UPDATE – This Von Piranha has been relisted again, but the seller now includes a link to their site where they document the car in more detail. You can take a closer look here.
FROM 10/24/2018 – When it comes to mystery machines, the AMX Von Piranha seems to be one of the better ones. There seems to be a certain amount of cloudiness over why it was built, exactly how many were built, and with only two examples currently known to exist, where the remaining cars have gone. You can find this one listed for sale here on Craigslist. Located in Salina, Kansas, it is being offered for sale with a clean title. The asking price for the AMX is $59,900.
While there are a few questions about the Von Piranha pack, this particular car has been the subject of a number of articles. As you can see from this shot, the car has graced the cover and been featured in Muscle Car Review magazine. There is also an online feature on this car that you can find here.
For those who are a fan of the AMX (and I’m one of them) the first thing that you’ll probably notice is the array of scoops on the car. These were apparently a standard feature of the Von Piranha pack, and while some were functional for the vehicle as a road car, some were apparently only used for a purpose on the track. The ones on the roof above the windshield are blanks, but apparently, they could be used for cabin ventilation if the car was seeing track duties. The cut-outs on the hood were to feed air into the engine for better breathing. The ones on the c-pillars are functional. Behind each of those scoops is a 3″ pipe which feeds cooling air to the rear brakes. Once again this is believed to be a feature specifically designed for cars that saw duty on the track. Various sources claim that the modifications were performed by Thoroughbred Motors in Denver, Colorado and that only 22 examples were built. As with so many things about this car, no-one has been able to confirm anything, and everything seems to be open to speculation and rumor.
Ignoring the pack and looking at the car itself, it does look to be in really good condition. The AMX apparently spent more than 30 year in storage before emerging a few years ago. As the story seems to go, the car wasn’t stored and forgotten, but the car was started and run on a regular basis, and the usual servicing was undertaken. The paint is believed to be original, and there are no obvious signs of rust.
The interior is also original, and the condition seems to be in keeping with a car that has been in careful storage and has traveled a mere 24,700 miles. It appears to be complete and close to perfect. Careful inspection seems to show a crack in the wheel at about the 8 o’clock position, but otherwise, it looks really nice.
This AMX is fitted with the Go Pack as the starting point before the additional modifications were completed. This means that it comes with the 315hp 390ci V8, backed by an M-12 automatic transmission, “Twin Grip” posi-trac rear and power front disc brakes. One interesting addition that was made as part of the Von Piranha pack was the replacement of the standard intake with an Edelbrock R4B intake that is stamped with the Piranha logo. It is believed (but can’t be confirmed) that the original carburetor that was fitted with the Von Piranha pack was a 950 cfm Holley 3-barrel. When the car was written-up previously, this carburetor wasn’t fitted to the car. Regardless, under the hood appearance is in keeping with the condition of the rest of the car, with no obvious issues to report.
Placing a value on this car is a difficult prospect. The general market value for a ’68 AMX seems to sit between about $35,000 and $47,000, depending on condition. If considered in isolation as an original and unrestored car, then it would certainly be worth a price toward the top end of that scale. The Von Piranha pack muddies the water a bit, and it is open to debate whether this pack increases the value or decreases it. If someone can obtain positive documentation regarding the origin of the pack, its purpose, build numbers and a few other details, it could really push the potential value of the car much higher than the asking price.
I think this is the third time this same car has come up — I wish a real enthusiast would buy it and hang on to it!
If I had won that $1.6B…
Always thought these were cool, even back in the day (lots of folks didn’t). Not too crazy about the extra scoops, either. And too bad it doesn’t have three pedals.
Cool story ,but does “rarity =value” ?
As a multiple AMX,and Scrambler owner,I don’t see where any of those add ons improve this car in any way shape or form.It would take a very mint Automatic to fetch $35k,and this one might be that nice,pics sure look good.I’m cloning one of mine into an SS/Amx,too cheap to buck up $150k for a real one =;^)
I mess with antiquarian books and you soon learn the difference between ‘scarce’ and ‘rare’. Rare is something that there aren’t many of but is well-known enough to be desirable and thus valuable. Scarce is when Great Uncle Cyril self-publishes 25 copies of his 950-page book, “Remembrances of the Boer War”. There aren’t many but it isn’t valuable because no one wants a copy.
