When discussing AMC’s role in the first Musclecar Era, most people discuss the AMX and the Javelin, which were notable for their appearances in Trans-Am racing under drivers like Mark Donahue. Every once in a while the Gremlin X comes up, as one of the cars dreamed up to fly under the radar of the insurance companies. But unless you’re a serious die-hard enthusiast, there is only rare mention of the AMC Rebel Machine. The Machine, based off the standard Rebel, was a one-year-only package, which included a hot version of the 390ci V8, suspension tweaks, and the usual bits and pieces that made a muscle car visually appealing, including a ram air hood scoop, a tach mounted on the hoodscoop, and a slightly raked stance that was caused when springs from the station wagon were installed. While a variety of colors were available, the most well-known combination was a white body with AMC’s red/white/blue striping system. It was a styling change from the original Machine concept, an all-black, no BS street stomper that would scare the hell out of any Road Runner.
Image courtesy of CurbsideClassic.com
This marketing video was made available to AMC dealers as a preparation tool. Like most marketing videos, the narrator keeps hammering on the selling points of the car, which unlike today, were the actual parts of the car a typical gear head would be interested in. Take note of a couple of items: it appears that there is an airbag in the coil spring, which I can’t confirm is legit or something I’m missing details on, and the dealership itself. I’ll let you find that Easter egg for yourself.
Click here to watch AMC’s training video on the Rebel Machine!
Nicest car AMC ever built. But that dealership address! Sign of things to come for AMC.
They were standout Machines, but the only one that cruised the 1970 Mooresville, Indiana Burger Chef was owned by a local rich kid asshole. That’s got nothing to do with the car or it’s performance, but it is the first thing I think of when I see a Machine..
The black prototype has an A12 Roadrunner vibe.