For muscle car collectors, acquiring a 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454 LS6 ranks among the ultimate discoveries—comparable to unearthing the Ark of the Covenant—while a 1971 Plymouth Hemi ‘Cuda convertible represents the absolute Holy Grail. While certain legendary Golden Age models and their ultra-rare variants have achieved near-mythical status, an equal number of underappreciated classics deserve far more recognition.
Numerous classic muscle cars remain overlooked—the Mercury Cyclone and second-generation Barracuda among them—but the entire American Motors Corporation (AMC) catalog has been almost entirely dismissed by the collector community. Despite finishing fourth behind the Big Three automakers, AMC delivered impressive vehicles at remarkably accessible prices, including several formidable muscle car offerings.
The AMC Javelin, Rebel Machine, and Hornet matched the performance and appeal of their more celebrated contemporaries like the Dodge Charger and Pontiac GTO, yet never achieved comparable prestige. The most criminally forgotten AMC may be the 1968 AMX, which combined aggressive, seductive styling with the brand’s highest performance credentials. Had Ford or Chevrolet produced this limited-run model, it would command half a million dollars today. Instead, it remains an exceptional opportunity for discerning collectors seeking something truly distinctive.
In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturers and other authoritative sources, including Classic.com, Hagerty, and J.D. Power.
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1968 AMC AMX Crossover Muscle Car
The accepted definition of a muscle car is an American-made, intermediate, four-seater with a powerful V-8. That back-seat stipulation is the reason why the Corvette and first-gen Thunderbird were never considered muscle cars, but somehow the two-seater 1968 AMC AMX was allowed into the club.
In reality, it was the first crossover, but instead of being a soul-crushing conformist mishmash of a minivan and station wagon, it was a sizzling ride that bridged the gap between muscle car and sports car. Based on the Javelin, which was also introduced in 1968, it had a shorter wheelbase and obviously less seating capacity. It was a car that successfully blended muscle car straight-line acceleration with sports car cornering and handling.
The AMX was also part of the ’60s pony car craze, which was defined by long hoods and short decklids, something the AMC excelled at with a ratio that made Mustangs and Camaros envious. AMC was originally going to skin the AMX in fiberglass to compete with the Corvette, but discovered that they could produce sheet metal for far less money.
The AMX was the only two-seat American car besides the Corvette in 1970, but was over $1,000 cheaper, and that was the AMC way to produce competitive vehicles at a nice price. It’s unlikely that AMC was trying to unseat the ‘Vette with the AMX, but they certainly had the pony car segment in their sights, with arguably one of the greatest designs in the class.
AMX Performance Options
The 1968 AMX came standard with a 225-horsepower 290ci V-8, a 290-horsepower 343, or a 315-horsepower 390 option. Additionally, AMC offered the “Go Pack” performance upgrade that included power front disc brakes, “Twin-Grip” differential, beefier suspension with thicker sway bars, and six-inch-wide steel wheels mounted with performance racing tires. The AMX was a 14-second car with or without the Go Package, but when equipped with it, handled like a dream and made all other era muscle cars feel like a horse and buggy set-up. This was the advantage of being a quasi-sports car.
AMX Budget Design
The AMX began its journey as a concept vehicle dubbed American Motors eXperimental, generating significant buzz at automotive shows in 1966. The show car featured an innovative ‘Ramble Seat’—a rumble seat that deployed from the trunk—though this obviously hazardous element was wisely omitted from the production version.
AMC positioned both the AMX and the closely related Javelin as transformative models that would reshape the company’s perception from value-oriented manufacturer to legitimate performance contender. However, financial constraints limited AMC’s options. Unlike Ford, which could afford to develop distinct fastback and notchback Mustang variants, AMC lacked the resources for such diversification. Their solution was ingenious: merge both design languages into a single model, resulting in the AMX’s remarkably distinctive and undeniably captivating appearance.
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Bringing The AMX To The Masses
The AMX was introduced mid-model year in 1968 and advertised as “the only American sports car that costs less than $3500.” Starting at $3,245, it certainly hit the first part of that claim, and to tout its performance credibility, AMC partnered with race car driver Craig Breedlove, who was at the time the land-speed record holder. AMC gave Breedlove two AMX cars, which he souped up and then set 106 world speed and endurance records at Goodyear’s Texas track. Another advertisement for the ’68 AMX bragged the car was “ready to do 125 miles an hour,” but that turned out to be quite modest as Breedlove got one up to 200 MPH at the Bonneville Salt Flats.
