Meanwhile on BarnFinds dot com: America’s Other Sports Car? 1970 AMC AMX Last week I penned this 1969 AMC Javelin post and it received a good deal of back-and-forth conversation regarding what to do with its six-cylinder engine. Some comments made mention of the similar, but different AMX, so I thought today, we should review one of those, specifically this 1970 edition, and take a closer look at what sets these two special AMCs apart. Calling Lawton, Oklahoma home. This two-seater can be found here on eBay where it’s available for a BIN price of $18,000. There is a make-an-offer option available too. It was noted in the ’69 Javelin comment section that the AMX is more than a Javelin with a shorter wheelbase (97″ vs. 109″), a shorter car overall (179″ vs. 189″), and no back seat. The available powertrains were mostly the same (no six-cylinder for the AMX, and the overall character shows as being more similar than different, appearance-wise, but the sheet metal, particularly behind the doors, illustrates the biggest contrast. As for production numbers, the AMX was a shadow of the Javelin’s output, managing about 4K units in ’70 compared to the Javelin’s 30K count. If I have interpreted the listing properly, this AMX makes do with a 360 CI V8 engine which was new to the lineup, and an AMX standard in ’70. But it doesn’t seem that this is the original powerplant as the seller states, “Has a 360 w 727 I will include in sale a 70 warranty block that came out of this car“. And that warranty block should be a 390 CI V8 based on the listing’s opening description. Research indicates that AMC used a Borg Warner automatic transmission known as “Shift Command” but it sounds as if this AMX is now employing a Mopar automatic gearbox. As for operational aspirations, the seller claims that “it runs” and has just had new disc brake calipers installed (so I guess it stops too). The body of this car shows pretty well, the non-original white finish is flat (Golden Lime was its born-with hue) but the body is not displaying rot though there is mention of the lower quarters having been recently replaced. Sure there is plenty of peeling paint, scratches, and surface rust thrown in for good measure but there’s a sound lot with which to work in the case of Kenosha Go-Kart. The interior presents itself as tatty – and dirty but it is hardly a lost cause. Some black vinyl reupholstering will be needed and the center console surely needs a makeover. The austere instrument panel may just need a good cleaning to be brought back to a presentable condition. There are no included images of the floors but there are several of the underside and the integrity of this AMX appears to be sound. Cars like this are a great find – too often AMC gets short-shrift, and the AMX, in particular, was a pretty daring piece for what was usually cash-strapped AMC. The $18K ask seems a bid bold, especially owing to this car’s non-original, and less desirable engine, but it’s hardly out of the realm of reasonableness. AMC’s advertising material of the day proclaimed, “It’s almost the only American sports car. The other one is the Chevrolet Corvette that lists for well over $1,000 more“. Only 1,000 bucks separated the two huh? My, how times have seriously changed, right?
The 727 Torqueflite was used with the 360 V8 from 1980-91, so the 360 that's in the car is definitely not original to the car.
This is what the BarnFinds author says in the article: If I have interpreted the listing properly, this AMX makes do with a 360 CI V8 engine which was new to the lineup, and an AMX standard in ’70. But it doesn’t seem that this is the original powerplant as the seller states, “Has a 360 w 727 I will include in sale a 70 warranty block that came out of this car“. And that warranty block should be a 390 CI V8 based on the listing’s opening description. This is what the seller says on eBay: 1970 amc amx 390 auto car loaded w options Factory air tilt power steering power disc brakes am/fm radio ram air. Car runs just put on new disc brake calipers and master cylinder. Has a 360 w 727 I will include in sale a 70 warranty block that came out of this car. Had lower quarters fixed. Has a new dash pad on it not bolted in place. Car was originally a golden lime shadow mask car.
