The Ultra-Rare AMC AMX 3: A Supercar Legend’s Journey
The story of the Amc Amx 3 is one of surprising ambition, international collaboration, and ultimately, unfulfilled potential from an underdog American automaker. With only six prototypes ever built, the recent auction sale of a meticulously restored example offers a rare glimpse into the value and history of this near-mythical machine. This particular car, chassis number 4, fetched an impressive $891,000 at Gooding & Company’s 2017 Scottsdale Auction, confirming its status as a highly coveted collector’s item.
AMC’s Bold Leap Beyond Ramblers
Despite its reputation for practical, everyday cars, American Motors Corporation (AMC) harbored surprising performance ambitions in the late 1960s. Bolstered by their involvement in Trans-Am racing, the company sought to shed its “Ma and Pa Kettle” image. Spearheading this transformation was AMC’s visionary Vice President of Design, Richard Teague. Teague had already demonstrated his innovative spirit by shortening the Javelin platform to create the AMX, America’s only other two-seat production car besides the Corvette at the time, and collaborating with Hurst Industries on the formidable 1969 Hurst SC/Rambler. However, the Amc Amx 3 represented their most audacious plan: a mid-engine supercar aimed squarely at Europe’s exotics. “We were into racing… and it was really kind of a tool, but a serious one, to create an image for the company,” Teague explained.
Crafting the AMC AMX 3: An International Effort
The journey towards the amc amx 3 began with the AMX/2, a fiberglass concept car designed by Teague and his team (Bob Nixon, Vince Geraci, Chuck Mashigan) that toured auto shows in 1969. This concept laid the groundwork for the production-intent AMX/3. Recognizing the need for specialized expertise, AMC outsourced the engineering and construction. Legendary Italian engineer Giotto Bizzarrini was tasked with translating the design into metal, while BMW provided crucial engineering assistance, particularly for the chassis and suspension. The entire project, from concept to running prototype, was remarkably completed in just 18 months. This Italian-American collaboration paralleled Ford’s approach with the DeTomaso Pantera, another $10,000 supercar aimed at boosting brand image through Lincoln-Mercury dealers starting in 1971.
Front view of the stunning 1969 AMC AMX 3 supercar in Bittersweet Orange, showcasing its Italian-influenced design.
Why the AMC AMX 3 Dream Ended
Despite the promising start, the amc amx 3 project faced insurmountable hurdles. The projected cost ballooned from the initial $10,000 target to between $12,000 and $14,000 – a substantial sum for the era. Furthermore, looming US federal regulations mandating 5-mph front bumpers for 1973 models would have required a costly redesign of the car’s sleek nose. For the resource-constrained AMC, which had already invested $2 million, these challenges proved too great. The program was cancelled after only six examples were completed. “The program was done on a shoestring,” Teague later reflected, “…the muscle car period was ending, and industry priorities were starting to change.”
Overhead shot of the rare 1969 AMC AMX 3 prototype, highlighting its sleek mid-engine sports car profile.
The Journey of AMX/3 Chassis Number 4
Each of the six amc amx 3 prototypes has a unique story. Chassis number 4, the subject of the 2017 auction, served as a high-speed test car, reportedly achieving 170 mph at the famed Monza circuit in Italy. Its first private owner was William P. deMichieli of Indianapolis, IN, who acquired it in 1971. After passing through two more Indiana-based owners, it was purchased by Walter A. Kirtland of Baton Rouge, LA, in 1989. Kirtland commissioned a full restoration, bringing the car from its development prototype condition to show quality for the 1990 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. In 2014, Kirtland sold the car to a German collector for a reported $795,000. The new owner refinished the car in its correct AMC P79 Bittersweet Orange and returned it to the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in the summer of 2016, where it made history as the first American Motors vehicle ever to win Best in Class.
Valuing a Legend: Auction Insights
Determining the market value for an amc amx 3 is inherently difficult due to the extremely limited production run and infrequent public sales. Prior to the 2017 auction, the only notable public transactions involved Dick Teague’s own yellow AMX/3 (#5), sold for $225,000 in 1997, and the 2014 sale of car #4 for $795,000. The $891,000 price achieved by Gooding & Company for car #4 in 2017 represented a solid 12% return over two years for the seller. From this perspective, the car was well sold. However, the buyer acquired an exceptionally rare, historically significant, mid-engine American supercar with confirmed international provenance and a prestigious Pebble Beach award at a price arguably below comparable European exotics of the era.
Conclusion
The amc amx 3 remains a fascinating “what if” in automotive history – a testament to American Motors Corporation’s surprising ambition and Richard Teague’s design prowess. Its blend of American muscle (powered by AMC’s 390 V8), Italian craftsmanship by Bizzarrini, and German engineering input from BMW created a unique and compelling package. Though its production dreams were cut short, the survival of the six prototypes, particularly the well-documented journey and auction success of chassis number 4, ensures the AMX/3’s enduring legacy as a rare and valuable piece of automotive legend.
