American Motors wasn’t afraid to think outside the box in order to stay competitive. In 1968, along with the Javelin pony car, AMC launched the AMX, a GT-styled muscle car that was one of just two American-built 2-seaters. The other was the Chevy Corvette, but it cost substantially more money. The AMX would see just three years of standalone production and under 20,000 total units. This first-year AMX has the biggest engine AMC offered, the 390 V8, and a pair of options that were rarely found together on the same car, the Go Pack and Rally Pack. More on those later. This ’68 AMX is located in Selah, Washington and available here on Facebook Marketplace for $17,000.
It would be easy to say that the AMX was a Javelin with a shortened wheelbase and no back seat (which it was). But that would be short-selling the car because it was an admirable performer with excellent handling characteristics. While the AMC would produce 6,725 of the cars in the AMX’s first year, when you drilled down to the 390 V8 with automatic transmission, that number drops to about a third or 2,287. The 390 had a forged-steel crankshaft, forged-steel connecting rods, 10.2:1 compression, and a 4-barrel Carter-AFB carburetor, giving it 315 hp and an amazing 415 lbs./ft. of torque. The seller’s car is one of those automobiles.
On top of that, this ’68 AMX has two sought after options, although how many AMX cars got installed with these is unclear. The first is the Go Package (or Go Pack) which was sold as such in AMC’s brochures, but on the new vehicle order form, it was called the Performance Package. Besides the 343 or 390 engines (290 was standard on the AMX), Go Pack buyers also got a dual exhaust system and chromed exhaust tips, heavy-duty cooling system, power front disc brakes, uprated suspension, “Twin-Grip” limited-slip differential, wide-tread red striped tires mounted on “Magnum 500” wheels, and over-the-top racing stripes (installed by the dealer or not).
The second of these options, and considered rare, is the Rally Pack, which consisted of two gauges in the center of the dash. You would have to forgo factory air conditioning as the A/C vent holes were used for the Rally Pack. The centerpiece had an eyebrow for these gauges. So, you combined the 390 with the Go Pack and the Rally Pack, the number of these cars built is alleged to be small. AMC put a production number plate on the dash of each of the AMX’s and this one’s says 05227, which means it was toward the end of the first year of production.
This black-on-black car is said to have 52,000 miles on it and won’t need a great deal of work to get running regularly again. It requires a new water pump and transmission pump seal, both parts the seller already has. Some work has already been done, such as complete new brakes and rubber seals for the hood, trunk, doors, and windows. The car also has new wheels on the front and new tires all around. We’re told that the seller has invested $4,000 in new parts like headers, gear drive starter, armrests, rear spring, and traction bar bushings, but doesn’t mention if they are already installed. We assume they’re in boxes and will go with the car.
Just two folks have owned this AMX and the seller is its second. It rests under an open carport but is said to be rust-free and has no significant body damage or problems. The car was last licensed in 1981, so it likely hasn’t run around much in the past 40 years. The seller is pretty set on his asking price, so if there are no takers at that amount, the car will stay put. According to Hagerty, $9,000 should fetch one of these in Fair condition, while Concours jumps to $35,500. Add a 20% premium for the Go Pack, but deduct 20% for the automatic, so those options are a wash. Since there can’t be many of these cars left with this combination of assets, perhaps the seller will close a deal.
My god, give the thing a bath!
This is my car and is very much for sale as of 4/5/2022 JimMerritt THANKS
You previously said you were keeping. Now selling? Maybe provide information as to where it can be found?
Feel free to call or text me at (509) 902-2926.
Thx, Jim
I so want this car! And it’s close enough for a day trip to load it on the car trailer.
Then go get it!
It was sold when I looked into it!
Come an get it!!
Stupid birds, crap on my car, will ya’, POW, POW,, oops, sorry, and sadly, the “Pack” did not “Go”, as hoped, but hey, runner up in a championship is nothing to be ashamed of. Such neat cars, being from my hometown, why I never bought one will always remain a mystery. I’ve seen some pretty basic AMX’s, but someone checked all the boxes on this one. Coolest car to come out of my neck of the woods.
Maybe some should do some homework, Rallye Pac is not a factory option, but rather dealer installed….rare yes, but has been accurately reproduced and you can not tell them apart. Automatic AMX’s have limited appeal for most of today’s buyers, the third pedal is most desirable. Actually a lot option car, since it has vacuum wiper, manual mirror and no tilt or other desirable options beyond Go Pac, no original full chrome Magnum 500’s…..
