The American was the last American Motors automobile to be marketed as a Rambler. The 1969 model year would be it’s last in the line-up and AMC decided to cook up a small muscle car as part of the send-off. With a big 390 cubic-inch engine and flashy graphics, 1,512 units would see the light of day, a full year before the mid-size Machine that had a similar look and feel. This example of the one-year wonder was off the road between 1987-12 but is ready to rock and roll again although it has a few bumps and bruises. Located in Olmitz, Kansas, this Rambler is available here on Hemmings Classifieds for $46,000.
Sandwiched between the AMX (1968) and the Machine (1970), the SC/Rambler was created to provide AMC with a worthy competitor in the NHRA’s F/Stock drag racing class. The car’s big-block V8 produced 315 hp, enabling any one of them to go from 0 to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds and the quarter-mile in 14.3 seconds, making it a real-deal performance car. The seller’s auto is an unrestored edition that has 41,300 miles but it only had 40,800 when it was parked in 1987.
This vehicle was first sold at a dealership just 45 miles from where it resides today. We don’t know much about the car before ‘87 other than a bit of racing, but that’s when it was stored in a garage and left there for 25 years. Prior to it being revived, some work was done, including new brakes, a gas tank, axles, and other miscellaneous mechanical work. The motor was rebuilt in the early 1980s. Given all of this, we’re told the car runs well, although the engine may smoke a tad from time to time.
Most of the interior is original and presents well, though the carpeting and upholstery are newer. Rust is at a minimum other than the surface variety. The Rambler was in a little accident in the 1970s and the passenger side quarter panel required repairs of which some visible evidence cropped up. The stripes are starting to show their age, especially the blue one down the middle of the trunk lid. These cars are seldom seen these days but finding one in overall decent condition like this one offers a great foundation to work from.
AMC was late to the performance crowd but when they showed they came swinging looking for a brawl! The shape and graphics were very polarizing to the buying public but these are serious performance cars that deserve our honor. AMC the crappy car company that could!
As a huge AMC fan, all I can say is “Be still, my heart!”
The 390 wasn’t a big block. It was the same externally as the 290.
Michael….the author Russ must have thought 390 Ford.
These had all of the best amc goodies from the parts bin. Strong motor 425ft/lb torque, 4 sp, 3.54 gear. Must be a blast to drive.
My mom had a 68 Rebel SST Special Order with the 390. It was Blue with a Black Top . Surprised many of the BIG 3.and a few of the REBEL MACHINES. I saw a few of these back in the day and they were nice and held their own. I know my mom’s did. Hopefully someone brings this one back AND DRIVES IT
Neat little cars with a niche following. Always will be a fan of AMC.
Fairly ambitious pricing however.
Neat little car. Back in the early ‘90s-ish I had a 1/25 model kit from Johan which was made God-knows-when. Unfortunately because I was a dumb 12-year old I wanted to paint it a candy-blue color instead, messed that up, and ended up trading it to my sister’s friend in exchange for some broken tank models :)
Wish I had it back, cause I sure can’t afford the real thing!
Here ya go, Enjoy!!! :-)
Jo-Han Pro Street 1969 AMC SC/Rambler 1/25 scale model car
$95.00
eBay Item number:
125202381826
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just added:
https://www.ebay.ca/itm/275160947883
Here is one for a few bucks less and free shipping!
