Are AMCs good buys.

I want to buy an old('70s)project car, and then restore it. There are two old AMCs for sale near my house. Neither run. One has almost all of the body panels(I think), and an engine. The other doesn't have much at all. Just wondering if they pretty good cars, because I don't know much about them.

Thanks

Amc made some of the badest cars of there time, but restoring one will be a a royal pain in the ass. Lack of parts (both replacment and performance) is a big factor. If your up for a challange go for it, you wont regret it untill your laying under it trying to figure out how to make a new part from scratch :)

Rebels are cool. Do you know what kind of cars those are by your house? An AMX or a Javelin would be cool too. Maybe they are Gremlins?

I don't know what they are, but I think they are Javelins or AMXs. They are definately both the same.

A Javelin or an AMX (not the Gremlin based AMX of the late '70's) is a good project. Like anything, its a lot easier if there is little rust. AMC driveline and mechanical parts are generally easily available. Body panels are a bitch though.

There are also many rabid AMC fans out there who are members of large clubs that have a wealth of info on how to keep these cars alive and well. Plus Mopar mavens are very accepting of AMC guys at their meets since AMC is part of Chrysler these days.

Which, by the way, has led to kits to drop the Mopar Performance crate 360 into Javelins/AMX's just in case your 343/390/401 is too far gone to save or you don't want to pay exorbitant amounts to tune it.

There are also many rabid AMC fans out there who are members of large clubs that have a wealth of info on how to keep these cars alive and well. Plus Mopar mavens are very accepting of AMC guys at their meets since AMC is part of Chrysler these days.

Which, by the way, has led to kits to drop the Mopar Performance crate 360 into Javelins/AMX's just in case your 343/390/401 is too far gone to save or you don't want to pay exorbitant amounts to tune it.

Possibly THE worst thing to do, besides an SBC swap, would be a Mopar 360 swap. I've never heard of that, I think you are mistaking AMC's own 360 for a Mopar one.

AMC engines are externally identical from 290-304-343-360-390-401.

They are serious torque builders, and there is a more than healthy aftermarket for them. You have to do some research. There are companies out there like Performance American Style, who sell many AMC specific parts and have a wealth of knowledge.

My dad is running a 1972 Javelin on a 1/2 mile dirt track, with an AMC 360 engine in it, with about 400 horsepower turning over 7000 RPM regularly.

PM me if you want my Dad's e-mail address, he has a lot of knowledge and connections for AMC stuff. We're in the process of restoring his '70 Donahue Javelin (390/T-10/3.91 Twin Grip), a 1972 Javelin AMX (360-4V/T-10/3.54 Twin-Grip) and a 1972 Javelin SST (Built 360 w/R4B intake/727 auto).

My dad has a 1972 Javelin as well, but with the 304 engine. He bought a complete 401 engine for $300 bucks a few months ago and it's still just sitting there. He'll probably end up selling it.

I need an original carberator and air cleaner. Would you or your dad know where to locate these. I also need a grill. I have a 1969 SST Javelin with a 343 engine. Even if I had the casting numbers off the carb I could search junkyards and such.