You are correct that the Rally Pack was a dealer installed option, but you would need the correct “eyebrow” center speaker cover to add reproduction Rally Pack. Not an easy item to find. Any AMC fan can easily distinguish factory, or dealer installed unit from something reproduced. As for the wheels, yes, these are aftermarket, but the original wheels were not full chrome Magnum 500’s. Maybe do a little homework?
Amj2626 – vacuum wipers? I don’t know enough to spot them but I thought everybody had moved on to electric wipers by the late 60s. I’ve driven cars with vacuum wipers. Attempting to pass someone on a rainy night is an unforgettable experience.
My ’68 Javelin SST came with vacuum wipers. I absolutely hated them. I eventually installed electric wipers from another Javelin that had the electric wiper option.
Why is there no mention of the 401cu.in. engine with twin 4 barrel carbs on a cross ram manifold offered on the AMX – along with other specialized race equipment?
No 401 available in the ’68-’70 AMX. The 52 ’69 SS AMX’s did have the cross ram dual 4bbl and other race equipment.
The 401 did not come out until 1971.
Cross Ram intake was a group 19 dealer installed option along with higher lift can.
Borg Warner automatic transmission was pretty crappy, that’s why 4 speed is preferred
First off the 401 didn’t come out until 1971. The group 19 parts dual guad intake, headers and “fullrace” cam etc. Were dealer installed. The intake was an Edelbrock with AMC part number so as to be a factory option. That allowed the Super Stock AMX to be so equipped and be NHRA approved
Dash numbers have little actual meaning. They were more of a gimmick than an actual production sequence number
And……. It’s gone !
I’m not up on AMX prices, but this looked like a deal.
Come an get it!!
bought one as a left over in jan 1970 was a 390 4 speed charcoal gray black strips red interior pay 3100.00 new was a 69 car was fast for the times went 14.00 at 100 mph like to have this car today
A friend had one that she traded in on a Mustang ll. Big mistake. I was offered the AMX for $650, but I did not have $650 at the time.
i like it!! give it the ‘ol college type cleanup,and RUN that sucker! i dont see the headers,unless pic was before they were on,or underneath,put some nice side pipes on that puppy and GO,,looks rather well taken care of too,eh hell,,keep the bird patina on it,,run it,,looks great,notta bad price either,naturally id get it down some though,,just cuz,,lol,,,nice car,turn heads too
Bird turds come standard with the car.
Shows it’s no longer available or has been sold. I don’t trust ANYTHING for sale on Facebook!
This car is still very much available jimmerritt57@gmail.com (509) 902-2926 October 1 2021
Checked FB Marketplace and listing is gone.
One of two American 2 seaters? Russ, Buddy…. ‘55-‘57 T-Bird ring a bell?
And, by the way Joe. Dash mounted VIN plates were not a gimmick. They were mandated because prior to them anybody with a couple rivets could easily swap Identification Plates. I ran an automotive business that included a wrecking yard years ago. I can assure you that the Washington State Patrol Inspectors did not consider them a gimmick.
The dash numbers had no relation to the VIN. Depending on early vs. later AMXs they were either placed on the glove box door, or in the center dash piece, below the speaker opening, a/c ducts, or ralley pac gauges.
I meant to say depending on early vs. later 68 AMXs . Early 68 had the number on the glove box, later, thru 69 they moved to the center dash section. in 70 they were moved back to the glove box. The VINs were either placed on the dash under the windshield, or on the shock tower, again dependent upon year.
Read the article: “In 1968, along with the Javelin pony car, AMC launched the AMX, a GT-styled muscle car that was one of just two American-built 2-seaters. The other was the Chevy Corvette”.
See the part that says “In 1968”? ’55-’57 T-Bird wasn’t made in 1968.
Looked to me like the Speedo was monkeied with? Is it me or does it look cleaner and darker,almost like it was recently installed?
The identification number on the dash did not come with all AMX’s. I think they disappeared on the last models of the 69’s, maybe some early 70’s.
The very early 68’s , just a few, did not have a dash number but all the rest of 68-70 AMX’s had them. I owned a 70 and a 69 and they both had them.
The dash plaque IS the sequential number of AMX’s produced that year.
I owned 3 AMX 390 cars over the years. Always head turners everywhere I took it. Different is good!
Gary Lehman,and Bunky, you may be correct, I could be wrong. I had always been told, and read, that the sequence numbers were intended to be the order of production, but that AMC was not diligent about it, and they were somewhat randomly assigned. Hmmm, gives me some automotive research to do. They are definitely not related to VIN. They get mixed and matched during resto, all the time.
