When I was eight years old a friend of the family showed up at our house with his new 390 4 speed AMX in a beautiful green color. My dad and older brothers along were car guys (GTO, Jag and a very quick small block 55 chevy at the time) and they were all impressed as was I. It had everything I (we) liked. It was great looking, sounded great, was the right size (small to us at the time) and plenty quick. They still look good today!
We had hit a robust amount of HP and Torque by the 60s. We just hadn't figured out how to do it without drinking an ocean of dinosaur juice and spraying a mountain of smog into the air yet.
I've loved watching all these old cars when they were new. Thanks for putting all these videos up. My favorites have been the Buick Riviera and this AMX one.
Love this car , My wife and I are in the process of restoring one right now, same white with red stripes color code and was a 390 California matching numbers car. Hope to have it ready for car shows in the spring.
This is an early prototype,notice that had the gas cap on the side of roof,this was the original concept but when production models started they put the gas inlet in the back of the car,I am glad they changed this gas cap for having it on the side broke up the clean lines of this beauty.
I just drug home a 1969 AMX in Big Bad Green. One of about 280 made. Last registered in 1988. Solid high desert CA car. Stored inside for last 12 years, maybe longer. Can't wait to make that 390 roar to life and get it back on the road! Thanks for the video!
If I ever hit the Lottery I want one like this in red with white stripes !!! My uncle Rick took me a ride in one he had rebuilt the motor in ...I can still feel my neck pinned against the seat !!!...One of the fastest cars I have ever rode in !!!...and back in the day I rode in some pretty fast cars !!!!
The 1969 AMX AMC is my all-time fav although I also love the 1969 Mustang Mach I. Would love to have one with a solid body and interior and not necessarily a 390 cid and four-speed either at my old age now. Smaller engine and AT would do me just fine. Would cruise in it on Sunday afternoons. Ah, the looks I would get. Some younger guys might now even know what it is.
Love the Rockford maneuver at 1:01. My first car was a 1972 Javelin SST that was as old as I was, but I miss the big brute now. As for the 2-seater AMX, I always found it a bit disproportionate, like it had too much tail, but now I'm starting to appreciate it, not as a thing of beauty (that big tail), but as a cool and interesting design.
Watching videos like this shows ya how technology has advanced into today. 14.5sec et 1/4mile for AMX 390 back then and today in 2013 we got 4cylinder and 6cylinder engine cars running those time down the 1320! Sweet times!
i owned one of the two hurst amx's sent to canadian dealers in 1969. i raced the car until it was destroyed in a fire in 1975. after that i built a 1968 amx into a replica hurst amx.it is now in new zealand.i still have most of the pictures and information in my posession on the hurst amx's built at the hurst factory. jim
No one is cooler and better at it than Bud Lindemann.. everyone else sounds cheesy. Edit: sorry so late on my comment, but it's never to late to give respect to Bud Lindemann
By the late 60's I had become a Mopar fan. The big Dodges were really awesome back then. But when the AMC brought out their hot numbers they earned my respect. Not far from where I lived there was a long, lonely stretch of road that was home to many a races. We met in town by 'cruising' and would follow each other out to 'the strip'. The AMX guys embarrassed a bunch of racers back then. I fear it is getting hard to find replacement engines so folks can't risk blowing one up.
Chrysler attempted to compete against the AMX with the Griffith GT, the predecessor to the Dodge Viper. It replaced the Sunbeam Tiger. It's body was designed in Italy by Intermeccanica. It had similar geometric and detail proportions to the Viper. Ford had the GT40, GT road-going counterpart and the De Tomaso Mangusta. After that the GT and Mangusta were replaced by the Pantera. The AMX that followed for 1971 was now a 5-passenger performance companion of the Javelin. It shared the same basic Javelin body with unique grille and a racier interior than the standard Javelin. And there was also the Pierre Cardin, which was like AMC's very own "Mustang Grandé."
What's interesting about the test is that this was Teague's personal car which underwent several variations in his quest to see the two-seater concept live on at AMC. Ultimately, he was unsuccessful in achieving that goal, however, bits and pieces of the design theme that the production AMX represented, popped up time and again over the years on various AMC models. The culminating modern era marriage of these ideas came together in 1981 and that contest winner went on to become an Indy pace car.
