AMC Spirit AMX
Encyclopedia
The AMC Spirit AMX was the last effort at fielding a high-performance car by independent carmaker American Motors
, or AMC.
. One of the company's best-selling models was the Spirit
, which was a modified version of the old Hornet
, which had been engineered beginning in 1969 and first sold on April Fools' Day, 1970. Though the late '70s was a dark period for automotive performance in the United States, certain elements at AMC surmised that if they marketed a subcompact car with a small V8 engine
, they might be able to make a splash in this depressed segment of the market. The engineering for a V8 powered Spirit (suspension, crossmember, etc.) already existed, having been engineered originally for the earlier Hornet, and in fact the V8 engine was available as an option on the Spirit, so it was decided that AMC would reintroduce their dormant muscle car marque, the AMX
.
Although it was widely dismissed as a case of "paint-on performance," the new AMX actually featured quite a few performance-oriented upgrades.
s, high-effort power steering gears, adjustable Gabriel (brand name) 'Strider' shock absorbers, heavy-duty semi-metallic 10.8-inch (274 mm) front disk brakes with ribbed 10x1.2-inch (254x30.5 mm) rear drum brakes, unique AMX grille, 'Turbocast II' 14x7 inch aluminum rims with ER60x14 Goodyear
'Flexten' GT radial RWL (raised white letter) tires, rear spoiler
, special striping package, hood and door decals, console shifted automatic or manual transmission with 'Rallye Gauge' package (total of eight dials including an intake-manifold vacuum gauge), as well as simulated aluminum dash overlays with AMX badge on the glove compartment door.
's legendary Nürburgring
race track. Not only were these American Motors AMXs the first American entries in this historic race, but they also finished #1 and #2 in their class out of a 120-car field in this grueling 14.1 mile (22.7 km), 176 turn road race. They were the fastest cars on street rubber, BFG T/A radials
.
Amos Johnson and partner Dennis Shaw were the team principals and drivers in the North Carolina
based "Team Highball". The new 1979 304 in³ V8 powered AMX was already homologated
to meet Group One production car based rules. Two street-stock cars (both with AMC 5.0 L V8 and four-speed transmission) were obtained by "Team Highball" less than three weeks before a transport ship
would sail to Europe. With almost no prior time on the race course, the team qualified the cars in 20th and 21st overall. The track tested both the cars and their new street tires, but both finished the race with one car in 25th and the second in 43rd overall. Another unique aspect of these historic racecars is that they were among the few ever to have had a period documentary film
("The Ultimate Challenge") done about the racecar preparation and race experience.
The 2nd place finishing car has been purchased and restored by automotive enthusiast Myron Cottrell
The class winning Team Highball AMX was found and purchased by Steve Francis of Main Street Motorsport. After the Nurburging race the #2 AMX was updated to IMSA AC and later IMSA GT spec and includes a run at the Daytona 24 hours. Steve started restoration with an eye on a mix of its FIA Group 1 and IMSA GTO specs. The story on how this car was discovered is highlighted in Tom Cotter's book "The Cobra in the Barn". This is the team car driven by Lyn St James, Gary Witzenburg and Jim Downing. Steve also tracked down the prototype FIA AMX, still in its original paint, that was used to homologate these two FIA AMX race cars.
The #2 AMX is currently being restored by Mike Weaver who is the host of the ssamx.com site.
s in the PPG IndyCar
World Series for the 1981 auto-racing season. Using the Spirit liftback body, the racecar was designed by Richard A. Teague
, AMC's Vice President of Automotive Design. The car was constructed by Autodynamics of Troy, Michigan
under contract from PPG Industries
. The turbo-charged and fuel-injected 258 in³ I6
was built by Turbo-Systems Inc. to produce 450 bhp. This car was the final chapter in the AMX
story.
standpoint, which illustrates the creative thinking and skilled engineering that characterized AMC's late efforts. The car was markedly improved and performed very well. However, AMC was unable to shake the perception that its products were hopelessly outdated and substandard, and furthermore the Spirit AMX was introduced the same year (1979) as the new Fox Platform Ford Mustang, so sales suffered and the car was cancelled after a brief (2 year) run.
In 2008, a contestant during the Hollywood Phase of American Idol, Season 7
Revealed that he runs drag races during his spare time. He was seen racing an AMC Spirit AMX.
American Motors
American Motors Corporation was an American automobile company formed by the 1954 merger of Nash-Kelvinator Corporation and Hudson Motor Car Company. At the time, it was the largest corporate merger in U.S. history.George W...
, or AMC.
