# Are There Collectors for AMC Cars? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 23, 2006, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-collectors-for-amc-cars/357977 "2006-05-23T23:17:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2006, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-collectors-for-amc-cars/357977/21 "2006-05-24T17:34:33Z")
Yeah…there was supposed to be a [link…](http://www.javlynnsue.net/gremster/index.asp) Tell me that’s not an eye-popping ride! ---
**Author:** ![ralph124c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2006, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-collectors-for-amc-cars/357977/22 "2006-05-24T17:40:40Z")
AMC was always a loser of a company. it was too small and too under-capitalized to put out competitive products. their large sedan (Matador0 wasn’t too bad a car, but when the new federal laws (emissions, crash resistance, safety systems) went in (by the early 1970’s) their goose was cooked. They had a choice-be acquired or die-so they sold out to renault (France). that was a marriage made in hell, because the adapted Renault cars were the worst of both worlds-frence poorly designed, and sloppily assembled by a demoralized workforce. Eventually, Chrysler bought out the (profitable) JEEP division, and dumped the rest of the firm. Again, collected and restoring an AMC is NOT like restoring a 1964 Mustang- such a restoration would rarely (if ever) pay off. ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2006, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-collectors-for-amc-cars/357977/23 "2006-05-24T18:38:58Z")
[QUOTE=ralph124c] Again, collected and restoring an AMC is NOT like restoring a 1964 Mustang- such a restoration would rarely (if ever) pay off. [/QUOTE] Not necessarily. For years, car collectors turned their noses up at 4 door sedans and stationwagons, now, they’re one of the fastest growing areas of collectable cars. Why? Well, for one thing, they were quite frequently stripped for parts or destroyed, so they’re getting scarce, for another, because there _hasn’t_ been much of a demand for them (until relatively recently), they’re cheaper than the two doors, so someone who wants a classic car, but doesn’t have a lot of money can pick up a classic stationwagon for less money than they can a two door. Muscle cars are currently escalating in price to absurd levels (some crossing the half million dollar mark) and many of the car mags are now saying that if you want a muscle car, to look at AMC, since their prices are much lower than those for Ford, GM, or Mopar models. ---
**Author:** ![Uncommon\_Sense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Uncommon\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uncommon_Sense)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2006, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-collectors-for-amc-cars/357977/24 "2006-05-24T20:30:40Z")
Fun with [blown motors.](http://bryon-miscellaneous.blogspot.com/) Blown as in wrecked. In one of the pictures you can see the front left corner of the AMX, I’ve got some better pics at home. ---
**Author:** ![Enola\_Straight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dec6dc/32.png) [@Enola\_Straight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Straight)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2006, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-collectors-for-amc-cars/357977/25 "2006-05-25T01:53:35Z")
Some Jeep guys collect AMC motor parts for performance. The High Output 4.0 liter Jeep straight six is derived from the old AMC 4.2 liter six, and with some creative mix’n’match, you can end up with a high-compression 4.5 liter engine. ---
**Author:** ![cerberus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/71e660/32.png) [@cerberus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cerberus)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2006, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-collectors-for-amc-cars/357977/26 "2006-05-25T05:15:02Z")
When I think of AMC, I think of the [Pacer](http://www.american-motors.de/en/pacer/history/). Apparently, they (whoever they are) have [Farms and Clubs](http://www.pacerfarm.org/pacers.htm). ---
**Author:** ![LonesomePolecat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a88e57/32.png) [@LonesomePolecat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LonesomePolecat)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2006, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-collectors-for-amc-cars/357977/27 "2006-05-25T19:05:21Z")
[QUOTE=Enola Straight] How about an ultra-rare AMX-3? [http://www.amxfiles.com/amcpix/amx3.jpg](http://www.amxfiles.com/amcpix/amx3.jpg) [/QUOTE] That’s an AMX? I remember them as being basically a stubbier version of the Javelin. ---
