Yard Find: 1969 AMC AMX

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When AMC entered the pony car market, they had a two-prong approach. They rolled out the 4-seat Javelin in 1968 that was similar in concept to the Ford Mustang and Chevy Camaro. But they also had the new AMX, which was a 2-seat, GT-style sports car that was a shortened Javelin in terms of wheelbase. The AMX would continue in production as its own series for three years before becoming a performance option on the larger Javelin. This 1969 AMX hasn’t run in 20 years and still wears its original paint and will likely need a complete restoration. Located in Discovery Bay, California, it’s available here on craigslist for $15,000. Thanks, rex m, for the heads up on this one!

AMC would build 19,134 AMX’s between 1968-70. Of that number, 8,293 were the 1969 model.  And digging further, 3,620 of those cars were built with the 390 cubic inch V8 and a 4-speed, like the seller’s product. The seller doesn’t provide us with much information on this car and only one photo. So, we borrowed one from our own files to provide a similar view from the other side. The body on the seller’s car looks okay for its age, with some potential rust in the lower front fender on the passenger side.

We’re told this AMX came with a red interior, which we aren’t treated to any photos of, so an example is provided to help fill in the gaps. This car came from the factory with a luggage rack, which would probably drop the production numbers into the hundreds. The odometer is said to have rolled over past 100,000 miles and the machine offered may be complete, despite sitting for more than two decades. These cars have the potential of being worth $35,000 and up, according to Hagerty. Hopefully, it won’t take $20,000 to put this AMC right once again.

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Comments

  1. jerry z

    This the car! White/red int/390/4 spd! Only thing missing is the red stripe down the middle. Only 2829 miles away!

    Like 5
    • AMCFAN

      The stripe was an option. Not all owners wanted a stripe. The luggage rack is a rare option. The plastic cones that go in the end of the chrome tubes sometimes that fell off were the same as used on the Corvette.

      Yes the AMX was a real two seater. In 1968 AMC advertised it being the first new steel bodied two place American car since the original Thunderbird.

      Like 1
  2. Rosseaux

    I never realized the AMX was a real 2-seater! AMC committed some sins, but they deserve respect for sticking their necks out with cool/oddball designs. And their muscle-era offering were pretty darn good.

    Like 6
    • Stillrunners

      The first ones were – then they got a back seat like the T-Bird did.

      Like 1
      • Motorcityman

        I thought all the AMXs had 2 seats and the Javelin was the 4 seeter?

        Like 6
    • JoeNYWF64

      The early gremlin & even chevette(scooter) 2 door could be had with no back seat.

      Like 0
      • Gary James Lehman

        68, 69 and 70 AMX were the shorter than a Javelin 2 seaters. 71-74 went to the same body as Javelin and included a back seat.

        Like 0
  3. angliagt angliagtMember

    Not sure if it’s the way the first picture is shot,color,
    or what,but it makes it look too short.

    Like 11
    • gaspumpchas

      Angliagt I noticed that also, never noticed it on others. The AMX was 5 inches shorter than the Javelin. This one looks solid, but the description and single pic make this listing highly suspect. Hope someone rescues it at a decent price. Good luck and stay safe.
      Cheers
      GPC

      Like 2
    • Steve Clinton

      Tell-tale detail; the AMX had back buttresses. This one’s rear window is flush to the body.

      Like 2
    • Rick

      Something looks a little off about the whole car. The description smells a little funny. And I’m an AMC fan, too.

      Like 2
  4. Bayshore Blues

    Beware folks, one photo, little info and just frankly not worth the asking price. I have AMCs, they are hard to find good parts for, period, even in our internet age. I’ve been trying to source enough parts to build a 390 for my 68 AMX (purchased with missing drivetrain, but I’ve got a title dang it) and on my poor boys income it’s just not happening. I’m a red, white and blue guy through and through (I have several AMC projects), but am realistic in that they will never attain Big 3 values while still costing the same or more to restore.

    Like 3
  5. jeffMember

    Jeff from Colorado AMC, eddie stakes site with vendors list is always fun. Planethoustonamx.com 401 and 390’s getting expensive, thank God Big Jeeps had 401’s so did international harvestors……..

    Like 1
    • AMCFAN

      Not sure where you have been. 390/401 have always been expensive. As the years go buy they won’t be any cheaper until we are all electric. Then we will be all gone by that time anyway.

