It is safe to say we all appreciate an enthusiast with a sense of humor. Therefore, it is hard not to admire the owner of this rare 1978 AMC AMX. It has fallen upon hard times and is begging for someone to drag it back from the brink. It hasn’t seen active service for five years, and the owner says that her husband was always going to fix it “next weekend.” She says this lack of action is why he is now her ex-husband! Its most pressing need is a new owner willing to drag it from its current location before it reaches the point of no return. The AMX is listed here on eBay in McKenzie, Tennessee. Bidding sits below the reserve at $2,150, although there is a BIN option of $10,000.
AMC introduced its Concord range for the 1978 model year, and while the AMX was derived from that model, the company granted it standalone status. Therefore, a close inspection will reveal the complete absence of Concord badges and identification. This separation extends to the VIN, with the AMX carrying a “9” as its sixth digit and Concord carrying a “7.” The seller is this car’s second owner, having purchased the vehicle in California in 1981. She later moved to her current location, taking a classic she genuinely loves with her. It appears it has been exposed to the elements for at least five years, which has taken a toll on this gem. The Classic Black paint is badly oxidized, and there are only faint traces of the unique Gold graphics that formed part of the AMX package. The front spoiler is missing, but crucial items like the fender flares and rear window louver are intact. The wheels aren’t original, although sourcing replacements may be possible. However, all this is window dressing when we delve below the surface. The seller admits the windshield leaks on the passenger side, allowing water to puddle on the carpet. Therefore, it is unsurprising that the floor has rusted through on that side and requires replacement. The rest of the carpet carries mold, which could be a precursor to more problems. It is worth noting that AMC was ahead of the game regarding corrosion prevention, and things might not be as bad as you would typically expect. This may be a case where potential bidders hope for the best but brace for the worst.
Buyers could choose from a range of engine and transmission options to power their 1978 AMX, with this car’s original owner selecting the entry-level 258ci six-cylinder powerplant. This is bolted to a four-speed manual transmission, with power assistance for the steering and brakes making driving an effortless pleasure. The AMX package also brought upgraded suspension components, and contemporary reports widely praised the handling and ride comfort of these classics. The owner admits this car is no longer numbers-matching. She replaced the engine in the 1990s, and it only accumulated a few miles before the car was brought to a halt by what was believed to be a failed fuel pump. The owner replaced this, but the fuel still isn’t reaching the motor. It will require further investigation, but it might not be difficult to coax the engine back to life. The remaining mechanical components require a thorough inspection, and additional remedial work will undoubtedly be necessary. However, returning this AMX to active service could be an achievable short-term goal.
The AMX package brought a few welcome upgrades to what was essentially the Concord’s interior, with items like the sports gauge cluster, tachometer, sports wheel, and contrasting dash inserts providing a sporting feel. The original owner took this further by ordering this classic with air conditioning. The car retains its original Black vinyl trim, and while the front buckets wear aftermarket slipcovers, the remaining upholstered surfaces look remarkably good. The dash and pad haven’t succumbed to age or UV damage, but there is a hole where the factory radio should be. Someone has cut that area to fit an aftermarket unit, meaning the new owner may need to undertake repairs if a stock appearance is required. How much an interior refresh will cost depends on what hides below the slipcovers. If the vinyl is in good order, a deep clean, a carpet set, and something to fill the hole in the dash might be all that is required.
Locating specific production figures is challenging, but it appears that AMC only produced around 2,500 examples of the 1978 AMX. However, this is another case where rarity doesn’t necessarily equate to a high potential value. Instincts tell me the BIN figure on this car might be optimistic, particularly if there is hidden rust. A high-end restoration could net a value of $20,000 on a good day, meaning the new owner must be hands-on to remain financially viable. However, an enthusiast seeking something slightly unusual could throw caution to the wind and pursue this classic further. I hope someone does because no car, no matter how humble, deserves to end its days this way.
No way 10 grand, I can not believe it’s over 2 grand, doubt it will go any higher than 2500.00 , good burn out car or turn into a racer, but no v8. Sunk into the earth.
Ever drive a nice 258? Really nice with a four speed, but I agree, 2500 tops.
The 258 was a good strong engine. Smooth, decent low-end torque. Most definitely NOT a high revver. The one in my ’73 Gremlin had more in common with the ’64 International six cylinder pickup (BG-241) I learned to drive on than to, say my ’76 VW Scirocco 1.6L OHC that redlined at 6750. Just a couple of weeks ago I sold a 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee that I had owned for 17 years that had the 4.0L Power Tech six that was descended from the old 232/258 family. I had over 246K on that old Jeep and it still ran beautifully. Chrysler massaged that old design, gave it much better breathing and somehow coaxed 190 horses out of it and it was a great match for the Grand Cherokee. That engine, if I’m not mistaken, goes back almost all the way to when there were still Nashes and Hudsons being manufactured. Definitely to the Rambler days. The two I owned were bulletproof, and did what they were designed to do very, very well.
Maybe he means it sits on ten thousand leaves.
or there are 10,000 mouse turds in it.
