Everyone in the audience raise your hands if you've ever owned an AMC. Yeah, that's just what I thought! Aside from a few old fogeys in the bunch I only see a scant few hands in the air. And I count myself amongst you having owned a rather nondescript 1974 AMC Green SST Hornet. It was by all accounts the most generic, bare bones ride I've ever had with a modest straight-6, bench seat and a three speed auto that was missing second gear. But that's another story entirely.
American Motors got its start in 1954 due to the union between the Nash and Hudson Car Companies. Eventually they were absorbed into the Chrysler Corporate Group in 1990. While not known for upscale cars, they did offer great little grocery haulers for not a lot of money. And during the 60's they even managed to crank out some respectable muscle cars, pony cars, and straight up racers that gave the likes Ford, Chevy, and Plymouth a run for their money.
And it's nice to see something other than a balled out Ford Mustang, hopped up Chevy Camaro, or crazy colored Dodge Challenger on the road anyway. Well, AMC not only had an alternative to these cars but it knew how to beat the "Big Three" at their own game and where it counted - on the NHRA drag strip! The year was 1969 and the AMC Hurst Lightweight AMX managed to destroy the Super Stock field that year. With its lightweight, all-new balled out 390 engine with dual quads, slick Hurst shifter, and tons of other go fast parts, it showed the "Big Three" who was boss!
And since there were only a scant 52 made and sold to the public for homologation purposes, let's review the 1969 AMC Hurst Lightweight AMX and what it represented in the history of muscle cars and NHRA racing.
The Un-Pony Car
To get the project started, AMC sent over the AMXs over to Hurst to convert into lightweight specials. The engines were taken out and massaged with 12.4:1 compression, JE Pistons, Crane prepped cylinder heads with 2.08 intake and 1.74 exhaust valves. The bowls and intake runners in particular were opened up for an increase in flow and volumetric efficiency. A Crane Solid Roller camshaft was used with substantially raised lift. On the top of the motor an Edelbrock STR-11 Crossram intake manifold was used with a duet of Holley 615 carburetors. Due to the stout construction of the bottom end and its forged crank, however, it was left stock.
The transmission was a Borg-Warner Super T-10 4-speed manual unit with the inimitable Hurst shifter. Out back was AMC's Twin Grip posi rear stuffed with 4.44 gears. There were also some trick mods to the car including a custom crossmember that allowed for lightning quick engine oil pan removals. The car also got a set of Cragars shod with Drag Slicks and a Red, White and Blue paint job although not all the cars received that finish. Finishing it off under the hood was a set of Thorley headers and a rather unartful hood scoop on top. But hey it got the job done!
On The Street ...
In 1969, AMC built a grand total of 8,293 AMXs. And out of that entire production run only 52 Hurst Lightweight AMXs were originally produced. While it's impossible to know for sure how many still exist, the American Motors Owners Association estimates that only 40 of these already rare cars are left. And when they do show up for sale, in whatever condition they might be in, it's a take it or leave it proposition.
In the words of owners Rick and Paulette Riley, "[i]n 1993, while attending an American Motors Owners national meet in Kenosha, Wisconsin, we first laid eyes on a 1969 S/S AMX that had been beautifully restored. Rick was fascinated with the history of the S/S AMX, and when we heard the AMX run, it took our breath away and made our hearts skip a beat. A combination of love and lust took over, and common sense went out the window. We had to own a factory Super Stock AMX.
A couple of years passed, during which we did a lot of background research, until we finally got a hint from another S/S AMX owner that Otis Chandler was selling his. It was kind of neat to find a car that had never been registered for the street and never even titled until we got it. Now that we own it, we do take it to a few shows, and we do get on it every now and then. When the engine is started, the pounding in the ground goes to your chest like a heart attack. When the car launches, the skin on your face is pulled back to your ears. There is so much power that it's scary, but in the very best way."
... And Dominating The 1969 NHRA S/S Season
By the time the cars were rushed together for the 1969 NHRA S/S season, they missed the 1969 Winternationals in Pomona, California. But by the time spring rolled around, they started to show up in full force at tracks around the country, and they were making a big impression. Chevy, Ford, and Plymouth were all put on notice that the usual AMC "also rans" were true contenders this year and they weren't going to lay down ... they were going to win!
From that point on in 1969 through early 1970, the AMC Hurst Lightweight AMX prepared cars were dominating the S/S field in the E and D classes. And not only were they winning but they were demolishing records one by one. With each successive meet and outing they were beating old records, creating new ones and even toppling their own earlier times and speeds.
And if you're curious, the 1969 AMC Hurst Lightweight AMX was capable of a quarter mile run of 11.08 seconds at 127.11 mph! This was accomplished with its 420 hp 390 motor redlining to 7,000 rpm in a body that weighed in at 3,000 pounds on the nose. Now that's historic! Buckle up.
Sources: Hot Rod, Hemmings