The AMX was a 2-seater companion to their 4-seat pony car, the Javelin, from 1968-70. After that, it was a performance option on its bigger brother. It was a true GT-style car, not just a Javelin with 12 inches taken out of the wheelbase. Assembly numbers were never high, even by AMC standards. This ’69 edition has a 343 V8 and was treated to restoration and performance upgrades at some point. It’s available from a dealer that specializes in muscle cars in Elk Grove, California, and has been listed here on eBay. The no reserve auction has reached $6,900.
In 1968, the AMX became only the second American-built 2-seater car in production at the time. Production was inspired by an experimental concept car that AMC had developed two years earlier. The company was not known for peddling performance, so the AMX was an attempt to change that perception (another was the Rebel-based Machine 24 months later). With available big-block engines, the car was set up to handle well, gobbling up twisty roads in style. In three model years, just 19,134 of the little cars exited the factory. 1969 was the biggest model year in terms of sales at 8,293 units. Of those, 1,572 had the 343 V8 like the seller’s car (843 4-speed, 729 automatic).
The seller’s AMX is from its sophomore year of ‘69. It’s thought to have had only three owners and left Kenosha with a 343 V8 paired with a 4-speed. The engine has been rebuilt (10,000 miles ago) and the transmission was replaced with a 727 Torque-Command automatic. When the engine was refurbished, it was also balanced and blueprinted and received some performance upgrades, including aluminum Edelbrock 401 heads, high-rise aluminum intake manifold, and a Holley 4-barrel carburetor with double pump action. The work didn’t stop there, so add to that list an aluminum radiator, MSD 6AL box, MSD electronic distributor, Hedman Headers, and an upgraded dual exhaust.
All of this plus a lot more adds up that this AMX is one fast machine and also holds the road well. That should improve even more by adding a new set of tires. While the current Goodrich’s have plenty of its tread left, they’re well past their date codes. They ride on a set of Centerline Racing wheels with wider versions in the rear. The car originally had factory air conditioning, but that was removed but can be shipped to the buyer along with some of the engine parts that were swapped.
The body looks solid and we’re told there’s never been any rust or accident damage. But the black paint is likely an older respray and has some flaws here and there that the seller points out in the photos. The rear spoiler and hood scoop were ordered from the dealer rather than the factory. The AMX comes with a set of original California black plates, not the newer ones you can get from the DMV. So, what’s a 1969 AMC worth? Upwards of $40,000 according to Hagerty, but that’s for Concours. Somewhere between Good and Excellent is likely in the low to mid-’20s.
The aluminum heads probably have the dogleg exhaust ports that probably wake up this engine quite nicely. Hopefully some oiling mods were done as well since these have a tendency to starve for oil when driven hard. Looks like this would be a nice driver. Black IMHO doesn’t do this car justice like some of the other colors and I would loose the hood in favor of a stock hood if the induction set up would would clear.
I agree about black. My brother’s buddy had a lime green (Big Bad Green?) version, and it was totally “boss”. I was 13 or 14 at the time (my brother 5 years older) and it was the first burnout I had ever seen. (You ALWAYS remember your first).
I like the mad max vibe.
“treated to restoration and performance upgrades” = RESTOMOD !
My first real car was the 68 1/2 model with a 290 A/T. I still regret the day that I traded it.
Doesnt swapping out the 4 speed for an automatic decrease the value of the car?
Especially when swapped with a 727 TorqueFright.
Okay, so does changing from 4 speed manual to automatic equate to reverse engineering? Maybe it was a one legged driver. Seems to me it would have retained value if left with the 4 speed, but then I’m an old fuddy duddy so what do know? Love these cars though.
God bless America
Why on earth would anyone remove the air conditioning? Also, that rear spoiler and those wheels look like they were added in a mexican shop in Tijuana. As far as I am concerned, someone took a great sports car and turned it into a gang banger special.
For those who don’t know, all of the 2-seat AMXs made in 1968, 69 and 70 had a consecutive and continuous number from year to year assigned to each one showing what number it was off of the AMX line.
With this being a second-year car, it is #16,646. I owned a ’68 390 4-speed with A/C which was #02940.
I’ve always found these numbers fascinating on these unusual cars.
What a hack job on mounting those 6×9 speakers in the back.
I have yet to see a car that looks good with those wheels.
They were a big deal with the drag racers in the ’80s and ’90s to, supposedly, make the car go thru the air with less turbulence. But they looked bad on drag cars and even worse on street cars. And these wheels really date this car.
So sad about the four speed
‘gotta make em your own”. Really love these cars altho nota mopar guy (any i6, esp the slanty & ThriftPower). But yeah, I’m the same as the rest – stock is more appealing (nononono: pins, scoop, wheel, spolier, etc). Isn’t white the us ofa assigned international race color – or one of the Krazy 60s (but orange or yellow).
here we go again…there is no big block, small block AMCs. they were the same block, 290, 343, and 390.
while I’m at it. some cars always seem to get the same unnecessary mods. the simulated ssAMX hood scoop has ruined too many AMXs, in my opinion. just like the 64 Fairlane, which everybody feels the need to make into a Thunderbolt clone. Beautifully designed cars, ruined by silly modifications…
ok, I am finished now.
Does that no big block no small block apply to the 401?
Yes, all 3 V8’s(Both generations 290/343/390 304/360/401) were the same exterior dimensions and are considered to be medium-sized blocks