When I think of the name Pierre Cardin I think of either Haute Couture, you know the kind of threads no normal, mortal individual can actually squeeze into, or existential, minimalist design. When I learned that there was a Pierre Cardin inspired American Motors Javelin AMX model, I thought someone was pulling my leg. An AMC, are you sure? I would expect to find a “PC” endorsement on something like a Lincoln Town Car. Nope, it’s real and here’s one for review, a 1973 AMC Javelin AMX, Pierre Cardin edition. It is located in Lenzburg, Illinois and available here on eBay for a current bid of $9,600, 36 bids tendered as of this writing.
Muscle cars usually have special editions named for car guys like Dan Gurney or Richard Petty or Mark Donohue, even AMC knows that since his name graced a Javelin in 1970. Leave it to AMC to go its own unique way. And speaking of the Javelin, this AMX is really the performance variant of the Javelin where prior to ’71 the AMX had been a similar, but unique, two-seater model. The Pierre Cardin inspired AMX was introduced about halfway into the ’72 model year and continued through ’73 with full production volume reaching about 4,100 units.
I don’t know much about 97-year-old Pierre but I bet he’d be pretty hopped up about this AMX which bears his name. It’s a sharp-looking car in pretty good nick all the way around. This AMX triple black coupe has a deep, reflective finish, very straight body panels and no sign of rot. I am usually not a fan of a black vinyl top with a black finish but it works wonders on this AMX. In 1973, there was a 5 MPH Federal bumper standard imposed for all cars sold in the U.S. I’m not sure how AMC got around it with the chrome blade that suffices for a front bumper but I must say, “Well done!” This AMX’s kisser is a huge improvement over what some of its competitors employed in ’73. Parked since 2003, proper storage has done this 97K mile pony car well. The only things that appear out of sort are missing trim rings and perhaps the wheel center caps.
Get a load of that interior! Pretty outrageous and the theme continues across the headliner too. No denying, it’s in fantastic condition but PC’s visual statement of swirls draws one’s attention away from every other aspect of this comfortable looking cabin. No word if all of the instruments work but they sure look good for 47 years of age.
Go large or go home, right? Well this AMX has gone large with its 255 net HP, 401 CI V8 engine and accompanying composite, cowl induction hood. I got sideways when reviewing a ’74 AMX a few months back thinking that it too had this special hood but a BF contributor advised that ’73 was the end of the line for this performance enhancement. The seller claims that this AMX, “starts and runs”, not exactly a ringing endorsement but further inquiry may help to spell out how well this AMX actually starts and runs. Gear changing is courtesy of a three-speed automatic transmission and fortunately, this noir special has A/C. The seller includes that he has replaced the fuel tank/lines and rebuilt the carburetor.
One of the neat things about this AMX is that it isn’t another Camaro, Mustang, Barracuda, Firebird, etc., it’s an often overlooked, viable competitor and a reminder that before the Detroit Three (or two and a half now) there was the Big Three and really the Big Four. Though AMC never reached the sales heights of its big competitors, they were a very noteworthy manufacturer that brought innovation and a different perspective to the U.S. automobile landscape. And this AMX is a testament to how AMC managed to participate in what by 1973, was a slowly diminishing performance car arena. The seller claims this AMX is one of 140 so equipped. I gather he means color, options, etc. for a ’73 version. AMC records from the time place AMX production for ’72 and ’73 at 8,900 units combined with the PC version and its previously mentioned volume of 4,100 units making up 46% of total AMX production for those two years. I’m seriously wondering how I could have missed this Pierre Cardin model. True, not a huge volume in totality but still, 46% of the total? Oh, I know how I missed it, I was too busy perusing Camaros, Mustangs, Barracuda and Firebirds – the bane of AMC, and the AMX’s, existence. If there any of you who were in the same blinders boat that I was, here’s a chance to make a statement with a unique, standout car. Any interest?
I’m personally not a fan of the vinyl top, but the combination of that wild interior and the 401 make for a really intriguing—and unusual—ride. I love Camaros and Mustangs and Challengers as much as the next guy, but when I go to a car show or auction, the machines I tend to remember and appreciate most are the oddballs.
And then there’s another bonus: whoever buys this will likely get a super-rare, unusual car for much less than the other brands.
Seeing this made my day, what a cool car!
A super nice car in my favorite color.
I do wish it had a four speed but could drive the matic 👀😎
I once drove a 401 four speed in my youth that was orange with ten inch SS cragars in the back and lil four inches up front.
I was looking to trade my 55 chev belair 2 dr hardtop modified with a 327 vette engine four speed jet black. I still can’t to this day believe i walked away from a trade for less than 400 dollars 🥺 when the 401 was so cool looking with a few mods . I ended up selling mine later that year and getting a 69 Rally Z28 hidden headlights and rubber neoprene front bumper and it did run fast and hard.
I hope this baby goes to a good home.
I am loaded on cars but if i had the room would definitely add this to my other four muscle car collection
Wow, I have always liked the AMX Javelin. What a cool car. I really dig that vinyl top. The c-pillar looks like they did a stretch armstrong on it! You only see the really funky stuff with the vinyl tops like that from AMC. Don’t rule out the Mod Tops and Floral Tops from Mopar though. This X really speaks for itself and the black really shows off its beautiful lines. Love the interior statement. Like its moving standing still. A third petal would be sweet, but I take it as is!
AMC, got the dash right on these AMX’s.
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Wow, these are indeed unicorns, and way cool rides.
