Re: [AMC-list] Rebel Machine found.. worth?

[Frank Swygert <farna@xxxxxxx>]

For starters, are you positive it's a Machine and not just a 390 two door Rebel? VIN for the engine is "X" for the Machine 390, "Y" for a standard 390. With the four speed it probably is a Machine, but...

I checked the VMR price guide as a start. It says in #5 condition the car is worth $3750. That's with everything there but needing complete restoration -- doesn't run, runs poorly, etc., but DOES have a motor and transmission, and all other major components. They recommend 50% of the value for a parts car, which may be missing major components or badly rusted. That still puts you in the $1500-$2000 range. If it's truly rust-free, and only the engine and transmission are missing (good glass, straight body, not worried about easy to find trim pieces), $2000 is probably a fair price. 

The hard part will be finding a 390 and four speed to go back in. You can use any 390, the difference is that the Rebel used a different intake. Throw an aftermarket aluminum intake & carb on and say it was upgraded -- but it would be an easier sell with the original Machine intake. It won't decrease the value too much if you stick an auto in it -- book adds only 5% for the four speed. #2 value (most shown cars are #2) is $21,100, by the way. #1 condition is as perfect as a pro shop can get it -- $31,600. Might be one or two of those around , but think Ashmead Javelin...

I'd start at a grand ($1000) and work up from there. Don't try to low ball the guy too much, he may just get offended and figure you're not serious or tell you to leave and refuse to discuss it. 

You never can tell about some people! I had an old man tell me to leave as he walked back to his truck. I just knew he was going for a shot gun (it was out in the sticks), but refused to run or act like I was too concerned. When he pulled out a cane and shook it at me I got mad and the thought occurred to me to go take it from him, but good judgment prevailed and I just finished driving off and ignored him. I was with a friend who was thinking about buying the guys old car, but he'd pretty much changed his mind as we followed him out to his farm. We were planning a V-8 swap (63 Fairlane four door... on the way decided he didn't want a four door after all). Told the old guy, and he was insistent that it didn't need that, just the burnt valves fixed, it ran like a top and was never abused. He got mad when I pointed out that if it had never been run hard or abused it shouldn't have burnt valves...
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Date: Fri, 25 Sep 2009 01:51:05 -0700 (PDT)
From: Jesse <j2sax@xxxxxxxxx>
To: amc-list@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [AMC-list] Rebel Machine found.. worth?
Message-ID: <664736.82020.qm@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1

So, during my radical travels, I found a Rebel Machine... trashed interior, no motor, but a perfect rust free body.? The VIN says it is a 390 4 speed car.? What is it worth as it sits?? It is white.? Even though I prefer the looks of a Matador, I know the Rebel will have more value.?

--
Frank Swygert
Publisher, "American Motors Cars" 
Magazine (AMC)
For all AMC enthusiasts
http://farna.home.att.net/AMC.html
(free download available!)


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