Last March, I spotted this pristine 1970 AMC AMX parked on the street in Staunton, Virginia, on the west side of the Blue Ridge Mountains in the Shenandoah Valley. The vanity plates give the year, plus a quick Wiki search indicates that the 1970 model, the final year of production, featured a full-width grille encircling the headlights. Also new for 1970 were the dual “power blisters” on the hood.
1969 AMX pictured at left
The AMX was a sporty 2-seater produced for only 3 model years, 1968-70. However, the same basic platform was used for the 4-seat Javelin, produced for two generations from 1968-74.
This particular car appears to be in original condition including the wheels. The chrome rocker trim simulates lakes pipes on the base model. Higher line models appeared to use real lakes pipes.
According to Wiki, production figures for the AMX were 6725 units for the 1968 model year, 8293 for 1969, and 4116 for 1970. Like so many AMC cars that preceded it, the car started out as a modest success (’68 models came out in February of that year) but then declined not long afterward. The AMX was discontinued after 1970 for the same reasons other muscle cars were axed–high insurance rates and the prospect of stricter emissions controls.
I’m probably in the minority here but I think the proportions look wrong compared to the lovely Javelin It looks like a Javelin with a chunk chopped out..A rare sight compared to America’s other 2 seat sports car.In the early 80s I used to see one advertising a cafe across the road from the tram stop at Bispham near Blackpool.It was a rough rolling shell with no engine and soon rusted out as sea water was blown onto it when the tide was high and the wind strong.A sad end to a nice car.
I’m sure Revell made an AMX that could be built as a showroom car or a drag racer that was driven by a lady racer.
It looks like a Javelin with a chunk chopped out.
True, or, depending on your perspective, a Javelin with a bunch of excess weight chopped out. Less mass means more acceleration.
Well that’s how it looks because that’s actually what it is! I don’t care, even if the proportions are a little off compared to the Jav, theyre both amazing cars and beautiful designs.
And youre thinking of the Drag-On Lady…that was a real dragster, I cant think of who the driver was.
It was Shirley Shahan.
It took a while, but by the end of the week, our readers were able to find a Javelin and even more impressively, this AMX.
They have an appeal lacking from other muscle cars, because of their well integrated details, and look more up to date today than their contemporaries. At the same time, having the center section chopped out just makes it look more menacing. Perfect car for an imaginary crime-spree.
This brings back a childhood memory. Old musclecars always do that for me. In this case, a local fellow got a job at the sawmill, and immediately got a new silver AMX with that Power Blister on the hood. He gradually destroyed it, collecting dent after dent. After a while, that AMX looked like a beer can in the hand of a man watching his favorite team lose. Lots of dents all over, and it was even silver like a beer can. I don’t care for the two-tone paint job on this AMX, but that is a quibble so small, you need a microscope to see it and a micrometer to measure it. It is so nice to see one of these cars in once undented piece.
Wish I still had the AMX model that I was given as a going away gift by one of my classmates in November 1969…one thing I remember was that it had a vinyl low back bucket seat in the front (the rest of the model had that same “rigid” plastic but the vinyl seat actually was pliable).
I think I saw one of these in person at the Automaster off of Spear St in South Burlington back then…my father was looking at other AMCs (likely a wagon, back when we always had one) but as an 11 year old, I of course was more interested in the AMX, though it was hardly in consideration for a family car.
Zwep,
do you remember the advertisement for Roxie’s Stereo? Roxies Stereo north exit 10, turn right? and go straight, three?miles and its great, makes your heart palpitate?
Nice car! It looks like the wheels are a 17″ copy of the original as the tire sidewall is so short.
I think those wheels are Cragar SSs.
I do like the original AMX. I knew that production was low but didn’t know it was this low.
One year in college, I delivered pizzas. The shop manager drove one of these. This was 1981-82 and it was kind of a beater by then. But even so, it still managed to convey a little attitude.
LOVE IT!! I don’t normally go in for tutone paint jobs, but this is well executed. What I don’t like on the 1st gen Jav/AMX is that full chromed valance. The Big Bad colored Go Pak cars tend to monochrome those and the rear bumpers (or maybe that’s a custom treatment) and to my eyes, that’s how the car SHOULD look.
Well, that was because it was the bumper. But I agree that they looked much better with the color-keyed bumpers. My pick would be a ’69 AMX in Big Bad Blue.
It is a bit strange that they have such a deep front bumper but a slim rear bumper, it doesn’t match well.
I agree, the blackouts fit well with the lines of the car.
I just happen to own a Big Bad Blue AMX. By ERTL.
Me too! I also have one in Caravelle Blue, one in white and one in pink (the 1968 Playmate one).
Me? well I like it SWB coup’e V8 motor 4 speed LSD hopefully, whats not to like, other than the cost of gas now I’d have one and drive it.
I remember seeing what I believe was the AMX show-car/prototype at the Chicago Auto Show. If I remember correctly the back window hinged at the top to provide access to a kind of rumble type rear seat. This would have been about 1967, my teenage self thought that it looked really cool. Looking back that would have been a really terrible place to ride.
It was called the “ramble seat” and there was some serious intent to actually produce it in the AMX. However, government safety regulations put paid to whatever intent was for real.
I love two-tones and this is no exception…even if it is yellow. The rear view of these cars is especially gorgeous. I like the clean pseudo-full-length taillight design — so clean and so “not busy”.
Love, love these things! I’d love to spend the bux to have one, but alas, my fortunes didn’t turn out that way. I’d be happy with the Hornet in the next post!
Beautiful car. I’d have one in a minute. The 1970 models were the best. (no more king pins!)
Adios, Rambler Week. My father had the weirdest taste in cars. He traded his Kaiser in on a used second generation American, and traded that in on a new third generation American. I liked to think his purchases helped fund Mack Massey’s Super Stock AMX, though.
http://www.superstockamx.com/page5.php
This is a little late for Rambler week but I had to weigh in. That 70 AMX (American Motors Xperimental) is a beautiful car. I have a 70 and a 69 as well as a 74 Javelin and a elsewhere maligned 65 Marlin. The AMX was the original concept that led to the later stretched AMX model AMC wanted to call the Cavalier but had to settle for Javelin because I believe Chrysler owned the Cavalier name at the time. The shadow mask (black accents) as applied at the factory was on the hood only and was a semi-gloss paint that weathered quickly separated from the rest of the body by a silver pin stripe. The AMX was quite a departure for AMC and I think they did it right. The AMX with the go-pack was a well equipped car. The 70 go-pack included power front disc brakes, heavy duty cooling, fan shroud, seven blade flex fan, handling package, space saving spare, posi, a functional hood scoop as well as the AMX’s factory torque links on the axle and standard 4-speed with auto optional. My cars are both go-pack cars with a/c and leather interior. Quite a car to come out of Rambler. Hudda thunk it! If you really wanted get serious with your hot rod AMC the dealer had a huge selection of over the counter go fast goodies including rear axle gears and a host of engine and body parts sold under the group 19 monitor. The before mentioned side pipes where optional on any AMX. Many of the Group 19 parts could be installed by the dealer. I could go on but should shut up now. Just my 2 cents. Love the site!
Make that group 19 moniker. Sorry just couldn’t let it go. Silly I know. Keep Ramblin.
This is my grandpas car lol
Glad to see so many nice comments on my car. My granddaughter was at work trying to explain to some coworkers what an AMX was and went online and this write up came up. She forwarded it to me. I have lived in Staunton all my life and bought the car from the local dealer after I returned from Vietnam. It is top of the line 390ci go pack. Once again nice to see so many kind words.