History Muscle Cars: AMC Rebel “The Machine”

With the Javelin and AMX, AMC improve its image in terms of performance vehicles, but not present in the segment of larger vehicles, the real muscle cars like the Pontiac GTO or Plymouth Road Runner. It is a derivative of the Rebel that will devolve this task, with a name worthy of a film series Z: The Machine …

AMC had already rubbed it in 1969 to market with the S / C Rambler, more powerful version of the Rambler, but goes further in 1970 with the Rebel, which became “The machine, designed in collaboration with Hurst. It was unveiled to the press October 16, 1969, but made his public debut Oct. 25 during the final of world championship racing dragster organized by the National Hot Rod Association in Dallas. The dragster will be one of the key points of this marketing machine and the manufacturer wanted the first 1000 copies are only available in white with blue stripes and white. In reality, only the first 300 will be equipped with this decoration, the catalog was then enriched with more traditional colors, but with the hood painted black. The style elongated coupe Rebel with its imposing C-pillar and the rear overhang is also enriched with endless air intake on the hood, not artificial. The tachometer is also located on the hood. On board, 6 occupants can sit on two benches, and only one logo on the dashboard reminds that one is on board a vehicle with performance very different from those of a good sedan. Under the hood, CMA installs its more powerful engine, a V8 6. 4 developing 340 hp and above 583 Nm of torque chassis suspension adopts a qualified Heavy Duty, and AMC gives it a more aggressive under the rear shock absorbers with the installation of more farms in the estate version of the Rebel . A choice that will last long as most owners, dissatisfied with the behavior of the vehicle, change the shock absorbers to benefit from the more conventional, coupe and sedan. The transmission is a manual 4-speed Borg Warner T10. 2. 326 copies will be assembled before its disappearance at the end of the year 1970.

Photos: CarType and MoparMuscle Read also:
- History of Muscle Cars: Introduction
- History of Muscle Cars: AMC AMX
- History of Muscle Cars: AMC Javelin