I wonder how many AMXs' still exist? Official numbers say 19,000+ were made. I'm sure in the first 10 to 15 years attrition took its fair toll on them. But I think people realized pretty quick that they were something else & a lot of well worn ones were given new life with restoration work from the '90s 'til present. There seem to be quite a few of them out there these days, in all kinds of configurations. A true classic.
At AMC car meets, AMXs are the most numerous single type represented. As a college student, I greatly enjoyed watching AMXs being assembled at the Kenosha plant in 1968. I knew that one day, I could have one. I have 3. 😊
"docile enough for your favorite girl to take on shopping trips" Like, the favorite one of several groupie girlfriends a real man has, according to 1969 standards xD
And all that Torque going down on 14” tires. Incredible. Never forget, the manufactures always underestimated hp numbers for insurance purposes, so the young folk could buy these.
@@chargermaster586 Yes, because a pony/muscle car from the late 1960s from a now-defunct manufacturer is in any way comparable to a modern performance car with full dealership and aftermarket support. You are absolutely brilliant, mate.
May have stopped quicker if the rear wasn't locking up before the front... (seen it atleast twice in the vid) and the et 1/4 mile was better...alot better with a 4spd.....13.4 I think it was. These are alot nicer than a Jav any day.= and the only nice/good thing AMC built IMO.
IN 1982 I HAD A 1969 SCARAB GOLD 390 4-SPD AMX AND MY NEIGHBOR HAD A 69 HURST SS 390 4-SPD AMX,WHITE/RED STRIPES. IT WAS THE 1969 PIKES PEAK HILLCLIMB PACE CAR! OUR LOCAL AMC DEALER WAS THE SPONSOR FOR PIKES PEAK THAT YEAR! DECAL ON BOTH DOORS SHOWED CROSSED CHECKER FLAGS WITH "PIKES PEAK HILLCLIMB" ABOVE THEM & "RACE TO THE CLOUDS" & "JULY 4TH.1969" BELOW THEM. THE GUY GOT MARRIED AND SOLD IT. NO IDEA WHERE IT WENT TO?
the V8 engines from amc were really tough they used one block for the 20 up to the 401. realizing that in 1965 that would probably the last time they had the money to engineer a brand new engine i think the sixes were from 1965 too
+emil sponga My first car was a Javelin 1968, SST with a V8 343 ci. This V8 had a problem of overheating when stopped in a traffic jam. Overheating till 160 000 miles and sold for 400$ in 1975. After lots of spinning and smoking tires at the green light with the 3.83 differential, wheels locked-up as an option, this car gave me lots of fun, plus a wife that was attracted first by the car. Today, a transmission would not endure what the 3 speed auto. "Borg &Wagner" did at that time. Not mentioning this V8 in the red line, steaming, shacking, for so many times during the time I had this car.
James Slocum In 1968, the AMX was the best looking car around. The 390 ci. did not have the overheating problem. My brother bought a AMC "Rebel" with the 390 ci., a real gas guzzler. If you can find an AMX with the 390, il would be a vey good option. Very expensive if in very good shape.
Yes. I used to have one set-up exactly the same. (Also had a 390 4spd AMX). The 343 Auto was an excellent choice for handling, scoot, and long-distance. I hope you bought it.
I tell ya, i seen some guys get their asses kicked by a AMX. I seen a few GTO's and Corvettes get kicked by this car. In the right hands and that person is a nut for AMC stuff, he could make this car run with the best of them. Years ago, i saw a AMX running against a 69 Camaro SS 396 4 speed and that camaro just didnt have a chance against the AMX!!!! I had a Pontiac Grand Prix and i knew i wouldnt go up against THAT AMX!
Late but loved the AMX. Pretty sure it would do very well if they re-released it today. But no would not draw more ooh and ahhs that an Playboy Bunny on Saturday Night.
you got to remember that the tire technology isn't near what it is today. the tire aren't even radial, their bias-ply. they mentioned the 1/4 mile time was with alot of wheel spin. with today's tires, high 13s would be easy.
