Originally Posted by Mike-in-Orange
The problem, for lack of a better way to put it, with even near perfect examples of the AMX is that there aren't enough people who love them for them to be as valuable as you might think. It all comes down to market demand with collector cars - then add in provenance such as race history, etc plus accuracy of restoration, or level or originality - to see prices really go up.
If you got your hands on an original car that raced in the Trans-Am series you've got some serious cash, but probably still not as much as a TA Challenger, or a Boss 302 Mustang or a Camaro that raced in the same series. More people just happen to like those cars - that's not a bash against the AMX, it's simply a fact. Neither right nor wrong, just is. But the upside to that is that you can pick up a truly top line American Muscle car for relative peanuts compared to things like Olds 442s, Yenko Camaros, Hemi 'Cudas, etc. Certainly the lovers of the AMX don't love it any less than lovers of other muscle cars (or antiques, Euro sports cars, etc) do, there simply aren't as many of them. Supply and demand, really.
And after all that, $15k sounds a bit cheap for even just a "really nice" example.
Well put Mike.
The car that Smfrycruzr saw sounds like it was probably a 71/74 "Javelin" AMX, (going by his description of it having a black top). 68-69 & 70 "2 seater" AMXs were never offered in a two tone paint treatment or vinyl top (except for the Shadow Mask hood). But Javelins did come with an optional vinyl roof.
As for Trans Am Racing, The 71 Javelin AMX won the series that year, but never got much notariety because the era of "factory backed" Camaros and Mustangs ended in 1970. Actually the TA Javelins were the only real competition the Z-28's, and Boss 302's ever had, and for 1970, the Mark Donahue Javelin missed out winning the series during the last race of the season by just one point to Jones's Boss 302. Still, Mark D's sell for a fraction of the Cuda and Challenger TA cars, even though they never were much competion at all.
It's true AMC's never got much "lovin" during the muscle car ERA, and as Mike pointed out, resale prices have always been much lower compared to other "Muscle cars" of the same time period. Being an "Underdog" does have its disadvantages, but it also made every performance "victory" just that much sweeter.
Late 60's and early 70's AMC's were some of the best performance secrets of the time (like the Crossfire). But simply because most every automotive enthusiasts back then never took the time to do their homework because to them, they were just Ramblers.
My only regret for purchasing my AMX new in 1970 is purely financial. If I had been a Ford guy back then, there would be a $100k 67 or 68 Shelby Mustang sitting in my garage right now. If I had been a GM guy, there would be a $100k big block 67 Vette Coupe in my garage. And even though I WAS a Mopar guy back then, instead of buying a 68 Charger RT, or a 70 Challenger RT, I chose the AMX because I always was a two seater guy. Needless to say, don't ask me for financial advice.
Going by what I've seen, $15k should buy you an excellent example of a 71/74 Javelin AMX. Even very nice 2 seater X's are only bringing around $20k at BJ's auctions.
But in the past, they have gone for twice that much. Maybe it's the sign of times as well.