**Author:** ![Rocketeer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocketeer/32/4437_2.png) [@Rocketeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rocketeer)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2006, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-collectors-for-amc-cars/357977/28 "2006-05-25T19:59:05Z")
[QUOTE=LonesomePolecat] That’s an AMX? I remember them as being basically a stubbier version of the Javelin. [/QUOTE] The production ones were shortened Javelins. The AMX-3 was a show car. But they built a couple of them. ---
**Author:** ![Enola\_Straight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dec6dc/32.png) [@Enola\_Straight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Straight)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2006, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-collectors-for-amc-cars/357977/29 "2006-05-25T22:03:39Z")
[QUOTE=handsomeharry] Don’t any of you squares remember the Marlin? IIRC, tho I was too young to drive, they were pretty kickin’ cars. At least looks-wise. hh [/QUOTE] The Marlin. [http://www.matadorcoupe.com/AMC/Marlin.jpg](http://www.matadorcoupe.com/AMC/Marlin.jpg) More pics ans info on the AMX-3 [http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/frame.php?file=car.php&carnum=2377](http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/frame.php?file=car.php&carnum=2377) Looks like it could’ve given the Pantera a run for its money. ---
**Author:** ![Tastes\_of\_Chocolate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tastes_of_chocolate/32/3232_2.png) [@Tastes\_of\_Chocolate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tastes_of_Chocolate)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2006, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-collectors-for-amc-cars/357977/30 "2006-05-25T22:18:23Z")
I used to drive a bright red AMX. I loved that car. This was the late 80s, so it was almost 20 years old. I’d pull up to a stoplight, at college, and someone in their shiny new car would look at me and want to race. Hee!! Like they had a chance against that thing. Little bitty car, a 434 cu in. V8 engine. VROOM!!! (Ok, I want my car back!) ---
**Author:** ![ralph124c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2006, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-collectors-for-amc-cars/357977/31 "2006-05-25T22:56:44Z")
Another bit of AMC trivia-in their final years, AMC sold a LOT of cars to the US government-whether they wre the low bidders or the government simply wanted to keep them alive, I can’t say. But there were a lot of generals and admirals being driven around in AMC Matador sedans. ---
**Author:** ![postcards](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8e8cbc/32.png) [@postcards](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/postcards)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2006, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-collectors-for-amc-cars/357977/32 "2006-05-25T23:37:38Z")
Remember: “Follow That Matador!” “What’s a Matador?” Anyone? ---
**Author:** ![yabob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yabob/32/2821_2.png) [@yabob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yabob)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2006, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-collectors-for-amc-cars/357977/33 "2006-05-26T00:12:44Z")
When Click and Clack of “Car Talk” did their “worst cars of the millenium” list, it included the Gremlin, which I think was a disservice: [http://www.cartalk.com/content/features/Worst-Cars/results2.html](http://www.cartalk.com/content/features/Worst-Cars/results2.html) The rest of that list probably deserved it, but I LIKED the Gremlin, though I’ll admit I never owned one. It was actually among the first of the “econo hatch backs”, which were practical and inexpensive, whatever else you might say about them. Many cars that looked a lot like Gremlins were made by the other companies following the introduction of the Gremlin. > [@](#): > > “It was entirely possible to read a Russian novel during the pause between stepping on the gas and feeling any semblance of forward motion.” I’ll bet that guy had one of the later 4 cylinder models. The original Grem had a six, and was quite lively for a little subcompact. The Gremlin X carried a 304 V8, which was way overpowered for the poor little thing, and it would smoke rear tires without half trying. “The car that wears the pants” (the “Levis” upholstery package with blue denim, orange stitching, copper rivets and a red “Levis” tag). “Hey, toots, where’s the rest of your car?” AMC had some flair. ---
**Author:** ![LiveOnAPlane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3d9bf3/32.png) [@LiveOnAPlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LiveOnAPlane)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2006, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-collectors-for-amc-cars/357977/34 "2006-05-26T00:21:47Z")
[QUOTE=Tastes of Chocolate] I…! Like they had a chance against that thing. Little bitty car, a 434 cu in. V8 engine. VROOM!!! (Ok, I want my car back!) [/QUOTE] No how, no way. The original 2-seater AMX had at best a 390 ci engine. The later Javelin/AMXes (had a back seat/4-seaters, just a Javelin with more trim/options)had a 401. Unless your bored and stroked the engine. In which case, you should have stated that. However, I do second your VROOM sentiment. These were pretty healthy cars and were nothing to sneeze at in the stoplight Grand Prix. Remember the SCRambler? ---
