AMX
AMC’s two-seat experiment lasted just two years
Story and photos by John Gunnell
horsepower ratio when equipped with the 315-hp V8. Car and Driver found this combination good for a 6.6 second 0-to-60 mph time. The MX stood for “American Motors Experimental.” It was Step 2 in 390 AMX also did the standing-start quarter mile in 14.8 seconds at 95 American Motors’ image upgrade program. The goal was to at- mph. The car’s top speed was an estimated 122 mph. tract young buyers who were scooping up high-performance models from other companies. AMX designer Richard “Dick” Teague created Reclining bucket seats, carpets, wood-grain interior trim and E70 x 14 the first steel-bodied, two-seat American production model since the Goodyear Polyglas tires were standard. Also included was a four-speed gearbox and heavy-duty suspension. Many buyers were happy with the early T-Bird. standard 290-cid 225-hp V8 or the one-step-up 343-cid 280-hp V8, but From its inception as a prototype in ’66, through its 2-1/2-year produc- the “390” was the most muscle car engine option. In February 1968, race tion run, to its ever-rising status as a collectible muscle car today, the driver Craig Breedlove set 106 world speed records with an AMX. two-passenger AMX has always blazed new trails for a gets-no-respect corporate parent . . . This rare 1969 Craig Breedlove AMX is American Motors. owned by Gary Carlson of Rockford, Ill. The first AMX was a non-running fibreglass concept car that let auto show attendees know that ultra-conservative American Motors Corp. (AMC) could design a car with pizzazz. A later running model had a “Ramble Seat” in place of the rear deck.
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AMC, based in Kenosha, Wis., launched the Javelin pony car in the fall of 1967 as a 1968 model. The two-place AMX was based on the Javelin. However, it was a foot shorter in wheelbase and length. It came out as a 1968-1/2 model. It bowed to the press at Daytona Beach, Fla. and at the Chicago Auto Show on Feb. 24, 1968. Along with the new car came a new 390-cid Gen II AMC V8, which was rated at 315 hp. The short 97-inch wheelbase cut the 390-powered AMX coupe’s curb weight to 3,205 lbs. That gave the little muscle car a 10.8 pounds-per30 MUSCLE CAR PLUS MAGAZINE APRIL/MAY 2022
