AMX

American Motors produced a variety of AMX models from 1968 to 1981, but the most noteworthy are the 1968-’70 two-seaters. As the only mainstream Corvette challenger in the 1960s, the AMX is not just a beautiful automobile, it’s historically significant.

AMX was designed to be a “halo car,” to cast an aura of goodness over AMC’s entire lineup. It would also serve as a rallying point for the discouraged corporate troops, a shining banner to gather around. AMX helped restore the public’s faith in the company and American Motors’ confidence in itself. Conceived at a time when AMC was facing bankruptcy, the AMX was nearly its last bullet.

The company’s troubles began after CEO George Romney left to pursue a career in politics. Successor Roy Abernethy decided to compete head-on with the Big Three, spending huge amounts of money to create an entirely new lineup of cars. He misread the youth market, introducing the midsize Marlin to compete with Ford’s compact Mustang, and initially refused to offer a V-8 in