1968 AMC AMX

1968 AMC AMX BACKGROUND
AMC introduced its radical AMX midway through the 1968 model year, six months after the introduction of the Javelin, upon which is was based. They had reduced the wheelbase to one inch shorter than a Corvette’s, eliminating the back seat altogether. This created a market anomaly: an American 2-seater. The only other one was the Corvette, which cost much more and was a much different car. The plan was to drive young people into AMC showrooms, and it worked. While the AMX itself only sold 6,725 units in 1968, it certainly contributed to many thousands of sales of AMC’s other products, including lots of A HREF=”https://www.american-muscle-cars.net/amc-javelin.html”>Javelins no doubt, imminently more practical with their back seat.

1968 AMC AMX ENGINES & DRIVETRAINS
All AMXs came with AMC small block V8s with single 4-barrel carburetors. These began with the 225hp 290 V8, then moved up to the 290hp 343 V8, and topping off with a 390ci V8 rated at 315hp and 425 lb-ft of torque. While all 3 engines were technically small blocks and shared the same basic architecture, internally they differed greatly. The 390 had forged-steel crank and rods with larger rod bearings. The standard transmission was the Borg-Warner T10 4-speed manual, with a Shift Command 3-speed automatic that could be shifted manually (well ahead of its time). All had floor shifters. All AMXs also came with traction bars, dual exhaust and wider tires.

1968 AMC AMX “GO PACK”
To further enhance performance, and the image of performance, AMC put together a package of options and gave it a cool name. Available only on 343 and 390 cars, the “Go Package” included power front disk brakes, “Twin Grip” limited-slip differential, heavy duty suspension with thicker anti-sway bars, heavy duty cooling, and E70X14 Red Stripe performance tires on styled steel wheels. In addition, AMC dealers offered a wide range of performance items through a program called “Group 19”.


1968 AMC AMX INTERIORS


1968 AMC AMX SPECIFICATIONS

Body style

Body style #

Production

Price when new

Shipping Weight

Curb Weight

Wheelbase

Length

Width

Track, front

Track, rear

Tire size

Brakes, front

Brakes, rear

ENGINE OPTIONS       

290ci OHV V8 w/1X4bbl

343ci OHV V8 w/1X4bbl

390ci OHV V8 w/1X4bbl

TRANSMISSIONS         

Manual

Auto

Final drive ratio

Fastback Coupe

6839-7

6,725

$3,245

3,097 lbs / 1,394 kg

3,164 lbs / 1,435 kg

97.0 in / 2,464 mm

177.22 in / 4,501 mm

71.57 in / 1,818 mm

58.36 in / 1,482 mm

57.0 in / 1,447.8 mm

E70 X 14″

(disk brakes optional) 10″ / 254mm drum

10″ / 254mm drum

225hp / 300 lb/ft

290hp / 365 lb/ft

315hp / 425 lb/ft

4-speed, floor-shift

“Shift Command” 3-speed auto

3.54:1