page_title: AMC Rebel
section_title: 1970
hierarchical_section_title: AMC Rebel / Background / 1970
caption_attribution_description: English: 1970 AMC (American Motors Corporation) Rebel SST station wagon finished with an optional two-tone paint (on body sides and rear tailgate) - photograph taken in Kenosha, Wisconsin. This car has the standard 304 cubic inch (5.0 L) V8 engine, as well as the roof rack
context_page_description: The AMC Rebel is a midsized car produced by American Motors Corporation from 1967 to 1970. It replaced the Rambler Classic. The Rebel was replaced by the similar AMC Matador for the 1971 model year. The Rebel was positioned as the high-volume seller in the independent automaker's line of models.
  The Rebel was available in several specialty models that included limited numbers of station wagons with special-themed trim and luxury equipment that were offered only in certain geographical areas. A high-performance, low-priced muscle car version was produced in 1970, the Machine, that is most recognized in its flamboyant white, red, and blue trim.
  The Rebel is the shorter-wheelbase, intermediate-sized version of the longer-wheelbase, full-sized Ambassador line.
  The Rebel was built at AMC's West Assembly Line in Kenosha, Wisconsin, and in Brampton, Ontario, Canada.
context_section_description: In 1970, the sedan and coupe received a restyled rear-end, along with a new C-pillar shape and rear quarters, as well as a more massive rear end and bumper. The hardtop was changed to a more sloping roofline with upswept reverse-angle quarter windows, giving them "a somewhat huskier look for 1970". The taillights were integrated into a new loop rear bumper with Rebel spelled out between them. The four-door sedans also had an altered roofline with a slimmer C-pillar and larger, squared-off rear door windows. Similarly as on the coupe, the belt line kicked up beneath the trailing edge of the rear door windows, and then tapered back to the same rear fascia as on the hardtop. The Rebel sedans and hardtop models two inches (51 mm) longer than previously. The Rebel station wagons saw no change to their rooflines, doors, and rear fascias.
  The grille was again revised with a horizontal spit in the middle and the name, Rebel, was spelled out on the left lip of the hood. The exterior trim, colors, and model identification locations were also modified for 1970. Rebels were available in base or SST trim. The effect of the changes was summarized by the Auto Editor of Popular Mechanics, "the Rebel has a 'no nonsense' air about it I find appealing.
  Safety changes included "clam shell" bucket seats with high backed integrated head restraints. The side structure of the 4-door sedans and 2-door hardtops was made stronger. While the competition from the domestic "Big Three" automakers were increasing in size, the Rebel was smaller and lighter, with a six-cylinder manual 2-door hardtop weighing in at 3,110 lb (1,411 kg) and a V8 automatic station wagon at 3,310 lb (1,501 kg)
  A major change was to the available AMC V8 engine. The standard 290 cu in (4.8 L) V8 was replaced for 1970 by a new 304 cu in (5.0 L) 210 hp (157 kW; 213 PS) while the 343 cu in (5.6 L) was also supplanted by a 360 cu in (5.9 L). The 360 V8 was available with a 2-barrel carburetor producing 245 hp (183 kW; 248 PS) or in a 4-barrel version producing 290 hp (216 kW; 294 PS). The "AMX" 390 cu in (6.4 L) engine now produced 325 hp (242 kW; 330 PS) and was optional on SST models, while a special high-performance 340 hp (345 PS; 254 kW) at 5,100 rpm and maximum torque of 430 lb⋅ft (583 N⋅m) at 3,600 rpm version was standard on The Machine, with a single 4-barrel Motorcraft carburetor. This was the most powerful engine AMC would ever offer in a regular production vehicle. The center console mounted floor-shift automatic transmission cars received a new "pistol-handle" shaped grip design.
  A Popular Science road test comparing six-cylinder intermediate-sized 4-door sedans (Chevrolet Malibu, Ford Torino, and Plymouth Satellite) reported that the Rebel 770 was the quietest, offered the most interior space and trunk room, "yet burns less gas than the others." A Popular Mechanics nationwide survey based on 316,000 of owner-driven miles (508,553 km) found that style, handling, and comfort abound, but so do minor rattles. The 304 cu in (5.0 L) V8 engine was selected by almost 87% of owners for its combination of performance and durability. The AMC Rebels also excelled "in freedom from mechanical troubles and workmanship complaints" with the magazine noting that owners took "delivery of perfectly-put-together cars – quite a remarkable feat."
  The 1970 restyle lasted only one year before a further restyle and renaming the models as the AMC Matador. The four-door and wagon platform would remain unchanged until the retirement of the Matador line after the 1978 model year.
caption: 1970 AMC Rebel station wagon
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