Birthed by a merger between Nash-Kelvinator Corporation and Hudson Motor Car Company in 1954, AMC produced some capable muscle cars before it packed up. In its heydays, it trailed only Ford, Chrysler, and General Motors; but alongside them, it made a name for itself. Although the manufacturer had numerous cars in its lineup, many people forget that AMC got its big break with muscle cars.
In the face of stiff competition from Detroit's Big Three and the disadvantage of operating on a tight budget, AMC could still create some timeless classic cars. By thinking differently, AMC's designers were able to develop innovative designs that were years ahead of what other carmakers were offering. Before its demise in 1988, AMC built several muscle cars that could hold their own with the big boys. Here, we look at some of the coolest muscle cars from AMC.
10 Hurst AMC Super Stock AMX
The AMC Super Stock AMX was a high-performance version of the AMX 390 designed for the race track in 1969. Under the hood, it housed a 6.4-liter V8 engine that was kitted out and tuned to produce 340 hp.
Tipping the scales at just 3050 pounds, the Super Stock AMX could clear the quarter-mile in 10.7 seconds at 128 mph. Distinguished by its blue, white, and red color, the $5,994 was an excellent muscle car and the fastest that AMC built.
9 AMC Spirit AMX
The Spirit AMX, built for the 1979 and 1980 model years, was a performance version of the AMC Spirit. While it was introduced to invoke the earlier AMX models, it was also the last model to bear the AMX brand name.
In 1979 a pair of Spirit AMXs became the first American brand to compete at the 24 Hours Nurburgring. Thanks to extraordinary engineering and drivers who memorized the 14.1- mile track in one week, the Spirit AMXs finished first and second.
8 AMC Rebel Machine
Launched in 1969 as a 1970 model, the Rebel Machine was the muscle car version of the popular and already powerful AMC Rebel. Under the Machine’s hood, AMC's 6.4-liter V8 power plant cranks out 340 hp at 5100 rpm and 430 lb-ft at 3600 rpm.
Driven by this powerful machine, it could attain 60 mph from rest in 6.8 seconds and clear the quarter-mile in 14.4 seconds. Although it wasn't among the fastest AMC muscle cars, its performance could be bumped by an optional service kit.
7 AMC Javelin
The AMC Javelin was AMC's attempt to grab market share in a segment that Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro ruled. Built and marketed from 1968-1974, the Javelin drew power from a choice of several competent V8 engines across two generations.
Added to the Javelin lineup for the second generation was a high-performance edition (the AMX) which featured several modifications for racing success. Compared to key competitors in the market, the Javelin offered a more roomy rear compartment and a more affordable price tag.
6 AMC Marlin
The AMC Marlin, which started life as the Rambler Marlin, was announced in February 1965 and unveiled a month later in a heavily publicized event. Marketed as a personal luxury car, the Marlin had a quiet interior built with high-quality materials and fitted with features like center armrests and air conditioning.
Apart from an official rechristening and reduction in price to boost sales, the Marlin didn't undergo much change in 1966. However, the 1967 model got a 6.5-inch in length and a new lineup of V8 engines.
5 AMC Hurst SC/Rambler
A product of the collaboration of AMC and Hurst Performance, the AMC Hurst SC/Rambler, produced in 1969, was based on the AMC "junior cars" platform. Built as a dragstrip contender, it got the biggest engine available - a 6.4-liter AMC V8 capable of doling out 315 hp.
Paired with a four-speed manual transmission with a Hurst shifter, it sent the SC/Rambler to 60 mph in 6.3s and through the quarter-mile in 14.3 seconds. Pricing began at just $2,998 for a car that could show its taillights to most muscle cars of the day.
4 AMC Pacer
Introduced in February 1975, the AMC Pacer became an instant hit during the energy crisis, and 143,528 units were sold in the first year, making it one of the best cars produced by AMC. Unusually designed, the Pacer was wider than rivals and had a huge glass area that improved visibility and overall weight.
The base I-6 engine was underpowered against a weight of more than 3000 pounds, hence the need for a 5-liter V8 in 1978. Owing to increasing competition from more efficient Japanese and German brands, demand for the Pacer soon waned, and production finally ended in December 1979.
3 AMC Hornet 360
The AMC Hornet, introduced in 1969 for the 1970 model year, started life as a $1,994 compact family car. In 1971 the muscle car version, the SC360, was introduced and was powered by AMC's 5.9-liter V8 making 245 ponies in standard form.
Optional in the SC360 was a Hurst-shifted four-speed manual or an automatic transmission and a $199 "Go" package that increased output to 284 hp. With its light weight, that was enough power to take it to 60 mph in 6.7 seconds and through the quarter-mile in 13.78 seconds.
2 AMC Gremlin
Created by shortening the AMC Hornet, the AMC Gremlin was introduced in April 1970. The Gremlin came with a $1,879 price tag for the two-seater and $1,959 for the four-seater. One of AMC's most successful nameplates, 671,475 units of the Gremlin were produced in one generation until the AMC Spirit succeeded it.
In 1972 AMC gave the Gremlin the "muscle car treatment" by stuffing a 5-liter V8 engine in the hood. Even with the engine detuned to 150 hp, the AMC was still faster than other subcompact cars in the market.
1 AMC Matador
The Matador was a line of mid-size and full-size cars produced by AMC through two generations from 1970 to 1978. Built as a successor to the AMC Rebel and the AMC Ambassador (in 1974), the Matador came with several engine options.
With the optional "Machine Go package,” available only with the 5.9L and the 6.6L V8s, the Matador performed just like the Rebel Machine. It was popular with police departments since it could accelerate to 60 mph in 6.5 seconds and had a top speed of 144 mph.