Editing AMC Spirit (section)

==Spirit AMX==
[[File:1979 AMC AMX with V8 and 4-speed in white AMO 2015 Meet 1of9.jpg|thumb|1979 AMX with standard striping]]
[[File:1979 AMC AMX with V8 and 4-speed in white AMO 2015 Meet 9of9.jpg|thumb|1979 AMX interior with standard 4-speed]]
[[File:1980 AMC AMX black right side-NY.jpg|thumb|1980 AMX finished in Classic Black]]

An '''AMX''' version of the Spirit liftback was offered for 1979 and 1980 as a way of invoking the memory of the original two-seat 1968 through 1970 [[AMC AMX|AMX]].<ref name="lives-on">{{cite web|url= http://classiccars.about.com/od/classiccarsaz/fl/The-Spirit-From-AMC-Lives-On.htm |title=The Spirit From AMC Lives On |website=about.com |date=2015 |archive-date=9 October 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20151009064708/http://classiccars.about.com/od/classiccarsaz/fl/The-Spirit-From-AMC-Lives-On.htm |access-date=10 October 2019}}</ref>

Spirit AMX model featured special body color-matched fender flares and front air dam, "Rally-Tuned" suspension with {{convert|1.06|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} front and {{convert|0.75|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} rear [[sway bar]]s, high-effort power steering gears, front and rear three-way adjustable "Strider" Gabriel (brand name) shock absorbers,<ref>{{cite magazine |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=4M4DAAAAMBAJ&q=Strider+Gabriel+shocks+AMX&pg=PA164 |page=164 |title=Driving the '79 AMC Models |magazine=Popular Mechanics |date=October 1978 |volume=150 |issue=4 |access-date=10 October 2019}}</ref> heavy-duty semi-metallic {{convert|10.8|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} front [[disk brake]]s with ribbed 10x1.2-inch (254x30.5&nbsp;mm) rear drum brakes, unique AMX grille, "Turbocast II" 14x7-inch aluminum road wheels with ER60x14 [[Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company|Goodyear]] "Flexten" GT radial RWL (raised white letter) tires, rear [[Spoiler (automotive)|spoiler]], special striping package, hood and door decals, console shifted automatic or manual transmission with "Rallye Gauge" package (total of eight dials including an intake-manifold vacuum gauge), as well as simulated aluminum dash overlays with AMX badge on the glove compartment door.<ref name="79spiritBrochure"/>

Changes in the standard AMX equipment for 1980 were exclusively flat-finished black flares and air dam, standard 14x6-inch "Magnum 500" styled road wheels with the wider aluminum wheels now made optional, and deletion of the simulated aluminum dash overlays.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/AMC/1980_AMC/1980_AMC_Data_Book/1980%20AMC%20Data%20Book-A06.html |title=AMC 1980 Data Book |website=oldcarbrochures.org |page=6 |access-date=10 October 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/AMC/1980_AMC/1980%20AMC%20Full%20Line%20Prestige%20Brochure/image6.html |title=AMC 1980 Full Line prestige brochure |website=oldcarbrochures.org |pages=10–11 |access-date=10 October 2019}}</ref> Although the car "wasn't actually fast, it sure looked the part" with an "aggressive appearance."<ref name="lives-on"/> The quick-ratio power steering, large-diameter front and rear sway bars, as well as racing-tuned shock absorbers, provided excellent handling."<ref name="lives-on"/>

The biggest powerplant on the 1979 AMX was AMC's [[AMC V8 engine#304|{{convert|304|CID|L|1|abbr=on}} V8]] and it was the last AMC passenger car to have a factory-installed V8 engine. With the required emission devices and lowered compression ratios, the car felt adequately powered and could still deliver highway fuel economy ratings of about {{convert|20|mpgus|L/100 km mpgimp|abbr=on}}.<ref name="lives-on"/> ''Motor Trend'' described the AMX's performance as not bad for the day.<ref name="Hazel"/> Given the "emissions-choked" two-barrel Motorcraft carburetor, a three-speed automatic transmission, and "freeway-friendly" rear differential gearing, the AMX reached a top speed of slightly more than {{convert|100|mph|km/h}}, going [[0 to 60 mph]] in 10.6 seconds, and the quarter-mile [[dragstrip]] in 17.6 seconds.<ref name="Hazel"/> The 304 V8 equipped AMXs came with "sport-tuned exhaust" that made a noticeably different gurgle sound in contrast to the regular stock quiet muffler. For 1980, the V8 option was dropped making the {{convert|258|CID|L|1|abbr=on}} I6 engine standard with only a 2.53 rear axle ratio with either the standard floor shifter 4-speed manual or 3-speed automatic transmissions.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/AMC/1980_AMC/1980_AMC_Data_Book/1980%20AMC%20Data%20Book-A08.html |title=AMC 1980 Data Book |website=oldcarbrochures.org |page=7 |access-date=8 April 2022}}</ref>

