American
Motors
Press Release Photos
1947-1983
American Motors photos were usually black and white, even
into the 1988 final year when only 2306 last year Eagles that had been ordered
were shoved thru the line, as Mopar had discontinued those wonderful 4X4 models.
The reasoning behind the photos being black and white is they simply show up
better in media print like magazines and newspapers. On occasion though, AMC
would however release a color
photo. Few and far between though, but some of these are simply awesome
as whether they are black and white, or color, they all tell a magical story
behind AMC's marketing techniques thru the years! Most, if not all, of these are
shipped in a photo mailer from a local drugstore that gives them to me free. This
keeps costs down for you also! If you have any questions about any of the
photos, feel free to ask.
The photos are great to frame and hang in your
office, gameroom, garage, warehouse, dorm, or even display with your classic AMC
at car shows and cruise nights!
All the photos shown here are $9.00 each unless specified.
Each photo is $2.50 to ship for up to SIX photos!!! **I also buy AMC factory photos**.
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Please note all of these are quality reproductions printed on Kodak paper.
I bought out numerous AMC, Nash & Rambler dealerships thru the years
and their archives and photos, many of which YOU WILL NOT FIND ANYWHERES ELSE,
and made them affordable to fans of those cars! All come with a unconditional
100% money back guarantee.
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Nash
Picnic! What better way to enjoy a beautiful day than in your new Nash.
Junion is fixing to go fishing while dad is trying to get mom buzzed so he can
see just how well that famous Nash "BED" works inside the car, seen in
the background. This awesome photo is one of my best sellers, and not because
many of us were conceived in the back seat, or, bed, of a Nash. Note the gun
leaning up against the car, I believe they are in Louisiana, as them Cajuns are
known to shoot fish.
Nash Dealership meeting in 1947 . All the major Nash dealers were crowded into a room, given drums, and told to beat them on cue according to the widow of the owner of the dealership I would later buy out in the 90s, P. K. Williams on Congress street in Austin, Texas. She indicated that she never knew why they rounded up the dealers like this once a year, but spouses were invited, they just could not attend the meetings, not that they would want to be in there with all those drums and Cuban cigars. Not sure if that is a pitcher of ice water on the middle of the table or a pitcher of Stoli. P. K. Williams was one of the highest volume Nash dealers in Texas. He would morph into Rambler then AMC before closing. He is pictured directly below the "H" in the "Sell Nash" banner on the back wall. Ironically, AMC President William V. Luneberg would later say in 1971: "We want to be recognized as a company that marches to the beat of it's own drums;" when he was describing AMCs 'philosophy of difference'.
1947 Nash Disabled Veterans Giveaway Raffle car. Really nice photo of our nation's veterans selling raffle tickets to a brand new Nash automobile in the late 1940s. The sign reads "is this Nash yours?" the car was donated by longtime Nash dealership P. K. Williams of Congress street in Austin, Texas. God Bless our great nation's veterans.
1949 Nash Airflite, grand opening night, P. K. Williams dealership, Commerce Street, Austin, Texas. The dealership had been closed up with huge paper over the windows for weeks to build anticipation of the new Nash models!
1949
Nash Airflite Showroom! P. K. Williams had their dealership windows covered
for weeks in anticipation of their new Nash models, didn't want to give the
public a sneak peek. When the time was right they had a grand opening, of which
a number of the photos are shown here. This great looking night shot shows the
monster Nash on the showroom floor with a buzz of activity in the dealership!
1951 Nash Rambler
convertible Lois Lane from the Superman series in the early 1950s. Showroom
facing Commerce Street. P. K. Williams dealership,
Austin, TX, circa September 1949. Striking not only in the showroom scene but
also on Commerce street downtown Austin behind and outside the huge glass panes
with lots of old cars, the Travis Hotel, pubs and such showing life in Austin
over 1/2 a century ago!
Nash Healey new sports car, FIRST ONE IN TEXAS! Proclaims the huge banner with the new Nash roadster in the showroom. P. K. Williams dealerships, Austin, TX. September 1952. A flyboy bought this car, which was also used in a Parade at the Texas State Fair in Dallas!
