Technically known as an SC/Rambler this discovery is actually looking a bit rambled and scrambled. It’s still a neat find owing to its one-year-only production of an estimated 1,500 or so copies. It also shows that even Number Four of the Big Three was intent on getting in on the ’69 muscle car free-for-all. This one is missing lots of stuff and needs help but let’s look it over anyway. Norwood, New Jersey is where you’ll find this at one-time hot rod Rambler, and it’s available, here on eBay for $5,160 with thirteen bids tendered so far.
Research indicates that the SC/Rambler was a performance version of the Rambler Rogue with stylistic input from Hurst. They were offered in two different paint schemes, “A”, such as our subject car, which is primarily red, and “B” which was mostly white. I haven’t seen many of these out in the wild, lately or yesterday, and I’m not certain that I have ever spied the scheme B variety.
This example has lots of rust and dents and the front clip, what’s still there, looks as if it’s from a standard Rambler, absent the hood. Moving around back, it’s hard to ignore the missing trunk lid and bumper though there are other images with the lid positioned in place – inquiry required. One notable original item is the presence of the wheels -this forlorn car is still wearing all four of what AMC referred to as “Mag-Style” wheels – standard equipment on the SC/Rambler. They actually remind me of silver-painted Magnum 500s.
While AMC was usually behind the horsepower curve compared to the Big Three, they did manage to muster up a 315 gross HP, 390 CI V8 for use in this visually vibrant model. Unfortunately, both the engine and four-speed manual transmission appear to have flown the coop. There’s a “ton of parts in car” according to the seller so maybe some of that big 390 V8 is in this mess somewhere. As a check, I did a VIN decode and it does reveal this car to be as advertised and originally equipped with the aforementioned engine and transmission.
Not that you could tell from this image but the SC/Rambler came equipped with a dual reclining, split front bench seat, not buckets. Unfortunately, it looks more like my garage after I got in a fight with my car, got it dismantled, and managed to lose the battle anyway.
While I always thought these SC/Ramblers were a bit over the top aesthetically speaking, I appreciate AMC’s attempt to participate in the ongoing muscle car wars of the era – they were outgunned but did manage to create one memorable factory hot rod. That said, this one’s really kaput. I think I’d look for a better example, how about you?
Note that it also has the ultra rare passenger side golf club option.
Really, nothing much more here than a VIN tag and you can’t even take the junk out for pictures?
Let’s see if AMC fan is as passionate as our Mopar fans are.
AS an AMC fan and owner i can speak for one, I am as passionate as most Mopar fans just a bit more thrifty. This should be restored but it would have to be a labor of love not value.
According to the seller in his (very brief) description it does say “with trans”.
Well, I commented on the 73 Gremlin X earlier, I said there’s many more desirable Ramblers out there, and this is one. But not this one. Maybe if it had the original powertrain intact. Maybe
To my knowledge ALLLL the 1969 SCramblers were two door cars with a post
This car is a hardtop so it is NOT legit.
Ah, no. Look at the attached.
(Also, did you not see the stock photo of the restored example? It’s the second one in the post.)
JO
I am a multiple SC/Rambler owner and you are wrong ,All are indeed hardtops .Perhaps you are thinking of the 64 Ford Thunderbolt .
The scramblers were not post car but intact hardtops
SC-Ramblers were all 2 door hardtops. Ramblers were famous for sedans so most SC-Rambler clones start with a 2 door 67/68/69 sedan with pillar. I’ve even seen a 4 door sedan clone and a 4 door station wagon clone. I guess all the clones just show how much value the few real ones have as they are near unobtainable. This real SC-Rambler will be restored. It was the last year for the Rambler name on AMC cars and this nameplate famous for small economical roomy sedans and wagons went out with a bang.
Absolutely WRONG. ALL 1512 SC/Ramblers were hardtops. I’ve been in the AMC world for 40 years, and I’m lucky enough to own an SC. These are selling for $10K as basket cases, which this one is. Somebody will snatch this one up, and be very happy. Fully restored these are bringing strong money in the $60K range.
I beleave these were available as a hard top
No, Paul. All were 2-doors with no post. No known exceptions
WRONG…I owned two of them and they were Hardtops.. never had a post
The missing engine and transmission are irrelevant, AMC’s of this year were not “numbers matching”. All the new owner would new to do is buy a “correct” engine and trans, and bango, he has an all original and correct car.
I have a rare SC360 that I’m working on, and have found that “correct” parts for these cars (including all the emissions parts that are usually thrown in the garbage) are plentiful and not expensive.
This SC for sale is awesome. These are rare cars to see at AMC car shows. I hope the selling price goes high enough to be out of reach of a hillbilly that buys it and cuts the fenders off and paints it flat black.
Actually we hillbillies think it would be awesome in orange with a rebel flag on the roof, and a cool horn that plays a tune.
Paul, no. I sadly sold mine years ago, but -all- 1512 SC/Ramblers were hardtop. The VIN don’t lie.
Tossing in the golf club sweetens the pot considerably.
Yes, but do you get the rotten map as well? It’s the seller’s immaculate preparation that makes me really want to do business with him.
Wonder what happened to the 20 Clowns it came with
These were great cars, unfortunately this one was was ridden hard and then some more after that. Big project for someone, safe to call this one a money pit, but sometimes a car gets new life. I hope it does.
When I was a young man I had the pleasure of riding in one, my mom was the secretary at Ronco AMC and one of his customers got one. Ran like a bat out of….. Well you know. I ended up buying a 1971 Javelin Amx and I wish I still had it.
Sure … drop 100K into a resto and get less than 50% back when you sell it. Good plan.
Jack, the problem is that’s it’s about twice as expensive to restore an AMC as any other of the big 3 . brands.
On my way to AutoZone to buy some bolts and nuts now. Great car,too much work.
As I write here on BF ,a 1970 AMC Machine just came up on recent finds. Anyway I’m old enough to remember these 69 Ramblers new on the cover of MT”I think”.AMC was always looking for a new eyecatch. They had to, being #4. Never could get used to that graphic scheme on em. They were fast, watched my bud’s SS Chevelle get ate up by a 390 AMX.
i have to chime in here. while i won’t claim any amc mega knowledge(only amc i have owned was a 68 rambler american). i have done 3 different searches and every sc/rambler i found was NOT a post car.
as for this offering i see a very build-able project. by today’s standards the price is still tracking nicely despite all naysayers who aren’t in it for the labor of love to collect, save and “restore” vintage iron. those of us who do it are usually not interested in the bottom line and how much profit is at the end of the build. so for all of you armchair quarterbacks, as the brits say piss off.
after seeing a couple of these roll through here i find i like the other package better the smaller stripes look better to me.
someone will score a sweet ride in a little over 2 days