What to Look for in a 1970 AMX

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by: Mason.
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Word Count: 515
Date: Thu, 3 Mar 2011 Time: 3:06 AM

Like all great classic muscle cars, the 1970 AMX from AMC has its own unique personality. At the time of design, AMC was looking for design changes to the car that would give it an edge in the very competitive pony car category. Small changes to the hood and the grill were among the subtle design alternations that were geared to fit that objective, but GM was smart enough to keep that powerful AMC 360 V-8 engine as the core of the muscle for this entry into the competition.

When you set out to look at a classic muscle car like the 1970 AMX, there are two levels of evaluation to keep in mind. It is important that you educate yourself in the design quirks of a unique model like the 1970 AMX so you can determine if the car has been altered in an acceptable way or even if you are looking at the exact classic car you want or one that is similar.

Secondly, because a classic car like the 1970 AMX has some years on it, you should know what to look for in terms of upkeep so you have a better idea how much work you have ahead of you to restore it to its original glory. This is also an important consideration when setting a price for the car. By being able to spot and point out flaws, you can get a great classic muscle car for a discounted price and then go about correcting those flaws once this great classic car belongs to you.

Rust is a big issue to be on the lookout for in all classic muscle cars that are on the market and that is certainly true in evaluating a 1970 AMX for purchase. Various kinds of dirt and junk can build up on the panels on the sides of the trunk. This is an area that is easy to overlook so inspect it carefully for decay or rust.

In addition, the panels that exist between the rear window and the trunk lid are an area that are often susceptible to wear and tear because moisture and debris can get down there, either during the car's active life or when it made the transition to the classic car category. Other areas worthy of inspection include the lower part of the A-pillars, the trunk pans, the floor pans and the area under the front fenders. While a thorough inspection of the entire vehicle for degradation or rust is in order, these focus areas deserve special inspection when considering the purchase of a 1970 AMX muscle car.

Finding flaws in the classic vehicle in any of these areas does not mean the car is not worth the investment. In fact, if each of these focus areas are flawless, then you are probably looking at a car that has been in the care of a collector and you can expect to pay top dollar. By becoming skilled at the process of evaluating a 1970 AMX prior to purchase, you know exactly what you are getting into.

About the Author

HMC Staff is the author of this article on Muscle Cars. Find more information about Classic Cars here.

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