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Okay, Pop Quiz: American Motors Corporation, what is the first car that comes to mind? Come on: think about it, it’s a pretty easy question. If you’re like most gear heads you most likely answered with either AMX or Javelin, some of you may have remembered the sweptback Marlin, or the red white and blue Matadors.
The original window sticker showing a total price, including shipping, of a whooping $3085.00
How about the bob tailed Gremlin or the moderately sporty Hornet. What about the car that looked like an upside down fish bowl, that’s right, the Pacer. So, how did you do on this first question?
Alright, question number two: What is the first American Motors muscle car that comes to mind? No, this is not a trick question, and most of you are positively certain the correct answer is the AMX.
Well, if you are among the masses that selected the AMX, then you are among the masses that would be incorrect. Although the AMX has been classified as a muscle car by some, the car was actually designed as a two seat, GT-style sports car to directly compete with the only other two seat sports car in America, the Chevrolet Corvette.
So what is the correct answer to the second question? In 1969 AMC produced 1512 purpose built cars, in collaboration with Hurst Performance, the Hurst SC/Rambler. The Scrambler, as it became known amongst AMC purists, was the only production model automobile of its era to be produced and promoted as a race ready F/Stock drag racer as outlined by the National Hot Rod Association.
The original build order from the AMC factory identifying the car as a K78 B Design SC Rambler
The cars came from the factory equipped with a 315 hp 390 cid AMC V8 mated to a manual four-speed transmission with a distinctive T-handle Hurst shifter, an AMC “Twin Grip” differential with a 3.54 gear completed the drive train. AMC stated the car would run a very respectable 14.3 seconds out of the box, and it actually did.
Over the years most of the original 1512 Scramblers produced are unaccounted for. According to www.joiesjeeps.com/1512registry only 360 can be verified, of these 360 at least 23 are listed as destroyed, or for parts only leaving just 337 Scramblers that exist in the world today. Some are being restored, some are daily or occasional drivers, and a few are listed as “show car only.” One of these show cars resides in Saint Petersburg, Florida in the garage of a retired mechanical engineer and former crew chief for the AMC factory backed team 21 racing, Jim McKee.
McKee’s love of AMC products began with what some might consider a twist of fate. As best as he can remember, McKee was preparing to go off to school at Georgia Tech to study mechanical engineering, and he was searching for a car to drive to and from school. An admitted Chevrolet man, McKee placed an order and left a deposit on a new 375 hp, four-speed, 1969 Chevelle.
The jack and tire iron, as well as the trunk mat are the original parts that were in the trunk when McKee drove this car home.
After repeated trips to the dealer and numerous phone calls to check the status of his order, the dealer informed McKee they were unable to confirm when he could expect to take delivery of his new car, so McKee asked for, and received his deposit back. Although disappointed, McKee had a plan B.
After recently helping his Mom select and purchase a new AMX, McKee went down to Nichols Brother’s Rambler in downtown Saint Petersburg, walked in the door, approached a sales person and asked the question, “You got one of those new SC/ Ramblers in stock”?
The sales person explained that at that point in time, early 1969, they had not yet seen one, however, they would be happy to order one for him. Knowing how the process worked, McKee placed his order, put his deposit down and waited for the dealer to call him when his Scrambler had arrived.
This jacking instruction sticker proved to be one of the hardest NOS parts to find, but was essential in maintaining the authenticity of the car.
Unlike the Chevy dealer, it wasn’t long when McKee got the call he was waiting for. The dealer related to him that his car had arrived, but with his permission, they would like to set it in their showroom for a couple weeks so they might be able to generate additional orders for the car.
Considering he was not scheduled to start school until after the time period the dealer had mentioned, McKee agreed to let the dealer display his car.
Several days later McKee got a call from the sales manager at Nichols Brothers to let him know there had been a terrible mistake. Seems one of the salesmen had sold and delivered his car to another buyer unaware the car was already sold to McKee.
To correct this mistake the manager had located another SC/Rambler in Atlanta, at Tom Mitchell Rambler. Arrangements were made to get McKee to Atlanta, and take delivery of his new car. “I drove the car back to Saint Pete,” McKee grinned.
McKee drove the car between home in Saint Petersburg and school in Atlanta for several years. McKee admits his Scrambler wasn’t the most fuel efficient vehicle he could have been using to get back and forth, but he just loved the power of the 315 plus horsepower V8, and the deep throaty growl of the Doug Thorley “Group 19” AMC high performance headers.
The only reproduction part found on the car, the SC/Hurst Rambler name badges.
At the time, all high performance AMC parts were classified as “Group 19” and carried special Group 19 part numbers. Within two weeks after taking delivery of his Scrambler, McKee ordered and installed virtually every Group 19 part applicable to the SC/Rambler. Most of these parts remain on the car today.
By 1981 McKee knew he was destined to restore his beloved Scrambler, his pride and joy was sporting a shade over 62,000 miles and was in need of some TLC, but McKee didn’t want to just restore the car, he intended to bring his Scrambler back to its former glory, exactly like the day he drove it home from Atlanta, well, almost exactly, a little more horsepower was included in the plan.
The mail box hood scoop is functional and was standard equipment on all SC/Ramblers.
