AMC generated uneven success with its attempts to enter the pony and muscle car markets, starting with the Javelin and the AMX, and following up with the SC/Rambler. As flamboyant and fast as these models were, AMC still labored under its conservative image. It wanted to break into a younger echelon of buyers. Aiming for something like the SC/Rambler but in road car guise seemed plausible. So in 1970, The Machine arrived. The new model was a heavily modified Rebel two-door hardtop, with graphics and performance parts designed by Hurst. The new car was seriously quick – reaching 60 mph in about 6.5 seconds. Despite its credentials, only 2326 examples were made, with the first 1000 painted Frost White with bold blue and red stripes. Here on craigslist is a well-tended Rebel The Machine priced at $69,000 and located in Englewood, Colorado. Thanks to T.J. for the great tip!
The Machine was equipped with AMC’s 390 cu. in. V8 with upgraded internals, a redesigned intake and exhaust, fed by a four-barrel Motorcraft carburetor. The compression ratio came in at 10:1, and output registered 340 hp and 430 lb-ft of torque at 3600 rpms. The functional ram-air hood scoop and hood-mounted tach reinforce the car’s performance credentials. This example features a four-speed manual, but an automatic was also available. The condition of the underside and the engine bay are a notch above the typical Cars ‘N Coffee show. Send this car to the Forest Grove Concours!
The Machine’s order sheet included several options ranging from tilt steering, air conditioning, cruise control – even a “service kit” for the engine that could boost output to 400 hp. The bucket seats here are augmented with a red/white/blue armrest and “buddy seat”. The kick panel and carpet on the passenger’s side could use some attention – just a clean-up and re-fitment.
The original The Machine steel wheels have been refinished, and the paint is quite nice. A minor misalignment of the driver’s door can likely be fixed by fiddling with shims and bolts. This car, VIN A0M190Y205709, was sold by Mecum at its Dallas auction in 2024 for $71,500, so now two years later, the seller recognizes he’s going to have to take a discount. But this sale, also in 2024 at $55k, and another sale of this show-quality The Machine one year later at $46,200 hint that the Mecum sale was an outlier on the high side. This is one of my favorite AMCs, but I’d wait for a better opportunity; what do you think?
What a gorgeous car ! …The price maybe high but where are you going to find another one for sale that is in this mint
shape ? You can always talk him/her down.
I had never heard of the “service kit” or pack so I went and did some reading. Apparently, AMC farmed some performance work out to their dealers due to lack of factory floor space. I learned something new. Thanks!
Despite being a brief owner of a Pacer with bad valves in my youth, I was never into AMC. I have come to appreciate them more as the years go by.
Oh, this car is cool but beyond what I’d be willing to spend on a non daily driver.
The AMC 390 was very potent in stock form. I found that out in my brothers ’69 Javelin SST.
Someone removed the air conditioning from under the hood. That would have added to the value of this car if it had been retained.
I’m wondering if the car ever had AC, ’cause IIRC the heater-defroster controls would have a fourth up-and-down lever. A three lever arrangement was only used in non-AC vehicles. There would also be a louver in the dash pad above the instrument cluster with AC. Then again, the memory may be playing tricks.
This is one clean AMC Machine! I like it!
I was a dyed in the wool GM man and more specifically Chevy in that day but genuinely appreciated these cars when they made their debut. Time has only intensified that appreciation. What a fine specimen!
The Rebel Mo-Shien! What a great looking car with the right stuff. I’d only fault them for that kooky dash, but it is what it is.
Gotta love the excitement of buying at a Mecum auction, where the motto is “Of course it’ll go up!”.
If he takes it back to Mecum, he takes at least a 10% seller fee haircut, plus the real risk of it selling at $60k, so this price saves him some money.
The owner surely knows he’s now standing at the top of a double black diamond.
At this price and this condition, it’s a trailer queen. You can’t risk anything happening to it, or it becomes a huge loss instead of a manageable loss.
Probably why he wants out of it.
My father was an AMC guy… when he went to buy a new 1970 AMC, I went with him. My 13 yo self tried to convince him to buy The Machine, but he overruled me. We came home with an olive green station wagon.
Just picture this color scheme on a wagon… Missed opportunities.
this a neat AMC for sure. IMO, they paid too much for it to start with now they may take a hard-hit if they do sell.
Do you still have yours Mainly Muscle?
NICE!!
It’s kind of an oddball of a vehicle. I think AMC built it solely to only make a statement (we’re hip!), because the AMX, Javelin or especially The SC Rambler (Rambler Scrambler) with the same drive train would blow it away simply because this is a bigger heavier barn door of a car. I think AMC made one-to-many hot cars that year.