The advent of the 1960s was not kind to American Motors Corporation. The company was known for family economy cars, and its demographic was aging. Sure, the Rambler was a strong seller, but AMC was watching its fortunes sift off in the dust of Mustangs and Corvettes. Something had to change. Dick Teague was that change: arriving from Chrysler in 1959, Teague was finally given the reins at AMC’s design department in 1961. His first big move was a foray into the muscle car niche with a two-seater concept car that he called the American Motors Experimental, or AMX. Introduced in “pusher” form (not running) at the January 1966 Society of Automotive Engineers show, and then to the public one month later at the Chicago Automobile Show, the car was a hit. The next question was, what to do with it. The company’s first answer was the Javelin, a sporty car built on the Rambler American platform with several engine options. Immediately, younger buyers flocked to AMC’s showrooms. Buoyed by this success, Teague aimed at the Corvette – the only American two-seat sports car on the market, and the AMX was launched in 1968. Here on facebook Marketplace, under a layer of dust as thick as a bedsheet, is a 1969 AMC AMX barn find, with an asking price of $20,000. The car is located in Centralia, Washington.
I could write forever about the AMX – the model was a kaleidoscope of options and change over its short run from 1968 through 1970. Understanding this car is difficult without an awareness of all the cars. But let’s start with the engine. Ok, total mess under here, but you’re looking at a 290 cu. in. V8. The whole point of the AMX was to grab a share of the muscle/pony car market, and here’s a 290. It’s almost an insult. But it gets worse: this is an automatic. At the outset in 1968, the AMX also offered a 343 and a 390, and dang, the four-speed was standard! Someone had to tick a box to get this automatic. The seller notes that the car “ran when driven into the barn 20 years ago.” Does that make me feel better? NO!
Ok, I will overlook the skull and crossbones whatever-that-is, but whose idea was the vinyl stick-on shelf paper? At least the artist managed to sequester the dash plaque – it should state the car’s serial number. I guess there’s a reason for the adjustable wrench hanging under the left side of the steering column. Oh, and that steering wheel is incorrect. As we survey this challenge, it’s worth mentioning that some AMX parts are scarce. At least a couple of the gauges are present, but a new owner will need to get clever if the interior plastic is cracked.
Now it’s time to say something good about this car. I think it’s a very rare color, called Alamosa Aqua. Ok, that’s it for the good. Now we have to talk about price. Like many muscle cars, AMX prices layer according to what collectors have decided is most desirable. Leaving out the special cars like the Super Stock, the hierarchy generally favors later cars, the 390 motor, any “Big Bad” color, and options such as the Go Package; a manual gearbox almost goes without saying. This ’69 already has demerits for its motor and gearbox, and its condition is another deduction. A perfectly nice ’69 AMX 390 4-speed can be had for around $25k. I’m going to call this one overpriced. What do you think?
Nice find definitely inspect in person that area had a nasty flood a few years back want to make sure this wasn’t one of the victims of the nasty water
That car will be underwater again if someone is foolish enough to pay that price. I’m betting the motor is stuck too. Also, I live in Tacoma, about 60 miles away, and after that flood they rebuilt the interstate through there, elevating it.
Judging by the rusted lump in the engine bay, I suggest this may have been in a biblical level flood. If it hasn’t, it should be. Hard pass.
You are right, it’s overpriced as 5 weeks on the market suggests.
At some point the seller might want to drag it outside and wash it, while he’s at it maybe take better pictures. If that doesn’t help find a buyer, they could always lower the price. A little effort can go a long way, with the economy feeling like it isn’t going great, sellers may actually start putting effort in an ad, cleaning their car, is a nice place to starts.
Steve R
Looks like a Cougar behind the AMX, and a Fox body Mustang in that barn. Interesting trio. Love the AMX color, but that’s about it. $20k is way over priced with the work involved. Body looks good which helps but the interior needs a lot of help. I would offer $10k cash in hand.
