Hot Wheels AMC Rebel 'The Machine', with the Johnny Lightning version

When it comes to classic high-performance muscle cars of the 1960's, the more wild it looks the more attention you get.  Sometimes that's not what you want, you just want to fly low under the radar.  Some basic versions get noticed, while others don't.  One of them is the Rebel Machine, introduced on the Rebel line in 1970.

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AMC Rebel Machine: Not always hiding in plain sight

The Machine was the high-performance, low cost performance car of the AMC Rebel line.  Unlike the AMX, the Machine has contemporary relatives in the Rebel line.  That means square body lines, grille with quad headlights, and the bumper-mounted taillights.  But the Machine gains enhancements modeled after the success of the 1968 SC/Rambler models, including hood scoop with integrated tachometer, the Kelsey-Hayes Machine wheels, red, white, and blue stripes on white body, and the AMC 390 CID V8 producing 340 hp. and 405 Ib-ft. torque through a four-speed manual with Hurst shifter.  Unlike the SC/Rambler, you can order options to make your Machine more comfortable for daily commuting.  0-60 6.4 sec. with a top speed of 124 mph, and it was the most powerful street motor for the AMC line.  Interior features bench seat with console in front and a dash with driver-oriented controls, including a vertical radio scanner; the passenger stares at the silver accent along the dashboard.  First run of Machines were painted white with blue, red, and white accent stripes around the vehicle.  However, after that run other colors were offered, with no striping and a flat black hood.  Amongst the colors, only one in Big Bad Green was made!  The Machine only lasted for one year before the Rebel line was replaced by the Matador.

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Hot Wheels in Big Bad Green

In the second release of the Cool Classics series, most vehicles in that release were alright, but this Spectrafrost green Machine just stands out from them all!  The stripe on the sides, wrapping around the trunk into three sections and the Machine badges remain, and join a darker green stripe at the bottom.  The front grille is part of the interior piece and the base is metal and features all sorts of details.  Compared to the Johnny Lightning version, this Hot Wheels version is nicely done! The interior even has the correct amount of details as well. The wheels, on the other hand, look out-of-place on this classic and lacks the rubber treads of the 2012 Boulevard version (in the original red, white, and blue color scheme).

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...as for the Johnny Lightning

Nice wheels, correct detailing outside, and the opening hood is nice, but the car looks weak, lacks finer detailing on the casting that the Hot Wheels provides (see the rear bumper), the tires are plastic and look awkward on this car, and the interior detailing is sub-par.  When I got this casting having the Machine was nice, but nothing to really get excited about.  However, that changed when Hot Wheels came out with this one, and laying a green color almost close to the Big Bad Green color just makes this Machine "Pop" out!

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