Although in business for less than 35 years, AMC developed a passionate consumer base, especially for their muscle cars. Perhaps not as well known as their rivals, AMC produced a number of muscle cars with the looks and performance one would expect from that era. Models such as Javelin, AMX, Marlin, and Rambler are still extremely popular among muscle car enthusiasts. Despite incredible competition in the auto industry, AMC managed to leave their mark on muscle car history.
AMC did not often have the financial resources to compete with General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler, so they often resorted to engineering ingenuity and creative marketing. Initially known for their smaller car offerings, AMC was able to adapt fairly well to consumer trends. Their production numbers were usually quite low, so an AMC muscle car is quite unique among a sea of Chevelles and GTOs.
What follows are 15 facts about AMC and their beloved muscle cars.
15. Nash-Healey Competed with Corvette
Via ClassicCars
Most car enthusiasts consider the Corvette as America's two-seat sports car, however, the Nash-Healey went to market a year earlier. It was a true international car, with an American made engine, England produced the frame and the body work was done in Italy. The model only lasted two years, primarily due to its high cost compared to the Corvette.
14. Shaky Start With Rambler Marlin
Via PJ's AutoWorld
In 1965 the muscle car wars were heating up, and manufacturers were looking at modifying existing models to take advantage of consumer interest in sportier looking vehicles. The Marlin was essentially a Rambler with a fastback modification. The end result was rather unpopular due to a fairly stubby front end in comparison to the rear of the vehicle.
13. 1971 Javelin AMX Modeled After C3 Corvette
Via Classic.com
The redesigned 1968 Corvette had a big impact on AMC designers. The 1971 Javelin has the arched frond end and rear fender lines that are very similar to the C3 Corvette. Unfortunately, by 1971 the muscle car era was slowly winding down. The AMX, however, is one great looking muscle car and a pretty rare sight on the streets these days.
12. 1957 Rambler Rebel May Be First Ever Muscle Car
Via ClassicCars
Although the 1964 Tempest GTO is often considered the first true muscle car, AMC muscle car enthusiasts may beg to differ. The 1957 Rambler Rebel was the first mid-size car after the Second World War with a V8 engine. It had a 327 cubic inches making an underrated 255 horsepower, and at the time, was the fastest production sedan on the market.
11. 1969 SC/Rambler Was Highpoint
via Hemmings
By 1969 the muscle car wars were in full swing, and AMC produced the SC/Rambler as a mid-year offering. Known affectionately as the "Scrambler", it had a 390 cubic inch engine producing 315 horsepower, as well as lots of high performance options available such as a Hurst shifter. It was serious competition for the GTO and Mach 1 Mustang, among others. Only 1,500 were built.
10. Javelin Used By Law Enforcement
Via RoadandTrack
The 1971 Javelin was the first pony car used by law enforcement. In a trend to downsize police vehicles, the Alabama Highway Patrol purchased 132 of them in 1971-1972. They had a 401 cubic inch engine with 335 horsepower, capable of speeds in excess of 150 mph. By the late 1970s, the Javelins were retired from service after lots of abuse.
9. Lots Of Cost Cutting To Compete With Big 3
Via Pinterest
AMC struggled to compete with Detroit's Big Three despite having some great looking cars and competitive prices. The year 1968 was profitable due to the success of the recently introduced Javelin. However, resources were not usually available to capitalize on this success with the introduction of additional models or more performance options.
8. 1968 AMX Was Image Gamechanger
Via Hemmings
The 1968 AMX was basically a shortened version of the Javelin marketed to compete with the Corvette. It was a two-seater with an optional 390 cubic inch engine with 315 horsepower. At $3,300, it was $1,000 less than a similarly equipped Corvette. There were 6,700 sold that year and over 8,000 sold in 1969. However, popularity faded, and it was discontinued in 1971.
7. Gremlin Muscle Was Available
Via Hagerty
Not known as a muscle car, the Gremlin actually had its day in the muscle car era. In 1972, a Gremlin 304 cubic inch V8 option was available. From 1972-1974, Randall AMC in Arizona had an arrangement with AMC and modified 21 Gremlins by swapping out the 304 V8 for a 401 cubic inch engine capable of sub 13 second quarter-mile times.
6. Management Not Always Supportive
Via Pinterest
Like the Big Three, at AMC there was a natural tension between the performance oriented designers and engineers, and the corporate bottom line. Muscle car resources would often be diverted to support the still popular large sedan market. Lucky for us, AMC designers had the opportunity to produce some real muscle car gems between 1968-1971.
5. Racing Success With Penske
Via Motor1.com
Racing was a big marketing tool for the muscle car industry in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Penske Racing had an association with Chevrolet, but switched to the AMC Javelin in 1970 and then a Javelin AMX the next year. In 1971 AMC/Penske won the Trans-Am over 2.5-liter category with a red, white, and blue AMX driven by Mark Donohue.
4. 1969 SC/Rambler Only Came In Two Colors
Via NAPA
If you walked in to an AMC dealer in 1969 and ordered a SC/Rambler, you only had two exterior options. One was the "A" scheme, which was a white base with wide red side stripes and a blue arrow decal on the hood with the words "Ram Air". The "B" scheme was more subdued, with a white base and narrow blue and red stripes on the side and no hood decal.
3. Design Maximized Higher Displacement Engines
via Car Domain
AMC engineers were able to squeeze a lot of horsepower out of their V8 engines due to their piston design. The bore center remained the same, but displacement could be increased with bore and stroke modifications. Rectangular port heads also improved air flow, and was a main reason for AMC's racing success in 1970-1971.
2. Spirit AMX Last AMC Muscle Car
Via Hagerty
The late 1970s were not kind to muscle car fans, but the designers at AMC decided to end the decade with a bang. There was not a lot of performance during that time, but the Spirit AMX had a 304 cubic inch V8 producing 125 horsepower. It may not have had the power of AMC muscle in the 1960s, but with black finish and decals, it still looked good.
1. Great Auction Bargains
Via Wikimedia
Although AMC muscle has not commanded high auction prices when compared to some of the Big Three, that simply means there are bargains to be had. Production numbers for AMC muscle cars were fairly low, so they will only increase in value. Now is a good time to get in the market for some reasonably priced AMC muscle before they go up in price.
