If American buyers sought a domestically produced two-seat high-performance car in 1968, most instinctively turned to Chevrolet’s Corvette. However, AMC changed the game when it introduced the AMX. It remained available for a mere three years, and our feature car is a cut above the ordinary. The first owner ordered it with the “Go Package” which endowed the AMX with genuine muscle car credentials. It has hibernated since 1982 but retains the crucial mechanical components that would allow the buyer to perform a faithful restoration. The seller has listed this gem here on Facebook Marketplace in Rutherfordton, North Carolina. Their price of $2,800 makes it undeniably affordable, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Chuck F for spotting it.

We’ve seen in previous Barn Finds articles that AMC was willing to march to the beat of a different drummer. The results were typically interesting vehicles although some, like the Pacer and Gremlin, proved to be acquired tastes. The AMX was a different ballgame. These two-seaters offered excellent performance, even in their mildest form. The seller believes that our 1968 feature car has been inactive since 1982, feeling that it may have donated parts to other projects before they purchased it around three years ago. Time hasn’t been kind to this classic, and we must search long and hard to find evidence of its original Calcutta Russet paint. There is primer and hints of Laurel Green in some locations, along with surface corrosion and penetrating rust. Steel penetration is visible in the lower rear quarter panels and a few other exterior surfaces. There are also floor and trunk pan issues, although the seller believes the AMX is structurally sound. A brief online search located new floor pan kits for around $900, while a trunk pan and extensions add $800 to the tally. That isn’t a huge amount, and if the buyer has respectable welding skills, returning the body to a rust-free state won’t cost the earth. Some trim pieces require replacement, but the tinted glass looks okay.

This AMX is typical of cars of this type, with the interior begging for a retrim. Most of the crucial components like the seat frames, dash, and console are present, and it will take an in-person inspection to determine what is fit for reuse. The most significant barrier will be cost because virtually everything required to achieve a factory-fresh look is present. Seatcovers in the correct material and color retail for around $650, while a complete carpet set will lighten the buyer’s wallet by around $1,000. There will be door trims and other components on the shopping list, but the finished product should justify the cost and effort.

The first owner ordered this AMX with the range-topping 390ci V8. They teamed this motor with a three-speed Shift-Command automatic transmission, a 3.15 Twin-Grip rear end, and power-assisted steering and front disc brakes. That wasn’t the end of the list, because they ticked the box next to the Go Package on their Order Form. This added suspension upgrades, heavy-duty cooling, and larger wheels and tires. The 390 would have produced 315hp and 425 ft/lbs of torque in its prime, which is a lot for a car tipping the scales at 3,221 lbs. Therefore, the ¼-mile ET of 14.6 seconds is unsurprising and demonstrates why these classics commanded respect on the streets. The major mechanical components are intact, but it appears the car hasn’t fired a shot in over four decades. It is unclear whether the engine turns, but factoring a mechanical rebuild into the restoration budget would be wise.

I’m under no illusions because returning this 1968 AMC AMX to its former glory will be a major undertaking requiring patience and money. That begs the question of whether it is worth it. AMC only produced the AMX for three years, with 6,725 cars rolling off the line in 1968. Of those, only 2,287 featured the 390/auto drivetrain combination. They don’t enjoy the same stratospheric values that a Mustang with similar performance potential might, but they still enjoy a healthy following in the classic community. The reality is that a high-end restoration could yield a value approaching $40,000, but with the AMX market remaining flat, it would be tough to consider it a rock-solid investment. However, it hails from an era when a small independent manufacturer was willing to stick out its neck to provide a genuinely interesting car. That is why I believe that it deserves to be restored.