muscle car series american motors cooperations amx

Muscle Car Series - American Motors Cooperation s AMX
By Brian Edwards

The AMC AMX or “American Motors Experimental” was introduced on Feb. 24, 1968, as a mid 1968 model. It joined the Ford Thunderbird and the Chevrolet Corvette as the only American two seat sports cars. The AMX was based upon a shorten version the four seat AMC Javelin and was produced from 1968 until 1970. After 1970, the two seat AMX was discontinued but the AMX name-plate continued as an option on the Javelin. Both the Javelin and the AMX were among the best handling cars of the era.

Engine choices ranged from a 225 horse powered 290 cubic inch V8 to a 390 cubic inch V8 rated at 315 horsepower. A road test of the 1968 AMX by Car and Driver resulted in a zero to sixty mph time of 6.6 seconds and a quarter mile time of 14.8 seconds at 95 mph. These were very respectable performance numbers.

Culture comforts were not forgotten either. The car was well equipped for the era with reclining bucket seats, carpeting and a faux wood grain interior.

During the three year production run over 19,000 AMX s were produces including 6725 in 1968, 8293 in 1969 and 4116 in 1970. Included in these numbers are some very rare and desirable models, including 52 AMX Super Sports. These cars were basically “legalized” drag racers modified by the Hurst Corporation. The heavily modified engines produce 340 horsepower and we capable of eleven second quarter mile times. Today those cars are both rare and very desirable among collectors. Another collector edition was the “Big Bad” AMX. Less that 1,000 were produced. These AMXs were available with special high impact color themes of orange, blue or green. Today, AMXs with these color themes command a premium in the market place.

The AMX was a bold experiment by the American Motors Corporation. The two seat AMX was never a direct competitor to the Corvette and AMC never clamed it was. However, since it cost significantly less that the Corvette is was a good option for enthusiasts that wanted a two seat performance car on a budget.

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