This Hornet Sportabout popped up on BarnFinds dot com today: US $30,000 or Best Offer 519 Horsepower: 1976 AMC Hornet Sportabout They say that all is fair in love and war. Well, the same adage could be used in the world of street racing. While we here at Barn Finds do not, under any circumstances, advocate going out and laying waste to your opponents at the nearest stoplight, we do recognize that some of you like to have some horsepower at your disposal. However, winning a race does not depend on horsepower alone. You have to have an edge. The builder of this 1976 AMC Hornet Sportabout station wagon for sale here on eBay has modified the car to have an incredible edge in any street battle. Can you believe that this stock-looking station wagon is packing a fully built-up turbocharged General Motors LS V-8 with a claimed 517 horsepower at the rear wheels? This Q-ship of a wagon is just the right tool to lure your unsuspecting neighbor and their Corvette out to the dragstrip for a proper drubbing. Is the $30,000 or best offer too high a price to pay for the ultimate street subterfuge weapon? The concept of Q-ships dates back to that whole Trojan Horse debacle, but it came to full fruition during World Wars I and II. When the rules of naval warfare went out the window concerning German U-boats, opposing navies decided to do something about the problem. The main targets were merchant vessels, and submarines counted on their prey being unarmed. Instead of attacking from below, most submarine captains would surface their vessels and attack while fully exposed. Imagine their surprise when that helpless merchant ship opened fire on them! These heavily armed but stealthy merchant vessels came to be known as Q-ships. On the mean streets of America and at its drag strips, you can’t get any more Q-ship than a 1976 AMC Hornet Sportabout station wagon. The only thing missing is some wood grain on its flanks. The seller’s description is a study of subtle subterfuge. We are told that this wagon was garage-kept most of its life. It has no rust or leaks and gets 19MPG on the highway. The front seats have been replaced with new bucket seats and the rear seats have been recovered. The American Racing Torq Thrust wheels even have new Mickey Thompson tires on them. While it looks like a low-mileage car, the true mileage is unknown. Once the surprise was installed under the hood, the odometer was reset. As for the description of the engine, the average person on the street would need a John Force Universal Translator to understand it. The overall gist of it is that the car no longer harbors its original AMC engine and has a built 5.3-liter GM LS V-8 with a turbocharger rumbling under the hood. What the seller wrote in the ad is as follows: Engine: 5-3, bored .005 forged Summit flat top pistons, gen 4 rods, stock polished crank. Lingenfelter GT 2-3 cam, 28/26 ring gap, balanced, heads rebuilt, 1218 springs. Corvette front access. Drive 16′ Spawl fan, Be Cool LS radiator. Holley 3-2 oil pan.Vs Racing Gen 2.5, billet 78/75 turbo, AME spray meth, Dynoed 500/500 @ 5900. The description of the transmission and the rest of the work is somewhat clearer. It is a 4L80E that was an older Jasper rebuild. Whoever built it installed a 2800-stall speed torque converter in it. The rear end is a narrowed 9-inch with a limited slip differential. There are other details in the ad on the more esoteric parts of the mechanicals, and I am more than open to any reader who understands the intricacies of this setup to explain it to those of us who do not fluently speak this language in the comments. As for the suspension, the front end has been rebuilt and new ball joints and bushings were installed. The car has also been treated to new front disc and rear drum brakes and various suspension parts to both refurbish it and to handle the horsepower. Speaking of that horsepower, the electronics package is described in the ad as follows: Holley X Max, V2, build 50, control, controls boost, set up for flex fuel, but not tuned to it. 3.5 displays engine stats. As a fan of the Q-ship or “sleeper” concept, this AMC is quite appealing. While the base car doesn’t ring any bells for me, you have to admit that choosing an AMC wagon is utterly devious and the execution is on-point. While the price may drive the tire kickers away, at least one of you is adding up the components and labor in your head in a mad scramble to justify the cost. If one of our readers buys this car, be sure to let us know. A follow-up story sharing the new owner’s tales of racing glory would be epic.