**Author:** ![Uncommon\_Sense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Uncommon\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uncommon_Sense)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2006, 10:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-collectors-for-amc-cars/357977/35 "2006-05-26T10:21:22Z")
[QUOTE=Tastes of Chocolate] I used to drive a bright red AMX. I loved that car. This was the late 80s, so it was almost 20 years old. I’d pull up to a stoplight, at college, and someone in their shiny new car would look at me and want to race. Hee!! Like they had a chance against that thing. Little bitty car, a 434 cu in. V8 engine. VROOM!!! (Ok, I want my car back!) [/QUOTE] You prolly meant a 343, here [she is.](http://bryon-miscellaneous.blogspot.com/) ---
**Author:** ![Tastes\_of\_Chocolate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tastes_of_chocolate/32/3232_2.png) [@Tastes\_of\_Chocolate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tastes_of_Chocolate)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2006, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-collectors-for-amc-cars/357977/36 "2006-05-26T16:10:32Z")
[QUOTE=Uncommon Sense] You prolly meant a 343, here [she is.](http://bryon-miscellaneous.blogspot.com/) [/QUOTE] You could be right. It’s been a long time, and I’m not a big motorhead. Add a pair of nice white strips, up and over the top, and that’s the one. ---
**Author:** ![danceswithcats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9e8a1a/32.png) [@danceswithcats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/danceswithcats)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2006, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-collectors-for-amc-cars/357977/37 "2006-05-26T19:05:59Z")
Remembering a former girlfriend who had a Gremlin, the tranny was acting up. A little looking and I realize _holy crap_ this is an A727 Torqueflite-the slushbox Chrysler puts in cars weighing twice as much! Once the bands were adjusted, the car ran and shifted just fine. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Kevbo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e47774/32.png) [@Kevbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kevbo)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2006, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-collectors-for-amc-cars/357977/38 "2006-05-26T21:15:09Z")
The [Nash Metropolitan](http://www.nashmet.com/) is widly collected and has a near cult following in some subcultures. I once got to paralell park one for a couple of punk girls who knew the car would fit in that spot, but had no clue how to accomplish the feat. ---
**Author:** ![Sternvogel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bc79bd/32.png) [@Sternvogel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sternvogel)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2006, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-collectors-for-amc-cars/357977/39 "2006-05-26T21:51:42Z")
There’s a 1960 Rambler American station wagon (pink, but otherwise similar to [this vehicle](http://www.stationwagon.com/gallery/pictures/1960_Rambler_American.jpg)) that I always see parked in the back lot whenever I go past a certain Payless supermarket in Lafayette. I’ve never seen the car on the road, so I don’t know how well it runs, but it looks well-maintained (good paint job, no noticeable rust). Cleveland television personality Neil Zurcher used (still uses?) a 1959 Nash Metropolitan for his [One-Tank Trip](http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z9281/default.aspx) segments on Channel 8 (CBS, then Fox) news programs, as well on special program-length installments of the popular feature. A “Met” was also the car used by Kevin Arnold of _The Wonder Years_ when he made deliveries for the Chinese restaurant at which he was employed. ---
**Author:** ![UntouchedTakeaway](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/d78d45/32.png) [@UntouchedTakeaway](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UntouchedTakeaway)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2006, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-collectors-for-amc-cars/357977/40 "2006-05-26T22:34:50Z")
[QUOTE=kunilou] Since I actually owned and drove a '72 Gremlin, I’m probably the wrong person to venture a guess on how many people might actually love AMC cars. [/QUOTE] 1973 Gremlin X here (I _think_ it was a 73). Show of hands: How many Gremlin owners experienced the driver’s side window continually coming off of its tracks - making rolling up the window in a rain storm a contortionist’s nightmare? VCNJ~ [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-collectors-for-amc-cars/357977.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-collectors-for-amc-cars/357977.md?page=3)