AMC AMX/3
Everybody knows about the heroic Javelin and two-seater AMX muscle cars introduced in 1968. In those days, AMC was known as an economy car brand with inexpensive models without any special features or thrills. When a pair of hot muscle cars hit the streets in the late ’60s, everybody paid attention. AMC executives noticed a significant bump in sales. Encouraged by the success of Javelin and AMX, AMC management wanted to go further and attack the sports car market. They had the funds to do so, but they didn’t have a starting point. So very soon, AMC hired renowned sports car creator and ex-Ferrari engineer Giotto Bizzarrini.
They asked him to build them a modern sports car with a rear engine, transaxle, and sleek body (via Auto Evolution). Bizzarrini did what he was asked and even more. The AMX/3 prototype was capable of 170 mph and had world-class handling and sexy Italian styling. AMC’s 390 V8 engine provided the power with 340 HP. Despite the promising start, AMC realized that the finished product would cost somewhere around $12,000, significantly more than a 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 just six pre-production cars were built in 1970.