1969 Amx-ls3 - Lateral-g Forums

Jimi-FM3 · #1 02-24-2010, 04:16 PM

Hey guys - I'm certainly not new to the site and I've had the pleasure of meeting many of you in person at the various shows and events we attend. This group has been great with assisting us with display cars at locations around the country and providing us enthusiastic volunteers for the events we produce.

I figure it's time to come out the closet and post my project up here for all to see. Yup, it's an AMC...but before you laugh too hard and pass judgement, let me say right up front, I'm not a fan of all AMC's - who could really love a Pacer or a Matador (no offense to hard core AMC fans)? No, I'm just a fan of the AMX - I fell in love when I was 15 years old, volunteering my services at a local body shop, where I worked sweeping floors and doing other dirty work in exchange for the opportunity to hang around some cool guys and cool cars. A customer brought in an AMX for some minor work and I was smitten. Growing up in central Illinois in the 80's, I'd never seen one before. Hell, most of them had rusted to the ground at least 10 years earlier, and with only 8100 69's produced, there were very few to begin with.

I've always been a fan of the long hood, short deck look like notchback Mustangs and Cougars, and I was really intrigued by the 2 seater configuration. A sports/muscle car all rolled into one. Well, it took me another 20+ years to finally find one - this one spent her whole life in sunny California and the body was original and unmolested when I bought it in 2002. Here's what's going on:

Paint and body: Turnkey Restorations - Oxford, MI
Suspension front: Global West, Hotchkis, Mustang Cobra
Suspension rear: AMC leaf springs and torque arms
Engine - 401 AMC - 325 HP
Trans - T10 4 speed
Rear - AMC M20 w/3:55 posi & Moser axles
Brakes front: Mustang Cobra/Brembo 13" disc
Brakes rear: SSBC 10" disc

Here's what's happening now:
Fabrication: D and Z Customs - Randy Johnson
Engine swap: 2010 LS3
Trans swap: Keisler 6 speed
Wheels: Rushforth Night Train - polished hoop, dark brushed centers
Tires: BGF KDW2's 255/35/18 and 295/35/18
Suspension rear: relocate leaf springs inboard 2", Global West spherical bearing leaf springs

Looking for completion later this year and then you'll see it everywhere we go on the event circuit. Hoping to debut it at LSfest in Bowling Green in September. Thanks to everyone here for motivation and inspiration!

67ragtp · #2 02-25-2010, 06:22 AM

Jimi,

Cool project, nice to see the AMX getting the treatment. Looking forward to seeing more pics as you progress.

Rich

**XcYZ** · #3 02-25-2010, 07:31 AM

Pretty cool, Jimi!

Bow Tie 67 · #4 02-25-2010, 08:13 AM

Pretty cool, she made it back to her birth area.

**camcojb** · #5 02-25-2010, 09:30 AM

very cool project, I'm also a fan of those cars. In fact, a few years ago before I bought my last Chevelle I was looking for an AMX..........

Jody

Jimi-FM3 · #6 02-25-2010, 10:13 AM

Thanks guys - I'm pretty excited to have my own project going now and not just spectating on the sidelines. I'm really looking forward to that first autocross and hot lap shakedown - or maybe not! They're never done, right?

Here's a couple more pics - on the way to the body shop and the LS3 and the Rushforth wheels...

**Ricochet** · #7 02-25-2010, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimi-FM3

I figure it's time to come out the closet.

As I read your post and came across this - I started to get a little nervous there Jimi!

Cool car indeed. I have always been a fan of those cars as well. I remember a couple of them that ran around here that really left an impression on me. Looking forward to seeing it done. I know with you behind the helm - it will be nice and done right!

radrambler · #8 02-25-2010, 05:57 PM

JIMI

A KICK A$$ AMC ADDED TO THE GROUP...
cant wait to see the car with the lsx/6 speed...Randy get your camera out !! You have to post pics..
I would like to see how the front suspension/brake setup looks..Im interested to know what combo of parts are on it because i see some mods to the spring towers..

Tom

Jimi-FM3 · #9 02-25-2010, 06:13 PM

Brent, we've hung out enough times at SEMA for you to know better pal!

Tom, the front suspension is comprised of Hotchkis upper spring mounts, Strange coilovers, Mustang Cobra spindles, Global West lower control arms and some custom fabricating. We're going to add a shock tower brace with both side/side and front/rear stabilization. I'll try to get some pics up here of that when we get it a little more torn down. It looks way roomy under the front fenders with no trunnions!!

66LS7 · #10 02-25-2010, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by radrambler

JIMI

A KICK A$$ AMC ADDED TO THE GROUP...
cant wait to see the car with the lsx/6 speed...Randy get your camera out !! You have to post pics..
I would like to see how the front suspension/brake setup looks..Im interested to know what combo of parts are on it because i see some mods to the spring towers..

Tom

Hi Tom,
between Jimi & myself we will have plenty of pics to post.