Most performance car enthusiasts are aware of the program conducted by Hertz in the 1960s that was called Rent-A-Racer. People could wander off the street and drive away in some of the most desirable cars from the era. The most instantly recognizable is the Shelby GT350H, but a lesser-known offerings was the AMC AMX. It isn’t clear how many of these classics found their way into Hertz establishments, but it is fair to say that the total was significantly lower than the Shelby. The owner of this 1968 AMX holds documentation that seems to confirm that it is one of those rare beasts, and while it is a solid and complete survivor, the buyer will probably choose to treat this classic to a cosmetic refresh. If a genuinely rare pony car is on your radar, you will find the AMX located in Elk Mound, Wisconsin, and listed for sale here on eBay. The bidding has raced to $16,400 in this No Reserve auction.
There are no records to confirm how many AMXs found their way to Hertz branches, but the total is undoubtedly low. AMC only produced 6,725 examples of the AMX during the 1968 model year, and various sources indicate that there could be as few as three of these Rent-A-Racers in existence today. Confirming their identity can be a battle, but the owner has located a partial Build Sheet in the seat that indicates that AMC sold the car to Hertz. It rolled off the production line wearing Frost White paint, but someone has performed a color change to Big Bad Blue. The quality of this work isn’t great, and given the relative rarity of this classic, I would be inclined to return it to its original appearance if it found its way into my workshop. As you will see, there are a couple of secondary reasons for doing this, which we’ll get to shortly. For potential buyers, it appears that they will be inheriting a structurally sound car. The panels seem clear of rust problems, while the owner doesn’t mention any issues with the underside. The body is straight, so whipping the exterior into shape should not be a difficult task. The glass appears free from significant problems, while the chrome and trim would serve well on a survivor-grade car.
I mentioned secondary reasons for returning the exterior to its original color. When we open the doors, the first of these reasons seems to smack us between the eyes. Maybe it’s just me, but I think the combination of a red interior and blue exterior clashes badly. Given how nicely this interior presents, I believe it would be a shame to touch it to match the exterior. The driver’s seat has one small nick on the edge piping, but otherwise, there’s not much to fault with the upholstery. There is no other physical wear and no evidence of sun damage. The dash and pad are spotless, while the carpet is in excellent condition for its age. There is a crack in the wheel, but that seems to be about the only other flaw that I can spot. Nobody has taken to this interior making aftermarket additions. The factory AM radio remains intact, and Hertz ordered this classic with factory air conditioning and a tilt wheel. The only other issue that the owner notes is that the A/C doesn’t blow cold. He believes that a recharge would set things straight again.
When we lift the hood, the first thing we need to do is ignore the decal on the air cleaner. The engine bay does not contain a 390ci V8, but it is a freshly-built 343. It isn’t clear whether it is numbers-matching, but there’s a chance that it could be. Hertz also ordered the AMX with a three-speed automatic transmission, a Twin Grip rear end, power steering, and power front disc brakes. With 280hp on tap when new, this Rent-A-Racer would have demolished the ¼ mile in 15.1 seconds. The owner holds dyno sheets for this fresh 343, but he doesn’t indicate what sort of power it produces. However, he says it runs strong and drives well, making it a turn-key proposition for its next owner. When we look around the engine bay, we spot the second reason why it would be worth performing an exterior refresh. The previous owner didn’t go to the trouble to extend his color change to the engine bay, so it still wears Frost White paint. I can understand why he may have done this because it takes some work to make such a change. Still, it makes the next color change a more straightforward proposition for the new owner.
The 1968 AMX was already a relatively rare car, but if this is a genuine Hertz Rent-A-Racer, that pushes its rarity to a new level. Placing a value on a car like this is virtually impossible because they rarely make it onto the market. If treated purely as an original AMX, its condition would justify a potential value of around $20,000 as-is. Once restored, its ultimate value will be whatever someone is willing to pay, but it should be more than $40,000 if its authenticity is confirmed. Have you heard of one of these cars before? More intriguingly, have you chanced upon one in your travels?
Never heard of one, but I agree change the paint back to white
as a former SC Rambler owner, I’m all for a red white blue theme, but that blue and red do clash.
The little “Rambler Scrambler could scramble with the 390 V8 they came with!
All that time and money to make that engine run and look great , but could not charge the air conditioner? Change back to white.
