American Motors had some success in the muscle car market, with products like the original AMX (1968-70) and the SC/Rambler (1969). When it came to the mid-size market, they had a one-year wonder in the form of The Machine, based on the Rebel 2-door hardtop. The cars were flashy in appearance and were built in limited quantities (2,300 to 2,400 copies). This is one of them, a nice red-white-and-blue example that’s been partially restored (reading between the lines of the seller’s description). Located in Diamond Springs, California, this nifty find is available here on eBay where it will take more than $40,100 to get past the reserve.
The Machine is best remembered for one of its paint schemes, the one you see here. But not all of them came that way as they could also be had in blue paint without the crazy stripes. Examples like the seller’s automobile resemble that of a rolling U.S. flag, in some respects. The car came with a functional scoop built into the hood along with a tachometer. Below it was a 390 cubic inch V8 engine with a 4-barrel carburetor that is estimated to have output 340 horses.
This is a well-equipped Machine with power steering and power front disk brakes, Air Command, and a 4-speed manual transmission. The engine was rebuilt and repainted about 10 years ago and may have only traveled 2,000 miles since. The suspension (fore and aft) was redone more recently (2020). As a result, we’re told the AMC runs and drives well. We’re not sure if the paint and stripes are original on most of the car, but we do know that the quarter panels on both sides were replaced, so a partial respray is present.
The indicated mileage is barely over 31,000, which suggests this car was only brought out occasionally once the newness wore off. In some circles, The Machine is considered a holy grail car with performance fans, but that would most likely be within the American Motors bandwidth. These are vehicles that are seldom seen because their production numbers were minuscule compared to the Pontiac GTO or Chevelle SS 396.
Although the red, white and blue is what these are best known for they did come in a range of other colors where they then received a partial black hood treatment. Blue was not the only optional color. The 390 got a redesign for 1970 with an updated head design. This bumped the output from 315 hp to 325 hp. The predecessor had rectangular exhaust ports like a small block chevy. 1970 brought what was referred to as the dog leg ports. Think of a Christmas stocking in shape. They provided better flow and on top of that the Rebel Machines received a special grind camshaft that was not available in the AMX or Javelin hence the 340 hp. Something not typically known is that the 360, 390 and 401 had a forged rotating assembly from factory. Despite being #4 AMC had some punch in the fight. This one seems like a nice piece.
Some Rebel Machines were red with shadow mask. 360 motors did not have forged crank & rods. Rebel machine did not have a special camshaft. What it did have were slightly better exhaust manifolds and a modified intake manifold. The Group 19 cam had .477 lift & 302 duration. It was available for any AMC V8.
Does anyone remember those red white and blue factory track ready Trans Am AMX’s . Very rare.l would think they were rarer than the machine? and factory built for one thing. Racing. Opinion.
I say “Go for it!” – if you’ve got the money, lots of it. BUT – it IS RARE AND AWESOME! I would definitely be interested in this car compared to a lot of other cars that seem to pop up ALL THE TIME. This one is cool and I love it! Just the way it is. The problem is my wallet doesn’t! Hopefully it goes to a good place/ home. Good luck. Great article!
What is Air Command ?
Command Air was ordering an air conditioner type vent system but no underhood AC parts.
Basically it would include dash vents the non AC cars came with.
Easier to add AC later.
Had one 70 Machine dark blue 390 with automatic
This is a beautiful Machine 390 with a 4 speed. This is the top for AMC guys and girls.. Growing up I seen these in my area told my Dad that’s a cool ride. My father called it a Hippie car!! 😂 If I own it I would be very proud going to shows knowing I would have the only one around. This ride is like a blue chip investment. The mileage being low 31,000 and it was rebuilt not to long ago and am guessing reserve is at $50,000 or higher! I really hope it goes to a good home and enjoy it.. 🇺🇸🐻🇺🇸
One of a kinds can fetch crazy top dollar prices. 68-70 were the pinnacle years for car designers, what the racing world did the auto manufacturers followed suit and vice versa. Miss those days, America was great back then
My neighbor in high school had one. I was his mechanic. We beat everything we raced. Ladder reaction bars. 390 4 speed Hurst 4.11 gears. This car pulled the wheels off the ground. Most incredible car I ever worked on!
