The original American Motors AMX (1968-70) was a GT-style performance car whose roots were tied to the new Javelin pony. It was a 2-seat hardtop whose only similar competitor might have been the Chevrolet Corvette. Located in Crest Hill, Wisconsin, this 1969 AMX left the factory with a 390 cubic inch V8 and a 4-speed manual transmission. But we don’t know if any of the numbers match now. A work-in-progress, this pocket rocket is available here on craigslist for $14,900.
Sales of the original AMX were low, even by AMC standards. Just over 19,000 copies left the factory in three years, so when the Javelin was redesigned in 1971, they didn’t retool for the shorter-wheelbase AMX. Instead, they made it the performance series of the 4-seat Javelin through the end of the line for that car in 1974. The 1969 model year was the best for the AMX at 8,293 units, with 3,620 assembled with the 390 and a 4-speed like this one.
When the seller bought this car, he planned to restore it. But his shop space is going away, so the AMX needs to go as well. On the plus side, the AMC runs and drives but just doesn’t look pretty. The color of the paint is Bittersweet Orange, but it’s well past its prime, and the body has its share of little dents and dings, and there is some rust. Two extra doors are provided should they be needed.
We suspect the car isn’t complete when looking at the interior (missing door panel, for example). Since these cars were likely driven hard back in the 1960s and beyond, the attrition rate for the first-run AMXs is probably high. Assuming this one is a numbers-matching vehicle, how many of the 390/4-speeds could be left? An attaboy to Barn Finder Barney for this tip!
Wow, nice find. Knew a guy that raced oval tracks back in the day and asked him which car was the best on the track. He said the AMX, and explained that it had a wider stance, which hugged the track. Went on to say the Mustang with a Cobra Jet was to powerful and the nose wanted to rise, which wasn’t to good for steering. You could catch the AMX on the straightaway, but AMX could dive into turns with no brakes.