America's SECRET WEAPON - The AMC AMX 390

Be sure to come see this car in our "More Than Just American Muscle" exhibition running June 17 - September 10, 2023! And until then, enjoy it here! Watch as Donald uses some rear seat delete magic on Ben Chester to convince him to fall in love with this quirky, little pony car!
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Founded in 2014 in Newport, Rhode Island with a mission of "Preserving, Celebrating & Sharing Automotive History," the Audrain Automobile Museum connects and engages our local and international communities to educate, enlighten and entertain with a calendar of exhibitions, programs, and car events, including the Audrain Newport Concours & Motor Week.
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[@68blownpony]

I’ve always liked and wanted an AMX. Such a great, but underrated car. Donald Osborne does a fantastic job of describing and explaining. Glad to see him have his own channel.

[@E.T.GARAGE]

Most underrated muscle car of it's time.

[@damxgopak457]

Your 70 is absolutely gorgeous. Took me 40 years to finally get mine I love it.

[@mwyatt222]

l had a 69' AMX. Loved that car. lt would cruise 100 mph all day in the TX sun and run cool while doing it.

[@rickmarin1265]

I have a 70 390 amx 30 k and a 70 Mark Donahue Javilin 390 car ..24 k lol

[@johnwayne3904]

I'm an American Motors man at heart, so I'm excited to see y'all showcasing a clean '70! My first car was a '69 AMX that exact same green color except mine didn't have the black shadow mask. Drove it all through high school in the early 2000s and I kick myself daily for getting rid of it!!!

[@jamesmisener3006]

I had my opportunity twice in life to have a 2 seat AMX. First a 69 in 75 4sp low miles and I couldn't afford it at $2700. The second chance was in 97 another 390 2 seat auto in excellent condition engine body low miles all of it but needed a back seat to sell it to the better half. That one was $25,000 then. Always till lately underrated by the masses but always appreciated by the hard core fans/owners. Cheers 🇨🇦

[@buddythecat4675]

Great review. I had no real idea of how great the AMX was, always loved it though and thought that it was just another muscle/ sports car of the era. In analyzing why it never got the accolades, it most likely was because of the AMX brand, which to many, was seen as a cut rate brand. AMC really did much more with so much less than the Big 3 automakers, and I admire all of their ideas.

[@8avexp]

I'm a longtime AMC enthusiast - we owned several - and had always dreamed of owning an AMX. Well, that dream came true in 2019 when I took delivery of a Beale Street Blue, '69 AMX 390, 4-speed go-pack.

[@GeorgePrice-l7x]

Without pics I don't believe you.. lol Post them up

[@billolsen4360]

Always admired AMC for having the moxie to produce the short wheelbase AMX. Very sexy.

[@Rieju-Sherco]

Thank You!! BEST looking 1970 Muscle Car!! Love Them!

[@chrisloukes424]

Great stuff! Here in England, we really do not know that much about AMC and its achievements. Thanks for this insight. And a great looking car.

[@krazyhorse448]

Great car. My brother had one with Poly tires and on wet roads you better keep both hands on the wheel!

[@andybroer651]

I'm old enough to remember when these were being built, so I didn't need the education, but appreciate it for the many who have never heard of the AMX or AMC for that matter. I grew up in a GM town, but there was one brave soul who bought one of these in the late 70s and early 80s. I always liked this as well as the Javelin and the AMC Eagle too. Thanks for the video!

[@stevekehr6768]

Having been an AMC fan since 1976 and having owned several including a 1969 390 Javelin, where did you acquire such a beautiful example of a 1970 AMX! They are incredibly hard to find in this condition. It’s not a Camaro or Mustang.

[@johndavey72]

And one of the most underrated muscle cars of the 1960's gets the recognition it deserves . Thanks Donald .

[@thelorax7704]

We had the 68 AMX with the 390. My uncle bought it new, and then we owned it. That is one we should have never sold. Really nice car. Good memories driving that car. Nice to see someone who knows cars like Donald Osborne appreciate the AMX.

[@moparedtn]

This has always been a wonderful, yet under-appreciated, YT channel. Donald does a great job and I love how the Audrain powers that be share with all their collections so freely - and they DRIVE the damn things! - Ed on the Ridge

[@stantonroyce9377]

AMC AMX 390, 10,000 made, serial number 3853. Red with dual white racing stripes. I bought a 2-year-old low mileage when I was 18. Within 4 months insurance companies decided you had to pay high risk insurance if you're under a certain age I don't remember maybe 21 or 24 I think. So I stuck a 360 in it. Swapped out the two barrel manifold with the one from the 390 engine by drilling some different holes in the four barrel manifold. Still ran great. Handled magnificently. Not nostalgic for old technology but I wish I had that car now with a 390 engine. Most recent high performance thing I own was a 2004 Harley-Davidson V-Rod which supposedly could have done the quarter mile at 2.73 seconds as I had it set up for racing but I never got it below 3.01 seconds. That was fun but I'd rather have the AMX back.

