Last week I penned this 1969 AMC Javelin post and it received a good deal of back-and-forth conversation regarding what to do with its six-cylinder engine. Some comments made mention of the similar, but different AMX, so I thought today, we should review one of those, specifically this 1970 edition, and take a closer look at what sets these two special AMCs apart. Calling Lawton, Oklahoma home, this two-seater can be found here on eBay where it’s available for a BIN price of $18,000. There is a make-an-offer option available too.
It was noted in the ’69 Javelin comment section that the AMX is more than a Javelin with a shorter wheelbase (97″ vs. 109″), a shorter car overall (179″ vs. 189″), and no back seat. The available powertrains were mostly the same (no six-cylinder for the AMX, and the overall character shows as being more similar than different, appearance-wise, but the sheet metal, particularly behind the doors, illustrates the biggest contrast. As for production numbers, the AMX was a shadow of the Javelin’s output, managing about 4K units in ’70 compared to the Javelin’s 30K count.
If I have interpreted the listing properly, this AMX makes do with a 360 CI V8 engine which was new to the lineup, and an AMX standard in ’70 but it doesn’t seem that this is the original powerplant as the seller states, “Has a 360 w 727 I will include in sale a 70 warranty block that came out of this car“. And that warranty block should be a 390 CI V8 based on the listing’s opening description. Research indicates that AMC used a Borg Warner automatic transmission known as “Shift Command” but it sounds as if this AMX is now employing a Mopar automatic gearbox. As for operational aspirations, the seller claims that “it runs” and has just had new disc brake calipers installed (so I guess it stops too).
The body of this car shows pretty well, the non-original white finish is flat (Golden Lime was its born-with hue) but the body is not displaying rot though there is mention of the lower quarters having been recently replaced. Sure there is plenty of peeling paint, scratches, and surface rust thrown in for good measure but there’s a sound lot with which to work in the case of Kenosha Go-Kart.
The interior presents itself as tatty – and dirty but it is hardly a lost cause. Some black vinyl reupholstering will be needed and the center console surely needs a makeover. The austere instrument panel may just need a good cleaning to be brought back to a presentable condition. There are no included images of the floors but there are several of the underside and the integrity of this AMX appears to be sound.
Cars like this are a great find – too often AMC gets short-shrift, and the AMX, in particular, was a pretty daring piece for what was usually cash-strapped AMC. The $18K ask seems a bid bold, especially owing to this car’s non-original, and less desirable engine, but it’s hardly out of the realm of reasonableness. AMC’s advertising material of the day proclaimed, “It’s almost the only American sports car. The other one is the Chevrolet Corvette that lists for well over $1,000 more“. Only 1,000 bucks separated the two huh? My, how times have seriously changed, right?
The listing states factory air and the dryer and some refrigerant plumbing is visible but the aluminum York compressor isn’t there.
It does look pretty solid overall down below.
I would love this car if the 390 was in it
with a 4 speed. I’ve been looking for a while
for something I can toy around with.
Unfortunately not today
Nothing wrong with a 360 and 727 trans. You can out shift a manual transmission.
In a perfect world every AMX would have a 390 four speed.
I think the ask is pretty high for a car that needs all mechanical interior and paint/body. But again $10-$15K would buy you a nice car.
Hi I had 2 AMXs I had the 1969 it gad the 343 motor 290 hp was a nice car then I got the 1970 with the 360 325 hp much more responsive I believe the 390 had 340 hp all three cars had the same small block I tried getting another some years back but got back together w I th my ex wife instead what a mistake should have bought the AMC
Lawton, OK. is the hometown of Fred Brewer. He was about as fast as Herman Lewis.
Correct. I at one time had FBS racing parts. Intake and heads. Very rare.
And Brewer went on to make Chrysler big block racing heads said to have been based off the AMC design. A few of my friends used them on their race cars in the late 70’s and ran pretty quick.
Went to visit Brewer’s shop in the late 80’s. I was living in Dallas and my neighbor was from Lawton. Got to see the trapezoid head & AMC’s Indy round-port head along with Fred’s AMX Funny car. Gene was concerned that Fred would be shot because he talked stuff at the awards ceremony.
