Musclecar History: Breedlove Sets 24HR Endurance Record in an AMX

The year is 1968, Craig Breedlove is thundering his AMC AMX around a 5 mile oval in Texas as he endures the ultimate punishment for both car and driver: setting an endurance record. Equipped with only an AMX, two co-drivers (his wife Lee, and Ron Dykes) and his ace driving skills, Breadlove has set out once again to have his name scribed in the record books.

Weeks before the record attempt the AMC’s body was beefed up for safety. The front end was lowered to keep the car on the track, the glass was removed so it wouldn’t shatter, the interior was stripped save for the drivers seat, and a roll cage was installed. Performance wise, the AMX has the original factory specs, equipped with a roaring 390 V-8 engineered for 315 horsepower. Each gear was shifted by hand as the 390 was mated to a four speed manual.

Craig got an early morning start and drove for two straight hours, setting a pace for his wife Lee to take the wheel. Lee took over and charged the coupe at an average speed of 157 MPH. She drove for awhile before handing off the baton to Ron Dykes, who would drive through the afternoon. These driver changes would continue through out the rest of the record attempt.

Right before the twelve-hour mark Craig’s headlights went out, destroying his chance of a record. Or maybe not, despite not being able to see in the blackness of night, Craig continued to drive using his instincts to feel his way around the track. He captured the 12 hour record and continued to chase the 24 hour record into the night. Craig finished his 24 hour run, driving a distance of 3378 miles in 24 hours.

The record is broken!

Setting an Endurance record was not only a race against time but a race against fatigue as well. With each passing lap the driver became closer to passing out. Hauling the car around the step banks and the foot work of shifting gears added to his fatigue. It takes a special kind of man to fight through it and prevail.