Sellers always seem to say then when AC is not working. It’s rarely that simple. At a minimum there will be a leak to fix. Cool car nonetheless.
With the Mustangs of the Hertz program going for 6 figures this is going to be another example of AMC muscle cars being bargains compared to the “Big 3” color change and all
It’s gonna sell for a LOT more than the 16k it shows in the write up I’m sure!
Always wanted one…..one of the “Sacred 7” (as I would call them) cars I would own if I ever came into Big Bucks and could afford a 7 car garage.
One car for every day of the week to keep em fresh, no battery tender needed!
How do you verify this was a Rent-a-Racer? Is the VIN unique? Any special graphics?
Partial build sheet as mentioned in the write up
Paperwork from Hertz
That Blue Gotta Go.
$16,923 now, did they think the 390 sticker would add HP?
It makes sense to a certain degree. After all, chrome valve covers make any car go 5 MPH faster. ;)
Chrome valve covers, air cleaner and oil cap were part of a Factory “Go Package”. I know because I owned a 69 Javelin SST 390 with a Go Package
The car was originally white
The oil filler, valve covers and air cleaner lid were NOT chrome, from AMC, they were Nickel plated and NOT buffed to a high gloss. Chrome pieces are ones that people had chromed.
They also were NOT part of the GO PACKAGE any year. All 390s got them, even Ambassador station wagons.
Strange , why would they respray the engine compartment white ? You can see the overspay ontop of the blue on the left fr fender . Seems strange to me . Was it done to cover the original color which wasnt white ?
Gary, I don’t pretend to know much about these cars (I live in Australia) but the paint code – 72A apparently is Frost White.
I have always liked these cars but have only ever seen them in pictures. If they are rare in the States they are non-existent here.
24 AMXs were sold in Australia. They were “knock down” kits and right hand drive. All were 1969 model years.
The car was not blue originally.
You are correct. I looked up go package and bright accessories were not part. There was another package that included some plus the roof stripes. My car had C stripes on side , none on roof. Option? I know we’re factory. I was first owner. Note to potential buyers of 390/automatic cars. There was a problem with them jumping in reverse on start. Mine did that and car was almost totaled on a parking lot. Received recall letter about 4 years after I sold the car
I bought a 68 AMX in the 80’s it had been stored quite a while cleaning it out and digging around I found the build sheet and paperwork stating it was purchased by Hertz. I was red with white stripes 343 automatic with all the options available including air. I drove it a while put a set of Heddman Headers on it fixed the air new rear springs and sold it to put more money into my 74 Javelin to go drag racing.
mid-west rust on the original white? Never heard of a Hertz AMX. Seems like they might do a Javelin. Paint white and drive it.
No, it’s NOT BigBadBlue…. The BigBad cars were 69s and had body colored bumpers as well. It’s blue. With RED interior – bocky. It’s blue. Whoopie.
Big Bad cars in 1969 also had a trim strip on both bumpers that most incorrectly done “bag bad” cars.
justa nother big vote for more AMX on the site.
Y wasnt I into them more back then?
Right size, right motors (lill knowledge on my prt of mopowr) but they’re great, in any condition…
Lub 1 in the shop – go SCCA style as hot hatch w/5 speed, lowered, etc~
This repaint reminds me of how our local constabulary used to change the colour of retired cruisers for undercover use. One asked me how I knew he was working undercover. I replied that he was driving a maroon Impala with a blue interior. What would possess anyone to repaint a car that combo?
Nice to see something different.
Sigh. One more time: There is no such thing as a “numbers matching” AMC. Everyone clear on this?
It may be blue, but that is not Big Bad Blue. My neighbor had a Hertz AMX. He sold it because previous damage resulted in a car that did not drive straight. Bright valve covers, oil cap & air cleaner were only furnished with the 390 motor. Go-Pac did not include those parts. Over the top stripes were for the 68-69 AMX with Go-Pac and could be deleted, iirc. 290 AMXs did not have over the top stripes, nor did any 68-69 Javelin; Javelins had a variety of stripes on the side. The roof spoiler was part of the Breedlove package & was only available on 69 Javelins. Cannot recall ever seeing a car with Big Bad colors & a red interior. Big Bad cars had charcoal, saddle & platinum interiors with the charcoal & saddle often being “Lethah”.
Sold, $20,601.