by Mike –
The AMX was made by American Motors from 1968 through 1970 and was classified as a muscle car, but it was unique because of its short wheelbase and it was also considered a sports car.
American Motors AMX
It was the only two-seat sports car made in America besides the Chevrolet Corvette at the time and was a competitor for the Corvette at a much lower price plus the AMX had a one inch shorter wheelbase.
The AMX could be bought with a 390 cid V8 that produced 315 hp, 325 hp or 420 hp depending on the options. The AMX appealed to both muscle car lovers and sports car enthusiasts. The result may have been confusion in the market place.
Craig Breedlove
In 1968 two special AMXs set 106 speed and endurance records driven by land speed record holder Craig Breedlove, Ron Dykes and Lee Breedlove (Craig’s wife).
Craig Breedlove also drove the AMX at the Bonneville Salt Flats achieving 189 mph in a United States Auto Club sanctioned run, and an unofficial run of more than 200 mph.
Design Awards
The AMX introduced many car design firsts and was named the American Society of Automotive Engineers “Best Engineered Car of the Year” for 1969 and 1970. Road tests by car journalists resulted in 0 to 60 MPH times in the mid-6 second range and a top speed of 122 MPH.
Super Stock AMX
AMC introduced the Super Stock AMX in 1969. It has a modified 390 cid engine with twin Holly carburetors, 12.3:1 compression-ratio cylinder heads and Doug’s headers and exhaust system. The National Hot Rod Association rated this car at 420 hp. It was able to reach the quarter mile in less than 11 seconds.
There were 6,725 AMXs made in 1968, 8,293 in 1969 and 4,116 in 1970. These are good looking cars with a race and performance history and the production numbers are low for an American car.
I think they are under appreciated and should go up in value over time. I want one!
The AMC AMX Fiberglass Prototype Is For Sale On My Car Quest
The creation of the AMX was done through the development of several prototype and concept designs that were first presented to the public in 1966.
The only AMC AMX fiberglass prototype to survive has a fascinating history. As happens many times with cars the human element has made a big difference – if not for an AMC car lover (Domenick Jiardine, Jr.), who was also an AMC employee, and a sympathetic AMC executive (William Luneburg, president & COO of AMC) this car would have been burned with the other fiberglass AMX prototype and thus would not exist today.
Most car prototypes are not allowed to be sold to the public. Read more about the AMX Prototype for sale here.
AMX Prototype
AMX Prototype
Is that a rumble seat in the back?
AMC called it the Rambleseat, get it?
The occupants of the Rambleseat could talk to the inside occupants because the back is open.
Well, it could be but if it is those sitting in that area would be in a real storm!?
The AMX WAS a sports car, as it only had only two seats. The muscle car version was the AMC Javelin, which had four seats. No further debate required. Glenn in the Bronx, NY.
My Peterbilt truck has two seats but they call it a truck?
Ok. I give up. Wikipedia says it was classified as both a muscle car and a sports car. Yet, I would not classify a car as a sports car, based solely on its wheelbase. I don’t have the data in front of me, but I am almost sure that all those mid- 1960’s cars like the Mustang, Barracuda, Charger, and the ’67-’69 Camaro/Firebird had even smaller or comparable wheelbases to the AMX, and are NOT sports cars. And, yes the original ’55-’57 Thunderbird had only two seats, but was NOT a sports car. So, with its small wheelbase, high output engine, and its two seats, I will say these three in combination make the AMX a sports car. If I am wrong, I am wrong, but somebody has to go out on a limb!
Speaking as the owner of a 1969 390 AMX (that I purchased brand new when I was 19), I’ve always called it a “Sports/Muscle” Car. It did exceptionally well at the Drag in it’s class, and made short work out of every curvy road I could find.
I’ve owned over 25 different “Sports Cars” over the years including many Vettes, and Z-cars, RX7’s, Supra’s, Triumphs, MG’s, a Miata and a Viper GTS. They’ve all come and gone, but the AMX is still my favorite. For the record, the 2- seater AMX is a foot shorter than ALL the “PONY CARS” of the mid to late 60’s and early 70’s.
I sat in two of the prototype cars at the Milwaukee Arena in 1966 when my dad worked for AMC. I was only 11 at the time but still remember that “Ramble” seat today. IIRC, there were two different versions of the seat, but don’t recall the differences anymore. Dad is still alive and has a ’66 Ambassador 327 convertible for sale if anyone is interested.