Editing AMC AMX (section)

==Legacy==
[[File:1969 AMX black with red stripes VA r.jpg|thumb|right|Stock 1969 AMX at AACA car show]]
[[File:1969 AMC AMX SS Hurst at Florida show.jpg|thumb|right|1969 SS Hurst (documented car#23)<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.ssamx.com/23.htm |title=SS/AMX #23: Performance Automotive |work= SS AMX cars |access-date=3 March 2016}}</ref> "Performance Automotive" at Daytona Florida show]]
[[File:1970 AMX BBO-exteriorF.JPG|thumb|right|Stock 1970 AMX with BBO and "shadow mask" finish at a car show]]
[[File:1970 AMX Big Bad Orange with C-stripe MD-e1.jpg|thumb|right|Stock 1970 AMX 390 engine at classic car show]]
[[File:"Awesome Muscle Cars" AMC - 2015 AMO meet AMXs 2of2.jpg|thumb|right|Stock and customized AMXs at an American Motors Owners Association meet]]
[[File:1970 AMC AMX at Hershey 2012 b.jpg|thumb|right|Stock 1970 AMX at AACA car show]]

The AMX was intended to be a “halo car” for American Motors. Another objective was "lowering the median age of visitors to AMC showrooms; in that role it was a major success" even though however the sales goals not achieved.<ref>{{cite book|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=UX5dCQAAQBAJ&dq=AMC+AMX+halo+car&pg=PA8 |page=8 |title=AMC Javelin, AMX, and Muscle Car Restoration, 1968-1974 |first=Scott |last=Campbell |date=2015 |publisher=CarTech |isbn=9781613251799 |access-date=22 June 2024}}</ref> The two-seat AMC AMX has been described as being "a perfect car for many who lusted for the Corvette but could not afford it."<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.hotcars.com/amc-amx-great-muscle-car-for-collectors-2023/ |title=Here's Why The AMC AMX Is A Great Muscle Car For Collectors In 2023 |first=Arun Singh |last=Pundir |date=9 February 2023 |website=.hotcars.com |access-date=22 June 2024}}</ref> Developed under "austere budject" the AMX and the four-seat Javelin were designed to be radical departures from AMC's economy image.<ref>{{cite book|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=Ia9QEAAAQBAJ&dq=AMC+AMX+halo+car&pg=PA182 |page=182 |title=Muscle Car Special Editions |first=Duncan Scott |last=Brown |date=2021 |publisher=CarTech |isbn=9781613255797 |access-date=22 June 2024}}</ref>

Automotive journalist Patric George noted that the AMC AMX is "great vintage American iron" with only "two seats, making it more of a sports car than a lot of other muscle cars."<ref>{{cite web|url= http://jalopnik.com/why-doesnt-the-amc-amx-get-more-love-1702286511 |title=Why Doesn't The AMC AMX Get More Love? |first=Patrick |last=George |date=5 May 2015 |work=Jalopnik |access-date=3 March 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url= http://www.chicagotribune.com/classified/automotive/ct-autos-jalopnik-camaro-crash-0520-20150519-story.html |title=Auto writer crashes new Camaro at launch event, pens mea culpa |date=19 May 2015 |first=Robert |last=Duffer | newspaper=Chicago Tribune |access-date=3 March 2016}}</ref> Automotive historian and author [[Richard M. Langworth]] noted that the AMX has "all the right sports-car stuff" and that the "little machine that can only go up in value over the long haul."<ref>{{cite book|last=Langworth |first=Richard M. |title=Collectible Cars |year=1991 |page=10 |publisher=Random House |isbn=978-0-517-03594-8}}</ref>

According to CNN, before 2004, the AMX had been under-appreciated from an investment standpoint.<ref>{{cite web|last=Valdes-Dapena |first=Peter|title=Collectible cars: $9,999 and under: That nerdy car your Mom drove in the 1970s could be a hot property someday |work=CNN Money |date=23 January 2004 |url= https://money.cnn.com/2004/01/16/pf/autos/sleepers/index.htm |access-date=3 March 2016}}</ref> In 2004, there was considerable variation between the values of two-seat AMXs and four-seat Javelin AMXs. Craig Fitzgerald mentioned "the satisfaction in owning a car that you don't see every single day, or on the cover of every single magazine."<ref name="Craig"/> Fitzgerald favored the two-seater because of its rarity, but noted that some parts for either car were expensive.<ref name="Craig">{{cite magazine |last=Fitzgerald |first=Craig |title=AMXtroverts – Eye-opening AMC power with the '69 AMX and '74 Javelin AMX |magazine=Hemmings Muscle Machines |date=December 2004 |url= https://www.hemmings.com/stories/article/amxtroverts-1969-amc-amx-and-1974-amc-javelin-amx |access-date=22 June 2024}}</ref>

