Say what you will about the American way of life in the early 1970s, but one word you couldn’t describe it with is “subtle” or “understated.” This was especially true when it came to elaborate displays of unquestioning patriotism. But heck, in its defense, this did make for some pretty awesome special edition muscle cars. Look no further than this 1970 AMC Rebel for sale out of Allen, Texas, lovingly called “the Machine.”
Made for a single model year only in 1970, the red, white, and blue paint and decal scheme associated with this special edition AMC Rebel was about as subtle as a brick thrown at your face with its overt symbolism and obvious, barely-hidden patriotism. With a single red strip stretching the length of the car on both sides, blending into white and blue stripes over the quarter panels and over the trunk, you know exactly where this AMC was built, even if you had no idea who built it. It’s almost like the U.S. was fighting a hideously unpopular war halfway across the world to the point the Ohio National Guard killed college student war protestors the exact same year this car left the factory. As a microchasm into the hollistic state of American culture in the year 1970, the Rebal Machine is in a class of its own.
But just looking at the car in a vacuum, without all the messy historical context, all you can see is a 390-cubic inch V8-powered sports coupe with a four-on-the-floor manual transmission that any red-blooded American kid would’ve salivated and gone weak at the knees over if they ever saw one at the dealership. By even the most liberal estimates, only 2,326 AMC Rebel Machines were produced for the 1970 model year. Although, the real number is likely a little smaller than this initial estimate. According to the sales literature on eBay, the exterior of this Patriot on four wheels had its paint and bodywork restored at some point around ten years ago.
It also says less than 1,500 miles have come and gone behind this car since the restoration work was completed a decade ago. Is it any wonder it still shines and sparkles almost like it did the day it left the dealership? There are low-mileage cars 30 years this thing’s junior with considerably poorer-quality paint work out there, even with the same TLC in restoration work done to it. Oh, and the rear end was recently done up with a locking differential to make for a slightly more user-friendly driving experience for whoever ultimately buys this red, white, and blue love shrine to the U.S. of A. We’re sure it’s bound to be a real riot if it shows up at next year’s Fourth of July festivities with cupholders full of big gulps and empty hot dog containers. American excess isn’t so bad after all, it would seem.