[@MartinScreeton]

Great car and great design... I always liked the AMX!

[@GeorgePrice-l7x]

Just a heads up but you can't get a 69 camaro RS/SS with a 302.. that is the Z28 options only offering.. The SS came with a base 350 with 300hp or you could option 3 different flavors of the 396 BBC in 325, 350 and the L78 375hp..

[@crbourret]

My best friend in High School had it's close cousin, the Javelin, a lot of fun memories made in that car!

[@rickmarin1265]

but my baby is hemi bird with a 4 speed ..16 k never been wet bought it in 72 :) :)

[@AudrainMuseumNetwork]

We like those too! kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y2aWZmOFmLSXkLM

[@UberLummox]

What's that got to do with the AMX, mang?

[@gordocarbo]

Put some miles on it what are you waiting for?

[@gordocarbo]

@@UberLummox Agree...bragging it basically isnt driven Ill never understand.

[@kobra6660]

This will get so much more attention than a comaro corvette or mustang

[@davidkatelansky5694]

When AMC came out with the AMX Javelin, I thought, "What's wrong with these people?". The AMX was their 2 seater, and the Javelin, was their 4 seater. Combining the two models meant AMC was leaving the sports car market.

[@MichaelSSmith-hs5pw]

In 1970, I bought a brand new Lime Green, with a black half vinyl top, AMC Javelin 390. I took the 390 stickers off the side of the car & replaced them with 304 stickers. I never lost a race until the guys I beat looked under the hood & saw the 390 sticker on the air cleaner. LOL, I had to give back the racing money I won. After a while, I didn’t lift the hood after a race anymore. lol good memories of that fantastic car, I left mustangs in the dust!

[@AudrainMuseumNetwork]

Bending the rules in classic Mark Donohue fashion!

[@MichaelSSmith-hs5pw]

@@AudrainMuseumNetwork 🤣👍👌🇺🇸

[@tommypuckett49]

I now own a 1970 Amx same color , but with the GoPack. 390, 4 speed, limited slip and ram air. I've had for 12 years. I have always loved AMC. First car was a 1968 Javelin, 290 4 speed.

[@JamesAllmond]

Great car. Now about not driving stuff. Not sexy stuff, but 2010 Dodge Truck 98K, 2011 Ural (yes Ural) 80K miles, 1988 Harley 232K miles (140K with sidecar) and so on...drive and ride your stuff folks, otherwise they are just yard art...

[@melvinburwell8202]

I wanted one of these cars so bad I could taste it. As a youth. A friend of mind had a sister that had a 70 Javelin. And a friend of mine in High School had a 73 Javelin 401. I had a 71 Malibu/Chevelle. No comp. This car was a dream. Poster. Never seen one in person to this day. Thanks Mr. Osborne.❤😃😆😁😘🔥🔥♥🏁😎

[@rickfunk1355]

When I was in high school (1970-71), I was the lot boy for the Ramble/AMC dealer in town (Sarasota, Fl). I had the chance to drive the exact car that he was driving in the video and it's my favorite color of the AMX. My mom worked there and got me the job. Needless to say, all the cars that I had in high school and college were AMC. I had several Rambler Americans, 2 Classics 660, and a Ambassador with the 343 engine. My parents both had Javelins, my dad had the 6 cylinder 232 will my mom had a Javelin SST with the 360. Ramble/AMC were great cars and easy to work on. I laughed when I saw the vacuum gauge, since the windshield wipers were vacuum driven, every time you gave the car gas, the windshield wipers would stop working until you let up on the gas, which was too good in the hard down-pours we would get here in Florida.

[@JGanvil]

Thank you Donald and the Audrain Museum for a wonderful video showing how GREAT the 70 AMX is. I own one of the last 70 AMXs built, (third week in June) and it's fully restored. kzbin.info/www/bejne/sHXdmmirhbuJqc0 This car belonged to John Heimerl of Suffolk Virginia. John Heimerl was very helpful to me when I was restoring my AMX. Once again really great video.

[@axelbrode4673]

That exact car was my first car 1970 Amx in Lime Gold Metallic with flat black hood with scoop 390/325 HP and a positraction rear end and a Carter 4 barrel carburator. Drove it everyday for probably 9 years until the rear end went out and I sold it to someone that had wanted it for a long time. Car was made for only 3 years and limited to under 20,000 units (1968 thru 1970). Serial numbers located on Glove box door.

