American Motors was known for building conservative, reliable cars but would step outside that comfort zone from time to time. The 1968-70 AMX was one of those times, transforming their new Javelin pony car into a GT style 2-seater. They could be had with AMC’s most powerful engines and were known for being excellent in the handling department. This AMX is an “X” code car meaning that it left the factory with the 390 V8. But the car’s engine is no longer there and we don’t know about the transmission. The seller says he has too many projects, so this one has to go. But he doesn’t tell us whether it’s a ’68 or a ’69 model, which looked quite similar compared to the ’70. This roller is available in Maysville, Kentucky and here on Facebook Marketplace for the reduced price of $3,500.
The AMX and Javelin were late comers to the pony car/muscle car field in 1968. Other than the more expensive Corvette, there were no other 2-seat sports-type cars made in the U.S. at the time. The AMX was much more affordable than the ‘Vette, so AMC took advantage of that by filling the car’s order sheet with both performance equipment and image options (for example, bold paint colors like Chrysler was using). The car’s name came from the project code assigned to it during development, the American Motors Experimental. Production AMXs rode on a version of the Javelin’s platform but was 12 inches shorter. At 97 inches, the AMX’s wheelbase was nearly a foot less than either the Mustang or Camaro, the market leaders.
AMC built a relatively small number of AMX’s overall, 19,134 copies over three years. The X-Code 390 V8 went into 4,399 cars in 1968 and another 4,803 in 1969, so the seller’s car is in that mix somewhere. Those numbers combine both 4-speed and automatic transmissions with about 60 percent of them being manuals. The seller refers to the AMX being good for 12 seconds in the quarter mile, but we don’t know if that pertained to this specific car when it still had an engine or the cars in general. That sounds optimistic, even for a stock AMX.
The body of this car is less than perfect, with most of the problems being the hood, and both front fenders and rear quarter panels. Because of the scarcity of the AMX compared to the Javelin, these cars command a more dollars in the marketplace. But a stellar AMX doesn’t seem to run more than $40,000, so if you have access to another engine and a body shop, perhaps there’s an opportunity waiting here for someone. Our thanks to Chuck Foster for this tip!
My heart breaks when I see an AMX in this condition. It’s not even worth the price as a parts car.
Ha Ha Ha…Needed a good laugh today.
Just No, no way. This is a total Swiss cheese Loch Ness monster.
Besides the obvious body flaws, and missing mechanics, just take a look at the front end shot…this car has major frame damage. Good luck getting replacement parts, and a competent bodyshop to fix this one.
Junkyards were invented for a reason, sometimes vehicles just belong in one, despite the wishful thinking of the Kentucky based seller…
Even Forrest Gump would pass on this disaster.
Horrible shape for $3500! This AMX is going to need that $3500 just to start repairs on the frame. Also to put in headlights and side mirrors on it if there is any money left.
Look at the right front tire.
The thing sits a good 6-8 inches rearward of the original location.
This is not a car that can be repaired, at least not without finding a donor car for the front end damage…Too much damage, too late, too much money.
Sorry, stick a fork in this one, it is done.
It’s only February but “body less than perfect” to describe this must be in the running for understatement of the year! I hate saying this about an AMX but aside from maybe a few salvageable trim parts it’s scrap metal.
There is a reason it’s been listed for 13 weeks, so far and has had it’s price reduced by 30%. Eventually he’ll get the message and sell it as a parts car or part it out himself.
Steve R
That is one hurting little puppy. Too far gone to be restored. I owned a 71 Javelin and it seems I spent as much time under it than I did in it. But it was fun
Shame to see this AMX in such poor shape. Good luck and stay safe.
Cheers
GPC
I agree and totally concur with any and all above statements.
too far gone, as the movie Christine says, ya cant polish a Turd!! too far gone, maybe some parts to be had, better have lots of Liquid wrench and a Torch to remove rusted on parts
The seller says “he has too many projects, so this one has to go” . Another flipper comment, and of course, the car on the trailer photo . That’s why the seller has little info on the car ,he pulled it out of some junkyard and knows nothing about the cars history .
The car can be saved. The trunnion suspension is out of wack for sure. This car has not had a motor for 30 plus years.
The fact is in 2021 I can and could locate a 68-69 Javelin donor today. It would have 90% of what this needs. The specifics like the hood would be $900-$1100 and finding a 390 wouldn’t be cheap. Everything else would. Assuming this girl took a hit in the front. (It didn’t) but it could be clipped.
Any AMC V8 would bolt in. The limited numbers of the two seat AMX are even less today. With throwing some parts at it could be a driver with a little effort. This is a car that only an AMC person could appreciate and save on the cheap.
NOTHING about that car is “on the cheap”
Motor City If you are connected it is. Last summer a few friends rescued a rust free 68 Javelin that had been hit very hard in the passenger door. It was bought for parts incidentally to save an AMX they had worse off than this. It cost them under $500. for the Javelin. They have been buying Javelins and AMX’s for years. There is an art buying on the cheap.
Granted the AMX won’t be a show car when done. They are not going for that…… however they might. Just two brothers that grew up around Ramblers. They have jobs and still mess with them in their spare time. One does the mechanics the other can lay a paint job. Together they can build a car. Without a 1-800 build a car catalog.
I agree with AMCFAN. It could be saved. Would require some work but due to the rarity of these cars it would be worth it to some people. I think I would just clip the frame if it’s damaged which it does look like it is. I guess I have a different outlook about cars like this because my son owns a body shop and I have seen him restore cars that were worse than this one. It isn’t cheap.
Totally agree. AMCs are rare and even more so in Canada. I have a 68 SST Go Pack 343 4speed and am frequently the only AMC at car shows pre pandemic of course.It can be brought back to life
The only dual carbureted AMCs were the SS AMX.And for the life of me ,why do sellers keep advertising the 390 as a “Big Block” ? All the engines from the 290 to the 401 were a thin walled small block
Rotted Roller…
Speaking as a former AMX owner, and big AMC fan, this one just makes me want to cry.
Wherever that factory 390 wound up, it’s in a better place now.
If the bucket seats are original, it’s a 1969 AMX. The ’68 AMX buckets didn’t have head restraints, unless it was an option that year (which is doubtful).
Headrests were an option from the beginning, even back in the early 60’s on the big cars, and on small cars starting with the Javelins and AMX’s, so, yes, it could still be a 68.
Dale S, head rests were available as an option in 1968. not mandatory until 1969. factory literature shows some 1968 cars with the headrests.
This looks totally awesome, rotted husk of a body, smashed in front end AND no drivetrain. Whatever he is asking, it is not enough.
I agree with Steve R. This is a parts car!!!!!
This is exactly how my Mattel Hot Wheels redline AMX ended up looking after playing hard with it in 1968-69. Bent axles and all.
Look at how they strapped the FRONT BUMPER…
There’s your FIRST CLUE.
$1000 MAXIMUM!
First clue on what??? Not sure what that means. The bumper is bolted on the car. You can see it on the top of the page. No strap. It seems they incorrectly wrapped a tow strap around the bumper to pull it on the trailer. It was clearly bent prior to being moved, Pretty clear.
My first Javelin years ago had a blown 390. Had my buddy haul it. His family owned a body shop and hooked me up. Their wrecker was a 1970 Chevrolet with a Holmes sling. My front bumper looked much like this after he latched onto it.