Model Page
AMC Rebel Machine
Production Run: |
2,326 |
|---|---|
Production Date: |
1969-1970 |
Engine: |
390cu (6.4) AMC V8 |
Built: |
Kenosha, Wisconsin (USA) |
0-60: |
6.4 Secs |
Max Speed: |
127 Mph |
Launched in 1970 the AMC Rebel Machine was released as AMC’s alternative to Plymouth’s Road Runner muscle car. The Machine was a joint development between America Motor Company and Hurst Performance and was based on the mid sized Rebel platform, fitted with a 390 cu (6.4 litre) V8 engine that generated in excess of 340 bhp the vehicle powered from 0-60 in just 6.4 seconds.
The Plymouth Roadrunner had been introduced in early 1968, the Halo effect of the vehicle giving its range of vehicles a healthy sales boost. The idea of AMC introducing their own high performance vehicle was first proposed in June of 1968, the prototype vehicle was a 1969 Rebel Coupe was finished in black (including the wheels) and was not fitted with any spoilers or air scoops, on the bumper was a unique decal showing two cogs “chewing” out the “The Machine”.
Dealers were informed of the vehicle through a letter written by William Pickett – the AMC Vice President on 5th August 1969 – and contained the basic car specifications such as the engine size and the vehicles finish being all white with red and blue decals. It was not until later on in the year on October 16th that the vehicle was announced to the press shortly before making its debut appearance at the Drag Race World Championship finals at Dallas in Texas on 25th October 1969. Each AMC dealer was asked to display one Rebel Machine in pride of place in their showrooms with the manufacturer believing that the vehicle would draw in customers of other marques to the showrooms.
The vehicle was a collaborative development between Hurst Performance, a company that specialised in manufacturing performance parts for muscle cars, strangely once production had commenced the connection was not widely publicized.
The Rebel Machine was equipped with AMC’s 390 cubic inch V8 motor (6.4 litres) that had been developed in the early 1960’s, the unit was modified from the standard 390 and came equipped with upgraded cylinder heads, more durable high performance camshafts and valve train and upgraded intake manifold and exhaust system. The engine was fuelled through a single four barrel Motorcraft 4300 carburettor and run a compression ratio of 10.0:1 that necessitated the use of high octane fuel, as standard a Ram-Air induction system with a vacuum controlled butterfly valve, provided up-rated engine breathing. In all other AMC applications the engine developed 325bhp but for the Rebel Machine output was boosted to 340 bhp @ 5,100 rpm and a massive 430 lb/ft of torque at 3,600 rpm.
The model was equipped with heavy duty suspension that was incredibly stiffly sprung, in fact the Machine was one of the stiffest sprung vehicles on the market. This setup included coil springs with control arms at the front assisted by an anti roll bar and at the rear a live sprung rear axle with heavy duty springs taken from the Rebel Station Wagon giving the car an elevated rear end.
Standard fit to the Rebel Machine was a Borg-Warner T10 four speed manual gearbox with Hurst floor mounted gear shifter or optional fit Borg Warner Automatic transmission. Power assisted disc brakes were fitted to the front of the vehicle whilst drum brakes were installed at the rear.
The AMC Rebel Machine was released for the 1970 model year at a price of $3,457, based on the restyled 1970 Rebel Coupe the first 1,000 vehicles manufactured were all finished in white finished with red and blue decals, once this number had been exceeded AMC made the vehicle available in any of the AMC range of colours complete with a matt black section on the bonnet and no decals. Each vehicle was completed with mag style steel 15” x 7” wide steel wheels shod with Goodyear Polyglas tyres with white lettering.
The Facts
Engine: |
GEN-2 AMC Short-Deck V8 |
|---|---|
Capacity: |
390cu / 6,391cc |
Valves: |
16 |
Compression Ratio: |
10.0:1 |
Fuel System: |
4 Bbl Motorcraft 4300 Carburettor |
Maximum Power: |
340 bhp @ 5,100 Rpm. |
Maximum Torque: |
430 lb/ft @ 3,600 Rpm. |
Transmission: |
4 Speed Borg Warner T10 Manual Gearbox 3 Speed Borg Warner Automatic |
Top Gear: |
- |
Brakes: |
Powere Assisted Front Discs / Rear Drums |
Kerb Weight: |
1658 Kg |
Max Speed: |
127 Mph |
0-60: |
6.4 Secs |
