
UPDATE: It turns out there were actually some running and driving versions of this car, link in text below.
The fact that AMC never produced this car is probably part of the reason why they were able to hang on as the last independent automaker until the twilight of the 1980s. Looking at it now, though, makes us wish they'd gone after the mid-engined supercar segment with their iconoclastic flair. Sure, that'd mean an interior done up in noxious orange tartan, but look at that design! Richard Teague and crew managed to create a very muscular form evocative of what may have happened had a Toronado mated with Signor Miura. There were several development cars created, but no production version. What has recently surfaced is one of the "pushcars" used at events to show off the exterior styling. Pushcars were basically fiberglass bodies splashed from molds of the clay bucks. Underneath the exterior was a wooden framework and rudimentary axles front and rear.
Other pushcars from the same program have surfaced, one was even stuck atop a pole at a used car dealership before being rescued and restored (as a pushcar, that is.) The AMX/3, however, remained sealed away in Bruce Wayne's underground lair, it would seem, until earlier this year. The seller, second owner of the AMX/3, had intended on mounting the body to a Pantera chassis, but decided to sell it instead. New owner Tom Dulaney intends to restore the pushcar back to its original setup, but not before taking molds from the body to possibly create replica pieces. So, in the end, we may actually be able to own the sexiest AMC that never was, even if it is underpinned by a Fiero. Actually, there's no word on what would serve as a chassis, so let your imaginations run. We know what will be circling our heads as we fall asleep tonight.
[Source: Hemmings]












Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Dave-in-PA @ Oct 27th 2007 8:03PM
It needs what AMC might have given it...the same chassis as that AMC Eagle. It would have jacked it up 8 inches off the pavement..but hey...all-wheel-drive! Just what every supercar needs.
roadster @ Oct 27th 2007 8:53PM
AMC made three full running prototypes of the AMX 3. Dick Teague owned one of them. I've seen a yellow one numerous times at local car shows before it was sold and after it was sold and at a concours d'elegance. They were not pushcars! Incredible car; gorgeous lines that were more refined than the Pantera.
Nick @ Oct 27th 2007 8:58PM
Yea, I've seen magazine articles featuring those functioning cars.
Soulstirred Roadster @ Oct 27th 2007 9:00PM
Actually there were seven made. The one I saw was owned by a Mr. Mimbs in GA before he sold it to Mr Knox Kershaw of Montgomery, AL (I spoke w/him and got his business card at the concours d'elegance). Unknown where it resides now, if he actually sold it.
More:
http://www.amxfiles.com/amc/amx3.html
Mason Hill @ Oct 27th 2007 9:53PM
I saw one in the back room of a specialty car dealership in Rockford, Illinois. They specialized in standard fare AMX's and I would go in and admire. One day the owner told me he wanted to show me something really special, and that was it. I was (and still is) really special.
zamafir @ Oct 27th 2007 9:43PM
thanks for that link, I'll be checking the SD museum to see if they still have one while im downtown tomorrow :)
why not the LS2LS7? @ Oct 27th 2007 9:56PM
That car is so incredible. To be honest, those pics don't even do it justice.
It's too bad it never came to production.
Aaron B Brown @ Oct 27th 2007 10:20PM
Reminds me of the Racer X. car from speed racer.
http://maxpages.com/files/speedracer/Shooting%20Star.jpg
Bill @ Oct 27th 2007 10:26PM
Extremely extremely cool.
And thanks for the link to the AMX Files website. I had seen the AMX Files many times, and after some time passed, I realized that the author Jim lived one block away from me, right here in Alexandria, VA 22305! I had seen his unrestored 68 AMX parked on the street, but it was a while before I "put 2 and 2" together. We have met but I did not know him personally. He moved about 2 years ago, and I hope he still has the AMX.
It was kind of cool that the author of one of the coolest and oldest AMC and AMX online resources was just down the street. Small world.
SPG @ Oct 27th 2007 10:32PM
Incredible looking car.
Makes me wonder what this car would of been like had it been produced.
I can't imagine it would of sold very well sadly.
zamafir @ Oct 27th 2007 11:23PM
why? That would have sold fine. Bricklen sold how many SV-1's at close to $10,000? This car is far more attractive then the Pantera, it would have sold.
Stuka @ Oct 28th 2007 12:41AM
Here is a video on YouTube with one of the running cars:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=1CsXWPLUvcE
Mason Hill @ Oct 28th 2007 2:20PM
Thanks for the great video. What a great car. It might have even saved the company.
Stuka @ Oct 28th 2007 2:32PM
This time period was really the turning point for AMC. If they had taken the same look at body designs with the rest of their line as they did with this car, then maybe. But within a few years Jeep was the only thing that kept AMC alive. I know several people that work for AMC, and there was a LOT of internal issues at the company. By the time the 80's came around they had a lot of great designs, but no money to build them. The 4.0 that chrysler used up until 2006, the original Grand Cherokee, and a few other basic designs all went on to be used by chrysler after they purchased AMC.
3dyn @ Oct 28th 2007 2:34PM
This actual (push) car was at our shop a couple months ago . The current owner lives in the San Diego area, and is in the process of restoring it, then selling body kit copies of the body. It was in rough shape, very rough, when we bid on the work, but would be quite unique when completed. The website for the project is here: http://www.amx390.com/
Mark
3dyn, llc
San Diego, CA
Austin @ Oct 28th 2007 3:05PM
AMC, we miss you!!!!!
Tom Dulaney @ Oct 28th 2007 9:17PM
Thanks AutoBlog for the exposure on your site.
Mark at 3dyn, great shop you have there, I was greatful for your bid, it just worked out that a friend of a friend did the work for us in LA. The reproduction bodies will be delivered to my garage along with the original on Halloween day. I will be posting pictures on www.amx390.com I intend to put a custom chassis with C5 suspension and brakes under a reproduction for it's Kit Car magazine debut. I hope no one that buyes a body from me uses a Fiero, it's in a much higher class than that in my opinion. The original AMX/3 fiberglass pushmobile "Zero" will be going to the San Diego Automotive Museum in 2008. The red steel AMX/3 that was in the San Diego museum is now at the Peterson museum in LA.
Tom Dulaney
www.amx390.com
ckm @ Oct 28th 2007 11:45PM
There was actually one of these at the Petersen Museum in LA I think last year.
Very cool, and I agree, the pictures don't do it justice. Maybe the new Chrylser will introduce it as a 'continuation model'....
Chris.