Outside the box

The AMX is the little brother of the musclecar world. It’s the kid who enters high school three years after his older brother – you know the one: the big brother who is captain of the football team, homecoming king, straight-A student, he’s the big-block Camaro.

Then along comes the AMX, fast like its older sibling. The AMX has plenty of style, just the right proportions, has the right rumble, etc.

The AMX will always be in the shadow of cars like the Camaro or Mustang, but every once in a while the little brother gets his day. And this musclecar offering from American Motors can surprise a GM or Ford owner.

If owning something different is what you want, take a look at this eBay find. It’s got what you need all wrapped up in a color AMC called “Big Bad Blue.”

This beauty is equipped with the “Go Pack” that ads a four-barrel carb with a dual exhaust system and chromed exhaust tips, heavy-duty cooling system, power front disc brakes, uprated suspension for improved handling, “Twin-Grip” limited-slip differential, and wide-tread red striped tires mounted on five-spoke “Magnum 500” wheels.

AMC wanted to make a splash when the AMX came out and they certainly did. Craig Breedlove of world land speed record fame, sharing the driving duties with his wife, Lee, and Ron Dykes at Goodyear’s test track in Texas took mildly modified AMX’s and set 106 new records. At Bonneville, the AMX reached 189 mph officially, and 200 mph in an unofficial run with Breedlove behind the wheel.

If you like hearing “Hey! What’s that?” at car events, this AMX might be for you. What do you think of the AMX – is it worthy to join your stable?