In 1968 the American Motors Corporation made a sudden 180 degree turn from their usual line of family style vehicles and officially entered into the muscle car market place. The 1968 AMX was born, and it went head to head with the already proven, asphalt stomping Corvette. This was quite an undertaking, as the company was not a large producer of autos in the first place. Although coming up short in the end against the Corvette, the car was undoubtedly a very potent contender.
 American Motors AMX |
Base engine for the experimental car was the proven 4.8 litre 290 cubic inch V-8. The more performance minded people opted for the 6.4 litre, 390 cube engine, coupled with the Borg-Warner 4-speed transmission. This was usually paired with the optional Go Package, which included dual exhaust, stiffer springs, front disc brakes, locking rear end, and wider, stickier tires. Combined with a light overall weight, the car had ferocious acceleration. Not just fast in a straight line, it handled the twisties with amazing grace.
In an attempt to attract attention to the little two seater, AMC had two specially prepared AMX’s flogged for a weekend in 1969 at the Texas Speedway. Appropriately called The Texas Takeover, when all the dust had settled, the mighty AMX had broken 106 speed records. The two cars were piloted by legendary race car driver Craig Breedlove, his wife Lee and another driver, Ron Dykes.
After two years as a two seater, the AMX name was added to the Javelin line and lived another four years with it. Although longer and heavier, and could be opted with an automatic transmission, the car was still a true performance auto. The AMX has been left out of many a top ten muscle car list, but recently, due to their rarity, have been climbing steadily on those lists.
The car made a brief come back in the late seventies, but was only in name. Although a true looker, the performance was long gone, and the line was eventually dropped.
In Javelin or true two seat AMX form, this is one car that must be in everyone’s collection. Only produced for two years, the car is hard to find. If you happen to stumble across one, you had better snatch it up on the spot. Not everyone has one, you know.