At first observation this one appears to be pretty straight but an in person evaluation is definitely warranted – there are a few obvious needs but they are relatively minor. Too bad no undercarriage shots.
A/C, 401, rally gauges, straight grill and header panel, clean dash with clear markings, looks to be an original PC edition all there and based on the angle in pic 11 it may even have a tilt wheel. This one deserves a closer look for sure.
Also too bad — “Car is in ‘as purchased’ condition” doesn’t mean sh*t.
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I am getting a pop up that says “free view limit exceeded” telling me I have to pay and subscribe?
Barnfinds please do not do this as I don’t have any money to pay and this is my favorite website.i look forward to seeing all of the cars every day.
:( :( :(
Especially now with everyone ordered to remain home. I don’t know where the ads come from, but I see ads for everything from dresses to auto restoration services.
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Dave — you should probably stop shopping for your dresses in the internet, that’s probably where the content of your pop-up ads is coming from.
Damn, can’t get rid of that visual now. Thanks a lot.
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That’s what I get for letting my wife use my phone while hers is charging.
If you recall, Klinger became a pretty good soldier once he abandoned his quest to earn a Section 8.
Try right clicking on the car and opening in a new tab.
And today as a member I am getting adds. Should be add free.
Barn Finds should offer a “free” option for viewers who send in comments. I find the viewers comments to be the best part of this site. There are folks out there who are extremely knowledgeable, and provide info that’s hard to find elsewhere. Also, the humorous comments that pop up offer a nice balance to the more- serious, collector-friendly content.
Removing the view limit for non-members would be a nice gesture during the quarantine.
WOW!! What a beauty…
The Pierre Cardin editions were indeed a very odd choice for marketing purposes – but of course, that only makes them all the more interesting today. So interesting that we actually featured a whole article about these relatively unknown AMC’s over on ViaRETRO.
https://viaretro.com/2019/04/the-amc-with-a-touch-of-french-haute-couture/
If the AMX is rare compared to the Mustangs, Camaros etc in the US, then just imagine how rare they are in Europe. In all my years of being deeply involved with classics, I believe I’ve only seen one or maybe two AMX outside of the US! Importing not just an AMX, but a Pierre Cardin AMX to Europe would simply be beyond cool. But sadly, the current state of Corona-lockdown would probably make it near impossible to pull such an import off at this crazy time.
Great link, thanks for sharing that.
It is up to $14,700 now. I usually do not like vinyl tops but it looks good on this car. Does not appear to have any bubbles in it. Very nice car, a real beauty.
My favorite body of AMC’s. (73-74 Jav)
This one in particular is one step away from the perfect option list in my opinion.
That deep rumbling V-8 and smell of exhaust fumes go perfectly with that interior! Love it!
The 1973 bumper standards had a carve out for sporty cars, so 1973 Javelins, Porsches, etc have fairly normal front ends. Things went to hell with the 1994 models, across the board.
The Matador had an Oleg Cassini Edition, I believe he was a favorite of Jackie-O. The humble Hornet had a Gucci Edition….long before the Cadillac Seville.
Don’t forget the Levi’s AMC Gremlins! Surprising all the designer/ brand names that worked with little AMC.
I have a 73 AMX PC,and mine is “Midnight Plum ” which matches the purple stripe on the interior,and makes it the perfect compliment in my opinion.Mine is a 360 built to about 350 reliable hp.I also had the identical 72 AMX but with the 401,but the California body needed too much ,so I gave up 40 cubes for the quality of the metal.I have a 68 AMX 390 /4speed ,I prefer these later body styles,possibly because I’m a Corvette guy and the borrowed styling tricks,just suit my taste.At one time ,I would not have been caught dead in the “bloated out” 71-74 series.Funny how tastes change.
The Pierre Cardin interior was supposed to be SST only for 1972, though a few AMXs were built. The option was officially expanded to AMX for 1973.
If a Javelin was too racy, a buyer could also get a Gucci edition Hornet Sportabout in 1972 and 1973.
The really bad bumpers came on ’74 models of cars in the USA. 73 was a stopgap. My 73 2002tii has nice chrome bumpers, but in 74 they went to the diving board bumpers.
“The standards were further beefed up for the 1974 model year passenger cars with standardized height front and rear bumpers that could take angle impacts at 5-mile-per-hour (8 km/h) with no damage to the car’s lights, safety equipment, and engine. This often meant additional overall vehicle length, as well as new front and rear designs to incorporate the stronger energy absorbing bumpers”
One of the guys who came through the SCCA in the Toledo area in the early 80’s had one of these, but even back then the interior and seats fabrics had already faded due to sun damage.
This really strikes me as being an unusual car, very cool.
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Dave — you should probably stop shopping for your dresses on the internet, that’s probably where the content of your pop-up ads is coming from.
Damn, can’t get rid of that visual now. Thanks a lot.
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Don’t forget the Levi’s package on the Gremlins, only thing that ever made that car look good, lol
Denim seat fabric!
The Pierre Cardan I was intoduced to had a cross section patchwork of fine leather on the centers of the seats. Like the purses and coats that were all the fashion of the time. It was a black base Amx and was all original. The interior and exterior we’re too perfect of that Era to reproduce. No privateer could come close to obtaining the tooling to even come close to try to recreate an interior of that poiniont detail.
Although it’s often said that AMC never reached the sales volume of the Big Three, and that’s certainly true of their performance offerings, Rambler did displace Chrysler as the number three automaker in the country for a brief period in the early 1960s.