By 1981 parts for the Scrambler were hard to find, McKee had made a personal promise to himself that there would be no used, or reproduction parts used to restore his car. This promise started a nearly 30 year search for NOS parts to be used in the restoration.
For those not familiar with the NOS acronym, it refers to New Old Stock or New Off the Shelf – obsolete equipment or parts that have never been sold at retail. In the restoration trade it is also known as New Original Stock, meaning the parts were original equipment that remained in inventory for use that never occurred.
With this in mind, every part used in the restoration of McKee’s Scrambler carries an original AMC part number, or an original AMC Group 19 High Performance part number. The only reproduction parts used on the car are the SC/Hurst fender badges.
Mckee installed a Fram HPK-600 remote filter housing with a two quart filter to help protect the new motor under the hood.
The restoration began in earnest in 2002 when McKee removed the body of the car and shipped it to Revivations in Wachula, Florida. Revivations is a company that provides a complete immersion process that removes paint, undercoating, and rust from the metal surfaces, and does so in a non destructive manner. Once the process was complete all surfaces were treated with a catalyst hardened, acid etched epoxy primer.
McKee knew this was a necessary, if not a vital step in the complete restoration process. Knowing the car would reside in the sub tropical climate of the Sunshine State, possible rust through was a prime concern, however with this total immersion process, this concern was eliminated.
The side stripes are painted on, no tape here. Stripes are the correct dimensions applicable to the Scrambler.
When Revivations was finished with McKee’s Scrambler, with the help of a few good buddies, McKee loaded the body in a friend’s oversized, enclosed trailer for the trip back to Saint Petersburg. “We actually picked the body up and carried it into the trailer,” McKee laughed. The body was then delivered to Mark Mahowski and his crew, at Straight Line Auto Body in Saint Petersburg.
McKee’s new bullet produces around 330HP a shade more than the original 315HP direct from the factory.
Mahowski placed the Scrambler on the rotisserie to complete the paint and body work. Knowing every part that was slated for use in this particular restoration carried an original NOS or Group 19 AMC part number, Mahowski used great care to insure the paint that he would put on this car would match the original P88A AMC White. “Jim gave me all the paint codes for the car,” Mahaowski offered, “Even the correct dimensions and proper colors for the side stripes.”
While Mahowski was busy with the paint work on the car, McKee was working on building the new power plant for his Scrambler. Remember, part of McKee’s restoration plan included installing a bit more horsepower than what originally came from the factory. Nelson Competition in Saint Petersburg, Florida, was responsible for all of machine work on McKee’s new bullet. Nelson Competition is very well regarded as one of the premiere engine builders in the nation; their engines have won multiple championships in IMSA, NMCA, and NHRA.
The reworked 390 CID appears the same as it did when it left the factory, Every part under the hood carries an originalNOS or Group 19 part number.
When all was said and done, McKee did add a bit more horsepower, but admittedly, mostly due to the fact his primary concern was keeping the car true to its original AMC specifications, the increase was minimal. The new engine was based on the 401 AMC steel block with the original 390 NOS crankshaft, Molnar Technology H-beam rods, and flat top Diamond Pistons, a set of SS/AMX heads from Patriot Racing Products, a Crane H-302-2 cam with the “gold race” roller rocker kit, an Edelbrock R4B aluminum high rise intake with a Holly 3150 carburetor. The ignition system consists of a Mallory YC-531-HP dual point, flat cap distributor with the Mallory Voltmaster coil and ignition ballast resistor. Like the rest of the car, everything that went into the engine build carries an original AMC, or AMC Group 19 part number.
This new motor was paired with an AMC T-10 four-speed manual transmission with the standard AMC 10.5 inch clutch with the three finger Borg and Beck pressure plate. The differential houses a 3.54 gear, and the Magnum 500 steel wheels and the Goodyear, red stripe polyglas tires apply the horses to the pavement.
Special racing mirrors were standard equipment on the Scrambler.
Once the drivetrain and suspension were in place, Advanced Auto Interiors stepped in to complete the interior of the car. Seats, headrests, carpet and door panels were all restored according to the AMC standards applicable to this car. McKee did allow a bit of artistic freedom when it came to the headliner.
After the interior was complete McKee added the final touch by installing a Racemark steering wheel from Gene Felton’s AMC factory sponsored IMSA RS Gremlin, and strapping a Sun Tach, 90 degree wide arc tachometer to the steering column, staying true to the original AMC installation, the tachometer is held in place with a stainless hose clamp.
Advanced Auto interiors is responsible for the seats, headrests, door panels and carpet. McKee did the dash and instrumentation to include the Sun Pro Tach and the Racemark steering wheel.
Today, McKee’s SC/Rambler is strictly a show car; it travels to local shows and displays in an enclosed trailer and McKee is pleased to show off his handy work, “Most folks really don’t know what they are looking at,” McKee states. “When you look at the history of the American muscle car, the Scrambler was the car that most forgot about,”he added.
McKee’s Scrambler is a true tribute to this mostly forgotten breed of American muscle, and is a timeless example of not just American Motors history, but automotive history as well. Thank you Jim McKee, for preserving this piece of historic iron.