Nash Healey New Owner! I have the original newspaper article from the Austin American Statesman dated Friday, Oct 3, 1952. (That does not go with the photo, sorry) here is what it states: SPEED TO BURN: This custom built 1952 Nash Healey car was delivered to Technical Sergeant S. R. Baty of Bergstrom Field by the P. K. Williams Nash Company. Sgt. Baty and Mrs Baty are seated in the car preparatory to driving away as Williams looks on. The car, capable of 144 miles per hour, will lead the parade in Dallas Saturday as the State Fair of Texas is opened. Senator Lyndon B. Johnson will be a passenger." The other yellowed newspaper article reads: "Thurs Sept. 18, 1952: FIRST SHOWING; Nash motors fast new Nash Healey sports car will be placed on display for the first time Thursday at P. K. Williams Nash Company, 200 Congress Avenue. The new car has a estimated speed of 125+ mile a hour and is powered by the new "Dual Jetfire" Ambassador engine. The car stands only 38 inches from road to hood top, weighs 2600 pounds, and has a wheel base of 102 inches, a overall length of 170 inches, and a width of 66 inches. The front grill follows the design of the familiar Nash "Airflite" chrome barred racing scoop".
Texas vs Norte Dame Nash! NBC Sports Director Bill Stern was a ardent Nash promoter, and was always a welcome guest of P. K Williams. I would later buy out P. K. Williams Austin, Texas dealership in the early 90s and ended up with lots of wonderful photos. Usually P. K. would lend Bill a Nash for major games, like the Texas-SMU game where Stern would park a Rambler on the field before 70,000 spectators according to the dated yellow newspaper article with another photo. But this photo according to the NASH NEWS states: "When Bill Stern, famous NBC Sports Reporter and Nash Owner, arrived in Austin, Texas, to describe the University of Texas-Notre Dame football game over a live nation wide hookup, he was welcomed by P. K. Williams, partner in P. K. Williams Nash Company Austin Dealer who placed a car at his disposal for the duration of his visit. Pictured with the courtesy car are (left to right) Bill Stern; P. K. Williams; and Glenn Brown, local sports announcer.
1953
Nash "Free Gas For a Year!!". This Awesome 8X10 photo shows the
new owners of a Nash in front of the dealership in 1953. P. K. Williams was a
Preston Tucker like figure, and I would have loved to meet him in his day. A
real showman and hog for press. From the Austin American Statesman newspaper
that accompanied the original photo, the yellowed paper has the original
newspaper clipping with this photo (the original 1953 newspaper article does not
come with photo) but here is what it says: Friday, July 3, 1953 The Austin
American Statesman, Austin, Texas: BONUS RIDING-Mr. and Mrs. Lon Alsup are shown
taking delivery of a new 1953 Nash which is accompanied with an order for a
year's supply of gasoline. This is a special offer made by P. K. Williams Nash
Company as part of the observance of the firm's ninth anniversary in Austin.
Left to right are Alsup, Mrs. Alsup, and P. K. Williams, owner of this
automobile firm.
P. K. Williams Nash
Dealership Texaco station, circa 1950, Commerce Street, Austin, TX. A
stunning night photo. My uncle Buster owned a Conoco Station in Corpus Christi,
TX in the 60s and this is how it looked at night as they also sold new cars. You
look at this photo and it simply takes you back into another time, where people
trusted each other; the tire racks are left out, Coke machines, even a garage
door open at a late hour. This is one of my favorite photos.
1956-59(?) Rambler
Fleet Vehicle P. K. Williams Nash & Rambler dealership, Commerce Street, Austin, TX. New
Rambler is a Southwestern Bell Fleet vehicle, inside showroom has a Ambassador
and Metropolitian! Free gas when you buy a Rambler here, this is a great front
angled view of the dealership with cars inside the showroom behind this fleet
vehicle clearly visible.
1957 Rebel, America's
FIRST MUSCLECAR; the fastest production car for 1957 (sans the fuelie Vette)
only 1500 of these gold and silver beauties made, very few exist. I have only
ever seen one of them, and that was at the 1998 AMC Nationals in Kenosha.
1964 Rambler
Ambassador in showroom, Barton Motors, Staunton, VA. I have another showroom
photo of same without the car. Barton Motors was owned and operated by my friend
Lynn Barton, a third generation Nash, Rambler & AMC family dealership!
1964
Rambler Typhoon. The car that the press release lives in infamy about how
'the only race we care about is the human race' then AMC would do a 360 and
crank out performance models like AMX, Javelin & SC/Rambler only a few years
after saying they frowned upon performance (read: muscle
cars!!) in the memo. A copy of the five page memo comes with photo!
