Rendered Speculation: The return of the AMX
Click above for more renderings of revived AMC models
American Motors may have lost its way towards the end of its life in the '80s, but the little car company that could created some very cool vintage American iron. When the muscle car era was still in full swing, AMC was a player with its Javelin, which went up against some stiff competition in the form of the Ford Mustang, Chevy Camaro and Pontiac Trans Am. Later, the Mopar boys introduced the Dodge Challenger and Plymouth Barracuda into the mix, muddying the waters that much more. Though AMC had some success with its pony car, the AMX was quite possibly AMC's coolest production vehicle. Based on a shortened version of the Javelin's platform, the AMX had just two seats and was all about performance. The car turned into something of an icon for the automaker, and the name was subsequently used for a series of concepts throughout the '70s... right up until American Motors died.
AMC devotees have speculated on a possible return of the AMX, and though it seems extremely unlikely, we have no problem indulging in the fantasy. So-Cal AMC Club members commissioned Jeff Teague, a designer who just so happens to be the son of classic AMC designer Dick Teague, to come up with his ideas of Javelin and AMX revivals... and what AMC discussion would be complete without a mention of the Gremlin. See all of the renderings in our gallery below.
Gallery: Teague AMX Renderings
[Source: Hemmings Auto Blogs]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
LoneWolf 6:34PM (11/13/2008)
So where does this look like a classy AMX??
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Flashpoint 6:42PM (11/13/2008)
Too bad Chrysler isn't building that. For $40,000 it would be like a poor man's DBS
ronnie schreiber 7:22PM (11/13/2008)
I think its based on more on the AMX/3 concept cars Dick Teague designed which contributed elements to the Javelin and AMX. You can see them here.
http://www.amx390.com/3.html
happy_penguin 6:39PM (11/13/2008)
I'm holding out for the Pacer.
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Torrent 6:41PM (11/13/2008)
ROFL
WetheSheeple 8:31PM (11/13/2008)
Our canary yellow 1977 Pacer with the simulated wood grain paneling on the side brings back very unpleasant memories. You don't want one of these things...trust me!!
Torrent 6:40PM (11/13/2008)
Wow. It reminds me of the classic AMX from the 1980's, and not at all of a Renault......
It would be cool to see this, but some things should stay classics.
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easyrider425 8:13PM (11/13/2008)
You have no idea what you're talking about do you.
Anyways, other than the funky front end this is a pretty neat concept, worthy of the AMX name.
Torrent 8:41PM (11/13/2008)
Yes I do know what I'm talking about: a Modern AMX rendering. It looks like a Renault. I'm thinking Laguna Coupe. Let me rephrase the last sentence: The design is cool, but not as an amx.
John P. 6:43PM (11/13/2008)
That's a really great design. I'd make some minor changes, but there is a definite AMX feel to that design, especially in the roof line and rear section.
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Daveman427 6:56PM (11/13/2008)
Some of his designs in the first sketch picture have AMX qualities about them with the roofline, side windows, and little circular badge behind the window. The final rendering... looks like a late 90's Chrysler Corp. concept (the days of the Prowler, Phaeton, Copperhead, etc.).
Also, it makes me sad that AMX is coming up as a misspelled word. Ah how the world has forgotten AMC (which is also coming up as misspelled).
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MajorGeek 6:56PM (11/13/2008)
It won't matter. Dodge, Chrysler and Chevy are all in depp doo doo so bringing back a car company is impossible. Not enough fools to invest in that.
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ronnie schreiber 7:14PM (11/13/2008)
Actually, the Barracuda came out before the Mustang (by two weeks), Camaro, Firebird, Javelin and AMX. The Challenger, based on the A body Barracuda, came out last, giving the Dodge dealers a true "pony car", smaller than the B body Charger.
First year of sales:
Barracuda 1964
Mustang 1964
Camaro 1966
Firebird 1967
Javelin 1968
AMX 1968
Firebird Trans Am 1969
Challenger 1970
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Frank 8:53PM (11/13/2008)
Actually the Challenger was based on the all new for 1970 E-body and was co-designed with the next gen Barracuda. The E body used the front subframe of the B-body cars (Charger, Satellite/Road Runner) to save money, making the cars very wide and also able to swallow any size engine Chrysler made. The market for the Challenger was originally going to be the same as the Mercury Cougar, luxury sport. That was abandoned as the muscle car fad reached a fever pitch and the Challenger could be had in as many wild colors and options as the Barracuda.
ronnie schreiber 1:07AM (11/14/2008)
Sorry about the error. The early Barracudas were A bodies.
Kevin 7:39PM (11/13/2008)
And Pontiac brought back the GTO and look how well that worked for them!
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JBubba 7:54PM (11/13/2008)
The GTO was boring. This isn't.
J Teague 7:58PM (11/13/2008)
Some time very soon, I am in the planning a start up model based on the AMX 4 design and present this how to process from Start to Finish in 1/4 scale model making on SoCal AMC web site. This will be only the start up of the process. The next step is to take the finished 1/4 scale for a review with some Venture Capitalist and proceed in getting a 1-1 running prototype built. The frame work will most likely be Factory 5 with a modified chassis for the V10 Viper engine. Attached are just a few more images. JTeague
[IMG]http://i528.photobucket.com/albums/dd326/T-bone1956/AMX4b.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i528.photobucket.com/albums/dd326/T-bone1956/AMX4a.jpg[/IMG]
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Jeremy Korzeniewski 11:52PM (11/13/2008)
Thanks Jeff! I'll add those images to our gallery.
JK
Rich 8:04PM (11/13/2008)
I remember my dad's Javelin and I remember wanting an AMX. If my garage had room and my wallet was overflowing with cash I would buy an old AMX and rebuild it. I regret that neither is the case. The drawings may not have much resemblance to the production AMX, but they do make me nostalgic. Thank you for this piece.
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