1st Studebaker then AMC. 2 companies that made more out of nothing. The Machine, SC Rambler, AMX the Marlin and the Rogue. What's not to like? Yet they do not get the recognition they deserve. They were every bit the equal to FoMoCo GM and Mopar.
Fun Fact: The S/C Rambler was released on April 1st, 1969. Everyone thought it was a joke. It wasn't, the joke was on the big 3. Disc brakes with 4 piston calipers were standard on all S/C's, With 11×2 inch rear drum brakes. The traction links on the rear suspension and special leaf springs were also standard. AMC used its convertible floor pan with the hardtop body for extra strength and stiffness, but they would still break the A-post at the top driver's side if you hammered on it. All S/C's serial numbers started with "A9MO97X#######. A lifetime ago I was proud to own three of these cars at the same time. My boss used to run a factory-backed Gremlin drag car and helped with an engine build using all group 19 parts, dual Holley 660 center squirters, and a 3.91 gear. It was a rocket! My neighbor had an SS454 Chevelle and he truly hated my little Rambler!🤣🤣🤣
Uhhhh, it might have picked their interest, but the Hurst S/C Rambler never "terrified" Ford or GM. A bit over exaggerated! Personally, I would prefer the AMX with its much cleaner lines and more aggressive looks over this rather silly looking car.
My brother in law is a big AMC enthusiast and rebuilt an original SC Rambler, it was really cool when he finished. It had a blueprinted engine and he had to run a half tank of Turbo blue gas so it would run great, but it was so powerful. He sold it in the late '80s for $12 grand.
I’ve actually seen where there is about 3 to maybe 5 or a few more sitting and they where in all forms of stages of repair or running if I remember correctly
Have you thought about reviewing the Studebaker Lark 8 R2 cars? My buddy ran a Lark 8 2D in the ‘70s with duel exhaust & a 4 barrel carburetor and it was quick.
Big fan of the AMC muscle cars! Unfortunately, they're rare, and they don't have the aftermarket support. Even relatively stock, they would still be quite a wild ride! I'd love a Javelin!
So if the 390 was making 425 lb-ft of torque and 325hp either it needed more cam and head flow OR it was being way underrated and actually made closer to 450hp up around 6k or so. My dad had a 1969 AMC AMX and had experience racing stock cars and according to him it was definitely the later. Dad lived in the Kenosha area of Wisconsin when he owned his AMX and worked in Chicago and used to drive between the two daily. He said it was very fast off the line and could run with anything else without a problem.
The AMC V-8s actually had a bigger bore spread at 4.75" than the Olds big block, all of the Ponchos, the Ford FE and the early Hemis (392 family). But the block in general was a modern thin wall casting with some exceptions. The 290/304 casting had a maximum overbore capacity of .125". The 390/401 and the Special Service Blocks had heavier main bearing webs for dealer option 4 bolt mains.
Scared the Big 3. I don't think so. The 350 Olds in 69 was just as quick 0 to 60 and in the 1/4 mile. It's not just about engine power. It's also about the ability to put that power to the pavement. One thing l know that AMC did with the V-8 Gremlin. The shocks were staggered to reduce wheel hop. I'm not sure the SC/Rambler got that. Suspension wise in 69 they were still using the trunnion front end. That setup had zero dive built in. Ronnie Kaplan had to do a lot of work to get the Trans Am Javelins to handle decently. In 1970 the front ends were redesigned. As 69 was the last year for the Anericans they missed out. Car and Driver did a test if the SC/Rambler with some dealer options. One option was rear disc brakes. The car would hit 1 gee under full braking iirc.
One opportunity the SCCA missed out on IMO. Most of the the early pony cars had inline sixes in them. And for sure most of the compacts they were based off of did. A sub class of A Sedan which is what the Trans Am cars were based on limited to inline sixes of around 3.75 liters (227 CID) with the rules set up to allow enough engine (1) and suspension modifications to make them competent on a race track might have been a hit with fans. Run it as a companion race before the main event. Remember the Trans Am originally mixed the 5 and 2 liter cars in the same field.