Background
In the late 1970s, AMC was in a difficult position. The company was cash-poor and all of its models were aging except one, the disastrously unpopular PacerAMC Pacer
The AMC Pacer is a two-door compact automobile produced in the United States by the American Motors Corporation between 1975 and 1980.Its initial design idea was started in 1971. The car's unusual rounded shape with massive glass area greatly contrasted with the three-box architecture with "square,...
. One of the company's best-selling models was the Spirit
AMC Spirit
The AMC Spirit was a subcompact marketed by American Motors Corporation from 1979 to 1983 as a restyled replacement for the Gremlin. The Spirit shared the Gremlin's platform and was offered in two hatchback variations, each with two doors — marketed as sedan and liftback...
, which was a modified version of the old Hornet
AMC Hornet
The AMC Hornet was a compact automobile made by the American Motors Corporation in one generation beginning with the 1970 model year and continuing through the 1977 model year. The Hornet replaced the compact Rambler American marking the end of the Rambler marque in the American and Canadian markets...
, which had been engineered beginning in 1969 and first sold on April Fools' Day, 1970. Though the late '70s was a dark period for automotive performance in the United States, certain elements at AMC surmised that if they marketed a subcompact car with a small V8 engine
AMC V8 engine
American Motors Corporation produced a series of widely-used V8 engines from the mid-1950s before being absorbed into Chrysler in 1987. Chrysler kept the AMC V8 in production until 1991 for the Jeep Grand Wagoneer....
, they might be able to make a splash in this depressed segment of the market. The engineering for a V8 powered Spirit (suspension, crossmember, etc.) already existed, having been engineered originally for the earlier Hornet, and in fact the V8 engine was available as an option on the Spirit, so it was decided that AMC would reintroduce their dormant muscle car marque, the AMX
AMC AMX
The AMC AMX is a two-seat GT in style and approach sports car that was produced by American Motors Corporation for the 1968 through 1970 model years. The AMX was also classified as a muscle car, but "unique among other American cars at the time due its short wheelbase"...
.
Although it was widely dismissed as a case of "paint-on performance," the new AMX actually featured quite a few performance-oriented upgrades.
1979
Upgrades introduced for the new 1979 Spirit AMX included color-matched fender flares and front air dam, 'Rally-Tuned' suspension with 1.06-inch (27.7 mm) front and 0.75-inch (19 mm) rear sway barSway bar
A sway bar or anti-roll bar or stabilizer bar is a part of an automobile suspension that helps reduce the roll of a vehicle that is induced by cornering or road irregularities. It connects opposite wheels together through short lever arms linked by a torsion spring...
s, high-effort power steering gears, adjustable Gabriel (brand name) 'Strider' shock absorbers, heavy-duty semi-metallic 10.8-inch (274 mm) front disk brakes with ribbed 10x1.2-inch (254x30.5 mm) rear drum brakes, unique AMX grille, 'Turbocast II' 14x7 inch aluminum rims with ER60x14 Goodyear
Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company was founded in 1898 by Frank Seiberling. Goodyear manufactures tires for automobiles, commercial trucks, light trucks, SUVs, race cars, airplanes, farm equipment and heavy earth-mover machinery....
'Flexten' GT radial RWL (raised white letter) tires, rear spoiler
Spoiler (automotive)
A spoiler is an automotive aerodynamic device whose intended design function is to 'spoil' unfavorable air movement across a body of a vehicle in motion. Spoilers on the front of a vehicle are often called air dams, because in addition to directing air flow they also reduce the amount of air...
, special striping package, hood and door decals, console shifted automatic or manual transmission with 'Rallye Gauge' package (total of eight dials including an intake-manifold vacuum gauge), as well as simulated aluminum dash overlays with AMX badge on the glove compartment door.
1980
In 1980 the slow-selling V8 engine was dropped in favor of the more thrifty 258 in³ I6, but the market could hardly have cared less. Other changes instituted for the 1980 model year included black flares and air dam, standard 14x6 styled road wheels with the aluminum rims optional, and no simulated aluminum dash overlays. See: 1979 and 1980 compared and 1980 Data Book24 Hours of Nurburgring
In October 1979, the B.F. Goodrich tire company sponsored two-car team of AMXs in the twenty-four hour Group One endurance race at GermanyGermany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
's legendary Nürburgring
24 Hours Nürburgring
The 24 Hours Nürburgring is a touring car and GT endurance racing event on the Nürburgring Nordschleife . With a lap length of over , it allows the participation of more than 200 cars, and over 700 drivers.-Overview:...
race track. Not only were these American Motors AMXs the first American entries in this historic race, but they also finished #1 and #2 in their class out of a 120-car field in this grueling 14.1 mile (22.7 km), 176 turn road race. They were the fastest cars on street rubber, BFG T/A radials
Radial tire
A radial tire is a particular design of automotive tire . In this design, the cord plies are arranged at 90 degrees to the direction of travel, or radially ....