The Spirit AMX was an innovative concept and was well executed from an [[engineering]] standpoint, highlighting the creative thinking and skilled engineering on a low budget that characterized AMC's efforts."<ref name="lives-on"/> The Spirit line was markedly improved and performed well, but AMC was unable to overcome the perception that its products were outdated. Moreover, the Spirit AMX was introduced the same year as the similar but new [[Ford Mustang#Third generation (1979–1993)|Fox Platform Ford Mustang]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Vintage Review: 1979 AMC Spirit GT – Desperately Seeking Salvation |url= http://www.curbsideclassic.com/vintage-review/vintage-review-1979-amc-spirit-gt-desperately-seeking-salvation/ |publisher=Curb Side Classic |date=23 December 2017 |access-date=8 April 2022}}</ref>

The Spirit AMX was discontinued after the two model years and replaced with the similar Eagle SX/4, a sporty four-wheel-drive successor. This model was the last car to wear the AMX name and has achieved popularity with AMC enthusiasts.<ref>{{cite web |last=Newton |first=Andrew |title=Someone paid seriously big bucks for this 1979 AMC AMX |url= https://www.hagerty.com/articles-videos/articles/2019/06/04/big-bucks-for-this-1979-amc-amx |publisher=Hagerty |date=4 June 2019 |access-date=8 April 2022}}</ref> Some owners modify the cars since it is easy to install a larger displacement AMC engine.<ref>{{cite web |last=Strohl |first=Daniel |title=Hemmings Find of the Day – 1979 AMC Spirit AMX |url= https://www.hemmings.com/stories/2013/08/01/hemmings-find-of-the-day-1979-amc-spirit-amx |publisher=Hemmings |date=1 August 2013 |access-date=8 April 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=1979 AMC AMX |url= https://rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/as19/auburn-spring/lots/r0053-1979-amc-amx/758900 |publisher=RM Sotheby's |date=June 2019 |access-date=8 April 2022}}</ref>

===AMXs at the Nürburgring===
[[File:1979 AMC Spirit AMX Nurburgring winner at 2024 AMO meet 01of44.jpg|thumb|24-hour Nürburgring race car]]
[[File:1979 AMC Spirit AMX Nurburgring winner at 2024 AMO meet 08of44.jpg|thumb|The #2 car at 2024 AMO show]]

In October 1979, the B.F. Goodrich sponsored a pair of AMXs in the annual [[FIA]] [[Group 1 (racing)|Group One]] [[Nürburgring 24 Hours|24-hour race]] held at [[Germany]]'s legendary [[Nürburgring]].<ref name="hemmies">{{cite magazine |url= https://www.hemmings.com/stories/article/amc-invades-germany |last=Mattar |first=George |title=AMC Invades Germany - circa 1979 |magazine=Hemmings Muscle Machines |date=February 2005 |access-date=29 May 2022}}</ref> The 1979 {{convert|304|CID|L|1|abbr=on}} V8-powered Spirit AMX was already [[homologation (motorsport)|homologated]] for European Group One Touring Car races.<ref name="RamblersAtThe'ring">{{cite magazine |url= https://www.motortrend.com/vehicle-genres/c12-0511-1979-nurburgring/ |title=Motorsports: 1979 Nurburgring 24-hour - Ramblers At The 'ring: Long before testing cars there was fashionable among domestic carmakers, American Motors and BFGoodrich assaulted the fabled Nordschleife |first1=Gary |last1=Witzenburg |first2=Rainer |last2=Schlegelmilch |date=17 May 2006 |magazine=Motor Trend |access-date=29 May 2022}}</ref>