Jo-Han Pro Street 1969 AMC SC/Rambler 1/25 scale model car
EBay item number:
275160947883
We had one when new in our city.It was a potent street racer.And you couldn’t miss it.Good old days
Fun to see this car and very intriguing as the story is very similar to the story of my SC. Mine was purchased by my uncle in 1975, sat in storage from 1978 to 2012. I bought in from him in June of 2012 with 53,218 miles unrestored. Got it back on the road also in 2014 now has 61,000 on it. Couldnt help but do some engine upgrades and its all smiles per gallon. Shout out to Alfano Performance in Kenosha, Wisconsin for the many parts and help. Car is currently on the verge of dipping into 11’s on the polyglas repops im running. Waiting to do next cam upgrade, moser axles with a 3.91 gear and stickier tires. I have a second rearend to upgrade so i dont have to mess up the original. This car is another nice example of whats still lounging around in Americas barns, sheds, and garages. The black on the tail panel is incorrect on this one but still a nice overall base for a project. There should be less black back there. Im not so sure about the niche comment seen above, you wouldnt believe how many comments and compliments i get at car shows or even just driving around. All sorts of people with different make/models of cars (i.e. Mustang, Camaro, Chevelle, 442) say they’d love to have one. Certainly fun to drive. I waited 18 years to purchase mine and it was worth the wait.
Never seen that manifold on a AMC engine. She’s not lacking in the induction department!
That intake, along with several other pages of performance parts was available over the counter thru the AMC Parts department. I spent many hours looking through the parts catalogue and smiling.
Group 19.
Aren’t the seats supposed to be more colorful?
Seat should be more colorful and rear tail panel should say SC/Rambler and the Hurst Logo as well.Might be a different tail panel
No the interior was charcoal grey. The headrest were Red White and Blue.
The interior is definitely correct,I have had 4 of them ,and still have my street legal racecar.I ran 12:30’s with day 2 mods,11:30’s on nitrous.
Now running a Barry Allen 401 stroked to 426 , 10:07 at 140mph on the sauce.I will be in the 9’s while still running AMC power,and stock suspension.And ,beyond any shadow of a doubt,I have THEE coolest car at the track , and have been told so many,many times.
If the metal is as good as it looks , ie no rust in the front floor or rear passenger front quarter , the price is fine , with the extra 390 and 4 speed.Mine did $65 k at BJ ,with show quality paint but some minor incorrect parts.
Very cool and a worthy adversary to a Nova SS. Why Ford didn’t get into the game with a Maverick Cobra with a 351 under the hood I don’t understand. One small item, like Pontiac, AMC used the same block for all engines all the way up to the 401, which make building a sleeper Hornet or Gremlin super easy.
I had a friend who had one of these back in the day. He was kind enough to let me drive it. Frighteningly fast!!
As fast as they are
As quick as they are
As rare as they are
As colorful as they are
As much as i like the 2 seater amx
As much as i like the 4 seater amx
As much as i like the javelin
As much as i love the awd eagles
I simply cant warm up to the square boxes
So dont say that i put down amc
Yolo
Like………
As a kid, my family’s two cars were a pair of retired 1966 Dodge Polara highway patrol cars. They were loud, fast brutes which vibrated the immediate vicinity when idling at stop lights. One day as we sat at a light, something pulled up next to us that was far louder and far more rumbly. I’d never seen anything like it – a wild red, white, and blue Rambler with black side pipes the size of a storm drain. I was transfixed, and have loved these unlikely muscle cars ever since. Sadly, out of my price range these days.
Tooyoung: Very well done. And more to come? Mine was stock and still a true blast. Not good for trolling as the A color scheme attracted too much attention. The B paint would make for a good street troll.
TR, some day ill restore the body. Its hard to make that decision as its presentable in unrestored form but sometimes I wish it had the shinyness of so many other cars around. Only original once, only panel thats been off it is the hood. When the doors and trunk shut like its still new its hard to fathom taking the car apart to restore. Its fun to pound on the street, I need more seat time at track. As stated I have further upgrades planned just not in a hurry, its fun as it is. As far as trolling, those days arent what they used to be. Too many cars out there nowadays with monster motors and power adders. Seems like everyone and their brother has atleast a little spray. Then theres all these new cars running around with 700+ hp. I tend to just run it hard at my own leisure for my own smiles. In Wisconsin we also have something called the Street Drags, 350 ft of give it your best on the front stretch of area racetracks. A lot of fun and not many cars get that great of traction no matter the tire. Its the great equalizer. No burnouts so your traction is at the mercy of the track. Every time i open the garage that car puts a smile on my face whether i drive it or not.