{"id":15667,"date":"2019-10-04T07:30:34","date_gmt":"2019-10-04T11:30:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/fantomworks.com\/?p=15667"},"modified":"2019-10-04T07:30:35","modified_gmt":"2019-10-04T11:30:35","slug":"fcf-1968-amc-amx","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fantomworks.com\/15667\/fcf-1968-amc-amx\/","title":{"rendered":"Fan Car Friday: 1968 AMC AMX"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>For Fan Car Friday this week we bring you “Strobel” and his gorgeous 1968 AMC AMX.\u00a0 Fan Car Friday is a segment where we want to share with the world the automobiles that our fans have. We have absolutely no affiliation\/relationship with the cars, the build or the owners. This post was made with written consent from the owner.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-15668 size-full aligncenter\" src=\"http:\/\/fantomworks.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/68-amx-fr.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"536\" \/><\/p>\n<p>“My family has owned this since 1970. I spent 6 years bringing it back to what you see here<\/p>\n<p>When my father obtained the car it had already spent 3 years of it life as a quarter mile car. My father wanted to fix it and put it back as a street legal car. Unfortunately over the years and having 3 boys the car sat in the corner collecting dust. Around 2007 my younger brother wanted to make it back into a drag car but soon after he had a child and no time. I then obtained it and spent 6 years redoing the car. Parts are hard to find especially when I am picky. It had to be original with the exception of a couple of modifications. Ignition needed to be electronic and I updated the 4 speed manual to a tremex tko600 5 speed manual. Now my father sees the car that he envisioned years ago.<span style=\"font-size: inherit;\">“<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-15669 size-full aligncenter\" src=\"http:\/\/fantomworks.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/68-amx-rr.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"746\" height=\"388\" \/><\/p>\n<p>The AMC AMX is a two-seat GT-style sports car that was produced by American Motors Corporation for the 1968 through 1970 model years. The AMX was also classified as a muscle car, but “unique among other American cars at the time due its short wheelbase”. The AMX was also the only American-built steel-bodied two-seater of its time, the first since the 1955\u20131957 Ford Thunderbird. To a degree, the AMX was a competitor with America’s only other two-seater of the era, the Chevrolet Corvette for substantially less money. With a one-inch (2.5 cm) shorter wheelbase than Chevrolet’s two-seater, the AMX was often seen by the press as a “Corvette competitor”.<\/p>\n<p>Fitted with the optional high-compression medium block 390 cu in (6.4 L) AMC V8 engine, the AMX offered top-notch performance at an affordable price. In spite of this value and enthusiastic initial reception by automotive media and enthusiasts, sales never thrived. However, the automaker’s larger objectives to refocus AMC’s image on performance and to bring younger customers into its dealer showrooms was achieved. After three model years, the two-seat version was discontinued, and the AMX’s now signature badging was transferred to a high-performance version of its four-seat sibling, the Javelin, from the 1971 to 1974 model years.<\/p>\n<p>American Motors capitalized the respected reputation of the original AMXs by reviving the model designation for performance-equipped coupe versions of the compact Hornet in 1977, Concord in 1978, and the subcompact Spirit in 1979 and 1980.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-15670 size-full aligncenter\" src=\"http:\/\/fantomworks.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/68-amx-lf.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"810\" height=\"466\" \/><\/p>\n<p>American Motors promoted the mid-model year launch of the AMX to automotive journalists at Daytona to emphasize its sports car performance, as well as with a marketing agreement with Playboy Enterprises. To introduce the AMX to its dealers, AMC held meetings at nine Playboy Clubs.<\/p>\n<p>The AMX was introduced to the public on 24 February 1968, five months after the Javelin and other 1968 AMC cars. It was promoted as “the only American sports car that costs less than $3500”. American Motors advertisements also showed “a helmeted race driver revving up at the starting line in one of AMC’s sporty AMX models, which it describes as ready to do 125 miles an hour.”<\/p>\n<p>The two-seat AMX was “meant for a small, well-defined market niche, and it pulled in young people into AMC dealer showrooms in never before seen numbers”. Numerous road tests described the new AMX as a “handsome two-seater with American-style acceleration and European-style handling”. Journalists gave it a real run workout on all kinds of terrain and wrote “that the AMX is one of the best-looking cars \u2013 if not the best-looking car \u2013 made in the U.S.A.”.