1512 Registry Member - Ted Hinkle

I have driven to many AMC car shows in the area, but also trailered the Scrambler to shows in St Louis, Springfield, Ohio, and Minneapolis. 

On June 26, 1982, I was married and the Scrambler was our “get-a-way” car; decorated with wedding streamers, painted windows, and a train of cans tied to the bumper. After the wedding, I was persuaded by the by-standers to do my typical mega burnout as we left. As the smoke cleared, we rode off into the sunset to prepare for our honeymoon!

During the mid 70’s, I was a Cable TV contractor and drove a 1972 Ford van for work and basic transportation, which gave me a chance to work on my Scrambler. In 1973, I had Jeg’s of Columbus, Ohio modify my Scrambler engine with 11.7:1 Jahn’s pistons, balance & blueprint, solid lifter cam, and a Holly 850. This “screaming” engine would turn 7300 RPM, although I shifted at 7 grand!  I also installed 4.44:1 gears to help launch the car off the line.

With 8 inch slicks, my best quarter mile time was 12.00 seconds at 98 MPH.  I remember the run: I was in the left lane at Bunker Hill Drag track, (north of Kokomo, Indiana) and a red and black 396 Chevelle with a tunnel ram, dual carbs and 12 inch slicks was in the right lane.  I came out at 6500 RPM’s with a near perfect hole shot!  I left the Chevy in my dust!  Only near the end of the quarter mile did he come close to me.  I beat the Chevy by three car lengths.

On April 25, 1969, while I was stationed at Ft Polk, LA., my Scrambler arrived at the AMC dealer in Tipton. (The dealer persuaded my dad to leave the car in his showroom for a couple of weeks to show it off!).  The cost of my Scrambler, including tax (no transportation charge in those days) was $3052.94.

When I first saw my Scrambler I had ordered, I thought: “hey, this doesn’t look like the picture” (mine was the B paint).  But when I got in and set behind the steering wheel, I knew that this was “all Scrambler”.  I later asked the dealer about my paint scheme, and was informed that the first 500 had quickly sold out and that this (B scheme) is “how they’re coming now”.