1970 American Motors Corporation (AMC) AMX muscle car

1970 AMX

Below is the way the 1970 AMX came from the factory -- a studio shot. Finished in a popular color for the era: medium metallic Mossport Green (paint code - 86) with the optional Black "C" stipes on its sides.
It seems that the pretty young "ornaments" seen on these factory photographs must have been part of the unlisted optional equipment back then!

The 1970 AMX was subjected to numerous changes and improvements over its initial version as the almost identical twin 1968 and 1969 model years. The 290 cubic inch displacement engine was gone. Instead, a high-compression 360 V-8 became the base engine. Optional was the mighty 390 with 315 horespower. Both engines received better-breathing exhaust ports and 4-barrel carburetors. Through-the-hood ram-air induction was standard with the Go-Pac cars. The front suspension design was also all new. Moreover, the 1970 AMX had significant styling changes for its single model year run. The front of the car had grown by two inches with a new hood, bumper, and grille. The grille was brought out flush and included the parking lights. A more massive front bumper now had vents to cool the front brakes. The rear was similar to the previous years, but included new full side to side tail lights with just one center mounted back-up lamp. On the side of the car, only the rocker panel moldings were changed for 1970. They took on the look of simulated exhaust side pipes. The 1970 AMC could be had with the distinctive "C-stripe" (in various colors) or the even more dramatic "shadow-mask" flat-black paint treatment. These trim options made the car look faster and much different from its two previous model years. The interiors were completely revised with a new dashboard, center console, rim-blow steering wheel, and high back bucket seats. The overall length of the 1970 AMX grew about two inches (all forward of the windshield), the wheelbase (and most other mechanical dimensions) remained at 97 inches.

During this time American Motors used an advertising slogan asking the simple and direct question of what would you do, if you had to compete against the domestic automakers. The so-called "big three" commanded almost the entire US vehicle market. The sales penetration of imported brands was very low. American Motors differentiated itself by offering auto buyers more value compared to models from the "big three". For example, the 2-seat AMX had no direct competition. The closest performance model was the significantly higher priced Chevrolet Corvette.

The 1970 AMX was promoted in magazine adverisements (below) where a more attractive red car was shown.

AMC was a leader in offering value pricing -- automobiles with desirable features at suggested manufacturer's retail prices (MSRP) that were lower than the competition. This was the case with the 1970 AMX's $3,385 MSRP. Below is the cover of the bull-line brochure for 1970.

Below is an AMC dealer's newspaper advertisement during 1970. In this special sale, Cornelius Rambler was offering almost giveaway prices for what are today highly collectable performance models. They even had four Rebel Machines: turquoise, orange, dark green, or dark blue.