$10000 LOL
Maybe if it was low mileage v8 in original very nice condition and turnkey someone may pay that for it if they really loved this year Amx . I’d probably look for a 68 -70 Amx if I was looking for somewhere to spend 10gs on an Amx
“The owner admits this car is no longer numbers-matching. She replaced the engine in the 1990s…”
For the umpteenth time, AMC did not record that kind of information, there is no such thing as “numbers matching” with an AMC vehicle beyond perhaps the engine type matching the VIN.
The lady owned it for 42 years. She liked it better than her boyfriend. That’s why her selling price is high, because it’s hard for her to finally let it go.
A few years ago a destitute older woman approached me about buying a chopper basketcase from her backyard shed. She said she’s owned it since 1977 but now needed money to survive. It was very hard for her to let go of it because it was in her life for so long. I felt bad buying, it but at least the money helped her pay some bills. I can’t imagine what kind of memories a woman must have of owning her own chopper in the 1970s. The same goes with this AMX, lots of years to make memories…
Another AMC car linked with a famous designer. However, instead of a Gucci interior you get the exclusive JC Whitney exterior package.
Actually, I’d rather have the six. The Jeeps with port fuel injection were rated between 185 (Renix) and 193 HP Chrysler with the raised intake ports. Strong, durable and able to be stroked by using the 258 crank in the 4.0L (242 block), Keith Newcomer (https://www.newcomerracing.com/) in Concord, NC makes these things come alive.
Enough already with the overuse (and that is the understatement of the year) of the term “deep clean”. It sounds ridiculous and, no, you simply cannot clean away years of wear and tear!!!
Agreed Michael. Add “whip those body panels into shape in a weekend” or “a fresh battery and fuel source and she should fire right up.” Next? Yep, the “$200 convertible top”!
AMC was worse than Ford, when it came to abusing classic nameplates. Putting fender flares on a Hornet, did not an AMX make. And, with that 1950’s 6 banger thrashing away under the hood? You couldn’t even this thing sound like it had balls. 10 grand? Sure….
An absolute disgrace calling this Hornet hatchback an AMX. A double disgrace calling anything with the 258 six an AMX, and I say that as someone whose first new car was a 1973 Gremlin X factory ordered in June 1972. I had to wait almost ten weeks for it as it was delivered to my AMC dealer August 31, 1972 with the 258 and three on the floor (four-speed was not offered) and the special non-standard color of Tallyho Green (my grille was argent and not body color like a normal Gremlin X.) I was 19 years old, in college and working as a stockboy at a local department store and playing in a band. I couldn’t afford the 304 V-8, I reckoned. But the original AMX was a sensation. Yes, a cut down 2-seater Javelin, as the Gremlin was a chopped off Hornet, but it had flair, terrific style, uniqueness and performance! The original Hornet hatchback as introduced in ’73 was an attractive car–AMC (and the brilliant Dick Teague) had become very proficient at reworking old designs into something fresh…but slapping a brushed aluminum bar over the roof does not an AMX make. Underneath, still pretty much a Rambler American.
Calling this an AMX is like calling that 4 door Chrysler a Charger.
I own and drive 13 AMC cars. This would never be on my list. Ditto all the comments made before mine.
Wow. Reading the description, I thought for sure this was my old car. 258 and the manual trans. Bought while married and in the service on the east coast in 1978. Left the Navy, went back to CA where the wife was from and got divorced in ’81. She got the car and sold it to a friend who had some ‘mechanic’ relatives. Not sure they were from TN or not. I was about to dig into my old insurance paperwork to see if the VIN matched. The CA license plate didn’t ring a bell. Then I saw the interior – mine had the Levi’s optional upholstery, so this isn’t my old girl. There were less than 500 Levi’s packages that year.
They are NOT Hornets! They are Concord hatchbacks and the only year the AMX was from this platform. They were packages on the Spirit platform in 1979 until the demise of the name.
All Concords are Hornets. Sorry. If they had bothered to give the Concord its own body, you would have a case. Sorry, giving them dual rectangular headlights doen’s count as a “new body.” Look, I was an AMC owner and AMC fan. My best buddy had a Gremlin like mine. (His was a ’72.) His brother had a ’69 Ambassador. Their mother had both ’70 and ’73 Hornets and the /73 was a hatchback–the same car that this so-called “AMX” is. AMC didn’t have any money. They did what they thought they had to do. They gussied up the old Hornet and called it “Concord.” Later on they put four wheel drive under that old Sportabout body and called it “Eagle.” They took the old Gremlin and refashioned the rear end (VERY tastefully, I might add) and presto!–you had the Spirit. (A far, far better-looking car than the Gremlin ever was…but still–a Gremlin, which was, after all, a short wheelbase Hornet.) Then they slid that 4WD under the Spirit and had the Eagle SX4. They worked miracles; continuing to make something out of nothing. They stayed alive long enough to be put on life-support by Renault until they could be absorbed by Chrysler (mainly so Chrysler, just having come off life-support themsleves) could acquire Jeep. I loved AMC. But it was the end of the road. And calling this car an AMX was blasphemy.
Outstanding in its field…NOT!