You can apply whichever you think is applicable to this very cool AMX with added-on nostrils.
I owned a ‘69, 4 speed, new. It had the 315 hp, 650 cfm carb (?) But wasn’t considered Go Pak. As I understood it, a 340 hp version was available with Isky Cam, bigger carb… called the Go Pak. Almost bought one off the showroom floor! 😩😫😭… Dougs headers were factory approved, which I added. I consistently won in FStock In New Bern, NC. Best time was 13:23 in the quarter. Never had the valve covers off it! Sold it for college… 🤫🤭😳
1968 saw very few automatics used on the track. The technology just wasn’t there yet to keep up to the manuals.
Particularly in the case of the old 1950s-vintage Borg-Warner automatic that AMC used at the time. At least for your $60,000 you’re getting the optional electric windshield wipers! :)
It might hold collector interest, but as a person who prefers to drive classics rather than just look at them, I’d rather have a regular AMX with a stick shift. And I personally liked the 343 better than the 390. Heck, I even preferred the Javelin, which looked much better proportioned, IMO.
Interesting…a red Shreck..I do like AMX’s, especially the AMX/3…a pox on the Fed’s and their 5MPH bumper mandate!!
This AMX has been for sale forever.
I really like the hood on this vehicle, it gives this car some attitude. Could do without the scoops on the roof, they just look wrong. Cool car though, I get tired of Mustangs, Chevelles, and Chargers ,( I included everyone) all the time.
Don’t like all the extra scoops….and an automatic….too high….
Other than the rear air cooled scoops and the Edelbrock intake ( carb is not verified) but could be ordered through AMC dealers. I see no listings to improved handling and suspension tweaks the tracm carz offered and from what I found no track cars had an auto.
I got away with a much modified circle stock car because I had option listings and these cars authorized by AMC as secondary market items.
The chev, mopar and Ford pony car owners screamed like heck but I was only taking the same damn rule advatages they had from their respective production runs.
Always believed the AMX was a much undervalued and highly collectable auto, so in todays market this individual firms modified but factory sanctioned and model IMO , is fairly priced rightly above other AMX.
AMC performance owners are damn near cultish with not that many members and are finally getting recognition for their AMC devotion, by other auto marque performance afficianados.
As a long term buy for future profits it is a toss up.
I don’t always “automatically” like non extra pedal cars but this is cool👍
I saw what you did there, good on you !
I like everything about this car but the roof scoops and the price, cars are made to be driven.
Like the hood, other scoops not, I would prefer that Javelin that dad bought 4 his boy & the boy converted it 2 a drag car next day, [commercial] now that was sweet! & what about that Gulf gas commercial when 2 dudes roll up 2 ea other at the stop sign sitting on their butts, light turns green & the kid burns out leaving 2 butt cheeks marks on payment, those where the javelin days. Opps guess I got a little off track
Yenko Motion and Nicky Camaros, Novas and Chevelles bring a higher price in comparison to their non-modified Brethren so why shouldn’t a dealer modded AMX??? Same for Shelby Mustangs,and The 68′ Super Stock Barracudas and Darts… Also any vehicle that carried the Shelby or Hurst name garners a premium…
The problem though with this car is that the true origin is not verified. There is plenty of vintage material showing what places like Yenko, Nicky, Shelby, Hurst, etc were offering. Is there any for this car proving the story about the CO dealership doing the conversion? Or just urban legend? If you want the big bucks you need to be able to back up your story.
I would think the many times this has been listed for sale the owner would at least freshen it up a bit and change the 1970’s period bias no name Peerless brand tires and put on some fresh BFG rubber.
I like the car but I would pass. I like AMC’s but am both more realistic and mature with age. For the asking price you could get a nice AMX driver (I would want a 4 speed trans myself) and have way more fun for less and not have a care in the world when parking it or driving it in the rain.
The car belongs in a museum with a caretaker which is what one becomes with a one off creation survivor such as this. It’s cool but not that cool. I can buy a lot more with my Roth money. No thanks.
I had a 69 amx, The go Pack consisted of gauges in the center top of the dash as well, I don’t see them in the picture, but its still a nice amx. Also have lived in Denver for 60 years. They were modified here and yes there are more of them out there unless the 5 that are in colorado are fakes…..