The cars were the first-ever American entries in this grueling race.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}} They would compete against smaller-engined, but more agile competitors from BMW, Ford, Opel, VW, Renault, and Audi.<ref name="RamblersAtThe'ring"/>

Drivers Amos Johnson and his partner Dennis Shaw were the team principals in the [[North Carolina]]–based "Team Highball." Supporting drivers were factory Mazda driver [[Jim Downing]] (who would later co-develop the [[HANS device]]), actor [[James Brolin]], [[Lyn St. James]], and automotive journalist Gary Witzenburg. Two street-stock cars (both with AMC {{convert|304|cuin|L|abbr=on}} and four-speed [[manual transmission]]s) were supplied to "Team Highball" for Group One race modifications less than three weeks before a [[Ship transport|transport ship]] would sail to Europe.<ref name="raceforaday">{{cite magazine |last=Witzenburg|first=Gary |title=Race for a Day: An AMX Adventure at Nurburgring |magazine=Automobile Quarterly|volume=19 |issue=1 |year=1981 |pages=30–39 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=c1NWAAAAMAAJ&q=Race+for+a+Day:+An+AMX+Adventure+at+Nurburgring |via=Google Books |access-date=29 May 2022}}</ref>

With almost no prior driving time on the racecourse, and with the race practice cut short by fog, the team qualified the cars in 20th and 21st overall. The #1 Johnson/Shaw/Brolin car was given the faster set-up, with the objective of winning the race.<ref name="hemmies"/>

In the race, the #1 car suffered broken front shock absorbers and a slipping clutch, and the engine burned oil. Witzenburg reported the brakes and both front shocks "all but gone" in #2 – pumping the brakes dragged the front spoiler, but had little effect on speed. Moreover, since the AMXs were "rather crude" compared with the smaller, lighter cars they were racing against, they lost time in the turns. Nevertheless, Witzenburg said the cars "ran great," especially on the straights where they reached about {{convert|140|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}.<ref name="raceforaday"/>

After driving almost {{convert|2000|mi|km|0}}, they finished first and second in class, 25th and 43rd overall out of a field of 120.<ref name="raceforaday"/> They were also the fastest entrants using street tires - BFG T/A [[Radial tire|radials]], and had no tire failures.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.planethoustonamx.com/stuff/amx_team_highball_nurburgring.htm |title=AMX Team Highball Spirit's in Nurburgring, Germany |website=planethoustonamx.com |access-date=29 May 2022}}</ref>

The preparation of the cars and the team's experience of the race itself were covered by a period [[documentary film]], ''The Ultimate Challenge''.<ref>A shortened version is available: {{cite web|url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQqysjI9gM4&feature |archive-url= https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/bQqysjI9gM4| archive-date=2021-12-12 |url-status=live|title=The Ultimate Challenge (Part 1) |date=25 November 2007 |via=youtube |access-date=10 October 2019}}{{cbignore}} and {{cite web|url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUCpknhTVmU&feature= |archive-url= https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/rUCpknhTVmU| archive-date=12 December 2021 |url-status=live |title=The Ultimate Challenge (Part 2) |date=25 November 2007 |via=youtube |access-date=10 October 2019}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

The #1 AMX Nürburgring race car "served as a showcar for a few months after the race, then went into storage for about 25 years" and has only about {{convert|4000|mi|km}} on its odometer.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.hemmings.com/stories/2006/10/02/nurburgring-amx-1-for-sale |title=Nurburgring AMX #1 for sale! |first=Daniel |last=Strohl |date=2 October 2006 |publisher=Hemmings Motor News |access-date=29 May 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.amx-perience.com/Spirit_AMX_owners.php |title=Owners X-perience Spirit AMX 1 - 10 |website=amx-perience.com |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20141004223237/http://amx-perience.com:80/Spirit_AMX_owners.php |archive-date=4 October 2014 |access-date=29 May 2022}}</ref> The #2 race car returned to the racing circuit for several years, but has been located and reunited with the original drivers after over 25 years.<ref>{{cite book|chapter-url= https://books.google.com/books?id=wvqRb9WkMNsC&q=AMX+Nurburgring&pg=PA131 |pages=131–133 |title=The Cobra in the Barn: Great Stories of Automotive Archaeology |first1=Tom |last1=Cotter |first2=Peter|last2=Egan |publisher=MotorBooks International |year=2005 |chapter=Racing Relics |isbn=978-1-61060-004-0 |via=Google Books |access-date=29 May 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.ssamx.com/1979_spirit_amx.htm |title=1979 Spirit AMX #2 |website=ssamx.com |access-date=29 May 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.race-cars.com/carsold/other/1119204510/1119204510ss.htm |title=1979 AMC Spirit-AMX Project (sold) |website=race-cars.com |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160624224234/http://www.race-cars.com/carsold/other/1119204510/1119204510ss.htm |archive-date=24 June 2016 |access-date=29 May 2022}}</ref>