1965
Classic in a American Motors Rambler car lot. This is how they appeared in
the mid 1960s. Note the "Rambler Select Used Cars" sign in the
background, flags blowing in the wind, streetlamp is a old style type. The
salesman leaning on the vehicle talking to the pretty red headed lady sitting in
the Rambler Classic two door wants to make a sale! In the background left to
right is a red 67 Rebel, a year unknown light blue Marlin, just over the rear
glass of the red Classic the lady is sitting in is a gold Rambler, possibly a
rogue or American, and immediately behind that is a light yellow early 60s
Rambler, about 8 cars in the photo at this Rambler Dealership! The photo is
7X10, not 8X10. What is unusual is it is COLOR, so all the neat cars, shadows,
salesmans hat, roof across the street, everything jumps out at you. For you AMC
and Rambler fans who were familiar with AMC car lots, this photo takes you back
into another time. I grew up at AMC & Rambler dealerships as my father,
Homer T. Stakes Sr. worked for AMC in Corpus Christi, for many years.
1966 AMX prototype.
You can see where the lines of the AMX, and Gremlin would come from in this
beautiful studio shot. This car still exists in Canada. You should have bought
it from the Talledega Auto Museum for $16,000.
1966 AMC AMX
(some call it the AMX One) prototype. A great side angled shot.
The "real" AMX 1 STILL EXISTS and is in a friend's private collection
in Canada, along with the real AMX II and several other one of a kind AMCs. That
in itself is quite a feat as many AMC prototypes were commonly destroyed by AMC
after auto shows. This photo is not a 8X10 but 5X10.
1967 Rebel SST
Convertible, 343V8. *RARE COLOR* photo of the new look intermediate
Rebel ragtop! Only 1686 were built! Good looking girl is probably still
good looking at 61 years old and has all her teeth.
1968 Javelin AMC's all new ponycar! The timeless Javelin! This photo shows AMC's new pride and joy. Note the mag styled hubcaps. The car was a 343V8 Typhoon, loaded. License plate reads '68 Javelin'. The caption on the bottom shows: FOR P.M. RELEASE, TUESDAY, AUGUST 22, 1967. "American Motors' new entry in the sporty car field is the sleek, low profiled Javelin hardtop, available in two versions, standard and the SST model shown. Exceptionally roomy inside with full, four passenger seating, the Javelin's classic appearance is enhanced by the fast angle windshield, narrow, dual pin stripes that follow the graceful body contours, and twin Venturi grille. American Motors Corporation, Detroit, Michigan, 48232."
1968 Javelin AMC's new ponycar: COLOR. Same as above but in color and no texas at bottom of photo with description.
1968
AMC AMX "commercial proof" being filmed for a commerccial many
years ago! The commercial was shown on many major television stations, but this
is a series of stills from that particular filming of it. A intersesting
conversation piece no doubt, coming or going, everyone would soon know about the
AMX!
1968 AMC AMX *RARE
COLOR* photo! The car is a base model AMX, note the 290 emblems and
factory stock hubcaps, and no stripes. Silver!
1968 Rebel SST
convertible 343V8. *RARE COLOR* photo of the LAST YEAR FOR ANY AMC
CONVERTIBLE Series, only 823 built. I own the documented heaviest optioned one
off the assembly line with a staggering 38 options. Base price was $2995, as
optioned mine was a whopping $4500, you could have bought a Hemi Mopar! Here is
a wonderful studio shot of the Rebel, good looking girl in bikini included. There
are about 100 1968 Rebel convertibles known to still exist.
1968 AMC AMX *RARE
COLOR* photo! This neat by the lake photo shows a car in Matador Red,
sporting the new 390V8, and tan interior. Note only year solid chrome Magnum
500s.
1968 AMC AMX Dick
Teague's custom BIG BAD! You can see this legendary designers personal
tastes on this monster as it sports a solid white (bumpers painted; this would
be used for the 69 Big Bad Colored cars!) paint job, fog lights in grill, 390
emblems on the fenders, gas tank filler cap on the 1/4 panel (like some
Chargers) front spoiler, and Trendsetter side exhausts. The AMC building behind
it has the quote in stone: : "I've thought of a better way--Kelvin"
1968 AMC AMX GT. One of a
kind *COLOR PHOTO* this awesome car was built for the New York Auto Show. It has
a AMX front clip, and a Gremlin rear end and custom red, white & blue paint.
Sadly it was destroyed after the auto show, and few photos of it exist! Well
known and respected AMC Vendor Edrie Marquez who is the author of "Amazing
AMC Muscle" is reported to be building another....