Recent article on BarnFinds dot com: 3-Speed Manual: 1972 AMC Javelin SST In the 1970s, American Motors faced the same problem as the other manufacturers of “pony cars” were experiencing: declining sales. The slowdown in demand for muscle cars rubbed off onto that sector and it was enough for both AMC and Chrysler to exit the market at the end of 1974. AMC’s entry was the Javelin, which had been in business since 1968. This nice 2nd-generation Javelin is from 1972 and looks to be a survivor-quality vehicle, though we wonder about the paint. Located in Gilbert, Arizona, this 5th-year Javelin in SST trim is available here on Craigslist for S19,500 EDIT: The Javelin only received one major refresh of the sheet metal which came about in 1971. The car gained a significantly longer hood and risers in the fenders over the front wheels. Two models were available in 1972, the SST and the AMX, which had been demoted from being a separate car in ’71. Of just 23,000 Javelin SSTs assembled in 1972, 2/3 or 14,000 had the 304 cubic inch V8, the smallest engine that wasn’t a six-cylinder. The seller’s car is one of them and has a 3-speed manual transmission, which we’re guessing saw less demand than the automatic or 4-speed. With 78,000 miles, the seller’s Javelin is said to have had a bit of work done mechanically. Some suspension pieces have been replaced (bushings and shock absorbers) along with the brakes and a new aluminum radiator. No mention is made if a deep dive has ever been needed on the small V8 and the manual transmission. All-in-all, the car is described as being an “awesome” driver. The interior is original and presents well enough though the steering wheel has had its finish worn down by years of use and exposure to sunlight. We suspect the paint is newer as it looks nicer than the interior and the color is reminiscent of the “Big Bad” colors that AMC used a couple of years earlier, in this case, Go Green. The suggestion of a repaint comes in part due to the placement of the body stripes, which the photos I’ve seen of other Javelins show on the sides of the auto. But if you’re looking to stand out from the Mustangs and Camaros of the era, could this Javelin be in your future?
More AMC's on BarnFinds dot com: Pair of 1984 AMC Eagles American Motors was always out to create new products on a shoestring budget (because they had to). A case in point is the AMC Eagle which was based on the compact Concord, borrowing 4-wheel-drive infrastructure from Jeep which became part of AMC in 1970. The seller has two Eagle wagons, both from 1984. One runs and one used to. From Gig Harbor, Washington, you can buy them individually or as a pair at a discounted price of $5,000 here on Craiglist. AMC went on to build 192,000 Eagles from 1980 to 1988, although the last year would be under the watchful eye of Chrysler who had acquired AMC in 1987. The most popular iteration was the 4-door station wagon, which accounted for sales of some 113,000 units. At the time the Eagle was on the market, it was the only 4WD passenger car built in the U.S. and resembled what would later become known as ‘crossovers”. The focus of the seller’s listing is the red-white-and-blue Eagle which is in running condition. We don’t know the history of the multi-colored paint job on this vehicle as it doesn’t appear to be a factory option. With a 258 cubic inch inline-6, this Eagle is said to run and drive great. And it comes with a plethora of new and spare parts, one of which includes an entire extra car. You can buy the R/W/B Eagle for $4,500, the parts car for $1,200, or as a package deal for $5,000 even. The seller had plans to put a lift kit on the primary vehicle but never got around to it. It should be a versatile machine complete with a roof basket, cross-country tires, and a CB radio (“Breaker-Breaker, 1-9”). You should be able to drive the primary Eagle home (unless it is 2,000 miles away) but the seller can help with moving the parts car if needed (and for an extra charge as he/she has a trailer).
There was a really cool display at MCACN last year. Showcased these rambler cars. I had no idea there was a performance version of this model. 343 ci. with four speed, Posi and other cool stuff AMC offered.
I don't know whether I posted this before, but my major beef with AMC is that I don't think they ever made two of them identical. It seemed that whatever you needed - I'll use brakes for example - when you went to order parts there would be different drum diameters, different drum widths, obviously several different diameter and width shoes, two or three different wheel cylinders, and of course different hardware kits. And it didn't stop there (no pun intended). While I'm at it, International was just as bad.
