Words: Tommy Parry
After deciding to build a versatile street car that could cruise long distances as well as it could handle the road course, Greg started searching around for something the right size for his purposes. After he found this pristine Rambler online, he drove it from California to his hometown of Kenosha, Wisconsin, and started shaping it to his liking. Thanks to spending most of its life in the dry Californian climate, it had been kept in great shape and was devoid of corrosion – a perfect platform for a Pro Tourer.
The first order of business was to swap in an AMC 360 which once powered a ‘74 Hornet hatchback. The bottom end was built to stock specs, while the heads were ported and had an Edelbrock Performer RPM intake and a mild Crower cam. This combo was good for 350 horsepower and 375 lb-ft of torque. Fortunately, most parts are transferable between AMC models, so the crossmember came straight out of the Hornet and bolted cleanly into the Rambler’s engine bay.
Then came the Torque Flight 727 he had rebuilt, which sent the power to an AMC 20 rear axle with a factory posi-trac differential and 3.54 gears. The package provided plentiful torque, and with a splash of electric blue paint, it offered the engine bay a bit of glitz.
Immediately after upgrading the drivetrain, Greg realized he’d need to add a few supporting modifications; this car had so much axle rap with the stock leaf springs that the yoke on the differential came up and hit the floor! To make good use of the power, Greg opted for a triangulated four-link and subframe connectors from Freak Ride. However, all these tweaks wouldn’t be fully utilized if Greg didn’t widen the footprint slightly, so he widened the rear tubs – a challenging task to keep them looking stock – to fit more rubber underneath.
To make the car a little more involving and responsive, he realized he’d have to drop the automatic and replace it with a TKO 500 mated to a 1982 Jeep CJ bellhousing, with a Hayes flywheel and clutch from a ‘77 Jeep CJ. With a Frankenstein shift knob, the new gearbox added style and urgency in equal measures.
Knowing the front would have to match the rear in terms of control, communication and roadholding, he started shopping for some more suspension goodies. With upper control arms and QA1 coilovers to replace the trunions, he noticed major improvements over stock without breaking the bank.
Greg now had the perfect cruiser and autocrosser at his disposal. With its athletic stance and understated exterior, he could surprise the adrenaline junkies on the road course, sticking the car comfortably in the Top 5 of his group during his first run at Road America.
In the future, he’d like to add electric power steering and a rack and pinion. In addition to sharper, easier steering, he needs more lateral support when cornering at high speeds. The grip offered by the tires and suspension necessitates a set of bolstered seats, as well as a set of crossbar-mounted harnesses. Then he’ll have no difficulty exploiting every iota of performance offered by this stout, tastefully styled, all-around sports coupe.
To keep tabs on this tasteful build, you can follow Greg’s progress here.