      Like 3
      • Robert Eddins

        I think most of us will see electric cars, trucks, semis, quads, side by sides, and power walls on our homes, businesses, and off road areas way before we expect. It is an unstoppable disruptive tour de force. Like a snowball it will roll exponentially into our lives, and those driving internal combustion vehicles will be a speck in a sea of
        quiet running torque
        breed sleek new vehicles. Disruptive technologies are here now and as much as I dispise A.I. and damn robots building my next mini truck it is already planned, financing in place, and the next era of ETF investor is chomping at the bit to snag the next Dell, Apple, Google or Amazon. Those who invest right will be multi millionaires in 10 years or less.
        Those of us who are lucky enough to be retired or those that saved faithfully since their 20,s will be ok. Their minds may not be, as the world they loved will be gone. Those who in the future are displaced will lobby for a universal federal stipend because without it they will starve or rely on family for the basics of survival.
        Europe, China, the U.K., Japan, and all Asians nations are already adapting fast. E-vehicles are mandated in Europe very soon, and the U.S.A. and Russia will probably go grudingly along as staglers, as we here cannot ever seem to agree on much any more, and with the internet being demonized, weaponized, and pretty much being the toxic place that is destroying the minds of gullible seniors and still developing teens, we must find a way to put our differences aside and put democracy and diverse population first,as that will sustain us.
        People with money are already buying property on the Great Lakes and Tahoe so they,ll have access to water in twenty years from today.
        The water temperature in Lake Michigan is already 10 degrees warmer than normal and without the annual ice flip stirring the bottom the Whitefish population will die off. Last, we all owe Bill Gates a heartfelt thank you, the millions of acres of farmland he has bought are going to be farmed with 22nd century scientific methods to prevent mass starvation. It does not matter if you or I will be ready it all cannot be stopped or slowed, it will happen. Those of us 60 or 70 year olds can be thankful we had it good because we did. We owe or young people some semblence of a future to look forward to. Many young folks today have depression already because they can see the future. An electric hot rod will be just as fun as the first ones. An electric 64 GTO will still scare us enough to make us grin over GMO coffee, we,ll make it, we are robust tough resourceful people.
        The moral being though, adapt, or be swept aside. There are at least ten companies right now waiting to sell awesome electric pickups, I like the Rivian and the Cybertruck, but they are all great. Billions of dollars have already flowed into USA and Canadian ETF,s for disruptive technology, the money is already in place and if the early Dutch stockbrokers could, they,d be right in the fray because this will make more rich than all the stock transactions in history.

        Like 2
  6. Max

    Hasn’t run in 20 years; 100k miles; one picture. $15,000. Sheesh.

    Like 6
  7. JeffMember

    The AMX is a full 12 inchs shorter, not 5 or 6 !!

    Like 4
  8. Car Nut Tacoma

    Beautiful looking car. I’ve always loved the 1968 and 69 AMC Javelin and AMX. Given its condition, I would’ve paid closer to $10,000 for the car. I’d still have enough money to pay for inspection and to restore a car to driveable condition.

    Like 0
  9. Steve Clinton

    Showing the interior of a different car is unethical. I smell a scam.

    Like 1
    • Steve R

      Scam? How? The text in the write up clearly states the interior picture was added by this site. There are no interior photos in the ad.

      Steve R

      Like 4
  10. Steve Clinton

    Those 2 pics are photoshopped phonies. Definitely a scam.

    Like 1
  11. Rik

    Russ – If there’s only one picture, leave it at one picture…showing pics of another car seems odd for a car sale site…

    Like 1
  12. Howie Mueler

    If it sounds too good to be true…………….

    Like 1
  13. Tooyoung4heyday Tooyoung4heydayMember

    It only hurts the seller to not have more photos. The car in original pic looks normal to me. It would benefit all parties to have more sides shown, an interior pic, an underhood pic and the rare but all important underbody pics. Perhaps the seller isnt that into this type of thing and figured the one pic would do. For years thats all you you used to get, before that it was just a description. Simply put, if you want more pics then contact seller and ask for more. If they’re serious about selling the car they can give you more pics and info if needed.

    Like 2
  14. harley davis

    a friend of mine has a 68 he bought it new still has it i had a 68 javlin i wish i still had it his is in great shape looks like it did the day he got it still all stock still low numbers on the speedo he might even sell it if the money was right but then may be not

    Like 0
    • harley davis

      a friend of mine has a 68 amx
      he bought it new still has it i had a 68 javlin i wish i still had it his is in great shape looks like it did the day he got it still all stock still low numbers on the speedo he might even sell it if the money was right but then may be not

      Like 0
  15. Paolo

    The single photo from the seller’s advertisement is just peculiar. Just what the hell is that?