Recent article on BarnFinds dot com: Best One Left? 1978 AMC Pacer D/L Station Wagon Some cars slip easily from public consciousness once production ends. Others are saved from obscurity by fortunate circumstances. The AMC Pacer enjoys a devoted following, but it could have been ignored by the broader community if it weren’t for the fact that a 1976 Pacer Hatchback enjoyed a starring role in the 1992 movie Wayne’s World. This 1978 Pacer D/L might be a Station Wagon, but it features the enormous expanses of glass that became the badge’s hallmark. It is an exceptionally tidy survivor and might be the nicest one left. The seller has listed the Pacer here on Craigslist in La Cañada, California. You could drive it home by handing over $17,900 I have long admired AMC because while not all of its cars were oil paintings, the company was willing to be bold and daring with its limited financial resources. The Pacer perfectly encapsulated that philosophy. The company aimed to produce a vehicle with the interior space of a large car but with the relatively modest exterior dimensions of a compact. It succeeded in its quest, creating a distinctive vehicle with soft styling and enormous expanses of glass. There was also a dash of lateral thinking, with the passenger door made deliberately larger than the driver’s to improve safe access to the back seat. This Pacer D/L Wagon rolled off the line in 1978, finished in a combination of Sand Tan paint with the obligatory faux woodgrain trim. Its overall condition is exceptional, with the paint shining warmly and the woodgrain free from significant damage. The panels are as straight as an arrow, and there is no evidence or mention of rust. The exterior trim package includes a chrome roof rack, a practical option for improving luggage capacity. The trim is in good order, and the tinted glass is spotless. The steel wheels retain their color-coded hubcaps and are wrapped in narrow whitewalls. The seller’s photos in their listing are pretty poor, with none providing an overview of its interior. However, what is visible shows promise. The seats are trimmed in Tan cloth, with vinyl in the same shade covering the remaining upholstered surfaces. The condition looks pretty impressive, with no evidence of abuse or sun damage. The carpet is spotless, the dash is excellent, and the exterior faux woodgrain carries over to the dash. There are no aftermarket additions, but there are a few welcome factory options to provide a pleasurable motoring experience. The first owner ordered this Pacer with ice-cold air conditioning, a tilt wheel, and an AM/FM radio/8-track player. I have an admission to make. The listing suggests this Pacer is powered by a V6 engine, and I knew that AMC didn’t offer such a powerplant in the Pacer. I looked at this prior listing mentioned by the seller to uncover the truth, discovering that its images are significantly better than the ones supplied by the seller. Therefore, the Craigslist advert’s lack of engine shots made me use this one instead. It reveals a 258ci six, which the first owner combined with a three-speed automatic transmission and power assistance for the steering and brakes. The six should produce 100hp and 200 ft/lbs of torque. The Pacer Wagon tips the scales at 3,278 lbs, meaning acceleration will not be particularly brisk. However, this Wagon should cope well in city traffic and cruise effortlessly on the open road. Potential buyers seeking a turnkey classic may be strongly drawn to this Pacer. It has a claimed 46,000 miles on the clock, and while verifying evidence isn’t mentioned, the suggestions are that it exists. The transmission has clocked only 4,000 miles since undergoing a rebuild, and the Pacer is in excellent mechanical health. It appears that flying in and driving home is a realistic expectation. When the original owner drove this 1978 AMC Pacer D/L Wagon off the lot, I doubt they imagined it would hit the market for $17,900 forty-six years later. The reality was that this car emerged in an era where most vehicles of this type were considered disposable, and most made their final trip to the scrapyard many moons ago. This Wagon hasn’t merely survived but has done so in an exceptional and unmolested state. The seller’s price may seem optimistic, but the growing popularity of the AMC Pacer makes the figure realistic compared to recent sales results. Have you ever owned a Pacer? Was the experience enjoyable enough for you to consider a repeat performance?
In the Craigslist advertisement it says this: For additional info and lots more pictures see the original ad from Daniel Schmitt & Co.website
New video by Dylan McCool: ABANDONED 35 YEARS! Will This AMC Rebel RUN and DRIVE Again? The AMC Rebel is one of the coolest cars from the muscle car era. I finally got my hands on one, will it run and drive after sitting for 35 years? Stick around to the end of the video to find out!