1968
AMC AMX Angela Dorian (Victoria Vetri) Playboy Playmate of the Year
receiving her keys to her new (and only one ever painted PINK from the factory,
the AMX dash serial had her size of AMX #362335 on the dash) the gentleman
giving her the keys is Vice President of Marketing R. W. MeNealy. I was so
impressed with this photo I went to ebay and bought the original Playboy book
she appeared in. She is a stunning woman. And I may add that she still owns the
AMX, which is now painted black, and is just as beautiful as when this photo was
shot in 1968. There is a national fan club for her also. November 67 is the
issue.
1968 AMC Javelins: 100 of them! 68 Javelin was kicking some serious ASS in 1968 Trans Am racing. Peter Revson, driver, George Follmer driver, Ron Kaplan Cheif Engineer, Jim Jeffords Team Manager for JAVELIN RACING TEAM, along with Carl Chakmakian former race car driver hisself made Javelin a force to contend with. The Javelins were using a 304V8 in 68, a modified version of the 290V8, and pulling over 400hp which could do a whopping 160mph in the straights to a slow 25mph in the turns! This particular photo is a copy of my original, it shows the Illinois Zone Office, which come raceday at the track, had gathered 100 Dealers....and Javelins....for the race! Rows upon rows of brand new spanking shiny Javelins drew crowds all day. You will never see 100 Javelins all together like this, even at any national meet.
1969
1/2 Hurst SC/Rambler FRAMED COLOR photo. Shown here unframed.
This is a interesting AMC Press Release photo in COLOR of a 1969 1/2 Hurst
Rambler SC/Rambler. The photo has a crease mark vertically on the left of the
photo. The frame is new, and is 8X10 oak. The photo itself is not 8X10 but 5X10.
This is a STUDIO SHOT photo. As with a few of AMC's photos, it appears the the
car had a fluorescent lamp on the floorboard to reflect light upwards onto the
seats; you can see clearly the back of the woodgrain steering wheel, and the
reflection of light on the lower part of the red, white and blue headrests. Note
the Hurst issue BULLIT mirrors; the Manufacturer License plate; redline tires,
blue rims, SC/Hurst and 390V emblem placement, along with the mailbox scoop and
blue arrow facing it. Only 1512 Hurst SC/Ramblers were produced, and not all of
them had this paint scheme, this is called the "A" paint, the
"B" pattern is more subdued and only 388 of those (of 1512) were made.
I would estimate less than 300 real SC/Ramblers remain in the world today in any
given condition; not a high number, but not many produced
34...long...years...ago. This particular framed press release photo is
$14.00 + $4.95 shipping.
1969 AMX Pike's Peak
Official Pace Car, June 29, 1969 shows the pace car with factory hubcaps and
290V8 emblems. This car still exists! This car led the pack of hill climbers on
that famous peak.
1969 AMC Javelin
in Big Bad Orange *RARE COLOR* studio shot showing the
"MOD" package for 1969: roof spoiler, twin non functional hood scoops,
and simulated side exhausts! Few were built, see production codes on my website
for numbers on the Big Bad colors.
1969
Javelin with MOD package rear view, this was allegedly a Big Bad Blue
vehicle, see production figures on my website here for how many were made. A
neat black and white rear angled view with model!
1969 AMC AMX II, too bad
this was only a rolling body, as this would have wrecked havoc with other
similiar cars like Lola, Pantera and Bricklin! This great two angle photo shot
shows front and back. This rolling mockup still exists in a private collection
in Canada!
1969 Hurst Super Stock AMX
#1 with driver Shirley Shahan working on the 10 second 1/4 mile 390 engine!
THIS IS A PLANET HOUSTON EXCLUSIVE PHOTO YOU WILL NOT FIND ANYWHERE ELSE. Circa
1969 in Nevada.; this car still exists and sold for $40,000 in 1997 to a private
collector in Little Rock, Arkansas where so far as I know, remains today.
1969 Hurst Super Stock AMX
#2 with Shirley Shahan posing beside her factory sponsored car. Take a
moment to imagine what it would have been like being a woman kicking some
serious Brand X asses in 1969 on the race circuit. A woman running 9s and 10s
demanding RESPECT. Shirley is still around, as is her husband H. L. Shahan,
although divorced, she appeared at the AMC Nationals signing autographs with
other AMC legends in 2002. THIS IS A PLANET HOUSTON EXCLUSIVE PHOTO.
1969 Super Stock
Javelin. *RARE COLOR* photo of Ron Root's 69 Javelin 390cid pumping
out 460hp was running 119.21 @ 11.75 seconds in the 1/4 mile in 69. Sponsored by
the Southern California AMC Dealers Association, this Javelin many feared to
line up against. And understandably so...
