Rebuilt 390 V8: 1969 AMC Hurst SC/Rambler Project
The Hurst SC/Rambler was a rare muscle car with just 1,512 copies only built in 1969 by American Motors. So, it’s interesting that we would see two of these cars in the same week here on Barn Finds. This one may be in rougher condition though the seller indicates some mechanical work has already been done and includes a shop video. Located in Altus, Oklahoma, this once-hot Rambler has been available here on Facebook Marketplace for some time. The asking price is $22,000. Our thanks to Barn Finder “Robert” for the tip!
Like The Rebel Machine a year later, the 1969 Hurst SC/Rambler was a single-shot deal. Based on the Rogue/American compact (which was on its way out), this performance automobile used a 390 cubic inch V8, the same one in the GT-Style AMX. While the primary color for most was white, there was an ample use of red and some blue, too. A 4-speed manual transmission was part of the deal along with a Hurst shifter for the driver to have fun with.
In the photos provided, we see a rather sad AMC parked next to a school bus. It’s clearly seen better days and the tires are more or less flat. Since no mention is made of any effort to improve the car’s exterior appearance, we assume that’s what it looks like today (or 11 weeks ago when the ad was first posted). The 390 engine has been rebuilt with some modifications that might help extract more than the stock 315 horses.
Besides motor work, the clutch and pressure plate are said to be new and there are some suspension pieces ready for the buyer to install. Some brake work may have been done (or the parts are there for it to be done) and new wiring resides in a box. The seller is waiting for new seat covers to come in which may take six months or more from the time of the listing. I wish the ad said more about the physical car than the various parts, but what you see may be what you get.
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Comments
Oy, okay, we pretty much deciphered the existence of these on the last one, and while we can all agree on the overly optimistic price, what’s more important, is THIS, is what most of these turned into. Usually gotten cheap, it was a car to trash, or, experiment with on a low, or no budget. Those rear shackles, the worst way to raise a car, screams novice, and it was okay, heck, it’s just a Rambler,,,
However, I’d call this car a “Gateway” car, as it provided plenty of thrills, and paved the way for faster, more accepted cars. As limited a market as it was, I bet everyone that had these had fun with it.
These things would fly….!
The design is so boxy and simplistic it’s easy to like, IMO. The hood scoop is the fly in the ointment for me.
If the undercarriage is rust free why not rebuild the brakes add discs and all other associated systems. Get it safe drop in that fresh .40 over 390 and have a good time while you have the time.
Yes I know there’s 2 factions with regards to shall we say, “distressed finishes” but at the cost of a correct paint job the fun quickly fades on this car.
The incorrect paint job can be seen on the edges of the wheels. I hope the mentioned rebuilt parts have been done to a higher standard then the paint.
Actually, there were 2 paint schemes, this was style”A”, and style “B” had white sides.
The mere fact that this car exists, is rare. I would think someone would have snatched this S/C up already. I guess those AMC guys are feeling the economic pinch, too.
Agreed. Great car. If the economy wasn’t on the brink of a collapse, I might have pulled the pin. I love old muscle and have a special place in my heart for anything AMC. I’ve built everything from tri-power Pontiacs to A and K code Mustangs. 32 different pony and muscle cars in about 35 years to be exact. But I would actually love something different like this to restore for local shows and my weekly cars & coffee/cruises. Not a “me too”. I don’t care what haters say. I know it wasn’t as desired as other cars of the era, however, it’s still got great lines and tons of potential to be a truly fun vehicle. In my eyes, it’s truly underrated and unappreciated. The seller is too high in its current state, but not over the moon for what it is. As stated, if the economy wasn’t getting worse by the moment, I’d be all in. For now, I’ll keep my retirement money and wait for better leadership and a stronger economy. There’s always another project.
Going to be difficult to restore.No AMC parts catalogs out there.Need donor cars for good parts.Can be accomplished with a few wheelbarrels full of cash.The 390 made more than 315 originally.HP ratings were not done at the max end of the powerband and thus made for the practice of underrating…The 390 engine in my F250 was rated at 335@4600rpm,when in fact it was more like 365@5400rpm and would really redline at 5700rpm
YES-AMC parts catalogs out there.
I HAVE A 1969 AMC-AMX.
Yes there are many avenues to get parts. I also have a AMX, thou mine is a 1970 with the one year only 10.00:1 compression 360. It’s been bored .30 over and now has 10.75:1 compression with a .624″ lift and 296.9′ duration cam. I will get it on the dyno in June. AMC owners are a pretty tight knit group. If you need a part just reach out and one of us either has it or knows where to get it. There are plenty of AMC Clubs in North America.
There are tons of Rogues out there for parts,and a very active group of enthusiasts.Headliner is the hardest part for total correct restoration,and someone out there reproduces a few at a time.We took a standard Rogue headliner and modified and restored it .I am a multiple Scrambler owner,and the one we restored sold for $60k at BJ a few years back .My track car has run a 10:07 at 140 with an AMC 401 stroked to 426 with a 150 shot.It is 100 % street legal on 8 1/2″ drag radials !!
I am constantly told that it is the coolest car at the track !
I already gave my 2 cents worth on the one that was on about a week ago, so nothing more say. I will comment on what C Force said. I’m afraid that you are comparing a 390 Ford to a 390 AMC, and they are totally different engines with absolutely nothing in common.
Or a Cadillac 390, either.
Actually, the AMC 390 is more like the Caddy 390 than the Ford 390: The oil pump is in the timing cover, not the crankcase. What imbeciles never seem to understand is the AMC 390 was in a very low state of tune compared to other similar motors: small carb, mild cam w/hydraulic lifters & grocery getter exhaust meant that the 390 would run out of rpms at about 5000. One of Kaplan’s problems with the Trans Am motors was getting the valve train right. The SBC 302 & the Boss 302 could out rev the AMC 290; AMC was down about 50 hp in 68 & 69. The somewhat redesigned dog-leg motors had better ports and valve train harmonics were solved. Those improvements contributed to Donohue’s success in 1970 & 1971.
And a SC will dust a 69 Mustang or Torino with a 390…
22k???????
Sox and Martin build up!
I miss AMC.
Sold…..or gone…..
A much nicer SC/Rambler was for sale a bit ago for only $30K. It was a former race car operated by Wayne Jensen and returned to street specs. It looked WAY nicer than this particular example.