1969 AMC AMX

American Motors may have come late to the muscle-car party, but when they arrived they did so with style when they introduced a new sports model titled the AMX. Introduced in 1968 at the Chicago Auto Show, the Javelin-based AMX was the first steel two-seat vehicle offered by an American manufacturer since the 1955-1957 Ford Thunderbird. The short 96-inch wheelbase design of the AMC made it competent on both the drag strip and the road course. It had a long hood, fastback deck design, aggressive body lines, and a unibody, stamped steel chassis.

When introduced, the AMX engines ranged from a 290 cubic-inch, 225 horsepower V8 up to a 390 CID, 315 hp V8. A four-speed manual was standard but an option three-speed 'Shift Command' automatic was also available. Among the notable options was a range of three colors that included neon brilliant blue, orange, and green. The package offered special trim and color-coded bumpers for an extra $34. Additionally, there was the 'Go-Package' option that added power-assisted disk brakes, E70 by 14 performance tires, 'Magnum 500' styled steel rims, 'Twin-Grip' differential, heavy-duty cooling and suspension, bigger anti-roll bars, and other performance enhancements.

The AMX was named the 'Car of the Year' by the Society of Automotive Engineers in 1969 and again in 1970.

The 1969 AMC AMX fastback coupe had a base price of $3,300 and a total of 8,293 examples were sold. Changes were minimal with several revisions appearing throughout the year. The 140 mph speedometer and tachometer with a larger face was a new addition. The 290 CID four-barrel V8 was the base engine with the 343 and 390 CID being optional equipment.

Standard equipment included dual exhaust, cigarette lighter, collapsible spare tire, sport steering wheel, ashtrays, armrests, courtesy lights, and glovebox lock. There were front head restraints, reclining bucket seats, front foam seat cushions, wheel discs, and Flo-Thru ventilation. A new option was the leather upholstery.

For 1969, there were 284 examples painted in orange-colored Big Bad and 195 models finished in blue. 283 examples were done in green. Just over 50 examples were the Super Stock AMXs that were enhanced by the Hurst Corp for AMC.

by Daniel Vaughan | Aug 2019