AMC Concept Cars - The Return Of AMC!
It's The Biggest Story Of The Year, And No One Saw It Coming.
writer: Steve Stanford
photographer: courtesy of American Motors
No, these concepts are not in the works and AMC is not on its way back to the streets, so don't get your checkbook out quite yet 'cause HOT ROD and Steve Stanford are just jacking with you. This story created such a huge buzz, especially with you AMC fans out there, that we put it up here so even more of you can take a look.
Dateline: Kenosha, Wisconsin: It has been revealed that American Motors will return as a full-line, full-service car company to do battle with the domestics and imports in the highly competitive North American marketplace. Complete details of this shocking news story remain sketchy, but leave it to HOT ROD magazine to dig deep beneath the surface to unearth all kinds of surprises for anyone who digs cars. Sometimes a scoop just falls into your lap.
Let's start at the beginning. Roughly 10 years ago, a multimillionaire vintage AMC enthusiast tried to acquire one of the six remaining AMX/3 mid-engine prototype sports cars for his personal collection. He was told none were for sale at any price, so our mystery mogul decided to do the next best thing-he built his own. In the course of designing, drawing up blueprints, and interviewing potential shops to build his dream, the plan changed from a copy of an AMX/3 to a totally new, updated modern AMX/4. With strong European exotic influences, this would be an AMC like no other.
With the new Mustang, Challenger, and Camaro coming out, we've got the ponycar wars all over again, so it makes sense to reintroduce the Javelin and AMX and provide yet another marketplace alternative. AMC has big plans also for the Javelin as a platform for all sorts of racing efforts. The real news on the street, however, is the first-ever Javelin convertible. As to the powertrain for the Javelin and AMX, refer to the text. An independent rearend is an option in both cars.>>>>>>
Here's where things get interesting. In sensing a potential market for this new sports/GT with other enthusiasts, the idea was hatched to build these cars in series. Then the discussion turned to, "You know, wouldn't it be cool to bring back the whole company instead of just one AMC model? How wild would it be to build a new Javelin or AMX to go head to head with the new Camaro, Challenger, and Mustang? And how about a totally new Ambassador to compete with Cadillac or Lexus?
Our sources go on to reveal that the new American Motors will place a strong emphasis on cars that enthusiasts will want to not just own, but cherish: quality above all else, fun to drive, fast, fuel-efficient, and with great styling from the recently opened West Coast advanced-styling studio in Irvine, California. Of particular interest to HOT ROD readers is the news of a full-scale racing program to encompass NASCAR, drag racing, IMSA, and even off-road. Reportedly, a highly modified Javelin will make an assault on the Pikes Peak Hill Climb this July. A later run-possibly in 2010-at the Baja 1000 will celebrate the '67 Baja run of Spence Murray and Ralph Poole in a virtually stock Rambler.