This is probably not a car that I would buy, but that’s no reason why you shouldn’t consider it. We’ll go over the pros and cons of acquiring this 1970 AMC AMX four-speed muscle two-seater coupe, and if it attracts you, get down to St. Joseph, MO after making your best play here on craigslist, where the asking price is $8250. Thanks to Gunter Kramer for this tip.
So why or why not? First, you’ve got to have some AMC love to dive into this project. The AMX model came out in 1968 and lasted until 1970, the only two-seat American coupe available in the era save the Corvette. The look is somewhat of an acquired taste, not to offend the die-hards out there. To my eye, this car has always seemed a bit short and thick in its proportions. Lack of two extra seats doesn’t bother me—nobody ever sits in the backseats of my car—so it’s not a matter of practicality as much as of aesthetics. But if this car grabs you, then why not? The 1970 model had a revised exterior, with a longer hood and power blister with functional ram air openings when the car was equipped with the “Go Package.” (Oh, what today’s youth have missed out on!) This car, according to the seller, has the ram air hood.
Engine availability for 1970, the final year of production, came down to two rather monstrous choices: a 360, which this car has, or a 390. What a weighty front end the latter would have produced! But here, there’s a problem, Houston: “[T]he crank and engine parts not in engine but included,” according to the seller. So you’re going to have to trust someone else’s work on thing like machining the crank. It seems that this is a stalled resto project, and that other similar cars have run through the seller’s shop. That’s why he lists a catalogue of other parts available, which he will not sell except after negotiating a deal on the AMX with the person who buys that car. If you’re interested, it’s worth having a look at the ad and tallying up the details that he offers as to what’s included and what’s been rebuilt/restored. It might help you decide two things: whether the deal he’s offering is worth it, and how much time and effort you’re going to have to spend to obtain other goodies to make this resto happen. There do seem to be some conspicuous absence of interior parts, for instance.
The second reason that I might not grab this car is that as with any classic, the big enemy is rust, and this one’s given the tinworm a foothold. The seller notes that it will need quarters, trunk drop-offs, and floor work. Images in the ad probably don’t show the extent of the rust. The one shot in the trunk doesn’t look too bad. Good thing the seller is honest in his assessment of the condition of the metal. The asking price on this restoration project seems reasonable to this non-expert, though the fact that it’s been a stalled 15-year project is not encouraging, and the rust is something that would better be avoided if possible. There are also needs noted, including some missing glass. No doubt more money grabbers would become apparent after you got this home and inventoried where you are. As always, it’s easy to get to 90%. The last ten percent is the hardest, and sometimes most expensive, terrain to traverse. But if you love the AMX, and you can deal with some welding needs, this might be your project.
High front end. HD spring pkg ?
Only partial engine under hood.
I think that photo was taken with the engine out of the car. The ad says he recently put it back into the car.
if you wanted a project this might be a good starter, but I’d want to know the extent of the tinworm damage. If the extra parts that the seller has came off this amx, shame on him. If you look around I’m sure you could find one of these done for 20k. NFW could you do this car for the difference. The fact that the tranny and shifter are there is encouraging. I’d write off the mill thats in it amd use a 390 or 401. Good luck and happy motoring. Don’t forget the original parent company of AMC made household appliances.
Cheers
GPC
GM and Frigidaire, Ford and Philco, Chrysler and Airtemp come to mind, AMC’s parent company was Nash, and they made Kelvinator. So what’s your point gaspumpchas? By the way, the 68/69/70 AMX never used a 401, it didn’t come out until 1971.
The 360, and 390 use the same block. AMC did not have small blocks, and big blocks. Therefore, no concern about added weight with the more powerful 390.
Weight difference between the AMC 290 up to the 401 motor is small maybe around 30 lbs. A negligible amount compared to the difference between a SBC & BBC or the difference between a SBF and an FE motor…….Kelvinator was not a parent company of AMC. The parent companies were Nash & Hudson. Kelvinator was acquired as part of George Mason becoming the CEO of the new AMC.
A friend had what may have been the first AMX in Cleveland.
She offered it to me for $600 as that was what a dealer offered her when she was going to trade it in on a Mustang II. I did not have $600.
cheaper in the long run to buy one that is together and running. no restoration project works out to be economical. and anyone who has restored a car knows this.
Joe Samascott: Only thing I “know” about AMCs is you want the ’71 up dog leg heads? Does any one make stroker cranks that would fit the 360 block, or are you scrounging for a 401? I’ve read Indy Cylinder head makes parts for these, but I don’t get to that part of town very often.
Lots of rust and needs too much work.
I too always thought the AMX looked odd. I had a 69 Javelin and thought it looked more balanced. They should have stripped a Javelin to the bones ala the RoadRunner, put a 390/4speed in it with a functional ram air and called it the AMX
They basically did that in 1971 and a 1971 401 Javelin AMX was nothing to sneer at… but I’d still rather have the sublime 1970 AMX 390
AMC blocks are the same externally. 390 & 401 blocks are reinforced internally and 401 blocks have filled pan rails. The best AMC heads are the 1970 390 & 1971 401. The 401 head has a larger exhaust valve and bigger combustion chamber, iirc
and there U have some help (I’d need as amah ford guy) to complete this rig for those of us who just love the AMX itself (drive train, breaks, suspension or no).
I’d call this a ‘roller’, and 1 that needs plenty wrk. Not gunna happen on my shift as it’s almost over / too many unfinished as it is. More like 3 – 5K$ and a close look to tell the difference. Love a chance tho. 90 inch WB (2 less than my bronk).
At one time probably was a nice car.