1970 Gremlin introduction at the New York Auto Show April 1970. AMC was in financial trouble in 1970, suffering a 2nd 1/4 loss of $10 million or 41 cents per share. This, along with the strike affected first 1/4, where they incurred a loss of $15.6 million, resulted in a net loss in the first 1/2 of the fiscal year of a whopping $25 million. (And people ask why the 70 AMX didn't sell, the 70 Javelin saw only 1/2 of the production of 69 and the Rebel, including the Machine, was a flop.) The losses stated above had no benefit of tax credit. The strike mentioned above, closed the plants for five weeks in the fall, and cost AMC a whopping $23 million loss and 36,000 vehicles plus interruption of momentum in the market at a really critical time. AMC also had just bought Jeep for $40 million, so you can see how this all affected AMC. In other words, WE ALMOST LOST AMC IN 1970. Enter the Gremlin to save the day! That, along with Hornet, would be AMC's Bread and Butter cars for years, selling really well. The Gremlin was A MAJOR ATTRACTION at this huge show. Gremlin sales EXCEEDED SUPPLY and production had to be increased 30% due to consumer demand! Again, photo is grainy, but looks really great framed, and is 5 1/2 inches high and 10 inches across.
1970
Gremlin Dragster "FUNNY CAR" Something you won't find anyplace
else is this photo of the legendary Gremlin "Funny Car" revving up on
the dragstrip in 1970-71. I do not remember the name of the driver or the team
but can remember that it was turning 11 second quarter mile times which was
unheard of for a funny car.
1970 AMC AMX two
seater. Studio picture. AMC released a majority of their press release
photos in black and white as they simply showed up better in media. This car is
a 390V8, note the silver stripes in the grill, something oft debated with AMC
fans. My guess is that the car in the photo was probably Golden Lime Metallic
with the upper reverse C stripe. The actual photo itself is 5 inches from top to
bottom and 10 inches across, but the photo has border enough to easily fit in a
8X10 frame.
1970 AMX with Slinky model.
The caption on the bottom reads: FOR PM RELEASE TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 9, 1969.
American Motors' sporty two place AMX for 1970 is slightly longer than its 1969
counterpart and features increased horsepower and performance. A 360 cubic inch
four barrel V8, rated at 290 horsepower, and four on the floor transmission are
standard. For 1970, the AMX has a longer hood with a new stamped in power
blister. With a new optional performance package, the dual power blister
openings become part of a new functional ram air induction system. The longer
hood and a slight reduction in height, achieved through new 78 Aspect Ratio
fiberglass belted tires, give the AMX a lower silhouette."
1970 AMC Rebel Machine 'at
speed' this is a side shot showing the car accelerating, nice side view of
the only year Rebel Machine and last year of the great Rebel Series!
1970 AMC Rebel Machine:
this unique three in one shot shows a great 1/4 panel rear angled view, a close
up of THE MACHINE on the side of the car, and a close up of the 0-8000RPM
tachometer on the hood! The car was a red, white and blue painted vehicle. See
my Planet Houston Registries list for more information about these rare birds.
1970 AMC AMX III in
Rome, Italy. Only 6 of these were built by Bizzarini and AMC in 1970, a
design by Dick Teague. All 390, transaxled. All six are still known to exist,
the last one was "found" in a Detroit basement in 1999. Many of the
unfinished parts and bodies are still known to exist, and one customizer is said
to start reproducing them in the near future!
1971
Javelin AMX Xray photo of the Roger Penske owned and Mark Donohue
driven terror of the circuit. It took about 300 hours and $60K (in 1971 $$) to
build this Trans Am winner. This shows the cutaway insides of the car over the
skin. If you own a 71-74 Javelin or AMX, or are a fan of the Trans Am cars or
Mark Donohue or Roger Penske legends this photo is a must for your collection.
1971 AMC AMX in your
face shot: This unique photo shows a 401 new bodied AMX close up and personal,
of which these had the most powerful production engine AMC ever produced with
the 401 sporting 330hp in 71.
Note one year only wire mesh grill in silver, not black, also only 71-72 would
have these types of front bumper guards, and length of car chrome strips side
body moldings.
1971 AMC AMX on the
track: For AM Release Tuesday September 15, 1970
This particular car in the photo shows the hood T stripe that never saw
production. As with most Press Release photos, this one also does not have a
antennae mounted. Information provided on the new style 71 AMX is at the bottom
of the photo. Note Rebel Machine 15" rims on the vehicle; these rims are
commonly called "Rebel Machine" rims, although the proper name is
styled 15" road rims, AND THEY WERE A OPTION ON ANY 1970 THRU 1972
Ambassador, AMX, Javelin, Matador or Rebel.
