1969 AMC SC - 1969amc_scfa220525
by Frank J Benz
Title
1969 AMC SC - 1969amc_scfa220525
Artist
Frank J Benz
Medium
Photograph - Photography
Description
1969 AMC
Hurst AMC SC/Rambler
One of the muscle car periods most visually eye catching cars was a special model that was produced during 1969 in cooperation with Hurst Performance and was named the Hurst SC/Rambler. This car was likely the most outrageous muscle car from AMC with 1,512 of this model being built, it was probably the only production model made and promoted for a specific drag racing class, the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) F/Stock class. The SC/Rambler was a efficient performer with quarter mile times in the low 14 second range. A true muscle car with zero factory options with a suggested retail price of less than 3,000.00 it would take down some much more highly admired muscle cars. The Hurst SC/Rambler suddenly became one of the most potent cars of its time, producing quarter mile times that only Hemi powered cars and Cobra Jets had been able to accomplish.
Each Hurst SC/Rambler came powered by a 390 cu in AMC V8 engine from the AMX car series. There were no factory options to this package, it came fully equipped and ready. Standard clutch was a 10.5 inch with a three finger long-style Borg and Beck pressure plate. The 390 engine was mated to a manual transmission four-speed T10 with close gear ratios. A Hurst shifter came with a large metal T handle. The rear end was an AMC 3.54:1 Twin-Grip limited slip differential using Dana internals, with outer wheel hubs attached through a spline and keyway system. The hub attachment method proved to be the only weak point in the rear end assembly.
Factory cast iron manifolds exited to a true dual exhaust with Thrush two chamber oval mufflers with Woodpecker logos. These were standard baffled mufflers, not glass packs. Having minimal baffles gave a deep throaty sound, similar to the modern Flowmasters. The exhaust exited through chrome tips attached with hose clamps. While similar Rogue and American models had drum brakes, the SC package came with front discs, a heavier sway bar, as well as strengthened drive train and body components. These included connectors between the front and rear subframes. The rear end used staggered rear shock absorbers to eliminate wheel hop under extreme acceleration conditions with leaf spring suspensions. The staggered shocks required a special plate riveted in the trunk pan, as well as brackets for the subframe end of upper torque links. Other body modifications differentiating all Hurst SC Ramblers from regular hardtop Ramblers included rolling back front and rear wheel openings to allow for larger tires. American Motors called on Hurst to help develop a vehicle for the racing market. Because of stock class rules, a minimum of 500 identical vehicles had to be produced and sold. This led to the SC Hurst Rambler, (SC) meaning Stock Car. This vehicle is commonly referred to as the Scrambler.
Available only as a two-door hardtop, the interior came in standard gray charcoal vinyl upholstered reclining seats with a headliner embossed with small squares. The front seats reclined, and the newly safety mandated head restraints were upholstered in red, white, and blue stripes. The SC/Rambler included a standard 90-degree wide arc scale Sun tachometer. It was attached to the right side or top of the steering column with a stainless hose clamp. The only factory option available for this vehicle was an AM radio.
The SC/Ramblers came with the wildest factory paint jobs ever put on a muscle car. All featured a forward-facing functioning box-type hood scoop with 390 CU. IN. and AIR in large letters on both sides of it. The hood scoop air flapper was vacuum operated, allowing higher pressure cool air to pressurize a Carter AFB carburetor. A blue arrow on the hood pointed towards the air intake. The Scrambler came only in two types of red, white, and blue color schemes with no other options available, with the exception of an AM radio.
Some of the other unique standard items on this model included racing mirrors, anti-hop rear axle links, and blue Magnum 500 steel wheels (common to Fords) with chrome beauty rings and AMC hub centers. Tires were E70 14 fiberglass belted 4 ply tires with red stripe Goodyear Polyglas tires. American Motors priced the SC/Rambler at 2,998.00 and was a serious dragstrip contender because in its as sold condition it could do the quarter mile in the low 14 seconds at about 100 miles per hour. With a few simple bolt on modifications they would run low 12s. Modified SC/Ramblers have run the quarter mile in the 9 second bracket.
The automaker provided AMC dealers with numerous Group 19 parts and upgrades to make customer's SC/Ramblers even quicker. Well-tuned legal stock S/C's with allowable changes have run in the 12 second range. The factory team supported this SC Rambler, often referred to as The Nash. Modifications included a special cast iron manifold, advanced camshaft timing, heavier valve springs, factory supplied carburetor, six cylinder front springs with factory supplied bottom shims to restore stock height, 90/10 front shocks, lightened chassis components, exhaust system modifications, Chevrolet 10.5 inch diaphragm pressure plate, wide ratio transmission gear set, 4.44 rear axle ratio, as well as larger, softer, G70-15 rear tires on identical design Magnum 500 15" Ford wheels painted AMC blue. The manifold and some other parts were specially selected factory components for the stock 340 hp 1970 Rebel Machine engine, but legal for use in the big bore, short stroke 1969 AMC 390 engine.
Automotive photos look great displayed in a den, family room, office, garage, auto service shop waiting rooms, tire stores, parts stores, hot rod shops and upholstery shops. If you are not interested in one of these photos for yourself do not forget about your friends or other family members that have an interest in the automotive field. Photos make marvelous gifts and are suitable for numerous occasions ! ! !
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December 6th, 2023
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