    Like 0
  16. Paolo

    The single photo from the seller’s advert is very peculiar? To me, it appears to be a photoshopped Javelin or some one actually customized and shortened a Javelin. Most likely photoshop. But why? It is not an AMX.

    Like 2
    • Bayshore Blues

      Upon looking at it closely I believe the seller just happened to find the most unflattering angle that no one else ever takes of an AMX. It does appear to be odd around the back glass, but what you are seeing is the driver side roof buttress with some rust/rust staining and an odd shadow to it giving it a blurred appearance. You can see the luggage rack running across and no, the rear glass is not flush, again it’s just an odd effect of the color, rust stain, angle and light. Granted again the owner may also be super tall and taking odd perspectives with his camera. Do a little searching and you’ll be hard pressed to find anyone posting an AMX pic to match this angle. I own one and it had me furrowing my brow at first as well.

      Like 0
  17. chrlsful

    rather this than the other mopowr muscle, I’m w/Jerry.
    Also lookin forward to the EV. You’ve seen enough of my rant on that. Will keep what they let me too…
    Big 24 inch dark stripe dwn the middle in contrasting to the body color. Do what the FB stang 2+2 guys did & mount the stero in the middle of the ‘back seat’ ona ‘shelf’ or ‘deck’.

    Like 0
  18. Jon.in.Chico

    American Motors made an AMX/3 by Bizzarini … only five copies were made (debatable – some say a sixth assembled from parts counts) … last one offered for the first time in fifteen years sold for $795k; was asking $895k … 390/340hp/430ft/lb … top speed 170mph … one of the most beautiful cars ever made in my opinion … https://amx3.org/

    Like 2
    • JoeNYWF64

      If someone told me they made 5 or less ’69 camaro(!!!!) RS’s with either the 230 or 250 strait 6, i would believe it.
      Never seen 1 & there was just 1 at Carlisle.
      Even if Chevy made just that ONE, it would still not be worth as much as any with a comparably equipped 307 v8. lol

      Like 0
      • Jon.in.Chico

        And your point is ??

        Like 1
      • Motorcityman

        His point is the V8 is worth more than a 6, how did u miss that?

        Like 0
      • JoeNYWF64

        My other points are that super rareity can be found in the most unexpected places. & also it does not necessarily mean tremendous value or desireablilty.

        Like 0
    • Paolo

      Thank you for reminding me of the AMX3. If only…

      Like 1
    • Motorcityman

      I had a auto magazine from the 90s that had a write up about the AMX3…think I still have it somewhere, have to look as I’ve moved across country since then.
      It showed the Red one I believe.

      Like 0
  19. Larry

    On Craigslist there is now more pics’. Including interior and engine.

    Like 0
    • Bayshore Blues

      And that still didn’t change my mind, the seller’s ask is WAY too high. I’m still seeing nice drivers for this range that you can get in, turn the key and go enjoy it. Not trailer queens mind you, but very nice examples that don’t need anything dike to enjoy them. This one is far from that.

      Like 0
  20. chrlsful

    Don’t usualy comment twice. But yup, “On Craigslist there is now more pics’. Including interior and engine.”
    I asked him in a direct e-mail & the others showed up. He posted back “more up”. Man of few wrds fer sure.

    Nota amc, 390 or american muscle fan. I like these tho’n remember just one, an ex’s ex (he musta had it in ’72/3 or so). Was a light car, didn’t know it hada 6.4L. Said to have good handling characteristics @ the time (tho not sure how equipped/accomplished).

    Is this a “Scotty car” ie unique enuff? How bout the ‘small’ category (97 inch WB). I’ll go for the “limited production” wjust around 40K in the full 3 yr run…

    Think I’m gunna follow this one (here anyway). It’s harder to get to CL (cept I now gota link @ my in-bx to click on).
    – -Chad
    Amherst
    MA
    USA (long way from “Sacramento”)
    BTW: white on red like this hasa remote possibility @ a “Pikes Peak Hill Climber” (or wuz thata ’68?) – 1 of 20 or so.

    Like 0
  21. Johnny C.

    I went to high school with a girl who bought one of these new with a 390 / 4-speed with money she earned as a model. And she DROVE that car… Let me tell you it was really fast and quick! Very un-common & very cool!

    Like 0

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