Bo69, all AMXs 68-70 had the numbers on the dash, unless maybe they stopped with the later 70 model. I have been wrong before.
Forgot to mention factory torque arms that eliminated axle wrap issues on go pack cars!
all 68-70 AMXs had the torque link radius arms, regardless of Go-Pac or not. Ordering Go-Pac on a Javelin did not include torque links; they could be ordered as a Group 19 part & installed. Dash plaque numbers are not exact to the production sequence. Just saw an original car with VIN number lower than my AMX and dash plaque number that is higher.
.Had a 69 – 343 mild cam, headers, inline 4speed shifter(reverse on the side),cragers w/ta’s. Loved to stand behind and listen to it gurrgle. What a ride. Hard time beat the 340s though. Think the #plate was in the 11k range. Didn’t think was related to build#. Here’s the kicker – got rid of a 67 cougar xr7 GT so could buy this? Which ones worth more now? Memories. Young and dumb in 1975.
My aunt (dads sister) had one of these. Both have passed away..
He went for a ride it one day and they had it up to 140.
I was told they only allowed 2 per state back in the 70’s.
But ive never seen any info on these equipped cars until now.
Thanks!!
This S.O.B. is all there! I would remove the protective covering of dirt to see whats what. Cool Car.
I bought one of the first units in 68..#1001..it was on the glove box..The dealer indicated it was unit number that was produced in that order..Mine came with 390, with dual quads, and white factory headers, go pak and all of the instrumrnts on the dash… the engine came from the factory with 3/4 race cam. Also race wheels with f70 fiberglass belted tires.Cam chewed up gas with dual quads..5-7 mpg..Lime green with black double racing stripe..beige interior..Loved the car..brand new when discharged from AF in July..Campaigned it in SCCA..in the Bay Area. 3795 dollars
There was a Laurel Green paint available in 1968 but no Lime Green. Regarding the #1001 dash plaque number, hard to say when it was built since that number doesn’t have anything to do with the VIN, door trim tag, or build sheet.
Steve, Can only say it was green…looked like a lime green color…have a picture of it a day after taking it home… Was a special order…had a certificate from AMC saying the original plaque number indicated it was #1001 off the assembly line
Those dash numbers later turned out to not be so accurate,more of a gimmick of sorts but i thought it was cool!
This is my car…and it did not sell. (Thank God) I’ve decided to keep it. I have cleaned it up. The more I clean more I love it! By spring it’s going to be rumbling around its home town again! Thanks for all the comments.
For 1968 AMXs (& Javelins) there were two vin #s: one on the shock tower & one that protruded from the cowling on the inside near the A-pillar. 1969 & 1970 cars had one VIN tag which was attached to the cowl and rested in a slot in the actual dashboard. The AMX plaque was on the glovebox on very early cars and had no number. Numbered plaques were located in the center section of the dash. The numbers were roughly accurate but did not represent actual build order: Larry Mitchell said that there was a box of numbered plaques from which workers grabbed the plaque when needed. For the AMX, Go-Pac did not include dual exhaust because that was standard with all engines. Torque links were also standard on all 1968-70 AMXs. Javelins never had the torque links from the factory. Rally Pac is generally considered as dealer installed, however, i have seen factory literature that had an AMX which looked like it had Rally Pac. Magnum 500 wheels in 1968 were full chrome. This was changed in 1969 & those 500s had a trim ring too. In 1968 & 69, the 390 engine was rated at 315 bhp and 425 ft-lbs of torque. These numbers seem weak compared to other engines of the period, until one notes that the 390 was in a very low state of tune: mild cam, small carb & restricted exhaust. A better measure for the AMX is pounds per cubic inch; very few cars from that era, or today, can best the AMX with that metric.
Some really good Wikipedia / Google information, but most has very little to do with the car in the article. By the way, this vehicle is no longer available. Sorry.
Seth,,, Just a comment from a 1st person point of view…You can wiki all you want…I can tell you what was ordered and delivered and what came from the factory when delivered as I was at the dealer when it was rolled off the truck.. I bought everything that was available from the factory at the time..I bought it in Sept 1968 and it was only the 2nd one sold in Calif at the time…I was at the largest dealer at that time in the Bay Area in San Jose…As to the plaque.. I can tell you that #1001 was the 1001 unit built because we had a certificate from the factory stating that..
I will dig out a picture of the car in my drive on the day I drove it home 5 hrs after it was delivered.
As of October 1st 2021 this car is still for sale! (509)902-2926