1970 AMC AMX

The American Motors Corporation produced the two-seat AMX from 1968 through 1970. It had a short wheelbase, GT-styling, and was the only American-built steel-bodied two-seater automobile on the market at the time, and the first of its type since the 1955 through 1957 Ford Thunderbird.

The wheelbase of the AMC AMX was one-inch shorter than the Chevrolet Corvette, America's only other two-seater on the market, albeit at a much higher premium. The AMX was much more affordable, and in spite of the enthusiasm for the model and its exceptional value, sales of the well-promoted vehicle were never spectacular. Two specially-prepared AMXs models had been brought to Goodyear's track in Texas where they were driven by Craig Breedlove, his wife Lee, and Ron Dykes to 106 world speed and endurance records in January of 1968. Breedlove later took the AMX to Bonneville where a speed of 189 mph was achieved in a United States Auto Club (USAC) sanctioned run, along with an unofficial run of over 200 mph. The American Society of Automotive Engineers named the AMX as the 'best-engineered car of the year' in 1969 and 1970.

The 1970 AMC AMX came standard with an overhead valve 360 cubic-inch V8 offering 290 horsepower. It was mated to a four-speed manual close-ratio gearbox with floor shift controls. AMC listed the fastback coupe at $3,395 and produced a total of 4,116 examples.

For 1970, the AMX received new rear lamps and a newly restyled front end that it shared with the other performance models in the AMC lineup. The grille was flush with the hood and had a redesigned bumper housing parking lamps. There were circular rally lights in the horizontally divided, cross-hatched grille. The hood featured a muscular Ram-Air induction scoop that allowed cold air into the engine.

The size of the vehicle was modified; it grew in length by about two inches and shrunk in size by one inch. Standard equipment included a heavy-duty 60-amp battery, courtesy lights, rear traction bar, Space-Saver spare tire, E78-14 Blackwall tires, steel-styled wheels, 140 mph speedometer, and dual exhaust system.

This was the final year for the original type AMX. The name would continue to be used on the performance models of the Javelin and Hornet.

by Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2013