1971 Trans Am Javelin; Mark Donohue leading the pack in the Team Penske Javelin 1971. AMC won the Trans Am championship in 1971 and 1972. This Sunoco-Goodyear-Sears Javelin prepared by Roger Penske, driven by Mark Donohue had scored 6 wins already when this photo was taken. And a high finish at the Michigan International Raceway would sew up the championship for them! The Trans Am Championship race at MIS was 70 laps (209.70 miles) for a $30,000 purse; the track is just under three miles in length (2.997 miles) and 40 cars participated. Last time Donohue ran the MIS, July 18th, he won a USAC sanctioned 200 miles race for indy cars on the two mile oval.
1971
AMC Hornet SC/360. Only Press Release Photo AMC offered of these rare
cars. The SC/360 is often looked upon as AMC's 'forgotten musclecar'. Only 784
were produced. The car in the photo was allegedly Electric Blue. Note no trim
rings, this is how them came. These were bare bones, no nonsense musclecars,
read the info on my Registry. This is a real nice photo, but damn, the model
looks like a Klingon woman. Photo is 9 1/2 inches across, and 6 inches from
top to bottom. Caption on the bottom reads: FOR A.M. RELEASE, WEDNESDAY,
AUGUST 19, 1970. Public Relations---American Motors, Detroit, Mich. 48232. This
was...THE ULTIMATE HORNET. Too bad they were 'limited' with the 290hp 360V8 and
AMC didn't take it one step further with a 330hp 401 that year!
1972 Astro Spiral
Javelin: This fleet of unusual cars were part of the J. M. Productions
Hells' Drivers tour, which also included many Gremlins, Matadors and Hornets.
This "Stunt" of driving a car roughly 42mph up a ramp, spinning in a
360 degree turn and landing on another ramp was first performed in the Houston
Astrodome here in the early 1970s, 1972 to be exact. It was also unheard of
because the feat was done on computers first, which is common nowadays. Driver
Chick Galiano gears up in this photo in the cavernous Astrodome...
1972 Astro Spiral
Javelin IN AIR: with flashbulbs popping, hearts thumping, breath holding,
beer spilling in the Astrodome, Chick performs a never before done stunt before
a sellout crowd of over 66,000 people in 1972!! A almost near perfect landing
and the crowd was on it's feet; and word quickly spread about this amazing
triumph in a six cylinder 72 Javelin. Several of these cars (I understand there
was six used in the tour) still exist in Buffalo, NY.
1972-76 AMC Interiors. One of the strangest photos is this one showing what was AMC's attempt to spruce up their image, which it did. They brought on Gucci to do the Hornets; Pierre Cardin to do the Javelins and AMXs; Oleg Cassini to do the Matador; and Levi's touched up a number of the Gremlin and Hornet Series. This photo shows the different interiors and was part of the 1973 Press Release Kit. If you would like to see these great interiors in color, you can find them in the 72-74 (and some 75-76) AMC Color Catalogs listed above.
1973
Gremlins on transport truck. One of these Gremlins was the 200,000th AMC
Gremlin sold. Several base models are shown of the 12 shown, but two in the very
front are X packages, and have rally stripes on them. Note the BIG Gremlin gas
cap on one of them towards the rear and the car highest on the ramp. Look
closely in the upper left and there is a Hornet on a transport, and to the left
of that a Ambassador or Matador station wagon. The photo is of American Motors
marshalling yard in Kenosha, Wisconsin. The Gremlin was first introduced to the
buying public by AMC on April Fools Day (a car company with a sense of humor,
that was refreshing!) in 1970,and thru April of 1973, US production of the hot
selling Gremlin totaled 62,659; exceeding in only 7 months the ENTIRE 1972 model
year of 61,717 units! This was the second year you could buy a Gremlin with a
304V8 also.
1973 AMC
Hornet Hatchback dragcar: C. Cook was the driver for this Daytona, FL AMC
dealership in 1973. This was the FIRST YEAR of the NEW Hatchback Hornet model.
Wished this photo was in color, as the hornet sports a r/w/b paint scheme, and
to the front is a Gremlin X, and behind the Hornet is a 72 AMX with the window
sticker!!!
1973 AMC NASCAR
Matador #16 car (not #61 below) A real neat photo of the #16 AMC NASCAR
Matador, owned by Roger Penske, and driven by Mark Donohue, later Bobby Allison
would come on board AMCs NASCAR program, making them winners!
