With production running from 1963 to 1977, the Chevrolet Chevelle is one of those quintessential muscle cars, with three generations rocking the nameplate over the course of its lifespan. Now, we’re taking a closer look at this 1969 Chevelle SS 396 as it hits the drag strip opposite a 1969 AMC Scrambler.
Brought to us by the Cars And Zebras YouTube channel, this drag racing video includes more than just action on the track. It also provides a good amount of technical info and history on both of the featured muscle cars, all while wrapping it in some good ‘ole fashioned Internet humor.
As for the cars, the Chevelle SS 396 is covered in beautiful silver paint, and definitely looks the part of a pumped-up muscle machine. What’s more, this particular example is an L78.
“We’re talking four-bolt mains, a forged steel cranks and rods, mechanical lifters, a compression ratio of 11:1, and a massive Holley 780 cfm carb sitting on top of an aluminum intake manifold,” the narrator explains.
All that means this Chevelle SS was rated 375 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 415 pound-feet of torque at 3,600 rpm from the factory. Routed to the rear wheels by way of a four-speed manual transmission and 4.10 gears, this thing has all the right stuff for a day at the drag strip.
Of course, the competition is no slouch. With a 390 cubic-inch V8 laying down 315 horsepower, also through a four-speed manual transmission, the AMC SC Rambler may be a bit down on power, but it’s also down on weight, tipping the scales at 3,302 pounds, as compared to the 3,846-pound Chevelle SS.
After covering all the requisite specs and history, the video gets down to showing how these two perform today, even going so far as to list the ambient temperature, humidity, elevation, and barometric pressure at the track for the sake of comparison.
Hit play to see which of these two muscle cars takes the W.
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Comments
I remember seeing a Scrambler on an American Motors lot the day my dad bought a 1969 Rambler. I was 9 or 10. Gold, no AC, no radio, no carpet, floor pump for windshield wiper fluid, vacuum wiper speed kept pace with the RPMs, straight 6, easy to make repairs on, $1,999 new. He used it to drive to the train station each morning. I inherited it and drove it from 1977 to 1981 when it went to my brother. Great car. What I remember about the Scrambler was how LOUD it was.
I’m upset! [about] when i click on a hand; my choice, choice number gets wiped! what gives? In my opinion: the drag race was contentual! because of driver error not the cars!
I had both scrambled and rebel machine
I had a scrambler and rebel machine
I had an AMX with Edelbrock high rise, Holly 750 mechanical pumper, and headers. 4 speed. It never lost. Was stolen from a restaurant parking lot. Never seen again.
Had a scrambler and machine
I also had a scrambler rebuilt the engine, had it balanced, long tube headers, several different high rise manifolds including a cross ram from the rambler parts guy that was a racer. At one time I had a 950 holly 3bbl on it. I used to call it the Chevelle eater. sorry Chevy guys. What a grate fun car. Never got a ticket with the car but I deserved many.
first off. Mash it’s a Scrambler not a rambler and second off they only made three of those so I don’t know how all these people had one first stop. Mash it’s a Scrambler not a rambler they only made three of them and each one had a different paint scheme it’s a Scrambler not
If there was ever an automobile which exemplified the dramatic resurgence of American Pride championed by President Trump its the Rambler Scrambler. With its bold Red, White and Blue paint scheme it screams USA, USA, USA.
Hopefully, with new leadership at General Motors who are willing to work with the President, we will see American dominance of the automobile business again.
Our 69 Buick stage 1 was the third fastest car be hind the Shelby Cobra and the 427 Corvett