.
Amos Johnson and partner Dennis Shaw were the team principals and drivers in the North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
based "Team Highball". The new 1979 304 in³ V8 powered AMX was already homologated
Homologation (motorsport)
In motorsports, homologation is the approval process a vehicle, race track or standardised part must go through to race in a given league or series. The regulations and rules that must be met are generally set by the series' sanctioning body...
to meet Group One production car based rules. Two street-stock cars (both with AMC 5.0 L V8 and four-speed transmission) were obtained by "Team Highball" less than three weeks before a transport ship
Ship transport
Ship transport is watercraft carrying people or goods . Sea transport has been the largest carrier of freight throughout recorded history. Although the importance of sea travel for passengers has decreased due to aviation, it is effective for short trips and pleasure cruises...
would sail to Europe. With almost no prior time on the race course, the team qualified the cars in 20th and 21st overall. The track tested both the cars and their new street tires, but both finished the race with one car in 25th and the second in 43rd overall. Another unique aspect of these historic racecars is that they were among the few ever to have had a period documentary film
Documentary film
Documentary films constitute a broad category of nonfictional motion pictures intended to document some aspect of reality, primarily for the purposes of instruction or maintaining a historical record...
("The Ultimate Challenge") done about the racecar preparation and race experience.
The 2nd place finishing car has been purchased and restored by automotive enthusiast Myron Cottrell
Myron Cottrell
Myron Cottrell is the founder and owner of TPI Specialties, an automobile parts manufacturer, and Cottrell Racing Engines, a machine shop and engine building shop. He is also active in automobile racing, collecting, and restoration.-Early career:...
The #2 AMX is currently being restored by Mike Weaver who is the host of the ssamx.com site.
Turbo pace car
An AMX Turbo Pace car was built to be one of four official safety carSafety car
In motorsport, a safety car or pace car is a car which limits the speed of competing cars on a racetrack in the case of a caution period such as an obstruction on the track. During a caution period the safety car enters the track ahead of the leader...
s in the PPG IndyCar
Champ Car
Champ Car was the name for a class and specification of open wheel cars used in American Championship Car Racing for many decades, primarily for use in the Indianapolis 500 auto race...
World Series for the 1981 auto-racing season. Using the Spirit liftback body, the racecar was designed by Richard A. Teague
Richard A. Teague
Richard A. Teague , born in Los Angeles, California, was an industrial designer in the North American automotive industry...
, AMC's Vice President of Automotive Design. The car was constructed by Autodynamics of Troy, Michigan
Troy, Michigan
Troy is a city in Oakland County in the U.S. state of Michigan, and is a suburb of Detroit. The population was 80,980 at the 2010 census, making it the 11th-largest city in Michigan by population, and the largest city in Oakland County...
under contract from PPG Industries
PPG Industries
PPG Industries is a global supplier of paints, coatings, optical products, specialty materials, chemicals, glass and fiber glass. With headquarters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, PPG operates in more than 60 countries around the globe. Sales in 2010 were $13.4 billion...
. The turbo-charged and fuel-injected 258 in³ I6
AMC Straight-6 engine
The American Motors Corporation straight-6 family of engines was used by a number of AMC and Jeep vehicles from 1964 through 2006.-195.6:American Motors' first straight-six engine was the...
was built by Turbo-Systems Inc. to produce 450 bhp. This car was the final chapter in the AMX
AMC AMX
The AMC AMX is a two-seat GT in style and approach sports car that was produced by American Motors Corporation for the 1968 through 1970 model years. The AMX was also classified as a muscle car, but "unique among other American cars at the time due its short wheelbase"...
story.
Conclusion
The Spirit AMX exemplifies both AMC's virtues and its shortcomings. It was an innovative concept and was well executed from an engineeringEngineering
Engineering is the discipline, art, skill and profession of acquiring and applying scientific, mathematical, economic, social, and practical knowledge, in order to design and build structures, machines, devices, systems, materials and processes that safely realize improvements to the lives of...
standpoint, which illustrates the creative thinking and skilled engineering that characterized AMC's late efforts. The car was markedly improved and performed very well. However, AMC was unable to shake the perception that its products were hopelessly outdated and substandard, and furthermore the Spirit AMX was introduced the same year (1979) as the new Fox Platform Ford Mustang, so sales suffered and the car was cancelled after a brief (2 year) run.
In 2008, a contestant during the Hollywood Phase of American Idol, Season 7
American Idol (season 7)
The seventh season of American Idol, the annual reality show and singing competition, began on January 15, 2008 and concluded on May 21, 2008. Ryan Seacrest continued to host the show with Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, and Randy Jackson returning as judges...
Revealed that he runs drag races during his spare time. He was seen racing an AMC Spirit AMX.