I really liked these cars since I got a Johnny Lightning model Rebel Machine as a kid. I know the Rebel Machine is a rare one year model but how hard would it be to create a replica from a regular coupe and what are the differences other then the 390 engine?
Ooooh oooh! Pick me, pick me! The Rebel Machine was a Rebel 2-door Coupe with the AMX 390, either a TF727 or a T-10 4-Speed, and a Twin-Grip rear. They could be had in any of the standard Rebel colors with a blacked-out hood w/scoop or in the crazy signature AMC Red/White/Blue.
They are pretty easy to "clone" as all you really need visually is the hoodscoop, which is readily available. Many AMC people have made 68 and 69 Machines, and even Machine wagons. The 71 got a little awkward in styling and is often not used. AMC themselves did make a 71 Matador Machine though.
Javelin wrote:
I like this one.
My Dad had a '69 Rebel. I remember the dealer had a Machine in the showroom. I tried hard to get him to buy it, but he ended up buying a regular rebel with a 290 V-8 (He also passed up a 428 CJ Torino, although at least we test drove that beast). It was painted a really bright blue, much like Ford Grabber blue, and we got a lot of attention in it. I always thought it was a really good looking car and would make a great Hot Rod. Unfortunately, by 1971 it was totally rusted out and my Dad sold it for $500. So they had rust issues, but it's not likely an issue with any surviving Rebel now.
bravenrace wrote: My Dad had a '69 Rebel. ...by 1971 it was totally rusted out and my Dad sold it for $500.
Three years from new to totally rusted out? Wow! That's remarkable, even for the bad old days.
bludroptop wrote:bravenrace wrote: My Dad had a '69 Rebel. ...by 1971 it was totally rusted out and my Dad sold it for $500.Three years from new to totally rusted out? Wow! That's remarkable, even for the bad old days.
In the pre-undercoating and galvanizing world that was extremely common for all manufacturers, especially in areas that salted roads and coastal areas.
In the pre-undercoating and galvanizing world that was extremely common for all manufacturers, especially in areas that salted roads and coastal areas.
Well, you are right about that. The '71 Ford Country Squire he replaced the Rebel with didn't last long either, and Ford bought it back because they were found to be using cheap Japanese metal. Seems kind of funny now that Japanese products are considered a good thing. But really, the Rebel should have lasted longer than that. We had bondo in it before it was 2 years old.
Sorry man, no car lasted that long back then, especially in salt and snow. In 1970 (or 71?) AMC introduced the first 1-year warranty to include rust protection and really gave a shot at keeping corrosion at bay. My grandfather told me stories of getting a "new" (beater) car every winter in Connecticut from 58-68 because by the end of the winter they had rusted into pieces.
Hmm. His '60 Chevy lasted 5 years and had very little rust on it when he sold it. His '65 Rambler wagon made it to 1971 with less rust than the Rebel had at that same time. I know all cars rusted back then, but really, IMO that Rebel rusted way too fast, but you can make up your own mind. I think it had like 25k on it when we sold it, and about a month after selling it the guy that bought it tried to force my Dad to buy it back. It was worse than the average car, no doubt about that in my mind. But I'm not trying to talk it down, I'm just stating the facts. If I found one in good shape now I'd probably buy it, so don't take it so personally. 
my parents bought a brand new Chevy Custom Delux 10 pickup... within a year it had rust spots and within two, my father was cutting out and patching the sills, fenders, and even the doors
My dad's 69 Ambassador (fancy Rebel) is rusting out like mad, too. Except it's 2011 and not 72! 
It was actually pretty clean when he bought it some 12 years ago and we had it Maaco'd. Except he lives in Florida and drove it on the beach a lot (still does). He's just letting it go quietly and will one day pull the drivetrain and stick it in something else.
The fastest rusting vehicles I've ever seen are Datsun Z's...
Back on topic, find a 2-door Rebel and have a ball! I almost got my hands on a 67 Rebel Convertible at 16 (and I still regret not doing it to this day), which would have been sweet as well, though I wouldn't have done a Machine clone out of it.
So is there much different between the various AMC V-8s. According to wikipedia, there are 3 generations of V8s. Do the engine swap easily from car to car?
The original AMC V8 is the 327 and shares basically nothing with the later ones. Don't worry though as all 67 and later AMC's have the generation that's "famous". It's a mid-block like Pontiac in that all of the engines use the same block and dimensions. Size changes are done purely by bore and stroke. This means a 401 fits in the exact same spot as a 290 or 304 with no changes at all. The "original" version of the engine (from 67-69) has square-port exhausts and came in 290, 343, and 390 ci sizes. In 70 they switched to the far superior "dog-leg" exhaust ports (and also switched intake bolt patterns). The sizing bumped to 304, 360, and the 390 became the 401 in 71. The 290-401 are completely interchangable otherwise, just make sure you keep the intake/heads/exhaust manifolds together. The dog-legs flow significantly better though.
In reply to 93EXCivic:
You should avoid them at all costs. In the interest of public safety you should yell me where it is located to it cannot be a nuisance or danger to the public.
Yeah, that's the ticket.
hey Javelin, thanks for the info. i'm 44 and have been into cars my entire life, and this is the first time I've seen a Rebel Machine not in the classic RWB paint scheme.
In reply to AngryCorvair:
Yeah, and that red one is HOT!
No problem! I will admit to having an unfair upbringing what with my entire family being AMC-heads.
More standard Machine pron:
Commodore Blue
Big Bad Blue!
Built-in hoodscoop tach!
Lime Gold
Yes, Black was even a factory color.
And the 71 Matador Machine. Less than 60 built!
Don't forget to get a 1/18th scale die-cast. Also available as a Standard Matador Red Machine.
"I will admit to having an unfair upbringing what with my entire family being AMC-heads. "
This kind of explains a lot very quickly I think...
A lot of people thought the 327 was a Chevy engine, which of course it was not.
Frankfort, Illinois Thursday night car show last summer. This car just looked right to me and I needed to take a picture.
S/C Rambler 'Scrambler' Very quick little car.
Keep in mind that ALL of the 70 AMCs had the twin ball joint front suspension, whereas the 69 and earlier cars had the old-school trunnion setup. The new style is much peferred for handling.
iceracer wrote: A lot of people thought the 327 was a Chevy engine, which of course it was not.
The Rambler 327 and the 287 were based on the old Packard V8.
A little-known fact is that in 1957, the second quickest accelerating American car, to the Corvette, was a 327 Rebel.
93EXCivic wrote: I really liked these cars since I got a Johnny Lightning model Rebel Machine as a kid. I know the Rebel Machine is a rare one year model but how hard would it be to create a replica from a regular coupe and what are the differences other then the 390 engine?
Getting the itch for a muscle car? Can't blame you there. 
I'm guessing the Charger didn't pan out.
The only bit I can add to what everybody else said was I looked at a Rebel SST about 16 years ago. It was a 290 4-speed. Green with a black interior. Nice car. I was broke so it didn't follow me home.
Since you already have the Johnny Lightning, and the die cast has been pointed out, Jo Han did have a plastic kit for it too:
Those kits are $$$ though 
I've been watching eBay for years and haven't landed a buildable one for under 3 digits yet. Sigh
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