industry firsts[edit]
The AMX was not only sporty and attractive, but it introduced many industry firsts.[20]

The American Society of Automotive Engineers named the AMX as the "Best Engineered Car of the Year" in 1969 and 1970.[21]

For 1968, its first year recognition, the reasons cited included the car’s dashboard, which was injection-molded in one piece "for safety purposes, an industry first."[20] The AMX's new 390 engine was developed to have a large displacement within its minimal external dimensions and moderate weight, while the use of common components and machining with AMC's 290 and 343 engines assured manufacturing economy.[22] The 1968 models also included an innovative fiberglass safety padding, a "plastic" on the inside of the windshield posts that was first used on the AMC Javelins.

For the following year's award, the citation included the 1970 AMXs (and Javelins) being the first production cars to use windshields that were safer, thinner, and lighter than ordinary laminated glass.[23] Developed by Corning, the glass featured a chemically hardened layer designed to give under impact and crumble into small granules to reduce injuries.[24] The inner layer has "stress raisers that will cause it to break before excessively high concussion forces can be developed in the occupant's skull."[25]

American Motors also incorporated new designs for windshield sealing for the 1970 models, and developed a systems solutions process that began in the styling studio to insure maximum efficiency.[26]

Well Padgett, it looks like "The American Society of Automotive Engineers" didn't share your lack of enthusiiasm for the AMX's dash board.
If rust is more positional than by design, why is it some cars rust out in one location, and another make may never rust in the same location? (Even in Florida).
If memory servers, didn't the Rebel Machine use the very same AC Delco Tach that Pontiac used? I didn't know Pontiac had to resort to add-ons because they had trouble making a nice dash. I always liked the dash board in the 1969 GP.
I completely agree, the Rambler American "V8" was greatly underrated, and over looked. Where as the 6 cylinder model almost always won its class in the Mobil Economy Run, so at least it received some recognition.