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1968 AMC AMX

American Motors built 6,725 examples of the AMX in 1968, with 2,112 examples having the high-end Hurst manual 4-speed transmission with the 390 V8 Go-Pac motor. The two-seater AMX was AMC's muscle drag car in the pony car arena. It made its debut on February 24th of 1968 as a mid-1968 model. Inspired by the 1966 American Motors Experimental concept car, it was designed by Richard 'Dick' Teague and was the first steel-bodied, two-seat American production model since the 1957 Ford Thunderbird. It was created by cutting approximately a foot out of its Javelin body (making it one-inch shorter than a Corvette), removing the rear seat, and transforming it into a proper two-seat sports car. They had a bolder grille, a cleaner fastback roofline, and more aggressive hood treatment. Carpeted panels replaced the rear bench seat, making the AMX and the Corvette the only American-built two-seat performance cars.

With its low 3,100-pound curb weight and short 97-inch wheelbase, a stock AMX was capable of zero-to-sixty mph times below seven seconds, with quarter-mile times under 15 seconds. In February 1968, then-world land-speed record holder, Craig Breedlove, set 106 class-based world speed records with an AMX. In celebration, AMC produced a limited run of approximately 50 special red, white, and blue 'Craig Breedlove' edition AMXs.

AMC contracted Ron Kaplan and Jim Jeffords to prepare and campaign two Javelins in the SCCA's Trans-Am series. The AMC was the only factory-entered team to finish every race entered that year. Their drivers included George Follmer, Peter Revson, and Lothar Motschenbacher. In 1970, AMC signed Roger Penske and Mark Donohue, the reigning 1969 champions, who helped AMC win back-to-back championships for 1971 and 1972.

The top-of-the-line 390 engine delivered 315 horsepower and had a power-to-weight ratio of 9.8 lbs/bhp, resulting in a 60 mph in 6.9 seconds and 15.2-second quarter miles. The 4-barrel carburetor engine had dual exhaust and 415 lb-ft of torque. Performance and Handling were enhanced with power steering, front disc brakes, tuned suspension, and Twin-Grip rear axle.

Base pricing for the AMX was from a very affordable $3,245. Standard AMX features included reclining bucket seats, carpeting, wood grain interior trimmings, E70-14 Goodyear Polyglas tires, a four-speed manual transmission, and heavy-duty underpinnings. The standard 290 cubic-inch, overhead valve V8 engine had five main bearings, 10.0:1 compression, a Carter four-barrel carburetor, and delivered 225 horsepower at 4,700 RPM. Option engines included a 343 CID (T-code) and 390 CID (X-Code) V8 with 315 horsepower and 425 pound force-feet of torque.

Angela Dorian, the 'Playboy Playmate of the Year,' was given a brand-new AMX in 1968, powered by a 390 and finished in 'Playmate Pink.'


by Daniel Vaughan | May 2019

Related Reading : AMC AMX History

The AMC AMX, representing American Motors Experimental, was produced in low production numbers produced during the late 1960s and early 1970s. It had similarities to AMCs pony car, the Javelin, but was smaller and had seating for two. The AMX was not only sporty and attractive, but it introduced many industry firsts, including being the first production vehicle to use a one-piece injection molded....
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1968 AMC AMX Vehicle Profiles

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Performance and Specification Comparison

Price Comparison

1968 AMX
$3,250-$166,900
1968 AMC AMX Base Price : $3,250

Compare: Lower | Higher | Similar

Other 1968 AMC Models
$2,480 - $2,580

AMX

Specification Comparison by Year

Year
Production
Wheelbase
Engine
Prices
6,725
97.00 in.
8 cyl., 290.00 CID., 225.00hp
8 cyl., 343.00 CID., 280.00hp
8 cyl., 390.00 CID., 315.00hp
$3,250 - $3,250
8,293
97.00 in.
8 cyl., 390.00 CID., 315.00hp
$3,290 - $3,290
4,116
97.00 in.
8 cyl., 390.06 CID., 315.00hp
8 cyl., 390.00 CID., 325.00hp
$4,000 - $4,000

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