=== IMSA racing ===
AMC Spirits also campaigned in [[International Motor Sports Association]] (IMSA) Champion Spark Plug Challenge and Racing Stock Class events. With only limited support from AMC, mainly with some technical help, AMC Spirits were prepared by "Team Highball" and driven by Amos Johnson and Dennis Shaw.

Several AMC Spirits were entered in the 1979 World Challenge for Endurance Drivers. A Spirit was driven by Joe Varde and Dave Cowart in the 6 Hours of [[Talladega Superspeedway|Talladega]] finishing the race in third place (an AMC Concord finished first, an AMC Gremlin was second, and an AMC Pacer was fourth) out of starting field of 49 cars.<ref name="1979racing">{{cite web|url= http://www.wspr-racing.com/wspr/results/challendur/challendur1979.html |title= World Challenge for Endurance Drivers 1979 |website=wspr-racing.com |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120313032921/http://www.wspr-racing.com/wspr/results/challendur/challendur1979.html |archive-date=13 March 2012 |access-date=29 May 2022}}</ref> Five other AMC Spirits were also racing on 1 April 1979.<ref name="1979racing"/> On 1 June 1979, an AMC Spirit driven by Dennis Shaw and [[Don Whittington]] won the 6-Hour Champion Spark Plug Challenge at the [[Daytona International Speedway]] covering 151 laps and a distance of {{convert|933.162|km|mi|3|abbr=on}} averaging {{convert|155.101|km/h|mph|3|abbr=on}}.<ref name="1979racing"/> AMC Spirits also finished in 5, 6, 11, 29, 37, and 42 places out of a total 62 starting cars.<ref name="1979racing"/>

The 1980 World Challenge for Endurance Drivers began with an AMC Spirit driven by Keith Swope and Mauricio DeNarvaez finishing in fourth place at Daytona's 6-Hour Champion Spark Plug Challenge on 29 June 1980.<ref name="1980racing">{{cite web|url= http://www.wspr-racing.com/wspr/results/challendur/challendur1980.html |title= World Challenge for Endurance Drivers 1980 |website=wspr-racing.com |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120227074332/http://www.wspr-racing.com/wspr/results/challendur/challendur1980.html |archive-date=27 February 2012 |access-date=29 May 2022}}</ref> Eleven other Spirits placed out of the 72 cars that started in the race.<ref name="1980racing"/> A team consisting of Lou Statzer, Amos Johnson, and Dennis Shaw ran a Spirit AMX 84 laps in the GTX class at the 28th Annual Coca-Cola [[12 Hours of Sebring]] on 22 March 1980.<ref name="1980racing"/><ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.racingsportscars.com/photo/1980/Sebring-1980-03-22-007.jpg |title=AMC Spirit AMX (Picture of #7) |first=Mike |last=Heselton |website=racingsportscars.com |access-date=29 May 2022}}</ref>

===Turbo pace car===
[[File:1980 AMC AMX PPG rear in Daytona.jpg|thumb|right|1981 AMX Turbo PPG pace car]]
[[File:1980 AMC AMX PPG engine in Kenosha.jpg|thumb|right|Turbo-charged and fuel-injected AMC I6]]

Two AMC AMX Pace cars were prepared to serve as four official [[safety car]]s each year in [[Championship Auto Racing Teams]] (CART) for the 1980 and 1981 auto-racing seasons. The objective was to create one pace car for each of the four major American car companies based on the existing production models of that time.<ref name="ppg">{{cite web |title=AMC AMX Turbo – 1981 PPG Pace Car |url= https://ppgpacecars.com/amc-amx-turbo-1981-ppg-pace-car/ |website=ppgpacecars.com |date=23 February 2019 |access-date=29 May 2022}}</ref>

