I can’t let Independents’ Week go by without at least a passing mention of the AMX. Plus, I shot a most excellent one at a Quad Cities Cruisers cruise night last summer. It looks quite fetching in burnt orange, wouldn’t you say?
A two-seat version of the AMC Javelin, the AMX was meant as a reply to the General’s Corvette. A gutsy try for sure, but production did not exactly worry Chevrolet Division’s accountants. But it was a beautiful car, and to this day, I prefer the AMX’s styling to the Javelin–though both are quite worthy of my MM garage! That this one has the rare beige leather seating is an even bigger incentive.
Normally I’m not a fan of rear window louvers, but the color-keyed and striped version this one sports had me admiring it, just for the sheer quality of its execution! Oh AMX, you had so much potential…
Normally I’m not a fan of aftermarket steering wheels, but that one looks really good and fits in well.
Nice try but the AMX was discontinued after 3 years,the Corvette is still going strong.I’m more of a Javelin fan,the AMX looks stubby and less graceful,also the AMX shows traces of it’s Javelin relative,I once heard it described rather unfairly as a Javelin in drag .What was the price difference between an AMX & a Corvette?
1968 Corvette coupe base price (300 hp 327) – $4,663
1968 AMX base price (225 hp 290) – $3,245
Thanks for that that price difference must have been a lot 45 years ago
2014 Corvette Stingray 1LT base coupe with no options: $51,995
Therefore…
2014 AMX: $36,195
Difference is 15, 800.
Difference enough for a decent base model compact now…what would $1,500 bought in the new car market in 1968?
I really like these. That rear 3/4 shot really shows off the car’s lines to maximum effect. I really like the color combo on this one too, very uncommon.
Yes that was a lot of money 45 years ago. Just about the cost of a new VW beetle in 1966. Didn’t buy a new beetle any other year and these were 68 thru 70 so it doesn’t exactly apply. They were really a javelin after that.
Anyway, from 67 to 69 I went to the New England Drag Strip in Ct every chance I could. These seemed to always be represented and they seemed to be competitive with the mustangs and camaros. Not the vettes.
Really good find Tom. Any idea what year.
I’d say it’s a ’69. There’s not much difference between the ’68 and ’69 except for interior details. The ’70 had a distinctive grille. These could be had with the same 390 used in the SC/Rambler which made them a respectable performer. I passed up a nice ’69 with a 343 four speed a couple of years ago, kind of wish I’d grabbed it now. These were neat little cars.
Here’s a bit more on the history of the AMX: https://www.curbsideclassic.com/curbside-classics-american/curbside-classicautomotive-history-1977-amc-hornet-amx-the-long-slow-decline-of-the-amx/
It’s a ’69. The hooded gauge cluster is the giveaway.
By the way, that steering wheel is hideous. These had a beautiful 3- spoke wheel with a wood-grained rim. Of course, they just bolt on.
Beautiful AMX.
Agreed on the steering wheel. The car is soo nice otherwise.
I have mixed feelings about the AMX. From some angles it works; from others not. It’s just too stubby. And the Javelin is a bit too long. They should have split the difference with one car.
Clearly this gave Dick Teague the idea and confidence to try doing the same thing with the Hornet, although this time, it really didn’t work (Gremlin). I think the Gremlin kind of ruined the AMX for me. Still, when it came out, I was wowed some.
For me the key question about the AMX has been: What’s the point? How could AMC have been surprised that there wasn’t a sustainable market for such a car?
One problem was that the styling really didn’t say “two seater” — particularly given the high price. An even bigger problem was that the chopped rear combined with AMC’s heaviest V8 resulted in terrible weight distribution. That made for weaker handling and braking than with the Javelin.
I’d agree with Paul that AMC should have settled on a compromise design. But if they just had to have an AMX, I’d have given it a targa roof and made the standard engine a souped up six with a four-speed manual. And kept the entry-level price much lower. That could have resulted in an affordable, distinctive and nicely balanced performer.
Actually there was little difference in weight of G2 AMC V8s regardless of their displacement. They were all the same external size, and quite tidy at that. There was an AMC dealer in Arizona, Randal AMC, who would pull the 304 out of Gremlins and drop a 401 in it’s place, creating quite the terror. A Bolt in swap, as easy as falling off a log.
and this
My recollection is that more than one road test complained about the AMX’s nose heaviness. Perhaps someone who still has their “stash” can look it up.
I get why the Big Three joined the cubic inch wars but it never made sense for AMC. They couldn’t win. So why not do something different, e.g., cater to more Euro-centric buyers?
After all, outside of drag racing what’s the use of a 390 or a 401 in such a small car anyway?
The relative weight distribution would still have had to have been substantially higher in front in the AMX compared to a comparably equipped Javelin, due to its much shorter wheelbase.
I think Randall kept going well into the late 70’s with the 401 swaps. I seem to remember articles about them swapping these into Pacers and Hornets, too.
AMX was a halo car, to generate interest and showroom traffic, especially with young people. Which it did while muscle cars mattered. My friend’s dad was service manager at the Rambler dealer. I remember how excited we were to see the AMX when it came in. I’ve always liked its looks, especially when it had the big circle on the C-pillar.
A few months ago I saw this 1973 Javelin AMX in the showroom of my parts supplier.
I like the agressive and unique looks. And it sure had a big fat but, didn’t it ?
You certainly show up in something special at the classic car show here.
This car was bought new in the Netherlands back in 1973.
(Photo: Pedal to the Metal, Joure)
Javelins are seriously overlooked ,I had a dark green 69 secretary’s special 6 cylinder, for 2 years very reliable for a 12 year old car.My brother had it for his first Yank for 18 months before little sis fancied some Detroit iron and she had 2 more years out of it.I prefer the early Javelins style to the later models,I can see a bit of Mustang and Corvette in it’s lines but it looks bloated compared to the sleek 68.The pre emission big block Javelins are monstrously fast cars(in a straight line)
Quite rare here there are a couple locally belonging to the HotRod fraternity I always kinda liked them they fell into the Camaro,Mustang, Monaro camp on performance and were raced some on circuits they seem more at home on a dragstrip like most of the pony cars.
Javelins were raced successfully in SCCA racing and won the Championship in a Rocky like story against the Big 3 and their big name drivers.A genuine Mark Donohue Javelin goes for serious money today.
There were two cars I could recognize when I was a very little boy: the first being the original Mercury Cougar from 1967-68 and the original AMX from 1968-1970. When I was a child I had two favorite Hot Wheels cars, the Custom Cougar and the Custom AMX. Both were green and had the red line tires on them.
In as much as I love(d) Mercury Cougars, I have never tried to own one as an adult. Several times I have tried to purchase an AMX (back when they weren’t quite as expensive as they are now) or the equivalent Javelin, but there seemed to be some mitigating circumstance that kept me from doing so.
Weddings, children, house purchases, all that trivial stuff that soaks up your car buying cash…
I tell ya, I can’t get any respect… 😉
Any fan of the original Cougar or Javelin get’s my respect
I first saw an AMX about 20 years ago at a hillclimb, it was a bright orange with a very angry 390/401 and did quite well for a car of its size (most of the cars were sports cars or open wheelers). Actually it is the only AMX I’ve seen… not surprising since they only built 25 in RHD alongside (not that many) Javelins and sedans at AMI in Port Melbourne. I did see one advertised for sale a few years ago but too late, which made the can/should I buy it decision very easy!
I spent a lot of time around the AMX/Javelin. One of my best buds (from Kenosha) had both and we spent a lot of time tweeking them, but that AMX was one fast little Rambler
This car is sweet. One of the few muscle cars I would own.