In the world of rare pony/muscle cars there is one model I feel has never gotten the respect it deserves: the AMC AMX. Listed for sale on ClassicCars.com at a dealer in Clearwater, Florida, our Pick of the Day is this 1968 AMC AMX equipped with the factory “Go Package.”
With the debut of the AMX—which stands for American Motors Experimental—AMC hoped to be seen as a company that could do more than just build economy cars. In essence, the AMX is a hot-rodded and redesigned AMC Javelin. Designer Dick Teague took the already strong lines of the Javelin and made it even more aggressive.
The AMX, was introduced to the public on February 24, 1968, and marketed as “the only American sports car that costs less than $3,500.” The goal was to bring younger people into AMC dealerships, and in that the car was a huge success, bringing a new generation of buyers in droves.
AMC did everything right with the AMX, including offering an optional “Go Package,” which was available with four-barrel 343- or 390-engined cars. That package included power-assisted front disc brakes, “Twin-Grip” rear end, E70x14 red-stripe performance tires on 6-inch-wide steel road wheels, heavy-duty suspension with thicker sway-bars, and heavy-duty cooling as some of its performance features. Borrowing an idea from GM and Ford, AMC also offered many extra performance components—known as “Group 19” parts, referencing the company’s parts catalog—through its dealers.
If that wasn’t enough, AMC also offered an AMX for Super/Stock drag racing, where it was very successful against the best of the best.
The seller describes this AMX as having its original 390ci V8 engine with an Edelbrock 1405 four-barrel carburetor. It has a nicely painted and detailed engine bay, chrome engine accessories, headers, dual exhaust with Flowmaster mufflers, upgraded 700R4 4-speed overdrive automatic transmission, front power disc brakes, 15-inch chrome Magnum Wheels with radial tires, 3.08 “Twin-Grip” rear end, and power steering.
This AMX is finished in a correct Code 39A Red with white “skunk” stripe and features a chrome sport mirror, reclining black bucket-seat interior in excellent condition, and embroidered floor mats.
Judging by the photos of this AMX, it really looks like an exceptional example. As mentioned earlier, the AMX has always lagged behind other rare pony cars, such as the Boss 302 and Shelby Mustang, as well as Hemi pony cars from Chrysler. This has always been weird to me, as these are terrific-looking, terrific-driving, and historically significant cars both on the racetrack and off. They are also rare, with a total of only 6,725 AMX cars built in 1968 (with 4,399 powered by the 390).
You might guess after reading this that I like the AMX a little. This is because not only are these truly great cars, but they are also something different. The history of these cars is kind of amazing, especially from a little company like AMC, and you don’t see them nearly as often as other top-tier pony cars.
The other reason I like these is that AMXs are a huge bargain, especially when compared to any other car in its class. This fine 1968 AMC AMX illustrates that with an asking price of only $44,900. If you compare that to offerings from GM, Ford, or Chrysler, you will see what a value this is. If you look at this car and give it a test drive, you may well end up with it in your garage.
Click here to view this Pick of the Day on ClassicCars.com