<\/p>\n<p>All AMXs came with four-barrel carbureted small block[36] AMC V8 engines in several versions: 290 cu in (4.8 L) (225 hp (168 kW), N-code), 343 cu in (5.6 L) (290 hp (220 kW), T-code), as well as the 390 cu in (6.4 L) “AMX” featuring 315 hp (235 kW) with 425 pound force-feet (576 N\u22c5m) of torque (X-code). All derived from the same external sized block. However, the three engines differed vastly internally, with the smallest engine having small intake and exhaust valves, thin block webbing, and a cast nodular iron crankshaft; the 343 used larger valves with a thicker block webbing; and the 390 moved up to a forged steel crankshaft and connecting rods, as well as larger rod bearings, 2.250 in (57.15 mm) compared to 2.090 in (53.09 mm) in the smaller two versions.<\/p>\n<p>A BorgWarner T-10 four-speed manual transmission was standard, as were special traction bars, dual exhaust system, and fatter tires for better traction. A “Shift-Command” three-speed automatic transmission with the capability of manual shifting (BorgWarner model M-11B or M-12) was optional together with a floor console mounted shifter.<\/p>\n<p>A popular “Go-Package” option came with either the four-barrel 343 or 390 engine, and included power assisted front disk brakes, “Twin-Grip” differential, E70x14 red-stripe performance tires on “Magnum 500” styled-steel wheels, heavy-duty suspension with thicker sway-bars, heavy-duty cooling, and other performance enhancements. A wide range of specialized performance parts were also available through AMC dealers for installation on customer’s cars. These were known as “Group 19” parts because of the way AMC organized its parts books.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/AMC_AMX\">https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/AMC_AMX<\/a><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-15671 size-full aligncenter\" src=\"http:\/\/fantomworks.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/68-amx-fr2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"798\" height=\"423\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Want your car to be featured as one of our Fan Car Friday’s post? Know somebody that might?\u00a0 Use the contact link at the bottom and email us a couple of photos as well as your contact information and your vehicle could be featured on an upcoming Friday post.\u00a0 Please make sure to put\u00a0<strong>FAN CAR<\/strong> in the subject heading.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>For Fan Car Friday this week we bring you “Strobel” and his gorgeous 1968 AMC AMX.\u00a0 Fan Car Friday is a segment where we want to share with the world the automobiles that our fans have. We have absolutely no affiliation\/relationship with the cars, the build or the owners. This post was made with written […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_et_pb_old_content":"For Fan Car Friday this week we bring you Jim and his Rockford Files Tribute 1977 Pontiac Firebird Esprit. Fan Car Friday is a segment where we want to share with the world the automobiles that our fans have. We have absolutely no affiliation\/relationship with the cars, the build or the owners. This post was made with written consent from the owner.\n\n<img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-14637\" src=\"https:\/\/www.fantomworks.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Bill-and-Helen-O-Fallon.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"542\">\n\n\"Plymouth? I didn\u2019t want a Plymouth. I wanted a Ford!\nIn the summer of 1995, I decided I wanted another antique car. I had not had one for 15 years. I drove by what turned out to be a 1950 Plymouth Club Coupe with a FOR SALE sign on the windshield. My uncle and aunt had a 1951 Plymouth when I was a little boy and I had fond memories of that car so I stopped to look at it.\nThe owner came out and after talking for a while I drove the car and could not believe what I was driving. It only had 30090 original miles on it and handled like a 1 to 2 year old 1950 Plymouth.\nThe car was originally purchased from a dealer in Racine, WI by a school teacher. I was told that she lived about two blocks from school and normally walked to work, thus the reason for the low mileage. In 1989 the car was purchased by a young man who kept it approximately one year.\nIt was then sold to a Mopar collector who owned a body shop. He stripped the car down to bare metal and found there was no rust and no prior body damage. At this point he repainted it in the original color (Channel Green), had the bumpers rechromed, new white wall bias ply tires, new brakes and put a set of seat covers over the original worn upholstery.\nHe owned the car for five years and then sold it.. The man who bought the car only kept it for 6 weeks and decided to sell it so he could buy a big rig for his business.\nI purchased the car on August 21st, 1995. I immediately joined the National Plymouth Owners Club and have maintained my membership ever since. Many friends have been made in the Plymouth Owners Club over the years not only in the USA but also Canada, Australia, Sweden and the Netherlands.\n\n<img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-14638\" src=\"https:\/\/www.fantomworks.