Absolutely true! You put the test numbers into proper perspective. How much slower would the numbers be on today's new Pony-Cars if they had BIAS-PLY tires?
"We warmed up all 8 holes...." I'm sure that was in reference to the 4 little ladies Bud the cameraman, Sound man and the driver picked up after the shoot
Comparing the performance of these old cars to new cars is unfair. These cars were all about raw power. They roared through a carburetor. Plus, the power curves were extreme... much less refined and smoothed out like cars today.
Not the fastest in a straight line but on a curvy road its going to eat up a 383 Roadrunner . Handling is the calling car here and it's got plenty of that
When I was eight years old a friend of the family showed up at our house with his new 390 4 speed AMX in a beautiful green color. My dad and older brothers along were car guys (GTO, Jag and a very quick small block 55 chevy at the time) and they were all impressed as was I. It had everything I (we) liked. It was great looking, sounded great, was the right size (small to us at the time) and plenty quick. They still look good today!
My first car was a 68' AMX 390.. had a lot of fun times with that car. Wish I still had her.
The 1968-69 AMX and Javelin are the best looking AMCs I've ever seen. It's too bad they changed after 1970.
Absolutely. The facelift Javelin looked like a frog. Horrid. What a waste.
425 ft lb torque 0-60 in 6.3 sec. That's impressive for 1969
Same 14.5 second 1/4 mile as the Mustang GT500 KR... BS license plate at 3:33... LOL! This was an experimental model...
with traction and more gears 4s easy.
Buff Barnaby probably hit 13s as well
14 inch bias plys on it too
We had hit a robust amount of HP and Torque by the 60s. We just hadn't figured out how to do it without drinking an ocean of dinosaur juice and spraying a mountain of smog into the air yet.
Wow, these acceleration, braking and handling figures are pretty solid for a modern car! Go AMC!!
I've loved watching all these old cars when they were new. Thanks for putting all these videos up. My favorites have been the Buick Riviera and this AMX one.
I love the background music, I miss the late 1960's
I appreciate you loading up all these clips. I've had a blast looking at some of my favorite cars.
Thanks, MaccalsntDead
Love this car , My wife and I are in the process of restoring one right now, same white with red stripes color code and was a 390 California matching numbers car. Hope to have it ready for car shows in the spring.
The swinging sixties is definitely evident in this review. Feels like it should be an art house film!
This is an early prototype,notice that had the gas cap on the side of roof,this was the original concept but when production models started they put the gas inlet in the back of the car,I am glad they changed this gas cap for having it on the side broke up the clean lines of this beauty.
My WHATIFX has the fillers in the sail panels, but they look just like the non-functional stock ones.
I pounded out a "one way ticket to jolly land" this morning.
me too, today.
lmao
Even got in a Playboy Bunny reference . . . groovy
I just drug home a 1969 AMX in Big Bad Green. One of about 280 made. Last registered in 1988. Solid high desert CA car. Stored inside for last 12 years, maybe longer. Can't wait to make that 390 roar to life and get it back on the road! Thanks for the video!
If I ever hit the Lottery I want one like this in red with white stripes !!! My uncle Rick took me a ride in one he had rebuilt the motor in ...I can still feel my neck pinned against the seat !!!...One of the fastest cars I have ever rode in !!!...and back in the day I rode in some pretty fast cars !!!!
Has always been one of my favorite cars! Thanks for sharing!
The AMX was and still is a sharp looking car!!
My ex brother-in-law had a '68 AMX, a great handling car.
Love the AMX, to bad it wasn’t more popular with the muscle car crowd back in the day.
The 1969 AMX AMC is my all-time fav although I also love the 1969 Mustang Mach I. Would love to have one with a solid body and interior and not necessarily a 390 cid and four-speed either at my old age now. Smaller engine and AT would do me just fine. Would cruise in it on Sunday afternoons. Ah, the looks I would get. Some younger guys might now even know what it is.
Had one as a everyday driver for over 15yrs. Lot's of fun!
