The AMX was a two-seat version of the Javelin, both introduced during the 1968 model year. It was a muscle car and it was fast, but it was not a big seller, even by AMC standards. In three short years as a standalone, it saw just 19,134 copies made. Beginning in 1971, it would become a performance option on the four-seat Javelin. This well-preserved 1970 is possibly one of just 122 that were painted in Big Bad Orange that year. This car has come out of storage in Cave Creek, Arizona (north of Phoenix) and available here on eBay where the reserve has not been met yet at $17,350.
The AMX had the unique distinction of being the first American made, steel-bodied two-seat car since the Ford Thunderbird 10+ years earlier. 1970 would be the last year of the AMX in this configuration and AMC sold just 4,116 of them that year. 1,632 cars had the 390 V-8 with a 4-speed manual, like the seller’s car, and just 122 of them were said to be painted in the same color as this car. So, this 1970 AMX falls into the “rare wheels” category. (Source: PlanetHoustonAMX)
Adding to the rare factor is the “Go Package” or Go Pack option, which this car also has. That got you the 390 high-output V-8 with dual exhaust and chromed exhaust tips, H-D cooling system, power front disc brakes, upgraded suspension, limited-slip differential, and wide-tread tires on mag wheels. The seller’s car doesn’t have the extra “Go-Pack” gauges which were mounted in the center of the dash.
The Big Bad Orange paint color on this car would be 1970 all the way, but it was repainted at some point and – if you look really closely – it’s starting to show its age. Unlike most AMX machines that you see for sale, the body looks solid and the seller says it has no rust issues. The car has a fiberglass hood with ram air induction, but it’s not hooked up although the seller has the parts for it. And the buyer will also receive the original steel hood the car came with, along with the rear spoiler that was on the AMX years ago; we’re told reinstalling it would not be difficult.
As a 50-year-old car that’s been in storage for awhile, the original black interior shows well. That includes the upholstery, carpeting, woodgrain, steering wheel, and gauges. The factory AM/FM radio and original Hurst shifter are both there. The odometer reflects mileage at 46-47,000 and it had the same owner from the late 1970s.
The engine, which the seller believes is the original motor, was rebuilt, balanced, and blueprinted with documentation to prove it. It wears ‘70s-style finned valve covers but the original chrome ones come along. The car starts up, runs and “sounds strong” as the seller puts it, but recommends giving the AMX a complete service to be sure everything works as it should.
Hagerty says that an AMX is this condition would likely go for north of $25-30,000 and, since this one has the desirable Go Pack and a rare color, we’d guess that figure would just be a starting point. It will be interesting to see if the reserve gets met on this car.
Makes a statement!
Nice car.. i would of left spoiler and hood in place or restored back in place.
The orange paint is cool as is the manual trans✅
Its nice with the odometer plus 100 thousand or one one million miles additional too. Its amazing all these original cars never used much online these days. 😎
I’d say the 1970 model AMX is the one to have because that year AMC finally lost the old trunnion-based front suspension and went to full ball joints. Not only easier to service at this late date, but better suspension geometry than the old setup. This one looks great and even has the optional electric wipers!
Wow what a car! An old friend of mine
owned a ’69 model but his was pretty
ragged out when he got it. His was a
390 model with an automatic transmission. He was in the process of
restoring it when his wife became pregnant a second time and the car had
to go. Seeing this one reminds me of the car shown in the sales brochure with
an accountant type man standing next
to it. Yeah, it was lime green, but the
pictures of this car brought it all back.
These cars looked fast even when parked. So nice to see one that hasn’t
been thrashed to death.
That AMC guy, the 70 is also the one to have as the first year of the dog leg heads, and ram air. I’d want to see the metal door tag that calls out the 03A BBO paint, and I’d want to check the numbers on the engine, as the 70 390 is one year only unicorn and impossible to find if the motor is wrong. Great car!
This is the nicest AMX I’ve seen in years!! All the right stuff was ordered and the color pops out at you!! The seller did an excellent job in preserving this car all these years!!
Did they come with a painted front bumper? Looks kind of unusual with painted in front and chrome in back. Could be a fun little car once fixed up.
Definitely the best of the best as far as AMX’s go. 1970, 390, 4spd, Big Bad Orange!
My first car at 15yrs old, a green 1969 AMX 290 4spd. Still have it, needs some work now. But I did find a freshly rebuilt 1970 360 out of an AMX, can’t wait to swap that in. The 360’s that year made very close to the same power the 390’s did with the new heads and larger bore.
Odd that AMC mounted the racing mirrors a bit too far back.
(& Ford mounted theirs a bit too far forward.)
I would either put trim rings on the wheels or paint the outer black part silver to make the wheels appear bigger.
Very cool car! Love to have it.
My first car when I was 16 was a 70 amx golden lime metallic, go pak, 390, 4 speed, 4:10 rear actually, p/s, power disc brakes, a/c. Came with the original window stickers showing All the options. God I miss that car. I sold it when I was 17, my parents didn’t want me to drive it. My dad said it was a lot of car for a 17 year old and was going to be worth something. I’ll never forget the guy that bought it came with a trailer from Virginia, gave me a cashiers check signed the title then asked if he could take it down the street. Should have realized then what I had. God I miss that car. You never forget your first.
Great cars I owned one for a few years after looking for one and trying to afford one for 25 years . This car is needing a a lot of detailing and a good paint and body job . The front bumpers were NOT painted in 1970 model year only the big bad cars were painted bumpers in 69 year . 1970 was my favourite year and had a better front end suspension and shock tower design and had dog leg cylinder heads for a extra 10 ponies. The 70 also had the best hood with cowl hood and someone decided to remove the hood springs and put hood pins on all four corners??? Why a don’t know pretty odd it’s not a A-12 Dodge man. Anyhow you could also get the shadow mask blacked out hood and a pillar stripes which was even more rare . The biggest problem with these ultra cool cars is rust and rot and finding parts . AMC didn’t put stampings on there parts like the other big three so you need to know your stuff when digging into a project and if you live in a wet or salty area it would only take a few years before troubles pop up !!! They rust !! Unfortunately
Fiberglass parts are an option – scroll down
http://www.showcars-bodyparts.com/amxjavelin.html
and
http://www.amclives.com/collections/fiberglass/1968-1970-amx
But making them fit or even just mounting them may be another story.
I wonder if any cars at car shows have fiberglass fenders or even quarters – even 1st gen Camaros.
Always thought the roof should be a weeee bit lower on these AMX’S.