The wood grain was a feature of the ’69 AMX’s, and Javelin SST’s. The price is WAY TOO HIGH for a 290 Auto restoration project! Absolute base model AMX. Alamosa Aqua is a scarce, beautiful color, though. As for the valuation of a nice ’69 390 4 speed, you are a few years behind. A nice example will cost you 40-50,000.00 nowadays. The Big Bad models have been auctioning in the 65-75,000.00 range , the last 24 months.
See the link in the article where I state “A perfectly nice ’69 AMX 390…” – that sale was just three months ago. That car was good driver quality and sold for $25,250. I try not to use asking prices, I look for actual trades where money changed hands. I do see asking prices in the $40s and higher, but those cars sit and sit and sit.
I stand, corrected. The Big Bad prices are sales, however. In getting insurance on my BBB AMX, I had to find comps to get them to give the coverage I was seeking. The 24 months prior, B-J, Mecum, etc had sold 4 Big Bad AMXs (they are quite scarce), which is where I got the 65-75,000.00 range.
My first car when I was 16 was a 1970 amx go pack 390 hurst 4 speed 4:10 rear golden lime metallic and c stripe with saddle brown interior am 8 track. It had all the paperwork including the window sticker showing everything. I bought it for $3500. My parents talked me into selling it when I turned 17 because it was to much car for a 17 year old. God I miss that car. And I wonder what that car would be worth today.
Nice write up Michelle. Makes me want to look at this car, even though I’m not really looking!
Nice write up Michelle. Makes me happy to never see it again.
Maybe 20K for all 3 but still pushing it at that. Love the AMX but you’ll be hard pressed to find a weaker model than this one. It may be worth 20K after restoration but that’s about it. I would say I’d take the fox body but the way it looks in that garage it’s probably a 4 cyl auto. I may try anyway. Might just get lucky and get a Mustang like my old one. That would be a hoot.
The wrench is for the e-brake & shifter knob is incorrect……this car is hardly above a basket case. Funny that it has options like electric wipers and remote mirror but no disc brakes….
If someone offers him $4,500, I’d kiss the guy and take the money!I have 5 of them, all restored, and good luck finding parts if you aren’t already a collector of these. It will cost you 50K to restore a car that’ll be worth 25K to the market place.
Which one is your favorite? 😊
Best comment 👌
Dust and rust is a hot commodity today it seems with these prices we’ve been seeing lately.
Yeah look at the rusted out garbage known as late 60s to early 70s Mopars.and what they are asking for them! They were cheap then, overpriced and rusty now.
I worked at Stadard station in 1969 and one our regular customers had a 68 amx 390 4 spd. He was an oldrr gentleman who idled around town then came in for a regular tune to complain that the car ran poorly, my boss would have me drive the rambler out for a gradual blow out of the carboned up 390 for about a 25 mile round trip. This we did about every 3 months or so and the car always responded well to the so called tune up drive. The car was fun and fast but it not like to lugged arond town. I often wondered what happened to that pampered AMX 390 now that they are so rare!
How can you spot a 290 from a 343 from a 360 from a 390 from a 401? They all have the same external appearance, though a 290 would probably also have a 2 -barrel. I think the bigger motors all had 4-barrels. Also, I think in those years AMC was sourcing Chrysler TorqueFlytes for their automatics, they called them “Torque Command”.
You could get any V8 with a 4 barrel carb. The auto transmissions were Borg Warner M11 B and the M12 I believe. They didn’t use the Chrysler trans until 1971.
I’ve got several68-70 AMX cars and have had many more over the years and all had 4 barrels. My favorites are definitely Big Bads. Good luck selling!
The cougar is listed for $6,500 on marketplace. It says SBF 4 barrel.
Nice dusty, rusty find. There are a lot of good parts on this, but not $20,000 worth. Should be at about 3 to 5 grand. The numbered dash emblems were supposed to be in AMX sequential build order not the car serial #, but that all went out the window when they made their way into lunch box’s and pants pockets.