My mom was the secretary at Ronco AMC in Bangor Pa and they had a dark green machine. I was washing the new cars at the time and when I finished my mom wanted to back it out of the bay and she crunched the right front fender! Nice car, just dark green with a black interior. So you could get them in other colors.
Why would both quarter panels be replaced with less than 32k on the odometer?
simple… rust doesn’t accumulate based on mileage, or it got whacked and the repairs rusted off.
nice looking ride. the more of these amc rides i see here on bf, the more i like them.
A.G., I’ll make the assumption that you didn’t grow up anywhere that they salt the roads in the snowy winter.
Cars from the 70’s and older were rotted after just a few years, regardless of miles.
Having gone to college in NH and grad school in Boston I am familiar with rust. Every winter was a different fifty or hundred dollar beater. I had considered rust as a reason for replacing the quarters but rust damage wouldn’t be exclusive to just those panels.
This is one of those many times where the seller is a bit thin on details. Panel replacement isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It could have been done to avoid the use of patch panels. That would be an unmentioned selling point.
Had a 69 SCRambler that I bought new when I was in the Navy. Purchased at Viti Bros AMC.
Shipped our to Vietnam and sold the car back to Viti Bros. Gave my friends with GTOs and 396s a run for their money. Really miss that car. My soon to be wife doesn’t miss the “Clown Car” at all.
Hello Jim, thank you for your service. Nice short story. I was 15 years old back in ’69 and grew up in rural America. I miss those days. America Bless God.
Great car. I hope that it finds a good home.
Went to a local car show this weekend and saw not 1, but 2 AMC Rebels at the show, and in upstate NY ( pronounced Rust Haven) to boot. I’d upload a pic but I’m not yet a member here.
This car was completely restored in 2013, quarters replaced and a full paint. The intake, exhaust, carb and wheels are all original Machine only parts. This car will not go anywhere for $40k… only 1000 red white and blue cars were made.
I had a metallic blue 4 speed one, it was stolen, recovery, driven into salt water up to door handles. Yanked engine and 4speed, rebuilt both and install in my friends 72 Gremlin. Was a street terror with only LS6 as real threat. Unfortunately the body was not salvageable with the technology of early 70’s and everything else except the rear axel went to junkyard.
Somebody forgot to mention the 57 Rebel, it was supposedly the fastest car around that year. As if things weren’t already crazy enough, now we have $50,000 Ramblers in the mix. I’d like to know where all these people are getting all this money to aquire all these insanely priced cars these days, I’ve never bought a lottery ticket, maybe I should start. Or maybe I’d be more interested in the 60 Dodge pickup in the background
After my sister totalled her 1968 Road Runner, in 1970 her boyfriend got her a 1970 Rebel Machine, painted like this one. 4 on the floor, all the hot rod stuff. He was a bit of a jerk. At the time I was embarrassed to be seen in it, what with the red, white & blue stripes, loud exhaust and him constantly burning rubber with it. Come to think of it, he was more than a little bit of a jerk.
You will certainly stand out at most car shows.It is usually a 100 to 1 ratio.One AMC to about every hundred Ford,GM and Mopar.Maybe lucky to see even one AMC at most
I never had a ‘performance’ AMC, but this one REALLY trips the lights fantastic ! (had a few AMC Eagle wagon 4x4s, later in life for my work and they were really rugged)
I do remember when these first arrived and saw a couple at the dealership; mesmerized was a young high school kid with stars in his eyes. AMX in their Big Bad colors also graced the floor then across the street the MOPAR dealership had their Runners, Chargers, Cudas, Challengers. Friday nights were spent cruising Broadway then stopping by to dream on the way back to the farm ……
I love the presentation and wish the seller all the best in his sale.
Of course I love it & a AMC fan but not 40 k loving AMC! It does have the super rare weather eye A/C ! I think someone was calling it a Air Commsnd & that might be accurate but I have only heard weather eye
What could be more American than red white & blue colors, & the manufacturer’s name!
I don’t think the Machine(let alone Scrambler) was ever on a TV show or movie, but should have been at least on the Dukes of Hazard.
IMO. it would have even been a less controversial, tho still appropriate alternative car for the Dukes to drive &, oops, jump.
I had a friend that had one that was Big Bad Orange, He bought it at Ralph Williams Rodeo Motors in Calgary.