If l could get my hands on one of the motors l would love a 69 Rogue set up for track days or autocross. Powered by the 4.0 based engine they use in Argentina. DOHC 24V, dry dump, griddle bottom end. Around 500HP with 2 two barrel downdraft Webers. Convert it over to EFI or triple Weber sidedrafts. Just for the look 1) Multiple carburation, aluminum and aftermarket heads, including custom built ones, upgraded oiling systems etc.
Color option A or B vote? Unsure, I really like A a lot and would prefer it now as a show car. But, if I'd been in the market at the time for a daily driver, I likely would have been more tempted by the less shouty option B.
When I was a kid my dad and uncle would load my cousin and I into the car, drive from dealership to dealership looking at the new models on the showroom floor. I remember see the SC Rambler brand new in paint B.
Either scheme looked great. Always loved the S/C Rambler. Never could afford one. I did have a '62 Chevy II, with a '67 L79 327, with an M22 rock crusher. Close as I could get.
I learned to drive in my Mom's tan '68 Rambler American with a 199 CID six and automatic. What I really wanted was the extremely rare '67 Rambler American Rogue coupe with the 343 CID V8 and four-speed. (Only 51 made!) The SC took it a step further in '69, but I honestly never liked the crazy paint job. But I've always loved Rambler Americans.
it used "struts"?
1st Studebaker then AMC. 2 companies that made more out of nothing. The Machine, SC Rambler, AMX the Marlin and the Rogue. What's not to like? Yet they do not get the recognition they deserve. They were every bit the equal to FoMoCo GM and Mopar.
Fun Fact: The S/C Rambler was released on April 1st, 1969. Everyone thought it was a joke. It wasn't, the joke was on the big 3. Disc brakes with 4 piston calipers were standard on all S/C's, With 11×2 inch rear drum brakes. The traction links on the rear suspension and special leaf springs were also standard. AMC used its convertible floor pan with the hardtop body for extra strength and stiffness, but they would still break the A-post at the top driver's side if you hammered on it. All S/C's serial numbers started with "A9MO97X#######. A lifetime ago I was proud to own three of these cars at the same time. My boss used to run a factory-backed Gremlin drag car and helped with an engine build using all group 19 parts, dual Holley 660 center squirters, and a 3.91 gear. It was a rocket! My neighbor had an SS454 Chevelle and he truly hated my little Rambler!🤣🤣🤣
Uhhhh, it might have picked their interest, but the Hurst S/C Rambler never "terrified" Ford or GM. A bit over exaggerated! Personally, I would prefer the AMX with its much cleaner lines and more aggressive looks over this rather silly looking car.
I would have sanded off that arrow on the hood the first day.
My dad had a V8 Rambler… but it wouldn't get out of it's on way.
Popular Mechanics did a shoot out at Daytona Raceway, with the big 4. AMC overheated before it completed 2 laps, Mustang too.
Option A
Option B
My brother in law is a big AMC enthusiast and rebuilt an original SC Rambler, it was really cool when he finished. It had a blueprinted engine and he had to run a half tank of Turbo blue gas so it would run great, but it was so powerful. He sold it in the late '80s for $12 grand.
I’ve actually seen where there is about 3 to maybe 5 or a few more sitting and they where in all forms of stages of repair or running if I remember correctly
Have you thought about reviewing the Studebaker Lark 8 R2 cars? My buddy ran a Lark 8 2D in the ‘70s with duel exhaust & a 4 barrel carburetor and it was quick.
B paint scheme
two members of my community purchased the rambler SCrambler,,,they were so quick.
That paint scheme a is beautiful 🥹
Big fan of the AMC muscle cars! Unfortunately, they're rare, and they don't have the aftermarket support. Even relatively stock, they would still be quite a wild ride! I'd love a Javelin!
So if the 390 was making 425 lb-ft of torque and 325hp either it needed more cam and head flow OR it was being way underrated and actually made closer to 450hp up around 6k or so. My dad had a 1969 AMC AMX and had experience racing stock cars and according to him it was definitely the later. Dad lived in the Kenosha area of Wisconsin when he owned his AMX and worked in Chicago and used to drive between the two daily. He said it was very fast off the line and could run with anything else without a problem.
