“The AMC AMX was a two-seat GT-style sports car that was produced by American Motors Corporation for the 1968 through 1970 model years.
The AMX was also classified as a muscle car, but was unique among other American cars at the time due to its short wheelbase. The AMX was also the only American-built steel-bodied two-seater of its time, the first since the 1955-1957 Ford Thunderbird. To a degree, the AMX was a competitor with America’s only other two-seater of the era, the Chevrolet Corvette for substantially less money.
Fitted with the optional high-compression medium block 390 cu in AMC V8 engine, the AMX offered top-notch performance at an affordable price. Despite this value and enthusiastic initial reception by automotive media and enthusiasts, sales never thrived. However, the automaker’s larger objectives to refocus AMC’s image on performance and to bring younger customers into its dealer showrooms was achieved.
The AMX name originates from the “American Motors eXperimental” code used on a concept vehicle and then on two prototypes shown on the company’s “Project IV” automobile show tour in 1966. One was a fiberglass two-seat “AMX”, and the other was a four-seat “AMX II”. Both of these radically styled offerings reflected the company’s strategy to shed its “economy car” image and appeal to a more youthful, performance-oriented market.
All AMXs came with a 4-barrel carbureted small block AMC V8 engines in several versions. A 290 cu in with 225 hp N-code, a 343 cu in with 290 hp T-code, as well as the 390 cu in “AMX” featuring 315 hp with 425-pound force-feet of torque X-code. All derived from the same external sized block. However, the three engines differed vastly internally, with the smallest engine having small intake and exhaust valves, thin block webbing, and a cast nodular iron crankshaft; the 343 used larger valves with a thicker block webbing; and the 390 moved up to a forged steel crankshaft and connecting rods, as well as larger rod bearings, 2.250 in compared to 2.090 in on the smaller two versions.
A BorgWarner T-10 four-speed manual transmission was standard, as were special traction bars, dual exhaust system, and fatter tires for better traction. A “Shift-Command” three-speed automatic transmission with the capability of manual shifting (BorgWarner model M-11B or M-12) was optional together with a floor console mounted shifter.
A popular “Go-Package” option came with either the four-barrel 343 or 390 engines, and included power assisted front disk brakes, “Twin-Grip” differential, E70x14 red-stripe performance tires on “Magnum 500” styled-steel wheels, heavy-duty suspension with thicker sway-bars, heavy-duty cooling, and other performance enhancements. A wide range of specialized performance parts were also available through AMC dealers for installation on customer’s cars. These were known as “Group 19” parts because of the way AMC organized its parts books.”
Masterpiece’s ’68 AMX has had one owner over the last 31 years. They obtained the car from a family estate from what we understand and when purchased had 33,000 Actual Miles on it. The past owner put only an additional 12,339 since they purchased it 31 years ago, they pampered and kept the AMX in the garage only to take out on perfect days for a spin or a car show. If they replaced any parts on the car the original parts have been kept since they go with the history of the AMX and are available for the new owner.
The exterior of the AMX is in excellent condition. The body lines are straight and the gaps are clean and correct. The pictures of the AMX outside shows how bright the turbo silver paint and chrome on the AMX looks and sparkles.
Slip inside the AMX and you have the touch of AMX history with the black Ventilear vinyl bucket seats, designed to keep you cool on those hot summer days. Turn the key and the 343ci High Compression 290 HP 4BBL engine fires up. This AMX comes with the “Shift Command”3-Speed Automatic and shifts through the gears as smooth as silk. The original American Motors AM radio is still fitted in the dash, but an aftermarket AM/FM/Cassette Stereo Radio has been added under the dash for more up-to-date sounds.
This is a truly unique opportunity to own one of the most complete original AMXs available today.
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