Love the Rockford maneuver at 1:01. My first car was a 1972 Javelin SST that was as old as I was, but I miss the big brute now. As for the 2-seater AMX, I always found it a bit disproportionate, like it had too much tail, but now I'm starting to appreciate it, not as a thing of beauty (that big tail), but as a cool and interesting design.
Una bella pieza de ingeniería Americana.
Watching videos like this shows ya how technology has advanced into today. 14.5sec et 1/4mile for AMX 390 back then and today in 2013 we got 4cylinder and 6cylinder engine cars running those time down the 1320! Sweet times!
very underrated car!!
i owned one of the two hurst amx's sent to canadian dealers in 1969.
i raced the car until it was destroyed in a fire in 1975.
after that i built a 1968 amx into a replica hurst amx.it is now in new zealand.i still have most of the pictures and information in my posession on the hurst amx's built at the hurst factory. jim
Could anyone ever pack more cliques and buzzwords into a presentation than Bud Lindemann?
craig horton Jay Leno?
No one is cooler and better at it than Bud Lindemann.. everyone else sounds cheesy.
Edit: sorry so late on my comment, but it's never to late to give respect to Bud Lindemann
He is my one way ticket to Jolly land LOL
Only an Irish Wolfhound.
@@amightyatom Humm...
One way ticket to Jolly Land.. got to love it.. thanks for the Post
By the late 60's I had become a Mopar fan. The big Dodges were really awesome back then. But when the AMC brought out their hot numbers they earned my respect. Not far from where I lived there was a long, lonely stretch of road that was home to many a races. We met in town by 'cruising' and would follow each other out to 'the strip'. The AMX guys embarrassed a bunch of racers back then. I fear it is getting hard to find replacement engines so folks can't risk blowing one up.
Chrysler attempted to compete against the AMX with the Griffith GT, the predecessor to the Dodge Viper. It replaced the Sunbeam Tiger. It's body was designed in Italy by Intermeccanica. It had similar geometric and detail proportions to the Viper. Ford had the GT40, GT road-going counterpart and the De Tomaso Mangusta. After that the GT and Mangusta were replaced by the Pantera. The AMX that followed for 1971 was now a 5-passenger performance companion of the Javelin. It shared the same basic Javelin body with unique grille and a racier interior than the standard Javelin. And there was also the Pierre Cardin, which was like AMC's very own "Mustang Grandé."
Still a cool car. It would have run mid 13s with a little fine tuning and drag slicks. The bias ply tires set it back alot! Still fast today
What's interesting about the test is that this was Teague's personal car which underwent several variations in his quest to see the two-seater concept live on at AMC. Ultimately, he was unsuccessful in achieving that goal, however, bits and pieces of the design theme that the production AMX represented, popped up time and again over the years on various AMC models. The culminating modern era marriage of these ideas came together in 1981 and that contest winner went on to become an Indy pace car.
A.M.C. did a phenomenal job considering how small of a company it was.
I wonder how many AMXs' still exist? Official numbers say 19,000+ were made. I'm sure in the first 10 to 15 years attrition took its fair toll on them. But I think people realized pretty quick that they were something else & a lot of well worn ones were given new life with restoration work from the '90s 'til present. There seem to be quite a few of them out there these days, in all kinds of configurations. A true classic.
At AMC car meets, AMXs are the most numerous single type represented. As a college student, I greatly enjoyed watching AMXs being assembled at the Kenosha plant in 1968. I knew that one day, I could have one. I have 3. 😊
@@stanwatkins1877 : I had one in the late '70s. A '68, #03025. Sold it in the '80s.
this guy is such a smooth talker :D.
I wish they still reviewed cars like this. Sports cars like this had to be sporty and handle well but a big luxury car wasn't expected to handle
69 was a good year for cars and trucks.
The 390 AMX was one of the quickest performance cars back then and would give a Hemi "Cuda a run for its money.
"docile enough for your favorite girl to take on shopping trips"
Like, the favorite one of several groupie girlfriends a real man has, according to 1969 standards xD
Awesome Rockford. 1:01
dammmnnnn.
that car is dope, i grew up on amc's
I am now the proud owner of a '69 AMX, Beale Street Blue with white go-pack stripes, 390 4-speed Hurst and 3.54 posi.