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/thumbnail_Side-View.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1280\" height=\"713\">\nThe car was very plain and only had two options \u2013 a heater and built in self-cancelling turn signals. In 1950 these were both extra cost options. Over the years I have added: door handle guards, spotlight, fender skirts, outside sun visor, radio, clock, deluxe steering wheel with horn ring, fog lights, Jiffy Jet windshield washer, radial WWW tires, backup light, grille guard, gas filler guard, curb feelers, trunk guard, glove compartment light, trunk light, rear window venetian blinds and overdrive. All of these items were Mopar accessories and most of them came in the original Mopar box.\nIn 2007 my wife and I drove the Plymouth from Illinois to California on Historic Route 66, attended the first National Plymouth Club meet held in California, went up the Pacific Coast Highway across the Golden Gate Bridge to see the redwoods, and came home Historic Lincoln Highway. Our trip was featured in two issues of the Plymouth Bulletin, August and October 2007.\nOver the 23 years that I have owned the car, I have put 38000 additional miles on it and the engine still has never been apart . The car has brought home many, many awards including four National Plymouth Club 2nd place awards.\nAs I have gotten older, I have decided to just drive and enjoy the car and the car shows and not have it judged anymore. It is so much more relaxing this way and I can enjoy the friendships that I have formed over all these years.\"\n\n<img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-14640\" src=\"https:\/\/www.fantomworks.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/IMG_3235.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\">\n\nWhen automobile production began to get back into full swing after the War, buyers had to face car shortages, strikes and a sellers' market. In 1946, the Plymouth station wagon was listed for $1,539 from the factory, but it was difficult to find a dealer who would sell one for that price. By 1948, the same station wagon was priced $2,068 - the higher model prices due to escalating labor and material costs. For 1950, the Station Wagon had a price of $2372 - and production was 2,057. Though the station wagon totals seemed low, the Special Deluxe was a popular vehicle, with 234,084 examples of the four-door sedan being sold in 1950.\nThe P-20 Special Deluxe was Plymouths most expensive vehicle in their model range. Power was from an L-head six-cylinder engine that delivered nearly 100 horsepower. A three-speed manual gearbox was standard, as was the woodgrain finish on metal interior panels, a nice selection of interior fabrics, and a bright metal windshield and rear window frames.\nThe P-20 was available in several body styles, including as a rolling chassis. Other options included a convertible and club coupe. Pricing ranged from $1,630 - $2375. Total production for 1950 for the Special Deluxe was 350,290 units.\n\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.conceptcarz.com\/z19022\/plymouth-special-deluxe.aspx\">https:\/\/www.conceptcarz.com\/z19022\/plymouth-special-deluxe.aspx<\/a>\n\n<img class=\"size-full wp-image-14641 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.fantomworks.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC00059.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"368\" height=\"371\">\n\nWant your car to be featured as one of our Fan Car Friday's post? Know somebody that might? Use the contact link at the bottom and email us a couple of photos as well as your contact information and your vehicle could be featured on an upcoming Friday post. Please make sure to put <strong>FAN CAR<\/strong> in the subject heading.","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[316],"tags":[418,491,492,309],"class_list":["post-15667","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-fan-car","tag-418","tag-amc","tag-amx","tag-fan-car-friday"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/fantomworks.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15667","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/fantomworks.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/fantomworks.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fantomworks.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fantomworks.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=15667"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/fantomworks.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15667\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":15672,"href":"https:\/\/fantomworks.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15667\/revisions\/15672"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/fantomworks.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=15667"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fantomworks.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=15667"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fantomworks.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=15667"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}