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1-of-284: 1969 AMC AMX “Big Bad Green”

American Motors got into the pony car space in 1968 with the Javelin. It was a 2-door, 4-seat sporty compact designed to compete with the Mustang, Camaro, etc. But AMC did those guys one better by also coming out with a 2-door, 2-seat GT-version called the AMX. These cars only came with V-8 power and had one goal in mind: go fast. Wild colors were available to help look the part, such as “Big Bad Green” which adorns the 1969 AMX here. This car looks like a restoration that stopped mid-way and many of the components needed to complete the job, like an engine or transmission, are likely gone. It’s located in Minneapolis, Minnesota and offered here on eBay for the Buy It Now price of $8,600.

Most AMC products sold in smaller numbers than their counterparts at Ford and GM. In 1969, Javelin and AMC production combined was under 50,000 units, while 300,000 Mustangs and 240,000 Camaros were built. The AMX targeted a more specific audience than the Javelin, so it saw just 8,300 copies that year. Drilling down to engine and transmission pairings, that quantity narrows to 3,600 for 390 4-speeds. And if you seek out the count for AMX cars painted Big Bad Green, it drops to under 300; in fact, just 284 AMX’s were built in that color in 1969. The Javelin would be in production for seven model years (1968-74), while the AMX – as a standalone model – was around for just three (1968-70).

The listing for the seller’s car comes with limited information. For example, we’re told the car is a 390 with a 4-speed manual. Since none of the photos include any of those key components, we have to assume they are no longer around. The same can be said for the interior. There are no seats and much of the dashboard is no longer there. So, the assumption must be that the buyer will have to source these items when completing a restoration.

Most of the Big Bad Green paint looks decent, but it surely must be a repaint. The driver’s side rear quarter apparently was damaged or rusty with a repair underway. It will need to be finished or another rear quarter sourced as a replacement. There also may be a big hole in the rear floor pan. Items that also appear to be missing are the headlight and taillight assemblies, radiator, most of the parts that attach to the motor, and door panels. If any of these items have survived, they’re not mentioned or appear in a photo. A solid AMX may very well be the most valuable AMC product from the 1960s. Hagerty estimates $35,000 at the high end and add 20% for the Big Bad Package, if this car had one. But the car offered for sale seems to be a rolling shell and chassis, but a nice one at that.

 

Comments

  1. Avatar Rex Kahrs Member

    The AMX always looked too stubby to my eye. But I do like the Javelins.

    Like 4
  2. Avatar RayT

    For the price, I’d expect all the bits to be there, even if not yet rebuilt. If they are, this could be a good project.

    Unlike Rex Kahrs, I always liked the AMX’s looks. Stubby and purposeful, like a bulldog.

    Like 27
  3. Avatar Rex Kahrs Member

    Remind me of the purpose of a bulldog….

    Like 4
    • Avatar dave Member

      To snatch a rack of ribs off the table when you ain’t looking.

      Like 8
      • Avatar Rex Kahrs Member

        Hard pass on that!

        Like 1
  4. Avatar Keruth

    Somebody needs to have the AMC codes here?
    I only see two pedals.
    Lucky someone got it off the road when they did, still needs drivers floor all the way to the firewall.
    But if, on PI, it’s good on the rockers. perimeter frames etc. looks like good deal. Customized as you wish! I’ve always wanted one, no room at the inn!

    Like 1
  5. Avatar Alan Member

    68-70 were 2 seaters, not 4

    Like 1
  6. Avatar JoeNYWF64

    With 60,000! more stangs sold in ’69 than Camaros, why so few at car shows & so many more Camaros? Maybe because of the front subframe on the f-body & less structural issues than a full unibody car like the Ford?

    Like 0
  7. Avatar mainlymuscle

    Amx not the most valuable AMC car,unless the 69 AMX/SS.The Hurst SC/Rambler is worth more due to rarity and performance.I have both.

    Like 3
  8. Avatar jerry z

    Is the car complete? Very vague info from the seller. The body does look nice from the photos. To bad its in Minnesota, not dealing with snow!

    Like 0
  9. Avatar Rosco

    Would be a nice car finished, but missing a lot of parts with many being somewhat difficult to find. VIN shows a 390, manual transmission, and door tag has correct paint code for a ’69 BBG AMX. Also has painted bumpers, front bumper molding, and rear bumper guards. At least it seems like a real BBG car.

    Like 1
  10. Avatar Retiredstig Member

    These cars are as simple to work on as their competitors, but you have to really want one to restore them. Unlike Mustangs or Camaros, you can’t just go on line or pick up the phone and order an entire car.
    Which just may have been this seller’s problem, given the butchering of the transmission tunnel and the rotten floor. Turned out to be a more difficult proposition than expected. Uhm, not to be picky, but is there an engine? Transmission? Bueler?

    Like 2
  11. Avatar Claudio

    Forget covid
    Its LSFEVER AGAIN
    Perfect car for a powerfull and versatile LS !

    Like 0
  12. Avatar Cerno

    If you had a compost pile of AMC parts I would say fix it up but the way this car is I could only see making a cool drag car where it doesn’t really have to be perfect or finished with interior. Who wouldn’t want a AMX snipper at the track .

    Like 0
  13. Avatar seth gordon

    SC/ Rambler not worth more than an AMX. About the same if the AMX is 390 4-speed. The most valuable AMC car is the AMX/3 at ~$1,000,000. Of course, calling an AMX/3 an AMC is similar to calling a Pantera a Ford.

    Like 0
    • Avatar Rosco

      The AMX/3 was only a prototype. The Pantera, as you should know, was an actual production vehicle. Not even close to being similar. Shall we say apples to oranges?

      Like 0
    • Avatar JoeNYWF64

      I would think even the AMC pushmobile prototypes are worth a lot more than an AMX 3, since they are 1 of a kind – assuming some of them still exist …
      http://ultimatehotwheels.boards.net/thread/239/amx-2-3
      Not sure if any CLAY models – production or prototype – of ANY car from the ’60’s & ’70s were saved & still survive intact today, or would have emply fallen apart if not always in climate controlled storage.

      Like 0

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