In 2006, the editors of ''Hemmings Muscle Machines'' magazine said that AMCs had "experienced notable value increases over the last few years{{snd}}especially AMXs..."<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Comerro |first1=Tom |last2=Mattar |first2=George |last3=Strohl |first3=Daniel |title=Independents Price Guide: AMC, Hudson, Studebaker Muscle Cars 1951–1974 |magazine=Hemmings Muscle Machines |date=August 2006 |url= http://www.hemmings.com/mus/stories/2006/08/01/hmn_feature15.html |access-date=3 March 2016}}</ref> The book ''Keith Martin's Guide to Car Collecting'', in collaboration with the editors of the monthly ''Sports Car Market'', lists the 1970 AMX as one of the picks under $40,000 among "Nine Muscle Car Sleepers".<ref name=keithmartin>{{cite book |last1=Martin |first1=Keith |title=Keith Martin's Guide to Car Collecting |publisher=MBI Publishing |year=2006 |page=18 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=-y0OVmWb5tgC&q=AMX+Nine+Muscle+Car+Sleepers&pg=PA148 |isbn=978-0-7603-2895-8 |access-date=21 March 2012 }}{{Dead link|date=July 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

Unique versions, such as the California 500 Specials and the 52 [[Hurst Performance|Hurst]]-modified SS/AMX drag race cars are perhaps the most highly sought after by collectors.<ref name=strohlfeature/> In 2006, a California 500 AMX sold for $54,000 at the [[Barrett-Jackson]] auction in Scottsdale, Arizona, while a regular AMX went for over $55,000 at the Mecum collector auction in Belvidere, Illinois.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=-y0OVmWb5tgC&dq=1969+AMX+california+500&pg=PA66 Martin, Chapter: High 5 – top 5 sales of 2006 by marque, p. 66].</ref> In 2007, ''Hemmings'' wrote that only about 39 of the original SS/AMX turn-key race cars may have survived.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Mattar|first=George| title=1969 AMC AMX – The Little Car That Could |magazine=Hemmings Motor News |date=March 2007 |url= http://www.hemmings.com/hmn/stories/2007/03/01/hmn_feature9.html |access-date=3 March 2016}}</ref>

By 2007, the AMX was "among the most highly sought AMC cars" and "really taking off in the muscle-car market".<ref>{{cite news|last=Gorzelany |first=Jim |title=Blasts from the Past: A booming collectible car market is helping baby boomers find their automotive fountains of youth |newspaper=The San Francisco Chronicle |date=29 September 2007 |url= http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/09/29/MTPOSEIQU.DTL |access-date=20 January 2013}}</ref> Also in 2007, ''Hemmings'' said that the two-seater AMX had "a strong following among old car hobbyists and collectors of historic vehicles and nearly every one of the 19,134 built...remains in circulation and in demand, ensuring a good future for the first-generation AMX as a collectible muscle car."<ref name=strohlfeature>{{cite magazine |last=Strohl |first=Daniel |title=1968–'70 AMC AMX |magazine=Hemmings Muscle Machines |date=January 2007 |url= http://www.hemmings.com/mus/stories/2007/01/01/hmn_feature15.html |access-date=3 March 2016}}</ref> The 2007 book ''Classic Cars'' states that AMC's small and powerful AMX "had tire-burning speed" and "all have become collector's items."<ref>{{cite book|last=Zuehlke |first=Jeffrey |title=Classic Cars |publisher=Lerner Publications |year=2007 |page=18 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=XI5-lBJ4bFAC&q=AMX+All+have+become+collector's++items&pg=PA18 |isbn=978-0-8225-5926-9 |access-date=21 March 2012}}</ref>

Noting the increasing values of the 1968–1970 AMXs, ''Hemmings'' listed them among the "21 hottest cars" enthusiasts wanted in 2007 "and will want tomorrow."<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Litwin |first=Matthew |title=The Top 21 Hottest Collector Cars |magazine=Hemmings Classic Car |date=January 2007 |url= http://www.hemmings.com/hcc/stories/2007/01/01/hmn_feature5.html |access-date=3 March 2016}}</ref>

In 2008, ''Hemmings'' wrote buyers had "only recently 'discovered' the AMX; they're now snapping them up left and right. Prices ... are on the rise, though they still represent a relative bargain compared to many more common muscle machines."<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Foster |first=Patrick |title=AMX: An American Exotic |magazine=Hemmings Classic Car |date=April 2008 |url= http://www.hemmings.com/hcc/stories/2008/04/01/hmn_feature10.html |access-date=3 March 2016}}</ref>

In 2010, ''Hemmings Classic Car'' included the two-seat AMXs in their list of 32 best cars to restore in terms of economic sense after factoring purchase price, parts availability, as well as restored value and desirability.<ref name="32best">{{cite magazine |magazine=Hemmings Classic Car |title=32 Best Cars to Restore |first=Richard |last=Lentinello |date=June 2010 |pages=16–17 |url= http://www.hemmings.com/hcc/stories/2010/06/01/hmn_feature2.html |access-date=3 March 2016}}</ref>