1973 AMC
NASCAR Matador #61: Color. (Not the #16 NASCAR Matador) Roger Penske owned,
Mark Donohue drive 1973 NASCAR Matador. Bobby Allison would later join the party
in late 74.
1974
James Bond Hornet, Bangkok Thailand Dealership. Roger Moore don't look too
happy about this photo, in front of a American Motors dealership in Bangkok,
Thailand, in 1974. The Hornet in the background would later come crashing thru
the window (see this photo in the SC/360 Registry file) this was for the AMC
Cult Classic "THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN GUN" movie from 1974. Of course
the Matador coupe came from the same dealership. This Matador is still around
and was owned by Cecil Hughes of England before he passed away in 2003. The
Hornet, which does a heart pounding 360 over a canal, is owned by a gentleman in
Iowa. The Hornet is a factory 360/727. If you have never seen this movie, go
rent it or buy it on ebay. Sponsored by AMC!
1974 AMC Hornet Wally
Booth dragcar: Wally Booth was lured to AMC where he proceeded to
take his modified 9 @ 10 second Hornets and Gremlins on a can-of-whoopass tour of NHRA
dragstrips across North America. This particular car was modified by Booth-Arons
Racing. Wally Booth was at the 2002 AMC Nationals in Kenosha, Wisconsin, where
two of his former dragcars were on display, and Wally was signing autographs!
1974 AMC Mexican VAM
Gremlin: *RARE COLOR photo of a red/red Gremlin built by Vehiculos Automores
Mexicanos. Some of the neat difference between the Mexican and US built AMCs wer
subtle, some were real obvious! This 74 Gremlin sports a Hurst shifter, 1975
type 'Navaho' seats used for Pacer, and checkout the 74 Hornet front clip and
VAM unique chrome centercaps. To the bottom of the right reads "Gremlin X 6
Cilindros"
Most of the Mexican built AMCs sported the highly desirable 282cid six cylinder,
not available in the US or Canada. In Houston here you can buy parts for your
282 at Auto Zones. Be sure to click on my "links" where I have more
Mexican built VAM photos is a special VAM section!
1974 AMC NASCAR
Matador. New Bodystyle! Prepared by racing giant Roger Penske and driven by
racing legend Mark Donohue, this is a early photo of the #16 NASCAR Matador in
1974. *Note the factory misspelling of Donohue on the photo! Yes, even
AMC made mistakes.
1974 AMC Special Sale
flyer. This is over 12 inches high, nice cardboard, NOS, showing Gremlin,
Matador, Javelin, Ambassador and Hornet, great to frame this colorful flyer and
display! $6.00 + $2.50 ship.
1974 Maskins & Kanners Hornet X dragster rearview which was whipping up some serious ass on the NHRA national circuit in 1974. In stock trim it was capable of 8 second 1/4 mile times. The Troy based Michigan duo would take this monster all over the US in 1974 wrecking havoc at national events and match races. Awesome drag racing photo for you AMC fans to remember AMC's Glory Days!
74 Maskins & Kanners Hornet X dragster/profile. The caption at the bottom reads: New Underdog threat--The AMC Hornet X of Dick Maskins and Dave Kanners has become a serious contender for national honors in the pro stock ranks as a result of a extensive winter testing program that has produced legal 8-second clockings in NHRA trim. The Troy, Michigan based duo will utilize their newly found horsepower to good advantage in 1974 with a full slate of appearances at national events and match races throughout the country." In other words, they were kicking some serious brand x ass and taking names. A real neat photo of the guys and the legendary Hornet X!!
74 Dick Maskin and Dave Kanners front launching took the Hornet X to the NHRA Nationals running 8 second 1/4 miles times in 1974 in NHRA trim. Note front wheels a full foot off the ground. There are several small cracks in the photo, one of them is probably visible here. Nothing that will show once framed. Awesome power shot!
1974
Matador Coupe twin photo, this was a introduction photo for AMCs new
Matador coupe, the only all new car released in America that year. A nice
unusual twin shot! I believe the vehicle was Sienna Orange.
1975 AMC
NASCAR Matador. A PLANET HOUSTON AMX EXCLUSIVE PHOTO shows legendary Bobby
Allison and Roger Penske next to the mighty NASCAR Matador! In the background is
Drew Pearson's Mercury. This is the #12 Matador. Note Bobby Allison's
autograph in the upper right skyline.
