ignition systems, and steering wheels), to build the Grant Rambler Rebel, a "Funny Car" racer to compete in the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) X/S (Experimental Stock) and Super Experimental Stock classes. When asked why the company decided to work with AMC, Grant's president, Grant McCoon responded, "Rambler is a good automobile, and it's time somebody proved what it can do". The relationship provided both companies with national exposure and publicity. The car had an altered wheelbase RCS (chrome moly steel) tube chassis with a AMC V8 engine that was bored and stroked to tuned by Amos Satterlee. With its GMC 6–71 blower and Enderle fuel injection, the motor produced winding up to 9000 rpm on a mixture of alcohol and nitromethane. Starting in June 1967, the car was driven by "Banzai" Bill Hayes and painted red featuring a blue racing stripe with white stars. Soon, Hayden Proffitt took over the Grant funny car program and ran the Rebel on the quarter-mile (402 m) from a standing start in 8.11 seconds at . For the 1968 season, a new car was built and renamed the Grant Rebel SST and painted in the new hash red, white, and blue AMC corporate racing colors. With Hayden driving, the car consistently ran the dragstrip in the mid-eight second range at speeds around . By the end of 1968, AMC dropped out of funny car racing to concentrate on its new Javelin pony car in SCCA Trans Am road racing, while Proffitt retired from racing for a few years. In 1968, Ron Rosenberry drove the King Rebel of Ted McOsker using a blown fuel Chrysler Hemi engine and had a known best of 9.58 seconds at in the quarter-mile dragstrip. The Machine The most recognizable muscle car version of the AMC Rebel was named The Machine and available for the 1970 model year, following the success of the 1969 SC/Rambler. In its most recognizable trim it was painted white with a large blue stripe on its hood, and accented in bold red, white, and blue reflective stripes (made by 3M) in the front, sides, and rear. "The car had the build of a proper muscle car and when it came to its performance, it did not disappoint despite weighing over ." Concept muscle models First proposed in June 1968, the car was to have been a 1969 Rebel coupe finished in black with authoritative