1969 AMC AMX III

Coupe
Chassis number: WTDO 363 2/55/55
Engine number: 211X25

Before the final AMX 3 was built, two prototypes were tested by AMC during 1968. AMC's in-house designer Richard Teague worked with Giotto Bizzarrini to develop the image-defining model into a road-going 160 mph sports car. All three prototypes were built by Salvatore Diomante in Turin, and BMW and Polytecnico di Torino performed rigidity testing with high-speed runs at Monza. In March 1970 the car was launched and the reviews were very favorable, but a few months later the program came to a halt.

The third-generation AMX concept car, the AMX/3, debuted at the 1970 Chicago Auto Show. Engineless and fashioned in fiberglass, the original AMX/3 prototype was a show car only and designed largely by AMC styling chief Dick Teague. The body mold was sent to Bizzarini and Ital Design, which fashioned the handmade drivable prototypes. AMC's 390 cubic-inch, 340 horsepower V8 was mounted amidship along with an Italian OTO Melara four-speed transaxle and German 4-wheel disc brakes. Further engineering improvements and road testing were done by BMW at Italy's Monza racetrack.

This car was finished in November 1969 and is the actual car tested by Bizzarrini at the Monza Autodrome. It has a number of unique modifications, which provided the necessary cooling for the powerful V8 engine; it has extra air inlets for the radiator under the front lights, on the front hood and two scoops behind the rear windows.

AMC placed an order for 30 operational cars, but only five were completed before the $2 million project was canceled. Originally, AMC hoped to build 5,000 cars per year, then as little as two per month, before the program was deemed economically unfeasible - at more than $20,000 per copy.

This car has a fresh concours restoration as well as FIVA identity and German road registration. Power is from a 390 cubic-inch V8 paired to a four-speed manual gearbox. When tested at Monza, it was able to surpass its original estimated top speed of 160 miles per hour thanks in part to Teague's super slippery design. This car currently resides in West Virginia. This example was essentially the closest of all the prototype vehicles to being production-ready.

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 AMC's 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 dashboard which greatly improved safety for its occupants. In 1969 and 1970 it was named 'Best Engineered Car of the Year' by the American Automotive Society of Engineers.

There were multiple engines available to the buyer. From 1968 through 1970 a four-barrel carbureted eight-cylinder engine could be had in 290, 343, 360 and 390 cubic-inch flavors. Power was sent to the rear wheels courtesy of the standard T-10 four-speed manual gearbox. Dual exhaust and a special traction bar were also included as standard equipment. Adding to the sporty persona were extra wide tires which provided extra traction and enhanced performance.

In 1968 AMC produced 6,725 examples of the AMX. The following year 8,2963 were produced and in 1970 sales dipped to 4,116. There were 52 examples of the Hurst-modified SS/AMX drag strip racing versions. These are highly sought after in modern times as collector cars.

The AMC AMX was popular on the racing circuit, especially at drag strips. The potent engines and wide tires made them very competitive. The AMX captured the Super Stock Championship title multiple years. Craig Breedlove, a renowned driver with years of experience and many titles was hired by AMC to help further the career performance of the AMX. He did so by breaking over 100 records including the 24 hour average speed record which he averaged 130 mph. The previous record had been 103 mph.

From 1971 through 1974 the AMX name was used on the Javelin indicating the performance option. It was used again in 1977 as a performance option on the Hornet. The following year it was applied to the Concord and in 1979 and 1980 it appeared on the Spirit.

There were three concept versions of the AMX created, known as the AMX/1, AMX/2, and AMX/3. The first operational AMX prototype was debuted in 1966 and resided for a number of years in the Talledega Speedway museum. Two rolling prototypes were made of the AMX/2, with one being used for many years atop of a pole of a used car dealership. In 1970 AMC commissioned ItalDesign to create a mid-engined high-performance version of the AMX, dubbed the AMX/3. The design was mostly by AMC designer Richard 'Dick' Teague and production was done at the former Bizzarrini factory located in Turin, Italy. Only six versions were created from 1969 through 1972. Located mid-ship was a 390 cubic-inch AMC V8 capable of producing 340 horsepower. A custom made OTO Melara five-speed manual gearbox was used and top speed was achieved at 160 mph.

by Dan Vaughan