3 1/2 years ago, this same car was listed for $38K. https://barnfinds.com/fierce-fish-1968-amx-piranha/
Super neat car!!!! …”The paint is believed to be original”? – yet the dealer added scoops and hood cut outs means…. not original paint – wonder what this transformation cost the dealer vs what they charged ???
I fully understand what’s behind the roof scoops, but one in the center of the roof would look so much better. Once inside it could be directed where ever you wanted it. That said I like everything about the car and it’s mods, but the automatic. The functional hood on this is outstanding, and has to bring something to the party. Find more information, get proof as to what it is would be a good thing. In the end don’t let this car die un-wanted in some field .. it’s much to cool.
Cool car but for the money would rather buy a brand new Mustang
Always liked the AMX,but the scoops on the roof belongs on the (M-code)Barracuda hood,I owned one,not sure why they would do this.
ck out the 3 barrel carb here, look @ ac (top) & mount (bottom) sides:
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-117182-37290-0/2?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fp%2F3-Barrel-Holley-Carb-950-CFM-3916-1s-With-Race-TuneUp-Kit-See-Notes%2F1917826507%3Fiid%3D302678874754%26chn%3Dps&itemid=302678874754&targetid=484372169439&device=c&adtype=pla&googleloc=9001635&poi=&campaignid=1498383093&adgroupid=60666402667&rlsatarget=pla-484372169439&abcId=1139446&merchantid=118850884&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIqcKWhYOi3gIVw4-zCh05YQ3HEAQYASABEgK-PfD_BwE
The scoops look stupid JMHO.
I don’t ever recall anyone saying that you can’t have too many scoops unless they are talking about ice cream…
I’m sensing an early example of justifying the ‘Additional Dealer Profit’ trim additions. I’m betting the stick-on scoops were the ones that George Barris marketed in the late ’60s, made slightly more bearable by being functional instead of just being wind-catchers. Seems no one wanted them because the generic shape really didn’t ‘fit’ anything specific.
Otherwise, looks like a very nice AMX.
I own both the Javelin and AMX and won’t even start to type what crap was used on and in them. Only good thing is the engine, from the 290 to the 401.
I’d put HID lights in the non functional roof scoops.
Last one we rescued…..that’s it on top….
maybe this one….
about two years ago….not sure where it is after if was flipped over….
The seats are not the ones put out with the mfg. cars. They lasted about 3-5 years. Why no comments on the poor quality materials used on and in the cars? Guess to young to know.
And they have the cheek to say the 80s is the decade taste forgot? I’m thinking it might have been the 70s or was it the drugs were better then?
Eddie Stakes, where are you? (AMC expert)
There must have been more serious engine mods other than an intake swap to justify the use of a massive Holley three barrel carb. This engine looks great, good looking interior and paint,…I don’t know, those scoops on the roof are looking kinda weird up there. Seeing how so few, if anyone, actually really knows anything about our Von mystery machine here, I really don’t know if it could be considered a rare and desirable car, definitely not in the same regards as Shelby’s, COPO’s, or dealer built Chevy’s. Still a nice ride though.
Intresting car but not 60k intresting. Scoops on the roof are really lame.
Mmm-hmm, here’s an idea, if it’s too expensive, just wait for the “re-listing at reduced price”.
Apparently there’s another one of these ‘known’ to exist. It’s painted gold and was listed on CraigsList in Denver about a month ago. He said he only knew about one more, a red one, and wanted somewhere around $10,000 for his. I don’t remember all the details, but I emailed him a link to this one. He replied that he knew about this one but that it was already sold, so he was going to sell his. So maybe this re-listing is a new owner trying to flip it?
Wasn’t this car featured
https://barnfinds.com/1-of-22-1968-amc-amx-von-piranha/?utm_campaign=Newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Newsletter+(Instant)
only 10k
Here is the one that was listed in Denver!!!
I’m not going to be a sourpuss about this car, I would love to have it and drive it. It would be fun to engage with AMC and muscle car fans and get their thoughts about it.
I like the car don’t know a lot about them so I right something so I can read what other people that had these cars have to say!!! Personally the scoops on the roof look ugly to me and I wouldn’t want them! They don’t look to aerodynamic to me either!! The other thing is it’s a (yuck) automatic and it’s top dollar!!! I just don’t see it!!!
It looks like it has a skin condition. Rare or not, I’d prefer a stock one.