Few auto workers did take-out for profit. A habitual thief was found out and canned. Quick sale of
” adornments” wasn’t practical then.
Considering you risked 30+ years of good wages and benefits…
It’s an AMX. Not very many of them. Regardless of condition or options it’s worth restoring but not worth 20k. I have personally sent 3 69 AMX’s to the scrap yard myself in the mid 90’s (not realizing their rarity)and deeply regret it. I don’t want to see this one suffer that fate.
Sheesh! I’m glad Dick Teague didn’t work for me. If it took him 5 years to come up with this design, what was he doing for the other 4 and a half? My designers get 6 months and then they’re down the road!
4spd or manual transmissions along with bucket seats seems to be the attraction and rave for many buyers. I was there once upon a time. In today’s times modern transmissions can have auto and manual shift modes. My 911 has the PDK and it will shift through the gears without the concern of grenading the transmission if you fail to shift properly. Plus the pain in the a$$ of shifting in heavy stop and go traffic. But to each his own eh?
Frog, I was looking at this car and reading all the comments. Then I noticed your name. I was curious, is that your real name or a nickname?
Dan that’s my moniker. Long story. Most people have a favorite pet or animal they have an affinity towards. I have a few but frog seems to fit. An oddly enough some people favor their pet or animal and in my case cars (Porsche)as well.
Never liked the 68-70 AMX to me it was a half thought out design.
The Javelin tho that’s a contender.
It’s too bad AMC was such a wishy washy company.
Btw on that car in profile Parts car nothing more
Buttwad5000….STFU. Another moron that thinks they are an AMC expert because granny had an Eagle.
“A better muscle car than the run of the mill Nova, Chevelle, Camaro, Firebird, Mustang, Challenger, Cuda, Falcon, Torino, Cougar”
I want whatever the seller is on!! He is obviously HIGH!!
That’s a hard no! At least at that price…
20 Grand? I think not.
Hey Michelle,
I have and idea and request. Would you and could you notify the powers that be about allowing us senior car enthusiasts a free membership? Seniors are qualified for alot of perks and benefits including free college courses (that’s huge) discounted meals and much more.
It would be great if other Seniors chimed in as well. Thanks in advance.
“Other senior” here. I’ve had a lifetime to work hard and save.
Walked out of highschool into something more than my modest, mature, realistic and motivated kids could hope for. We have had our run. Good luck Frog.
Some of these sellers need a reality check. Just because they’ve got an old desirable car that it’s worth a lot of money. IT’S NOT IF IT’S JUNK.
Shame on me for throwing out a value without looking at the add. Only by doing an in person inspection could I be fair at an amount. If it is as solid as the rear quarters appear to be, it could be worth more than my 5 grand price. To bad there is no picture of the inside of the trunk and drop offs.
It has the 140 speedo and the 8 grand tach which leads me to believe that this is the 290/4 barrel that had 10.0:1 compression ratio that was good for 225 hp and 300 lb-ft of torque. It appears to be very complete only missing the radio and either the clock or blank off plate. All the important and desirable pieces are there. I sure wish it was closer.
And Frog, any help that we, who were on the streets when these cars were on the road, can get is always appreciated.
All 68-69 AMXs had at least a 290 4 barrel 1970 AMXs had either a 360 or 390, both with 4 barrel carb. The 140 mph cluster was in all 69 & 70 AMXs regardless of engine. Motors with 2 barrel carbs were available beginning in 1971 on Javelin AMXs.
Over priced? Yea. But possibly the last 290/4 brl automatic left in this condition. But at least the automatic is a stout Chrysler 727 Torque Flite.
Torque Flite didn’t appear in an AMC until 1972.
Ok maybe I was a little hard on my comment that’s because I had a Javelin SST and mine was nice. It will cost someone 30 to 50k to make this car worth 50K. No offense meant.