And all that Torque going down on 14” tires. Incredible. Never forget, the manufactures always underestimated hp numbers for insurance purposes, so the young folk could buy these.
Those old cars were like ww2 fighter planes. The looked good, they were crude but they got the job done.
One of my dreams Cars, from my 4 years old.
14 inch wheels are where it's at! Groovy!
I've always liked these. But, I've never seen a single one on the street, not even back in the day, and I'm over 50!
+MartyInLa Come to Port Angeles, WA any given Saturday night in the summer. You'll see mine eating ricers for breakfast!
I'll keep that in mind!
Still have it? I'm in Duvall, WA with mine...
@@phrogbubba8769 and me eating you with my Charger hellcat with 707hp and 650pound feet of torque for lunch and dinner.
@@chargermaster586 Yes, because a pony/muscle car from the late 1960s from a now-defunct manufacturer is in any way comparable to a modern performance car with full dealership and aftermarket support. You are absolutely brilliant, mate.
I remember how cheezy these cars were built but boy were they fast.
Got my license in 1973 bought a 1970 amx lost my license 90 days later good times
May have stopped quicker if the rear wasn't locking up before the front... (seen it atleast twice in the vid) and the et 1/4 mile was better...alot better with a 4spd.....13.4 I think it was.
These are alot nicer than a Jav any day.= and the only nice/good thing AMC built IMO.
BTW, this thing had MUCH better braking than Bud's own test of a slightly newer Mustang Shelby KR!!
i don't know why, both are disc/drum setups. Perhaps the amx weighs less
I don't remember them having the quick flip gas cap but that was a lot of brain cells ago.always wanted one.
IN 1982 I HAD A 1969 SCARAB GOLD 390 4-SPD AMX AND MY NEIGHBOR HAD A 69 HURST SS 390 4-SPD AMX,WHITE/RED STRIPES. IT WAS THE 1969 PIKES PEAK HILLCLIMB PACE CAR! OUR LOCAL AMC DEALER WAS THE SPONSOR FOR PIKES PEAK THAT YEAR! DECAL ON BOTH DOORS SHOWED CROSSED CHECKER FLAGS WITH "PIKES PEAK HILLCLIMB" ABOVE THEM & "RACE TO THE CLOUDS" & "JULY 4TH.1969" BELOW THEM. THE GUY GOT MARRIED AND SOLD IT. NO IDEA WHERE IT WENT TO?
'Run through the cones' is exactly right!
Funny
yeah, when they should have run it over your piece of shit ford
Interior looks like the inside of the Lost in Space flying saucer
Love the AMC stuff, more please?
Groovy music. Why would you ever order an automatic on a car like this?
Yeah that 69 and was the best looking car they ever made at American motors
the V8 engines from amc were really tough
they used one block for the 20 up to the 401.
realizing that in 1965 that would probably the last time they had the money to engineer a brand new engine
i think the sixes were from 1965 too
+emil sponga
My first car was a Javelin 1968, SST with a V8 343 ci. This V8 had a problem of overheating when stopped in a traffic jam. Overheating till 160 000 miles and sold for 400$ in 1975. After lots of spinning and smoking tires at the green light with the 3.83 differential, wheels locked-up as an option, this car gave me lots of fun, plus a wife that was attracted first by the car. Today, a transmission would not endure what the 3 speed auto. "Borg &Wagner" did at that time. Not mentioning this V8 in the red line, steaming, shacking, for so many times during the time I had this car.
+herve30able1 hey I'm looking at buying a 1968 Amx with a 343ci and 3 speed auto, is this a good set up? I love the car from what I've seen
James Slocum
In 1968, the AMX was the best looking car around. The 390 ci. did not have the overheating problem. My brother bought a AMC "Rebel" with the 390 ci., a real gas guzzler. If you can find an AMX with the 390, il would be a vey good option. Very expensive if in very good shape.
Yes. I used to have one set-up exactly the same. (Also had a 390 4spd AMX).
The 343 Auto was an excellent choice for handling, scoot, and long-distance. I hope you bought it.
"This is the 8 fisted V8 breed
You gotta love that!
Almost the twin of the '68 I just filmed for my channel.
