? I only want $75K.. I know it’s nit picking but when you add in mystery statements like floorboards may have been replaced then there may be more to discover.
Bert Kreischer should buy it. The Machine!
Sorry to say, but way way, overpriced ……the somewhat rarity is the only interest here…..let’s see front seat needs cushion (and possibly another new cover) missing the very hard to find original Machine wheels, rear view mirror might be hard to locate & expensive I’m sure. Who knows what else it needs?…..no way I would pay anywhere near 75k……crazy pricing…
Although I like the machines, the one that caught my eye was the S/C scrambler. That friggin little car flew. I raced against one in my life time, it was a midnight race we used to have and I was pitted against one. Even though I beat him by a fair margin, it was still a quick car.
I must admit, a 3040 lbs car sporting a 390 was quite impressive. And they were very cool looking as well. I’m a sucker for AMC, just because they had the guts to market cool ass cars.
Back in the seventies I was the former president of the Javamx of Orange county California, the car is worth every penny,my 1970 amx had a police intercepted 401 engine with 727 trany and a 3/4 cam,I used to lift the front wheels off the ground.
Where was the rest of the cam…the other 1/4 ?
The car, or the tow truck?
For 75k it should have the correct wheels….
Beauty is most certainly in the eye of the beholder.
I like the car.
But……..there are many cars and other things that 75 grand can buy!
Good luck to the seller.
It’s a Torino so… Yeah dime a dozen
????