7. AMC AMX/3
Everybody knows about the heroic Javelin and two-seater AMX muscle cars they introduced in 1968. In those days, AMC was an economy car brand with inexpensive models lacking any special features or thrills. So, when a pair of hot muscle cars hit the streets in the late â60s, everybody paid attention. Also, the AMC executives noticed a significant bump in sales.
Encouraged by the success of the Javelin and AMX, AMC management wanted to attack the sports car market. They had the funds to do so, but they didn`t have a starting point. So, AMC hired the famous sports car creator and ex-Ferrari engineer, Giotto Bizzarrini. They asked him to build a modern sports car with a rear engine, transaxle gearbox and sleek body.
Bizzarrini did what they did and even more. The AMX/3 prototype was capable of 170 mph and had world-class handling and sexy Italian styling. The power was provided by AMC`s 390 V8 engine with 340 HP. Despite the promising start, AMC realized the finished product would cost somewhere around $12,000.
That was significantly more than the similarly-designed De Tomaso Pantera and almost double the price of the Corvette. Unfortunately, but understandably, they decided to kill the fantastic AMX/3 after building just six preproduction cars in 1970.