1968 AMX Production Numbers
- 290 Manual – 525 units
- 290 Automatic – 484 units
- 343 Manual – 415 units
- 343 Automatic – 902 units
- 390 Manual – 2,112 units
- 390 Automatic – 2,287 units
- Total – 6,725 units
AMC continued the promotion with the speedster by creating Breedlove Replica cars to commemorate all the records he set behind the wheel of one. Possibly 50 cars were painted in the iconic red, white, and blue scheme and were equipped with the standard 290ci V-8, paired with a four-speed manual. There is actually no record that AMC created these cars at the factory, but they definitely exist, so it’s possible dealers painted them as a promotional tool to drive traffic into showrooms. Then again, AMC was a terribly run company, so maybe they just lost the documentation, or it was a rogue operation that left no paper trail.
Playmate Of The Year AMX
To introduce the AMX to dealers, they held events at nine Playboy Clubs, which sounds like something from Mad Men, but actually happened. AMC also bestowed a special pink AMX to 1968 Playboy Playmate of the Year Angela Dorian, with the tacky edition of her measurements inscribed on the dashboard. The Playmate Pink paint was actually a special order option, and it seems that at least one other was built, with a 390ci V-8.
Dorian, whose real name is Victoria Vetri, had somewhat of a Hollywood career, starring in B-movies like When Dinosaurs Ruled the Earth and Invasion of the Bee Girls, but things really took off for her when she went to the moon. Technically, it was a nude picture of her that some prankster secretly stowed on the Apollo 12 mission.
AMX Von Piranha Edition
Colorado-based Thoroughbred Motors transformed up to 22 1968 AMC AMX models into track-ready competitors, dubbed the “Von Piranha,” capable of tackling both drag strips and closed-circuit racing. These modified machines featured the potent 390-cubic-inch V-8 paired with AMC’s Go Pack performance upgrade.
Thoroughbred’s enhancements went beyond engine modifications: C-pillar scoops channeled cooling air to the rear tires and brakes during extended racing sessions, while roof-mounted ducts directed fresh air into the cabin. AMC strategically distributed these Von Piranhas to dealerships seeking to elevate their brand presence and generate customer enthusiasm.
Though at least 22 were originally produced, current estimates suggest only two survive today, rendering the Von Piranha an exceptionally rare AMC collectible.
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1968 AMC AMX Collector’s Market
Classic AMC muscle cars offer accessible entry into collectible ownership compared to marquee Golden Age models that command six- or seven-figure prices. While owners of million-dollar vehicles typically garage them to preserve value, a $40,000 1968 AMX can be driven and enjoyed without hesitation, attracting attention wherever it appears.
Despite limited production—just over 6,000 units in 1968—the AMX’s rarity hasn’t translated into stratospheric values. According to J.D. Power’s real-world sales data, average retail prices hover around $40,000, while Hagerty’s valuation for good-condition examples sits nearly $20,000 lower, though their pricing doesn’t account for 390-equipped models.
Auction results align with J.D. Power’s figures, with ’68 AMX models typically selling in the $40,000 range. The highest price paid for a completely original example reached just $84,000 for a near-flawless specimen—the top sale overall being a heavily customized variant.
Exceptional values can still be found: a pristine example on Bring a Trailer (pictured above) sold for merely $17,500 despite showing only 17,358 miles and undergoing complete restoration. That particular car featured the original 390-cubic-inch engine enhanced with an Edelbrock carburetor and intake manifold—modifications that boosted output to 375 horsepower and 454 pound-feet of torque, verified through dynamometer testing.
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The Golden Age Hidden Gem That Still Shines
Besides being the fourth-place American automaker, the main reason why classic AMC muscle isn’t regarded more is that they never had a killer app like the 426 Street Hemi or Chevy 454 LS6. If there had been a dual-quad 400-plus horsepower AMC engine option, you could bet the farm that those would be six-figure collectibles and there would be a bigger spotlight on the brand. That being said, the 390-equipped 1968 AMX had just as much launch power as a Mustang GT 390, Barracuda 383, or any pony car from that year. In terms of performance, which is more than just acceleration, the AMX was substantially better.
The AMX was twice cited as the best-engineered car by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), and a lot of that is due to the car’s superior suspension. This is actually the reason why the ’68 AMX is the hidden gem of the Golden Age, as it had an incredibly smooth ride and carved up the corners like a Ninja. Classic-era muscle cars were only really enjoyable to drive in a straight line on an even surface, because once they hit turns or bumps it was kind of like being on Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride at Disneyland. The fact that these semi-obscure marvels of engineering and style can be picked up on the cheap is just another reason why the ’68 AMX is a complete score for collectors.