One of the more intriguing cars in the large Georgia collection I’m helping to market is a car very similar to this one: a Big Bad Green AMX that needs restoration. Ironically, this example is even located in Georgia. It does have rust but the seller says it is fixable; the only major trim piece missing is a door panel. Find the AMX here on eBay with an opening bid of $8,500 and no action as of yet.
According to the seller, the 390 V8 was rebuilt prior to the AMX going into storage for 15 years. Already I know it’s not the car in our collection, as that motor is out of the vehicle. Still, the paint looks similar enough that I’m guessing my colleague has one of the other 74 Big Bad Green cars built, but I’ll know more once we get to that part of the collection. This one has rust in the “….typical places an AMC rusts,” according to the seller.
There’s the missing door panel, which shouldn’t be too hard to source. The interior does look to be all there, aside from any upholstery still covering the driver’s seat. The wood inset in the dash looks better than I expected, and I love seeing a manual transmission in the console. The AMX doesn’t appear to be a lost cause, with no evidence of major mold or infestation inside the cabin.
The AMX has power steering and brakes, but no word as to whether the engine still turns. One would hope so with an engine rebuild in its past, but 15 years of stagnation doesn’t do most cars any favors. The color and options make this AMX a standout, but the bigger question is whether the opening bid is too big of a bite for a restoration project. Do you think this AMX is worth the work?
1) SRT-10 automatic swap
2) Long-travel, off-road suspension
3) Exo-cage
4) Lots of extra fuel
5) Rally
WHAT?!?!? That is beyond lame!
Rally AMX could be beyond Thunderdome, but that’s about it.
I probably put more money in the wife’s 70 Mach1 then I would in this to make it a driver not a show car and I paid $14,500 for the Mach1 but it was a show car when finished. I really like this car but I’m getting old and tired so maybe when I hit the lottery I’ll buy a nice survivor.
Any of the AMX’s are worth saving. As long as you can get Sally in the car. Mmmm. Sally!
When I was a kid the daughter of a couple down the road from us got married & they built a house next to us. Sharon had an AMX & Larry had a Javelin, both red. I remember riding in the AMX wedged behind the driver’s seat. Sharon’s dad was a mail carrier & drove a Matador – the one with the snout. My dad was a Buick / Cadillac man… we didn’t discuss the AMC’s down the way. I like the green better than the red. Save it.
I usually love the AMX and Javelin. But, this really has the tongue hanging out. For $8,700.00 I’m gonna have to pass. Half that plus all my work might bring it up to a great car. I just can’t see putting out that kind of money for this car.
Never was an amc fan but the amx and javelins are pretty cool!
Big block 4 speed and a color so ugly it’s cool, what’s not to like?
Big cubes but not a big block.
This series of AMC V8 initial pride block was in its thin wall casting technique, using bore and stoke to gain cubes.
A less than efficient port design with large valve intake, later mandated a redesigned exhaust port change that necessiated new intake manifolds as well, due to intake manifold bolt holes repositioned.
A vastly underated engine design.
From a vastly underrated automaker. They did everything as well as any American automaker in their day (for better or worse…), but could never get the traction to be a contender. My family has owned a beautiful ‘78 Concord since new, and will continue to do so until the last one of us passes on.
completely agree; AMC “can’t get no respect!”
AMX’s are super cool, like GM telling the factory to take a Z28 or TransAm & cut out the frame/back seats & offering it up at dealerships.
pure hotrod move…eliminate anything that doesn’t help it go fast!
great looking car in any color, but i love the bright green
I agree with MG that any AMX is worth saving, and this one isn’t too far gone. I do think the opening suggested bid is way over its value, though. There appears to be considerable body repair needed, and judging from the rear quarter rot, the underside is likely worse. It’s bad news when the seller feels a need to say “rust in the typical places”.
Fun find!! Make it safe, subframe connectors if needed, ck over or freshen up the engine and trans, and paint it Back to this stand out color! It’d be the only one at any car show or cruise nights. AMC did the big/ small block like Chevy did (400 c.i.) . Good luck to the new owner and seller.
All of the blocks had the same external dimensions, so there was no Big/Small with AMC. If anything it’s been described as a medium block.
For some here that are unfamiliar with AMC engines, the cubic inch of block was cat into block by the motor month.
I have gone to advertized 390 engined autos for sale only to find 304 or 360 motors,
Do not pass up the 343 four brl engines as they too were strong.