AMX Owners Group

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The AMX was the only American steel bodied two seater of its time. The starting factory price for a 1968 AMX was $3,245.00, nearly $1,500.00 less than a Corvette. Hitting the show rooms in March of '68 resulted in only 6,725 AMXs being built.

Website: http://www.amx-perience.com/
Location: Global
Members: 7
Latest Activity: Feb 22, 2010

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An AMC AMX Overview

Your browser does not support inline frames or is currently configured not to display in <img src="http://api.ning.com/files/iy-usoG5wbBftnreAxvIp42QG4z0wglmed-6DAnidvBzxA3682QSHdWZZb3XJt3m4KK1IphRYw5PGw0*tniiO-tyylitpBny/TheAMCAMX3conceptcar.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="504" /> The AMC AMX is an automobile in the Gran Turismo (GT) tradition. It was produced by the American Motors Corporation (AMC). As it had only two seats, like the Chevrolet Corvette, The Muscle Car Club "world wide muscle car registry" queries whether it qualifies as a true muscle car or pony car. However they also list it among vehicles that fit the general interpretation of both categories because it is a shorter two-seat version of the longer AMC Javelin pony car. AMC was "“never shy" about describing the car as "a genuine sports car." <img src="http://api.ning.com/files/iy-usoG5wbBBIgrjyOwXuTIGi4jgQXvOiixidoZiWENFMjDet0Gx7WQjK4l3moMdwU-nHHv-GTCbqjirDs-gPJ*GudbtOvMA/800px1970_AMC_AMX_390_gopackage_blue_front.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="414" /> In 1971 AMC transferred the AMX name to a higher-performance version of the 4-seat Javelin, which continued through 1974. The name was revived for performance option equipped versions of the Hornet in 1977, Concord in 1978, and lastly to the Spirit in 1979 and 1980. The AMX name originates from the "American Motors eXperimental" code used on two early AMC prototypes that were shown on tour in what is called the "Project IV" in 1966. The four cars derived from the company's strategy to shed its "economy car" image and appeal to a more youthful, performance-oriented market. <img src="http://api.ning.com/files/iy-usoG5wbDCprhYPoWUM7lvLaEKjXJy6mfmEIIkyrF25gythn52SDX9ENgG34KaZImregBEKqcAGsrfxEkeE0HaZ-oAQh2O/1969AMCAMXinBigBadOrange.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="400" /> The original AMX full-scale models were developed in 1965 by AMC's advanced styling studios under the direction of Charles Mashigan. In 1966 Vince Gardner, an outside consultant, designed the fiberglass-bodied car AMX II concept car[4] as part of AMC's "Project IV" exhibit. AMC president Roy Abernethy sanctioned the Italian coachbuilder Vignale in Turin to construct an operational car in steel. Delivered in 78 days and known as the "AMX Vignale", it was first displayed at the 1966 New York International Auto Show. There were two simultaneous development programs for a new AMC production car: (1) a modified Javelin and (2) a completely new car bodied in fiberglass. The first approach was selected for progress to production because it used AMC's existing technology and unibody manufacturing expertise. Fairly inexpensive modifications to the Javelin approximated the prototype's styling and proportions. The first fully operational AMX prototype debuted as part of AMC's AMX project in 1966. (Preserved in the Talledega Speedway Museum for many years, it is now in a private collection in Canada.) AMC considered making an injection molded plastic unibody AMX, having the resource to do so through its Kelvinator Division who boasted the largest plastic injection molding machine in the industry at that time; large enough to do a small car. This idea was later seen in the arguable underpowered mid-engined Pontiac Fiero which features a plastic body shell. (This information should be sorted into a new page to feature the AMX/3 as a unique model. See <a href="http://www.amx390.com/amx3a.html">http://www.amx390.com/amx3a.html</a> ) The production AMX debuted just over four months after the Javelin went on sale. It was touted by some to be the first steel-bodied, two seat production model from an American manufacturer since the 1957 Ford Thunderbird. The only other two-seat domestic sports car at that time was the Chevrolet Corvette. And AMC advertising merely played along with the flattering sayings. (The Corvette wheelbase was 98 inches (2,489 mm); the AMX’s was 97 inches (2,464 mm) ). Base price for the AMX was US$3,245, over $1,000 less than the Corvette. In February 1968 the AMX was introduced to the press at the Daytona International Speedway. Playboy Enterprises also helped market the car.

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Comment by Captain Dave on February 22, 2010 at 2:33pm: I had 3 AMX'sin my life ... and am looking to buy another one... email me at pls10@hotmail.com if your know of a good one for sale at an affordable price ... go-pac 69/70 390 4spd with tan interior and air is prefered ;-)

thanks Capt Dave - retired Lake Arrowhead CA

Comment by Stephen Page on February 22, 2010 at 10:20am: Check this out for the bext AMX ever :-))))))
http://www.amx390.com/3.html

AMX Owners Group

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An AMC AMX Overview

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