as fast as a Chevrolet Corvette or a Chrysler Hemi engine, but it will beat a "Volkswagen, a slow freight train, or your old man's Cadillac. Numerous upgrades were standard to make each Machine a potent turnkey drag racer. In contrast to the lack of options on the SC/Rambler, Machine buyers could order numerous extras from the factory. These included substituting the manual for a center console-mounted "pistol grip" automatic transmission for $188, adding cruise control cost $60, an adjustable tilting steering wheel cost $45, and even air conditioning was available for an additional $380. Furthermore, American Motors dealers sold numerous performance parts over the counter, such as an incredibly steep 5.00:1 gearing "for hardcore drag-racer types." An optional "service kit" for $500.00 increased horsepower to well over and lowered its quarter-mile drag strip times from 14.4 with the factory Autolite carburetor (and standard rear-wheel hop behavior at maximum acceleration from standing) to 12.72 seconds. American Motors Vice-president for Sales, Bill Pickett described the Rebel Machine as "another youth-oriented car." The company described, "the supercar buyer is usually young, relatively affluent and has a "critical awareness" of exterior styling. At the same time, he wants to be treated as an individual and stand out from the crowd. The Rebel Machine's distinctive paint job, rakish nose-down attitude and obvious performance characteristics lets the supercar buyer express his identity, or, in the words of today, 'Do your own thing'. Being different from the crowd today does not necessarily mean being against something, but rather in reinforcing certain specific ideas. We anticipate that the Machine will identify with this new brand of rebel, who demonstrates for something." The automaker claimed in its marketing promotion that "The Machine is not that fast," but that the car was capable to "give many muscle cars from the big three (General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler) a run for their money". According to a retrospective Motor Trend article, The Machine is the most strip-ready car of the group they tested. The Machine could spring from zero to 60 miles per hour in just 6.4 seconds, a creditable showing even today. The Machine's top speed was . The manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) price was $3,475 (US$ in 2015 dollars). After the initial run of 1,000 units with its distinctive and easily recognizable identity, The Machine was available without the stripes in other colors with a blacked-out hood. The