Art–1970 390 was 325 hp in an AMX. 1970 Machine only was 340 hp. 1970 360 4bbi was 290 hp.
Some of the AMX/3s were listed at 340 hp. Where confusion starts is the SS/AMX had a nominal rating of 340 hp.
Even a 401 will fit, all the same block. Can get really good power from an AMC motor. Price is a bit high though
Wow…..he has a silver Machine back there…..same seller with another from last week.
and at least one or possibky 2 other AMXs. One is listed on e-bay for $11,900
That silver car looks to be a a ’71 Matador with the Machine Go Package, which is much rarer than the ’70 Rebel Machine.
This listing was ended by the seller on Thursday, February 8 at 4:04 PM because the item is no longer available. I wonder what it sold for?
the Borg Warner transmission will not fit behind a 360 or anything 70 or later. The bolt pattern on the crankshaft changed for sure but I don’t remember if the bellhousing also changed. But they will not fit. So with the 360 you would have to have the torqueflite for an auto trans
That not correct, I had a 1970 Javelin with the 360 4bbl and ram air hood and the borg Warner t-10 4speed. All were factory.
They will fit with an adapter on the crank. Ask me how I know.
I hope someone saved that 70. Never saw a matador with a machine go pack but I’ve seen pics of them. They weren’t factory but probably a dealer ad on all us AMC guys gather.
Chrysler supplied automatic transmissions to AMC hence the 727 trans being behind the 360.
AMC used the MOPAR 727 in lots of cars especially after 1972 including Jeeps. The bell housing bolt pattern is not the same as the MOPAR 727s but most of the internal parts are the same. :-) Terry J
AMC switched to Torqueflites for 1972. Changed the name from Shift Command to Torque Command.
I would have liked it more in it’s original Golden Lime color.
There is a 1970 AMX parked directly behind the listed AMX and a 1969 AMX parked to the left of the other 1970. And there is a Rebel Machine in there too. The Machine 390 was rated 10 HP higher than the AMX.
I worked for an AMC lot in 73. The 70 AMX was in the transition period. They offered the 343, 390, 304, 360, and the 401. They also offered the 727 transmission. Also I saw one AMX with a six cylinder and 3 on the tree. This was I Springfield ohio and the owner didn’t specify which engine or transmission. Which goes to show you that anything is possible.
290-343-390 were relaced by 304-360-401 in 1971. There were NO 6 cylinder AMX’s in Gen 1 or 2 AMX’s.
NO COPO AMC’s.
correction: 1970 AMX had the 360, but 304 was restricted to the Javelin. No 290-343 in 1970.No COPO AMXs but there was a Hertz AMX. All of them had the 343 with automatic. maybe 100 produced.
I worked for AMC and know for a fact there were 6 cylinder AMX. I personally saw one with a 6 and 3 on the tree.
THERE WERE NO 6 CYLINDER AMXs between 1968-1974. Later cars such as the Hornet AMX & Spirit AMX did have 6 cylinder motors. If you observed a 1968-1970 AMX or a 71-74 Javelin AMX with a 6 cylinder, it was installed by the owner.
So your telling an ex AMC employee that the 1971 AMX with a 6 cylinthree on the tree didn’t exist? By the way, the person that bought it said he would never get rid of it because it was rare. I must be totally blind as well as not knowing what’s going on
a couple of corrections: 290 & 343 motors not available after 1969. 1970 AMX had 360 standard & 390 optional. 1970 Javelin had 6 cyl. standard with 304, 360 & 390 optional. Torqueflight can replace the B/W M11/12 if the crankshaft is altered to accept the TF torque converter nose. Also, keep in mind that J- series trucks had TH400 transmisssions.
It was probably a regular Javelin dolled up to look like a Javelin-AMX. Engines in 1971 Javelin AMXs are as follows: 360 2V, 360 4V & 401 4V. 401 available only with B/W Automatic or 4 speed.
It did not exist. probably a regular Javelin dolled up to look like a Javelinin-AMX. 1971 engine choices for the Javelin AMX are as follows: 360 2V, 360 4V & 401 4V