3 Coolest AMC Cars
Jane Lu
· 4 min read
While American Motors Corporation (AMC) might not be top of mind for most people, it produced some great vehicles in the late '50s through the '80s.
In 1954, Hudson Motor Car Company and the Nash-Kelvinator Corporation merged to form AMC, which became the fourth largest car company, competing with
GM
, Chrysler, and Ford until Chrysler acquired it in 1987.Although the company's flagship, the Rambler, was phased out after 1981, AMC continued to build iconic models like the Matador, Gremlin, Pacer, Eagle, Concord, and Concord Messenger.
The automaker scored big with the 1985 Pacer. With deliberate retro styling, it appealed to baby boomers and Gen-Xers. These cars have a "cool factor" and are easy to identify: they're big, bold, and American. AMC's cars, especially from the 1980s, are classics in their own right.
1965 AMC Rambler Marlin
Many car enthusiasts consider the Marlin to be one of the most important vehicles ever made by AMC, and while that's a bold statement, it's hard to argue otherwise. AMC developed the Rambler Marlin to compete with the Mustang, Pontiac, and Camaro in the muscle car market.
The Rambler Marlin featured a fire-breathing 5.4-liter V-8 engine that produced 270 horsepower. Its exterior was explicitly crafted to please the eyes and performed exceptionally well. According to
Hemmings
, its first production year in 1965 was the biggest with 10,327 units manufactured. By the end of its production in 1967, AMC had produced 17,392 Rambler Marlin units.
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1969 AMC AMX
MORE: These Discontinued Cars Need to Be Resurrected
With Ford and Chevrolet already saturating the domestic muscle car market, featuring their Corvette L88 and Shelby GT500, AMC had to design a more powerful car to remain relevant and appeal to the American population. AMC introduced the 1969 AMX to take on these iconic models.
The AMX was versatile and cool and fits perfectly as both a sports and muscle car. It was based on the Javelin, but it had two seats and featured a shorter wheelbase. It was powered by a 6.4-liter V-8 engine cranking out between 315 and 340 horsepower.
It achieved 0-60 mph in 6.6 seconds and a top speed of 122 mph. The AMX was more than $1,000 cheaper than the Corvette, but it didn't quite appeal to the public, making it perform miserably in the car market.
Unfortunately, its production was discontinued after three years. Due to its lighter weight and smaller size,
classic car
enthusiasts and collectors should consider buying it before its value hits the roof. 1974 AMC Javelin AMX
MORE: The Classic 1970 AMC AMX Muscle Car
The AMC Javelin was introduced in 1971 after the AMX failed. It was a sensation in the car market and quickly became a hit. It was designed to offer customers the style and sportiness they expected from a muscle car, but with good fuel efficiency.
The Javelin featured a wider body and weighed more than the AMX. This gave the AMC Javelin a distinctively muscular stance. It offered a 6.6-liter V-8 engine that produced 235 horsepower.
It also featured a unique front grille and hood scoop, as well as a gigantic "AMX" decal on the rear decklid.
Find affordable insurance for your AMC muscle car
AMC muscle cars are one of the most collectible vintage cars on the market, but their popularity has been dwindling over the years. With these models going under the radar for decades, few people see the brand’s value and historical significance.
But, with their rarity, they might start to become sought-after classic cars. If you decide to get a classic car, make sure you have appropriate car insurance to protect it against damage.
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