Wish someone would make a video of the Rambler Marlin , my friend had on and it also could embarrass Fords Chevy's and Chrysler's.
It doesn't have struts…why picture them?
Love these cars 😊
The AMC V-8s actually had a bigger bore spread at 4.75" than the Olds big block, all of the Ponchos, the Ford FE and the early Hemis (392 family). But the block in general was a modern thin wall casting with some exceptions. The 290/304 casting had a maximum overbore capacity of .125". The 390/401 and the Special Service Blocks had heavier main bearing webs for dealer option 4 bolt mains.
Scared the Big 3. I don't think so. The 350 Olds in 69 was just as quick 0 to 60 and in the 1/4 mile. It's not just about engine power. It's also about the ability to put that power to the pavement. One thing l know that AMC did with the V-8 Gremlin. The shocks were staggered to reduce wheel hop. I'm not sure the SC/Rambler got that. Suspension wise in 69 they were still using the trunnion front end. That setup had zero dive built in. Ronnie Kaplan had to do a lot of work to get the Trans Am Javelins to handle decently. In 1970 the front ends were redesigned. As 69 was the last year for the Anericans they missed out.
Car and Driver did a test if the SC/Rambler with some dealer options. One option was rear disc brakes. The car would hit 1 gee under full braking iirc.
One opportunity the SCCA missed out on IMO. Most of the the early pony cars had inline sixes in them. And for sure most of the compacts they were based off of did. A sub class of A Sedan which is what the Trans Am cars were based on limited to inline sixes of around 3.75 liters (227 CID) with the rules set up to allow enough engine (1) and suspension modifications to make them competent on a race track might have been a hit with fans. Run it as a companion race before the main event. Remember the Trans Am originally mixed the 5 and 2 liter cars in the same field.
If l could get my hands on one of the motors l would love a 69 Rogue set up for track days or autocross. Powered by the 4.0 based engine they use in Argentina. DOHC 24V, dry dump, griddle bottom end. Around 500HP with 2 two barrel downdraft Webers. Convert it over to EFI or triple Weber sidedrafts. Just for the look
1) Multiple carburation, aluminum and aftermarket heads, including custom built ones, upgraded oiling systems etc.
1st, 2nd, and third? No, I could easily burn rubber in all 4 gears with the one I had.
Option B
I love these underrated and rare muscle cars, gives the boot to the usual run of the mill Camaros and Mopars.
Great vid, really enjoyed!!!! 🤜🤛 🏁
Color option A or B vote? Unsure, I really like A a lot and would prefer it now as a show car. But, if I'd been in the market at the time for a daily driver, I likely would have been more tempted by the less shouty option B.
When I was a kid my dad and uncle would load my cousin and I into the car, drive from dealership to dealership looking at the new models on the showroom floor. I remember see the SC Rambler brand new in paint B.
There was a rambler America 390 4speed 2 door it was order in 69 and it was stupid fast yes I grew watching that car for years
I remember a young man had a scramble in Stockbridge ga. For me it was love at first sight.
Rambler Americans were great platforms to build your own muscle car as all the AMC V8s worked really well.
A friend of ours in Canada does indeed own a srambler and a Machine. Also a Javelin with Cardin interior. A real AMC fan.
Either scheme looked great. Always loved the S/C Rambler. Never could afford one. I did have a '62 Chevy II, with a '67 L79 327, with an M22 rock crusher. Close as I could get.
I learned to drive in my Mom's tan '68 Rambler American with a 199 CID six and automatic. What I really wanted was the extremely rare '67 Rambler American Rogue coupe with the 343 CID V8 and four-speed. (Only 51 made!) The SC took it a step further in '69, but I honestly never liked the crazy paint job. But I've always loved Rambler Americans.
Color B
Great presentation!!
Gud vid 💯💥 from UK
Earth calling Cuba Dave.
Option "B" Please!