Both used the Spirit liftback body with the first one shown by PPG Industries featuring a white/red/blue/black painted production 1979 Spirit AMX with covered headlamps and integrated and smoothed front bumper and air dam unit.<ref name="ppg-first">{{cite web |title=AMC AMX – 1980 PPG Pace Car |url= https://ppgpacecars.com/amc-amx-1980-ppg-pace-car/ |website=ppgpacecars.com |access-date=29 May 2022 |date=1 February 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release |url= http://homepage.mac.com/christopher.z/hobby/80-AMX-2info.html#Pace%20Cars |title=AMC/AMX Pace Car 1980 PPG Championship Racing Series |publisher=PPG Industries |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090730054730/http://homepage.mac.com/christopher.z/hobby/80-AMX-2info.html#Pace%20Cars |archive-date=30 July 2009 |access-date=10 October 2019}}</ref> The current status of this car is unknown.<ref name="ppg-first"/>

The 1981 car was a highly modified [[fastback]] constructed by Autodynamics of [[Troy, Michigan]] under contract from [[PPG Industries]]. Designed by [[Dick Teague]], AMC's Vice President of Automotive Design, the body has a more aerodynamic efficient, fiberglass shell with smooth bumpers. A unique ram air induction system was designed into the rear quarter panel while the rear featured an integrated spoiler with a high center fuel fill.<ref name="Kreutzer"/> The interior was modified to include new front racing bucket seats along with a special roll bar and cage.<ref name="finds"/><ref>{{cite web |title=1981 AMC AMX Spirit Turbo Pace Car {{!}} J200 {{!}} Kissimmee 2014 |url=https://www.mecum.com/lots/FL0114-172082/1981-amc-amx-spirit-turbo-pace-car/ |publisher=Mecum Auctions |date=January 2014 |access-date=29 May 2022}}</ref>

The [[Turbocharging|turbocharged]] and [[Fuel injection|fuel-injected]] {{convert|258|CID|L|1|abbr=on}} [[AMC Straight-6 engine|I6]] was built by Turbo-Systems Inc. to produce {{convert|450|bhp|kW|0|abbr=on}}. The car is equipped with Goodyear Eagle GT low profile 245/50x16 tires on {{convert|16|x|8|in|mm|abbr=on}} Gotti aluminum alloy wheels.<ref>{{cite book|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=r9j7MWLE_jMC&q=AMX+turbo+1981+car&pg=PA264 |page=264 |title=Cars of American Motors: An Illustrated History |first=Marc |last=Cranswick |publisher=McFarland |year=2001 |isbn=978-0-7864-8570-3 |access-date=10 October 2019}}</ref> The car made its debut as the official pace car for the [[Milwaukee Mile|Milwaukee 150]] on 7 June 1981, for the 14 race series.<ref name="ppg"/>

This was the final chapter in AMC's AMX racing story and the car went to AMC's Vice President of Design, Richard Teague.<ref name="Kreutzer">{{cite web |last=Kreutzer |first=Thomas |title=Vintage AMC AMX PPG Indy Car World Series Pace Car Up For Sale |url= https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2013/12/vintage-amc-amx-ppg-indy-car-world-series-pace-car-up-for-sale/ |publisher=The Truth About Cars |date=22 December 2013 |access-date=29 May 2022}}</ref> It has since been maintained by collectors with the AMX Turbo regularly appearing at automobile shows.<ref name="lives-on"/><ref>{{cite web |last=Puckett |first=Elizabeth |title=Rare Find of the Day: 1981 AMC Spirit AMX Turbo Pace Car |url= https://www.timelessmuscle.com/features/rare-find-day-1981-amc-spirit-amx-turbo-pace-car/ |publisher=Timeless Muscle Magazine |date=19 April 2016 |access-date=29 May 2022}}</ref><ref name="finds">{{cite web |title=AMX Turbo PPG INDY Car World Series Pace Car 1981 |url= https://www.automobilefinds.com/2014/04/amx-turbo-ppg-indy-car-world-series.html |publisher=Automobile Finds |date=25 November 2015 |access-date=29 May 2022}}</ref>