Groovy man.
I tell ya, i seen some guys get their asses kicked by a AMX. I seen a few GTO's and Corvettes get kicked by this car. In the right hands and that person is a nut for AMC stuff, he could make this car run with the best of them. Years ago, i saw a AMX running against a 69 Camaro SS 396 4 speed and that camaro just didnt have a chance against the AMX!!!! I had a Pontiac Grand Prix and i knew i wouldnt go up against THAT AMX!
What a car... even by todays standards, that body style owns it.
It's sock it to me time.
Groovy, man!
I wish muscle cars weighed 3000 lbs again like this car. Today's Mustangs and Camaros are closer to 4000 lbs with all of their creature comfort B.S.
"Hey, let's see how it does in our off-roading test" 6:12
LoL right!
@Seraph909 What kind of gibberish are you speaking?
The AMX was the only american car of that era besides the corvette to be a 2 seater.
those spokes are JAZZY!
I've never seen a 69 with the gas cap there. My car had it behind the rear license plate. Ah... it was a teague prototype. ok
Late but loved the AMX. Pretty sure it would do very well if they re-released it today.
But no would not draw more ooh and ahhs that an Playboy Bunny on Saturday Night.
What's up with the two gas filler caps? I've never seen that before and much prefer the AMX badge. Great little car!
This was Dick Teague's custom car. He later modified it for a design to continue into 1971 but short sighted management killed the 2-seater in 1970.
Say what you will, these guys really beat the snot out of these cars.
Another reason why buying a used performance car is a Gamble.
you got to remember that the tire technology isn't near what it is today. the tire aren't even radial, their bias-ply. they mentioned the 1/4 mile time was with alot of wheel spin. with today's tires, high 13s would be easy.
Absolutely true! You put the test numbers into proper perspective.
How much slower would the numbers be on today's new Pony-Cars if they had BIAS-PLY tires?
Bud: "It's docile enough for your favorite girl to take on shopping trips." Man...the sexism was THICK back in those days around cars.
At least people could speak what was on their mind back then without being victims of "viral" internet backlashes for not being PC enough.
Why is that statement sexist? Most women even today love to shop. He was just stating the truth.
A lot better handling than most of the old sport coupes. Some of them are downright sloppy. And braking is near modern standards 50 years later.
I once owned a loaded '69 AMX with the 343. My biggest automotive regret all these years laer is letting that baby go.
Oh man I want a one-way ticket to Jolly land
I enjoy these videos greatly.
Whose the driver?
The spokes were "jazzy."
The dvabel holy crap Deena Nicole transformed herself into a muscle car to fit her meatball esque appearance The AMX
Send the little lady down to the market in the Ammix and feel the oohss and ahhs sugar momma
Hay que escuchar ese V8 acelerando.
The Borg Warner automatic was not strong enough for the 390, rebuilt mine twice. AMC switched over to Chrysler tranny's in the 70's.
With a bigger cam and headers that thing fly I know I have one
I love me some Bud
"good support with the front bucket seats "
um
ok
sure, if you say so
lmao
@kolbpilot Not many but they were good. Parts are the big problem.
proof again muscle can turn, fuck imports!
@VivSavage cuz most americas just use it has a cruzer...
@keewatin427 LOL, no, I'm Gen-X. I got a little way to go yet!
"We warmed up all 8 holes...." I'm sure that was in reference to the 4 little ladies Bud the cameraman, Sound man and the driver picked up after the shoot
Comparing the performance of these old cars to new cars is unfair. These cars were all about raw power. They roared through a carburetor. Plus, the power curves were extreme... much less refined and smoothed out like cars today.
oh yes
4 bbl atomizer. 🤘
Not the fastest in a straight line but on a curvy road its going to eat up a 383 Roadrunner . Handling is the calling car here and it's got plenty of that
0-60 in 6 seconds... on bias-ply ties... sounds good to me
@Epik76 I just increased its engine size :P
6:12 - What the hell are they doing here?
4 wheel drive- didn't u know?
I assume that they were trying to show suspension travel.
they are taking an amc where gm, ford and chrysler cars can't go.
already thinking about making the Eagle!