Although low production, the AMX shared parts and components with other AMC models. There are many active AMC car clubs for these cars. Parts, including reproduction components, are available. However, "AMC did not build cars in the vast numbers the Big Three did back in the day; therefore, there are fewer to restore and not as many parts to go around."<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Mattar |first=George |title=1970 AMC AMX |magazine=Hemmings Muscle Machines |date=August 2008 |url= http://www.hemmings.com/mus/stories/2007/08/01/hmn_feature17.html |access-date=3 March 2016}}</ref> As of 2010, ''Hemmings Classic Car'' wrote that the AMXs are "pretty basic" so they are not hard to restore, and that "reproduction parts are available" and continues to grow with many mechanical parts interchanging with other cars.<ref name="32best"/>

More valuable according to automotive historian and author, [[James C. Mays]], is the "wow factor".<ref name="maysbook">{{cite book|last=Mays |first=James C. |title=The Savvy Guide to Buying Collector Cars at Auction |publisher=Indy-Tech Publishing |year=2006 |page=[https://archive.org/details/savvyguidetobuyi0000mays/page/77 77] |isbn=978-0-7906-1322-2 |url= https://archive.org/details/savvyguidetobuyi0000mays |url-access=registration |quote=AMC wow factor. |access-date=3 March 2016}}</ref> His book, ''The Savvy Guide to Buying Collector Cars at Auction'', explains this important and measurable pleasure to an owner, whether their car is driven or sits in a climate-controlled garage, such as a red 1969 AMX that attracts more attention than the more prestigious [[Ferrari]]s and [[Lamborghini]]s.<ref name="maysbook"/>

The 100th issue of ''Hemmings Classic Car'' listed the "Top 100 American collector cars ever made" as selected by the editors of ''[[Hemmings Motor News]]'' based on "the most popular models among both enthusiasts and collectors" and included the 1968–1969 AMXs for both rarity and high interest, as well as "they boast sporting lines, traditional long-hood/short-deck proportions, and a smattering of performance options to add spice."<ref>{{cite magazine |url= http://www.hemmings.com/magazine/hcc/2013/01/Top-100-American-Collector-Cars-of-All-Time/3720671.html |title=Top 100 American Collector Cars of All Time |magazine=Hemmings Classic Car |date=January 2013 |first1=Jeff |last1=Koch |first2=Mark J. |last2=McCourt |first3=Richard |last3=Lentinello |access-date=3 March 2016}}</ref>

''Old Cars Weekly'' describes the AMX as an "appealing little package for adrenaline junkies and guys ... who have an appetite for something a little offbeat and different ... a car that famed automotive scribe [[Tom McCahill]] once described as 'harrier than a Borneo gorilla.'"<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.oldcarsweekly.com/car-of-the-week/car-of-the-week-1968-amc-amx |title=Car of the Week: 1968 AMC AMX |date=15 August 2013 |first=Brian |last=Earnest |work=Old Cars Weekly |access-date=3 March 2016}}</ref>

===Scale models===
A variety of scale models of the AMX are available, including promotional 1/25-[[scale model]] manufactured under license from AMC by [[Jo-Han]] in factory colors. [[Hot Wheels]] offered a 1969 AMX custom in [[1:64 scale]], and in 1971 issued the AMX/2 show car model.<ref>{{cite book |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=6HEakLwAd0oC&pg=PA36 |page=36 |title=Hot Wheels Forty Years |first=Angelo |last=Vanbogart |publisher=Krause |year=2007 |isbn=978-0-89689-568-3 |access-date=3 March 2016 }}{{Dead link|date=July 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Newer models in [[1:18 scale diecast]] were issued, including the Playboy Pink version in the "Best of the Best" series, as well as the modified "Drag-On Lady" race car.<ref>{{cite book |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=pM3VlKdwV7gC&pg=PA64 |page=64 |title=Standard Guide To 1:18 Die-Cast Cars |first=Merry |last=Dudley |publisher=Krause Publications |year=2003 |isbn=978-1-4402-2804-9 |access-date=3 March 2016 }}{{Dead link|date=July 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=pM3VlKdwV7gC&dq=ERTL+series+AMC+AMX+drag-on-lady&pg=PA216 Dudley, p. 216]</ref> According to the editors of ''Die Cast X Magazine'', "muscle cars are the largest, most popular category in die-cast" collectors.<ref name="Die-Cast-Guide"/> They included the AMC AMX among the 34 models representing "the best and most important from the genre ... performance and style that are the hallmarks of the high point of American automotive history."<ref name="Die-Cast-Guide">{{cite magazine |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=DvoDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA38 |title=Editor's Choice – guide to the best muscle |page=38 |magazine=Die Cast X |date=Winter 2006 |volume=2 |issue=1 |via=Google Books |access-date=2 June 2024}}</ref>