The muscle car era had begun in the early ’60’s with the advent of the Impala SS of Beach Boys’ fame (“she’s real fine, my 409”) with other makes soon jumping on the bandwagon including Pontiac (GTO), Oldsmobile (442), Dodge (Charger), Mercury (Marauder); even Studebaker fielded a high powered contender when the supercharged Avanti launched in ’63.
American Motors, languishing in the shadow of the sensible and frill free image of the Rambler, came late to the performance party. In 1968, it crashed that party with a vengeance when the Javelin pony car and its almost instant spawn, AMX, launched within months of each other. The AMX, based on the Javelin minus a full foot of wheelbase – and back seat -- was, by far, the sexier of the two. It offered the cache of limited production with a dash plaque attesting to the fact.
Javelin was a response to the Mustang, Camaro, Firebird, Barracuda crowd; AMX could not be construed as a response to anything but Corvette. In one of the most audacious moves of the era, staid old AMC was transformed by the no-holds-barred AMX.
AMX loyalists pointedly note the car was the first new steel bodied domestic sports car since the ’55 T-bird debuted. Even if one accepts the Ford’s boulevardier as a sport cars, that’s still akin to a skewed baseball stat: “left handed National League pitcher starting on the second Tuesday in May in a leap year.” Yet, this good-looking hunk of American steel was equipped the kind of firepower that made for a great rookie year.
Craig Breedlove and wife Lee established 106 new USAC records, with recorded lap speeds of 175 mph at the AMX launch. Over the three model years, AMXs were offered with a range of V8’s in four convenient sizes -- 290, 343, 360, and 390 cubic inches. So strong was the high performance aura that a majority of buyers shelled out for the 390 (good for as much as 340 hp) most of which were mated to the standard four speed manual transmission.
The trim, aggressive design, is as strong as the power train. Refreshingly clean and unembellished the style has worn very well over time. With 0-60 times in the sub-7 second range, the “go” is just about as up to date as the “show.” Upon the introduction of the AMX in 1968, Car and Driver suggested, “American Motors might be starting to swing,” Today, AMX is still a swinging’ statement of muscle and style.
VITAL INFO
WHAT TO PAY
A true “sleeper,” a very presentable AMX can be had for $15,000 or less but prices have been rising recently. A few special models including the garishly painted “Big Bad Color” option cars in screaming blue, green or orange command a minimal premium. If you find one of the 50 or so Craig Breedlove Specials, you’ll dig deeper; one of the 53 Hurst-prepped Super Stock AMX drag cars can run as high as $50,000+.
PRODUCTION FIGURES
19,134 over three years. AMC has predicted 10,000 per year; AMX limited production was, in fact, truly limited.
When the production of the original AMXs had finished, AMC applied the name to performance-equipped Javelins from 1971 to 1974 and to high-performance Hornets in 1977, Concords in 1978, and Spirits in 1979 and ’80.
WATCH OUT FOR
Rust, the scourge of AMC unit bodies; ill-fitting replacement parts.
READ MORE:
AMX and Javelin Muscle Car Portfolio, by R.M. Clarke, Brooklands Books, 140 pages, $20; Illustrated AMC Buyer’s Guide, by Larry Mitchell, Motorbooks International, 160 pages, $20.
WEBSITES:
AMX Files covers the history, production stats, collectibility, has photos, articles and links for AMX owners and fans. www.amxfiles.com
Seeking to answer the critical question, "have you ever been X-Perienced" the www.AMX-perience.com website serves up a hearty dish of information on each of the AMX models (including prototypes) all with a helping of great photos.
CLUBS:
American Motors Owners Association, 6756 Cornell St. Portage, MI 49002 www.amonational.com
Classic AMX Club International, 7963 Depew St., Arvada, CO 90003 (303) 428-8760 www.amcwc.com
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I have one AMX Amc of 1960 and I would sold it.
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