1969 AMC Rambler Hurst S/C

Performance defined the 1960s, from muscle cars to racing and everything in between. Engines grew larger as wheelbase sizes became smaller. As the 1960s were coming to a close, AMC rested comfortably in the Number 4 position among Detroit's automakers, and its performance champion was the AMX and Javelin pony cars. Not resting on its laurels, AMC joined with Hurst Performance Research Inc. to define their own version of a budget-muscle-hot-rod.

AMC would build 1,512 examples of its SC/Rambler to satisfy buyers' demand for budget muscle. Using Rogue hardtop bodies with convertible frame connectors installed for durability, Hurst would modify these cars in batches of around 500 via its vehicle construction service. They received the largest engine in AMC's arsenal at the time, which was the AMX's 390 cubic-inch four-barrel V8 delivering 315 horsepower. Its bore and stroke measured 4.17- and 3.57-inches respectively and used 10.2:1 compression.
Engineers mated it to a Borg-Warner four-speed with a Hurst shifter and a 3.54:1 limited-slip (Twin-Grip) differential. Anti-hop rear links were added to the suspension along with heavy-duty shocks and an anti-sway bar. The rear torque links and staggered rear shocks helped prevent axle windup during hard acceleration

E70Xl4 Polyglas tire on blue-painted Magnum 500 wheels were fitted all round with heavy-duty brakes and front discs. This stripped-down boulevard bruiser came with dual exhaust with factory-installed Thrush Glass Pack mufflers, and heavy-duty cooling. The interior featured reclining vinyl buckets, black carpeting, with a Sun 8000 RPM tachometer strapped to the steering column. The only option was an AM radio.

The SC/Rambler Hurst (better known as the Scrambler) was offered in two trims, 'A' and 'B'. The 'B' trim leaned towards the 'Show' side while the 'A' trim leaned more towards the 'Go.' Both A and B trims received the large hood scoop, and rolled wheel wells to accommodate the wide tires. The 'A' trim wore a unique red, white and blue paint scheme and a total of 1,188 examples were built. On the hood was a large blue arrow that read in large red letters '390 CU. IN', and the scoop itself has 'AIR' on either side.

All SC/Ramblers began as appliance-white hardtops with two-tone mag wheels, blackout grille, racing mirrors, and tail panel, Hurst badging. The 'A' trim had the dramatic and patriotic paint scheme while the 'B' trim received simple rocker-panel striping.

On February 13th of 1969, a company press release announced the 'Performance Packed Ramblers. 'Called the SC/Rambler Hurst,' the car will incorporate the latest and most sophisticated in high-performance equipment,' the release stated. 'The SC/Rambler, as modified by Hurst, will be powered by AMC's 390 cubic-inch V-8 engine.' The SC/Rambler was the bargain of the muscle-car era.

by Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2021