Among muscle car and pony car fans, there is one worthy entry often overlooked despite its performance credentials and unique style: the AMC AMX.
AMC did not originally aim the AMX as competition for the Mustang, Camaro or ‘Cuda but as a direct assault on the Corvette, although for much less money. Designed as a sporty coupe to bring in younger customers, the AMX was quite different from the pony cars of the era, with early ones being true 2 seaters, as AMC had planned them to be more sports car than Muscle Car.
The driving experience is also more sports car than muscle car. These are fun cars to drive and rare enough that you are not likely to see another one at your local cars and coffee; just 19,134 were produced from 1968 through 1970.
The Pick of the Day is a 1968 AMC AMX, a first-year model powered by a 290cid V8 and 4-speed manual transmission, one of just 525 cars so equipped, according to the San Diego private seller advertising the car on ClassicCars.com. The AMX looks very clean in Maroon with a black interior.
Part of AMC’s push to establish the AMX as a sports car was competition efforts in NHRA and SCCA, where it was raced with great success. The most legendary of these successes was the 1971 Penske team AMX that was driven to a Trans Am championship by the legendary Mark Donahue, winning seven races including a remarkable six in a row.
Other renowned drivers who raced the AMX include Peter Revson and George Folmer. Pretty good heritage for an AMC.
Check out this great film produced by AMC in period:
This AMX has been tastefully upgraded with Vintage Air AC, Petronix electronic ignition, quick ratio power steering, period-correct Hooker headers, a high-performance cam, and an Edelbrock carburetor and intake manifold.
The underside photos of this car look as good as the sparkling paint and interior, with no signs of rust. The interior is in great conditio,n and the current owner restored the seats using correct AMX upholstery and new seat foam, the ad says. The door panels and arm rest are said to appear to be original but are in very good condition.
This good-looking AMX has an asking price of just $29,750.
To view this vehicle on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.
Yes, an AMC AMX was even part of the HOT CAR scene in the small prairie town in Western Canada where I grew up. Only one (1), mind you and I don’t remember it causing a huge “stir” but, it’s owner
was seventeen (17) at the time. A two (2) seater complete with the manual four (4) speed and a a 390
cid, it had all the credentials. Unlike the Corvette’s, I think being a two (2) seater was actually a handicap for its young owner and his girlfriend as it eliminated the opportunity to “cruise with friends” so I think they may have felt “isolated”. Personally, I really “lusted” for his AMX due to its performance potential, great looks and, probably most importantly, its EXCLUSIVITY! Probably best I could never afford one as I would have no-doubt gotten into a lot of TROUBLE!
A real real beauty. No resto needed.
Mark my words- This is just the kind of “unique” quirky car that will easily quadruple in price. So so pretty, 2 seater, actually>> magnificent lines.
Unbeleivably rare- 29,000, total!! Thats half the Mustangs made THIS YEAR alone.
Always liked the AMX- especially the 390 with a 4 speed. Back in the day this car would hold it’s on against the Mustangs, Camaro’s etc. Not many around these days & when you do find a quality restored one it will cost you some moolah!
AMX 390/ 315 H.P. 4 speed gave many a Mustang, Camaro, etc a real surprise when it came down to seeing whose car was the fastest. Back in High School only one AMX was around & it was a beauty. Not the run of the mill muscle car most teenagers were buying but the word got out that this was one car not to mess with.
390 or 290?
The 290 was the base V8 engine. 390 was optional high-performance V8
This one has a lot of upgrades, it has a high-performance cam, Edelbrock intake, 4-BBL, and headers. Probably makes as much HP as the stock in 390.