Bidding is already north of $25K for this 1969 AMC AMX, and it’s easy to see why: this is an original paint car with the desirable Go Package, and comes with a few extras you don’t often see. The paint is a killer color of Bittersweet Orange over black, and the AMX is packing a 390 paired a 4-speed manual. Find it here on eBay with the reserve unmet and located in California.
The AMX has been a West Coast car since new, originally sold in Washington State before heading down to California. The seller purchased the car from the family of the second owner, so turnover has been limited. The seller notes a variety of interesting factory options, including the rear luggage rack, window louvers, and auxiliary gauges over the radio.
The interior appears immaculate, but actual mileage cannot be verified. The seller notes the engine and transmission were rebuilt prior to his taking ownership, and a healthy maintenance records file from new accompanies the car. In addition to the 390 and four-speed, the AMX comes with the Twin Gril posi-traction differential and white racing stripes and new tires.
The AMX is certainly attracting plenty of attention – and bidders – on eBay. I wouldn’t be surprised to see the price climb considerably higher given how rare it is to find muscle cars in that sort of condition, especially with original paint. Remember, if the price is getting too high, you can pick up this Javelin SST here on Barn Finds for far, far less money.
NICE, nice, nice! If there ever was a classic worth every freakin’ penny, it’s this. The pride of Milwaukenosha, right here, and in outstanding condition. For 1969, this was as cool as it got.
“It’s a great car, dad, I only made it better”. ( lost Javelin ad)
https://www.flickr.com/photos/cosmolutz/7174620475
Rube, that ad was a work of genius, and helped some of us have a better appreciation for AMC.
A good HS friend sold his pristine ‘69 383 Charger and bought a 390 Javelin stick-we were all impressed with Dave’s bad ride..
He later bought an AMX and subsequently almost cornered the market on AMC stuff. Like the good businessman he always was, he sold bits (the usual NOS and rare too) to other enthusiasts and I’ve heard he still has fun with it besides.
That ad, and a couple more like it,( I think there were 3) are lost in the archives somewhere. They didn’t last long, and I heard, they were pulled because it advocated street racing. Even Eddie Stakes, who provided this picture, can’t find it. I suppose Mike and Frank will find them someday.
I remenber these, they were prone to the crank falling out. I told this to my buddy who wanted to buy it from a guy i worked with who just had the engine rebuilt due to the crank falling out! Sure enough, two weeks after he bought it the crank fell out, and shortly after his wife divorced him!!!
Never heard of that problem. Regardless, I just had a mental picture of the “crank falling out” that was quite amusing. I know it is just an expression you used, but taken literally, would make one heck of a noise!! lol
Hi Steve,
Forgive my stupidy, but what do you mean by “the crank falling out”?
Thanks,
Bob
Rear bearing eaten alive fast! Sounded like the crank was going to break out of the block! Really sad for those that craved these beautiful little rockets.
Lubrication in AMC V8s is kind of bass-ackwards. The valvetrain gets oil first and the crank is second in line. Generally not a problem in a stock grocery getter, but in performance applications the rear bearing would tend to run dry. Serious performance builds of AMC V8s usually include oiling mods.
I’m guessing bottom end bearings prematurely wearing out?
I could do without the luggage rack but I like it.
My thoughts exactly.
In case some of you don’t know what these cars could do, here’s a short video ( shortest one I could find) of what these cars were like. The beginning, they did ride rough, and @ .45,,well, enjoy. They always had a traction problem,( especially, 1st to 2nd, as shown) and was clearly going faster than 35, maybe in 1st gear,,going into 3rd, what, 70?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OajgVLsVmEE
That almost sounds like a rod knocking. Once it started, it never stopped.
I think that was called “header knock”, I heard that too. With aftermarket headers, I think it’s actually unburned gas kind of backfiring. The way that thing took off, those rods got plenty of oil,,,
Calling it an “original paint survivor” car seems like a reach. What about the rest of it? Quite a few non-original items on it as well.
It’s not that often that I see a car here that really gets my juices flowing, lose the luggage rack and this car is just plain beautiful, I truly would change just about nothing!
If it said the car was originally from PA I would say it was the one I owned in the 70’s. One of the nicest cars I’ve ever had and I’ve had many. I traded it for a road runner…….
Patrick that is not a rod knocking. Sounds like suspension or exhaust pipe to me.
The typhoon V8 did have an oiling issue where to much oil went to top end i.e. lifters and rockers
and starved the #4+5 main bearings however this was NOT a major issue if rev’s were kept under 6800. Now days even that is a problem easily solved. (I won’t go into detail)
With the SCRAMBLER we had a 10qt. oil pan so the factory high volume oil pump couldn’t suck the pan dry. By accident I turned it to 7800 and bent stock pushrods but no damage to bearings. Don’t know what someone else may have experienced with their engine.
Even with factory tork- links my SCRAMBLER would spin the tires at 115 MPH after being BUILT 12.5 TRW piston ported heads etc.
I know I will be called all kinds of lier but it is the truth. Dry 4 lane highway.
If I had the money for this X or another SCRAMBLER with high performance parts available today I would love to see what could be built.
The rear window louvers and luggage rack may have been either ordered with this car or dealer installed either way they are still FACTORY (for the naysayers)
Guess that got that rear bearing fixed before Mark Donohue started spanking all the ponies…..
Awesome looking car! I’ve always loved the 1968 and 69 AMX, and the 1968-70 Javelin. I hope it goes to a good owner.
Lose the luggage rack and find some of the optional Trendsetter side pipes! Not sure the first year for them, 1970 maybe? Or flip it to move up to a SC/Rambler!
AMC engines were not the only motors with oiling issues. many SBCs had restrictors added to limit oil to the valvetrain. Another problem is oil drainback from the heads: the passages are partly blocked by head bolts & this can be observed on FE motors as well. Donohue solved this difficulty by using a deep sump. It has also been found that oil passages on AMC engines to the cam/main bearings are sometimes poorly drilled and cause starvation. Ford specifically addressed FE oiling issues by casting the “side-oiler” block for the 427 MR engines…….I used to not like Bittersweet Orange but have since changed my mind (two brain cells). This car has the rare rally pac gauges & the center armrest which was only available with the four speed.