Packed with a 340-horsepower, 390-cubic-inch V-8 and breathed on by Hurst, the ’70 TIME MACHINE: REBEL WITH A CAUSE was AMC’s maximum muscle.
AMC’s representation in the 1970 Supercar Sweepstakes was a limited-build Rebel “Machine”. Produced by Hurst, the boxy cars were powered by an upgraded 390/340 Ram Air engines with four-speeds and 3.54 rears.
The ’70 TIME MACHINE: REBEL WITH A CAUSE was introduced at the October 1969 National Hot Rod Association World Championship Drag Race, in Dallas, TX. Standard on this model were all Rebel SST features plus a 340-horsepower, 390 cubic-inch four-barrel V-8 with dual exhausts. It had the highest output motor ever fitted to an American Motors product offered to the public. Base MSRP was $3,475.
Of a total of 1,936 production, approximately the first 1,000 units were finished in white, with the lower belt line and hood done in blue. A red stripe traveled down the front fender and along the car to the deck side region. From there, the stripe crossed over the trunk and came back along the opposite body side. There were also blue and white stripes over the trunk, behind the red one, and integrated into it. Later editions of the model were finished in a choice of solid colors and featured a black-out hood treatment with silver pin-stripes, plus optional red, white, and blue graphics that could be added on the grille and body.
Rebel Machine advertising had some great copy, and one sentence in particular summed up the car’s performance. “It is not as fast on the getaway as a 427 Corvette, or a Hemi, but it is faster than a Volkswagen, a slow freight train, and your old man’s Cadillac.” I couldn’t have said it better!
For more information on the ’70 TIME MACHINE: REBEL WITH A CAUSE and the complete model lineup, please visit OVER-DRIVE magazine @ https://over-drive-magazine.com/2026/04/11/1970-amc-rebel-fact-sheet/