[@babaoreally8220]

My highschool friend blew the engine in his 67GTO in ‘69.That car,nearly stock ran 13.5’[e-mail] replaced it with a new AMX,but he told me it was a 401.It was the red,white,and blue one.That car was only 2tenths quicker than his Goat.We spent a lot of time in those days at the long since closed US 30 Dragstrip in Gary.My RA/IV,right out of the crate ran 12.2’s @ 116.Those AMX’s were extremely rare in any form,and mid13’s is pretty quick,and it’s the only one I’ve ever seen or rode in,but not at the top in power level.Beautiful car,but not one of the street monsters of that era.

[@gregkistner1955]

A nice ride indeed! Don't see them hardly at all on road here in Ohio

[@PhilMag]

Donald I have a 68 AMX 343 4speed car and I have had a 66 Shelby SFMMS2319 and also I have had a68 Shelby 350 my AMX handles as good as my 66 and much better then my 68 also I have 1970 TA dodge 343 challenger and my AMX is a better handling car keep up the good job maybe you can do video on a Hurst SS AMX how they petty much dominated the drag racing in the late 60s thanks.

[@donaldsink8115]

It's ashame they didn't use the same 390 engine that was used in the Rebal Machine. My 1970 Machine I bought new came from the factory with a 390 ci. /340 hp. They only offered it in that car which weighted over 300lbs. more. That 25 more HP in that much less weight could have made a huge difference on the street.

[@jameshitt8385]

Love AMC , 390 ,401 forged crank and connecting rods from factory.

[@GeorgePrice-l7x]

And the one you're driving is a 1970 model.. however the amx did debut in 68. But the first time it ever offered a hood scoop was 1970. Beautiful cars.. I love all 3 of them but would have to say my favorite is the 70..

[@grazhopprr]

I drove them, in the 70s. You had to have been there, to feel it. I've always loved the short AMX. The Javelin version just didn't look right, or feel the same. The Javelin was like driving the long Chargers. Lots of power, but felt like an empty tin box. You just had to have been there.

[@roguebossa]

We used to go in the back 40 and race. A blonde girl with coke bottle glasses would show up in her AMX and take everybody’s money. True story

[@audieconrad8995]

What I find great about this video is not just the review of a terrific car but the fact they are on a proper back road with NO power poles. Exactly the path that these cars were engineered for. Speed AND handling. Something in the throughs of 50 years ago was few and far between. Additionally, thank you for your knowledge of the car AND the brand. The 1st-gen Javelin and AMX were fantastic cars. What AMC did in the muscle arena in the short time they did it, is amazing.

[@scarletmacaw]

I’ll take a 1971 ‘Cuda with a 440 please…Mopar or No car!

[@gordocarbo]

The safety police wound up here, go from video to video spreading their negative crap. Get a life!

[@ronmccluskey2140]

that car wasn't even broken in until 30,000 miles lol

[@danbaumann8273]

Those guys are just grinnin'. I'd be doing the same. 😁

[@ronhoffman7941]

I want one or two or three !!!!!

[@ikkenhisatsu7170]

30 years ago, my neighbor had one. Awesome cars.

[@hoodagooboy5981]

In 1985 I had the chance to buy an AMX 390, they wanted $3,500. I didn't have $3500, I was a broke kid in collage, but boy did I want it.

[@d33b33]

There was a PC game called Interstate '76, which featured AMC cars. That game was the beginning and the end of my AMC knowledge, until this video.

[@angeloah]

As a child I saw my first amc via an eagle 4x4, then I saw it, a bbb with painted bumpers and all. Next to the 71 cuda and 69 dart swinger one of the best looking small body muscle cars.

[@ronschwolsky1626]

I've always preferred the Javelin. Was surprised that Donald didn't mention the GTO, when mentioning muscle cars.

[@jackdankdoodle6150]

My dad has a 1968 AMX. It’s the first car that I fell in love with. Everything about them is just so perfect

[@jeepman1467]

I was in high school when the 70 AMX came out. I love the way it looked, especially that hood scoop. After college I was a pilot in the Marines and when I graduated from flight school and received my wings in 1979 I bought a 70 AMX as a graduation present to myself. I still have the car, I will probably end up getting buried in it.

[@AudrainMuseumNetwork]

That's awesome! We love planes and helicopters too - What did you fly?

[@jeepman1467]

Mostly F-4 Phantoms

[@cdub015]

that car is beautiful...

[@markbergthold6181]

One of my favs. A friend owned one.

[@jamesonpace726]

Cuz we iz all just silly monkeys, gotta be different like everybody else....

[@danr1920]

AMC made some great cars and with budgets that were tiny. GM spent more on toilet paper than AMC did on R+D yet this was better than a Camaro.

[@joelpierce3940]

Did you forget the Camaro?

[@AudrainMuseumNetwork]

Of course not, we love Camaros and have several in the collection! What exactly do you mean?

[@joelpierce3940]

@@AudrainMuseumNetwork it’s only because you compared the AMC to the Mustang and Challenger/Cuda.

