If you’re not an AMC fan, the significance of their AMX (’68-’70) may be unknown to you. If you are an AMC aficionado, the condition of this first-year Leland, North Carolina sequestered example may give you a start – it’s not good! It has been parked for fifty years and it looks it. Regardless, these are special cars so let’s give this one a look-see, maybe it’s still salvageable. Interested parties will find it here on eBay where it’s available for a current bid of $3,200 with sixteen bids tendered so far.
Back to that “significance” matter, the AMX was often confused with AMC’s Javelin as they had similarities, aesthetically speaking, but the big difference was the wheelbase where the AMX’s 97″ stretch was a foot shorter than the Javelin. And of course, the Javelin was a four-seat pony car while the AMX was a two-seater GT. AMC liked to remind potential buyers that the AMX was one of only two American two-seaters produced and the other one cost a whole lot more. What is especially pertinent about the AMX is the fact that always-starved-for-capital AMC actually took it on and brought it to life.
Well, it appears that this AMX has been reduced to a repository for discarded bottles and cans. It’s difficult to get a thorough look at the body but there is some rust evident and the hood is missing though the seller supposedly has it. The driver’s side is either revealing a lot of fade or some applied primer. A big concern should center on the underside of this AMX as sitting in, or on, dirt is never a sound storage plan, especially if that 50-year slumber term is accurate. Note the wheels – old-school Keystone classics.
This two-seater was powered by a 225 gross HP 290 CI V8 engine but it has been removed. The seller advises, “Included body, transmission hood, extra door, and the original motor BUT THE MOTOR HAS WATER IN IT“. Well yes, motors do have water in them but I imagine that he means water where it’s not supposed to be. The included transmission is a four-speed manual (not an automatic as stated in the listing).
The images of the interior aren’t great because they were taken through the rear window – the seller couldn’t get the doors open, hmmm…We’re told that it’s intact and is still in possession of its gauges and radio. It’s a black vinyl upholstery environment but I can’t tell you much else about it. It does appear that the shifter is still protruding through the floor.
At the outset, the seller states, “Bought it in 1974 and left it sitting“. That just seems odd as I interpret it as “I bought the car, parked it, and now a half-century later, I want to sell it”. These were a unique model, only 19K were assembled in its short three-year cycle and this one should be saved. But…it hasn’t been treated well, and I’m not too optimistic about its future, how about you?
Well, I won’t bash the great folks of NC, Leland is not far from Mayberry,,,,but,,,,the beer cans certainly completes the equation.
Amen to that!
I don’t get it? It’s a very rare,old American muscle car that they made very few of, if I had the necessary income for that little project I would own it, that is a lost street Rod, that would make you proud at the finish line
I have a worn-out 401 that does not have water in it. That could be a great ride depending, of course, on the rust.
Was Otis Campbell still alive in 74 to dump all those (alleged) beer cans in the engine bay? gotta ask Barney.
If only Leland was in the mountains, but worse for this car it’s close to Wilmington on the coast, our private rust belt. 😔
There might be enough scrap metal there to finance the restoration!
Sure, I’ll take 3k to come and haul it to the junkyard for you. Seems fair.
I’m guessing they couldn’t open the doors only because of all the junk around it. Real shame this one. Could be a very cool car being a 4 speed but would have to be a labor of love because you would be buried in it almost as much as it is buried now. Hahaha. Hope it gets saved.
What a waste . Another classic car owned by a ” Its not for sale I’m going to fix it up someday ” owner. Come back a year from now and it will still be sitting in the same place.
It was just a used car when parked. You could buy them in non running condition for under $300. and less. Besides having a reason is enough to keep some old people alive. Life gets in the way. At the end of the day it was the man’s car.
I am sure that in the 50 or so years it’s been sitting that if someone made a realistic offer it wouldn’t have been sitting. I myself do not give into opportunists,scrappers or flippers and they are easy to spot. It’s easier to simply say it’s not for sale.
I obtained a 1968 AMX from South Dakota. I had to repair the frame rails which were rusted, lower quarter panels, floor pans and did it in my garage on a rotisserie. It had no engine so I bought a 343, it had the bell housing and 4 speed . It’s now 4 years later and I’m driving it. Another AMX saved!
Just like Sasquatch videos, information kind of fuzzy and not much to go on.
Any AMX is worth saving in 2024. To pick up a running 204/360 on the cheap to breathe life back into this chassis wouldn’t be all that hard. It doesn’t have to be original to be fun. One of the many dedicated AMC groups are a wealth of knowledge to those that would be passionate enough to take on a project such as this. The benefit is Javelin parts interchange. The hood from a 68/9 is specific. Hopefully that is nice. Grilles are remade. Doors interchange from 68-74 as does windshields and trunk lids. Fenders are same from 68-70 and so on.
Beware however there are a few so called AMC groups that tolerate Chevy Ford Mopar swaps. You are certainly in the wrong place. What makes the AMX special is the whole package. There is a reason when one is pictured the front wheels usually have air UNDER them. Nothing wrong with an AMC V8. They make plenty of power and are easily found.
I am betting the North Carolina environment has been somewhat kind to its underbody. No worries if not. The parts are out there. Again reach out to a group. This may be a cheap buy.
68-69 fenders are a bit different from the 1970 fenders.
The fender eyebrow is different on the 70 yes but unbolts and those same holes miraculously line up with the 68/9. 70 has different markers healed on with screws I didn’t mention it as my post was too long already and silly me thought everyone would know that or figure that out. Thanks JL
Not enough pictures to really evaluate it’s state but it being pretty rare , if the price stays under 5 k , it could be a worthwhile gamble .
Come on guys , roll out the trailer and get ready for a road trip !
YOLO
What a waste.
My dream car in 68 Vietnam.
“Lean to”. Is that a fancy name for “Barn”?
unfancy name for a sorta outside structure.
JO
1). like 90% of any:
it’s all underneath and
2). the sales price is made @
the good original purchase point.
For me that might B less than 1/2 the
suggested here. All depends on how much
is burried in dirt or destroyed down there. Would
like to see. Would also wanna comb thru AMX community.
No engine so a LS is waiting
It needs to visit Collier Motors in NC – the last remaining AMC dealer – for a tuneup & some maintenance.
Oh boy, behold the treasure. It is pretty rare though.
Sitting on dirt for 40 years? Rot and rust have most likely destroyed most of the car, not to mention the mice that probably live in it who have eaten the insulation on the wires.
Terry said it best, the rot from sitting on dirt a half century, no way its clean metal under there, if the bottoms rusted away could be the reason the doors won’t open, I had a beetle with a rotted pan, the doors would jam because the body was bending in the middle.
I never gave a hoot for Javelins, don’t even like the name, but the 2seat AMX is another thing, I had a buddy years ago who had a bright orange 68, 390, 4spd, fast car, I’d take it over that “other” 2seater any day. Why in the hell would somebody aquire a car like this, and let it sit and rot for 50 years. Well, it’s gone now, good luck to the new owner