Production of the AMX (American Motors EXperimental) started in the fall of 1967 at American Motors' Kenosha, WI plant. The AMC AMX debuted on Feb. 24, 1968 as a 1968-1/2 model, based on the Javelin but with a foot chopped out of the wheelbase. The AMX wheelbase is only 97 inches, with an overall length of 177.22 in., a width of 71.57 in. and a height of 51.73 in. It weighed in at just over 3,000 lbs. 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 and resulted in only 6,725 AMXs being built.
Before being introduced to the public at the Chicago Auto Show on February 23, 1968, the AMX broke 106 National and International speed records. Craig Breedlove took the AMX to Bonneville and ran an official 189 mph, with an unofficial run of over 200 mph (see video at left). To celebrate this feat, 52 special red, white, and blue "Craig Breedlove" editions were built. These race-ready cars were sold as the SS/AMX (Super Stock/AMX), and they are the most rare of all AMX automobiles. AMC equipped these cars with a high performance 390 engine, Doug Thorley after market headers, Hurst 4 speed linkage, a dual crossram intake for two 4 barrel carburetors, ram air, a rear spoiler, traction bars, a real roll cage and many more heavy duty racing parts. The car was not street legal. Take a look and a listen to the video at left below Breedlove's record video and you'll hear why - that was a mean sound even for wide-open 1968.
Standard equipment on the AMX included reclining bucket seats, carpeting, woodgrain interior trim, E70-14 Goodyear polyglas tires, a four-speed manual transmission, and a heavy-duty suspension. Only V-8's were available, and those were all equipped with Carter four-barrels and dual exhausts. The baseline 290 ci produced 225 hp at 4700 rpm, the optional 343 ci produced 280 hp and the top-of-the-line 390 was rated at 315 hp with 425 ft.lbs of torque. (note: all AMC V-8s are smallblocks - the 290, 343, 360 and 390 engines are all based on the same block.) The 390 was capable of speeds close to 130 mph. Also there were Group 19 dealer-installed factory performance parts; Aluminum intake manifolds, hi-lift cams, roller rockers, Detroit Locker rear-ends with gears as steep as 5.00: 1, side pipes, and rear wheel disc brake kits, to name a few. The AMX could be had with a wide range of options, including the popular "Go Package", which included a 343 or 390 V-8, power front discs, redline tires, Twin Grip rear axle, and racing stripes. Plus the Airless Spare - a spare tire that takes up little trunk space because it doesn't inflate until you need it.
AMC also offered a number of luxury items. Air conditioning, automatic tranmission, tilt steering, power steering or quick-ratio manual steering, AM, AM-FM or AM 8 track stereo, tinted windows, remote outside mirror and power disc brakes were on the list of options. Reclining bucket seats were standard.
There were few changes to the AMX for 1969. The base price increased by $52 and a new 140 mph speedometer was included in a new dashboard, which included a hood panel cover. A special series of "Big Bad AMX" were built mid year. The "Big Bad AMX" option cost just $34 and included wild colors with body colored bumpers. The 1968 and 1969 models were very similar, and the AMX was named "Best Engineered Car of the Year" in 1969 and 1970 by the American Society of Automotive Engineers. Among the reasons cited was its industry-first all one piece injection molded dashboard for safety purposes. The AMX TV ad at left shows the car pulling up behind an AC Cobra at the track - AMC was proud, and rightly so, of their quick entrance into the muscle car field.
The 1970 AMX received some styling changes, including a different grille and hood. The 1970 models also got a double ball-joint front suspension instead of the trunnion-based system found on the earlier models, a new 360 cid V-8 as the base engine rated at 290 bhp, "dogleg" exhaust ports, and a new Motorcraft 4-barrel carb. The 1970 AMX increased to $3,395. The front end and taillamps were also completely restyled. At the top of the hood there was a Ram-Air induction scoop. This was the last year for true two-seat AMX production.
The two seat AMX ended in 1970 as the 1971 AMX which was now technically the top of the line Javelin. 1972 saw small styling changes. Although the AMX would technically continue to 1974, this was the last year for American Motors muscle car engines and muscle car performance.CClick here to add text.
1968 AMX Gallery
1969 AMX Gallery
1970 AMX Gallery
1968-1970 AMX ads