[@williamsauve6058]

thank you Gentlemen . This was a great trip. Love from Canada

[@frozencarguy6274]

I had one to restore but ended up selling it because I was losing my storage. I still have never driven one yet.

[@edsteward7717]

One of my favorite cars. I'd be happy in a regular Javelin too!

[@Jjf-ep3mf]

Difficult cars to restore not many parts available but are starting to make them now

[@donaldwiller9238]

Great video

[@stockamx]

The AMX handles great! Stopping not bad either!

[@michaelgeorges2633]

I bought the first 1968 AMX in New England while it was still on the truck, 390/4 sp.. Drove it hard and fell in love. When the 1970 came out, I fell in love again, 390/4 sp.. My father and sister followed suit, both 70's/4 sp. My father went overboard and raced his at tracks and in hillclimbs, with some success. When I bought my first house the car had to go, but I vowed I wasn't done. Over the next few years, I bought two 1970's. The AMX will forever be my favorite car.

[@AudrainMuseumNetwork]

You are a true AMX fan! If you still live in New England, we'd love for you to come out to one of our Cars & Coffee events - these cars deserve the attention! Here is the 2023 schedule: www.audrainautomuseum.org/cars-and-coffee-2023

[@beyond_the_infinite2098]

I owned a 70 AMX 360 4-speed Go package. With 3.73 posi, if you short shifted that torque motor it was quick but ran out of revs at 5500. It handled well for skinny tires. I had tremendous fun with my AMX and it drew a lot of attention and respect from fellow muscle car guys.

[@ivanrousseau5066]

Amc factory never produced a high tunned 390/401 most had mild cam timing, hi-po cams made 100 more horse easily. And extended shift points from 5500 to 6500 ,but it still had the low end. Still One of the fastest standard engines ever made.

[@lizcook6556]

Wear seatbelts! This is a bad example to all!

[@AudrainMuseumNetwork]

Hi Liz! We couldn't agree more, Ben is wearing his lap belt. Thanks for watching our videos

[@scarletmacaw]

They didn’t even make shoulder harnesses back in the 1960s. Lap belts only.

[@killermachine6859]

@@scarletmacaw But this is a '70, the shoulder belt is separate and dangling right behind Ben's head. I noticed that the passenger side lap belt might not be the original because the buckle looks odd. It might not be compatible with the separate shoulder harness? The driver side looks correct though , once you snug that shoulder strap down, that's where you stay. With No auto-adjuster, you aren't reaching the radio knobs unless you have long arms.

[@gordocarbo]

The safety police are here oh boy.

[@MclaughlinTV]

I absolutely love AMC and especially The AMX. Great video

[@AudrainMuseumNetwork]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@E.T.GARAGE]

Odometer Lust, that is a new one to me 🤔

[@danf321]

I’ve always like the “underdog” cars. The AMX was good but the Javelin looked WAY better (IMHO).

[@AudrainMuseumNetwork]

We love a good underdog as well!

[@danf321]

@@AudrainMuseumNetwork When I inherited my late father-in-law’s 944 2 years ago, I knew nothing about the car or Porsches. After diving into the history of the 944, I have come to love it based on the fact that it too is an underdog car, and is barely recognized as a Porsche. Based on the many “Thumbs Up” I get, it makes me very happy.

[@shawnbradford2243]

Definitely need a professional sound guy, a show of this quality should have one

[@AudrainMuseumNetwork]

Old cars often cause interference. Even with two mics each, Ben's audio was lost to the sounds of static. Luckily, it seems we were able to fix it enough that viewers can hear him just fine!

[@williamhill7312]

Excellent video

[@Jim-fp3kt]

AMX+bow tie I love it!

[@Cstoreri]

Thanks Men!

[@rickmarin1265]

got my wife a 13 camaro ss/rs it's 526 at the rear wheels, 498 t .. 109 k ... great toy and still like according to hagerty is excellent condition great fun ...( from MA )

[@AudrainMuseumNetwork]

I think a trip to Newport for one of our Cars & Coffee events is in order!

[@rickmarin1265]

@@AudrainMuseumNetwork we go there alot , waiting ti meet You and Jay , seems always miss by a day ... bit the guy in the parking lot with his pet seagulls is the best , he watches my wifes car while we go in , such a great guy :) :) :)

[@AudrainMuseumNetwork]

@@rickmarin1265 Try again, you never know when Jay might stop by! Here is the Cars & Coffee schedule for the year: www.audrainautomuseum.org/cars-and-coffee-2023

[@richardhalliday6469]

Not wearing a seatbelt doesn't really send out the right message for a car enthusiast.

[@danielfrancis4258]

He is not wearing the shoulder belt but he is wearing the lap belt... 😉

[@bradparris99]

​@@danielfrancis4258He really needs to wear the shoulder belt. Lap belts alone only provide protection for the lower body and the upper body takes the brunt.