1975 AMX Matador.
This *RARE COLOR* photo is 4 1/2 inches high and 10 inches long. It shows
a vehicle that will confuse many AMC fans: A Mexican VAM built 1975 AMX Matador!
Note VAM license plate and VAM centercaps. AMX is in the stripe on the back,
this is what they called the Matador in Mexico from 74-77. Growing up in Corpus
Christi, TX, and having relatives and traveling to the interior regions of
Mexico, I have seen about a dozen of these unusual AMXs.
1975 AMC NASCAR
Matador Racing Team, Southern 500. *VERY RARE COLOR PHOTO* A PLANET HOUSTON
AMX EXCLUSIVE PHOTO. This is from the Lynn Barton Collection. Lynn is holding
the flag on the left. Bobby Allison is holding his daughter and the trophy for
winning this NASCAR race! Note little Davey Allison is next to Bobby in the arm
cast, he would develop a huge following and become a racing legend himself
before dying in a crash in the late 90s.
1975 AMC NASCAR
Matador Racing Team in Pits; Darlington. *VERY RARE COLOR PHOTO* A PLANET
HOUSTON AMX EXCLUSIVE PHOTO, this is from the Lynn Barton collection. Lynn is
sitting on the hood of the car on the left in the pits. Note those crazy AMC
logoed pants, do you have a pair? I have pants, shorts and a vest of this
material!
1975
AMC NASCAR Matador Racing Team. Gassin at Darlington. A PLANET HOUSTON AMX
EXCLUSIVE PHOTO, this is from the Lynn Barton Collection. Lynn is pictured here
with his butt in the air holding the can behind the #16 Matador #16. Crew Cheif
Woody Woodson is to the left with blond hair.
1975 AMC NASCAR
Matador Racing Team: Bobby Allison posing and smiling like he had drank too
much of sponsor's Coca Cola's beverage! This is a legendary shot of a NASCAR
legend. The #16 AMC NASCAR Matador in in the background.
1975 AMC NASCAR
Matador: *RARE COLOR PHOTO* A wonderful shot of Gary Bettenhausen posing
next to the Mighty Matador at Daytona! The stands are full of race fans, the
weather clear, the sky is blue, and the racing was about to begin....
1977
AMC Hornet AMX. Production figures vary on just how many of these were
actually made, some say 5306; others say around 2500. Regardless, it was the
final year for the strong selling Hornet Series, and AMC would go out with a
bang with it. Sure wished they had dropped in the 360 and made available a 4
speed with it! This photo was release in 1976 by AMC and like many other press
release photos, shows a number of things on the test vehicle that never saw
production.
1978 AMC Concord AMX.
The photo was released September 15th, 1977 of the first year Concord, and only
year Concord AMX. I have always though this was the most flowing lines of any
later model AMX. Note while you could get the new Concord AMX with a choice of
colors, the black cars had several unique features to them, sort of like black
71 SC/360 Hornets did! Only 2540 produced, you could get either the 258-6 or
304V8 in one. Less than 200 are know to exist.
1979 AMC Spirit AMX.
First year of the new Spirit, this clean little compact bodystyle sold well. It
was the last year for any AMC V8 powered vehicles. Only 3657 were made, with
about 1/2 of those having the 304V8. A good number of them remain in some form,
as racers love them, especially if stuffing a AMC 401 in one! Photo was released
Sepember 3rd, 1978. Note the 'Flaming Fireball' on the hood, totally different
from the 'Flaming Bee' used for the 77 Hornet AMX and 78 Concord AMX.
1980 AMC AMX. The Axe
had sadly already been given to both the slow selling AMX and Pacer Series in
late 1979, and only those orders were filled that had already been ordered. Many
original brochures and literature for 1980 don't even list, or show the AMX and
Pacer, as AMC was focusing more on their hot selling Spirit, Concord...and new
1980 Eagle 4X4s. A pathetic 865 80 AMXs were sold, the LOWEST PRODUCTION of all
1968 thru 70, 1971-74, 1974-77 Mexican AMXs, 1977 AMX, 78 AMX and 79 AMX. You
could only get the 1980 AMX with a 258-6. Less than 100 of these proud AMCs to
last wear the AMX moniker are known to exist.
1982 Walker
Brothers AMC & Jeep dealership in Los Angeles, CA. This dealership
spanned BOTH sides of the highway, and while this photo shows the Jeep side with
brand spanking new CJs, across the street is clearly visible a whole slew of
Spirits, Concords, Pacers, Kammbacks, Wagoneers and more Jeep and also some
brand x models like Maverick, Volare!
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