73 AMX G-Machine

[69z]

Originally Posted by TorqDork

It's kind of interesting the different look of the 16 inch Minilites on the Crush and the 17 inch Minilites on the Silver Bullet.

Hello,
I must admit, I've been a lurker here for more than I can say. There is a great amount of quality cars here. This one is no exception.
The problem is when people misrepresent something such as these wheels. They are not Minilites, they are a reproduction of the unique style of Minilites. As a racer, I can tell you there are many differences, and most are strength related.
My question is, why go cheap on the wheels, when you have invested so much in the rest of the car?
And, as for your photo comment about "what Mark Donohue would have built"..... I don't think so.....

[TorqDork]

Originally Posted by 69z

Hello,
I must admit, I've been a lurker here for more than I can say. There is a great amount of quality cars here. This one is no exception.
The problem is when people misrepresent something such as these wheels. They are not Minilites, they are a reproduction of the unique style of Minilites. As a racer, I can tell you there are many differences, and most are strength related.
My question is, why go cheap on the wheels, when you have invested so much in the rest of the car?
And, as for your photo comment about "what Mark Donohue would have built"..... I don't think so.....

What I find here is probably the worst case of “Clip-on Bowtie” Mentality I’ve ever seen! First off, is it what Mark Donohue would have built? Uh, he essentially Pro/Toured his own personal ’71 AMX 40 years ago in an article for Car & Driver Magazine and discussed the merits of good handling on a passenger car.

He took his own ’71 AMX and simply changed the spring rates lowering the car slightly, shock valve parameters, sway bars, and changed the tire size in the rear. The stock ’71 AMX did .74 g on the skidpad on 15 inch 60 series bias ply tires which was the same as the ’71 Corvette also on bias ply tires. After the modifications, he brought it up to .84 g “Still on 15 inch 60 series bias ply tires” 40 years ago! That’s the street car Mark Donohue built in 1971.

Now this is over and above the fact of the influence Mark had on the car itself namely the front and rear spoilers, the cowl induction hood and the front flush grille screen, all things he wanted in the production cars for homologation purposes. Penske added a few tweaks of his own.

What Mark Donohue would have built??? An AMC magazine ad:



Am I an AMC guy? Maybe, maybe not. I build many different cars but I enjoy the AMX the most with it’s current tweaks. Examples:
’69 T/A

Current ’78 T/A project.

AMX Chevelle



I have owned my particular car for 40 years and started tweaking it back in the ‘70’s based on the Donohue article at the very least with the early T/A Radials, Gabriel Adjustable E Shocks and upgraded sway bar bushings. I was an SCCA member back then and my car has been to Sebring, Daytona, Road America and the old Donnybrooke track in it’s lifetime. I was the only AMC to go to Sebring with the Corvette Club in '72. That's 39 years ago. I met Mark in 1973 at Road America and had watched him race at Sebring, Daytona, Donnybrooke and Road America from Trans Am, NASCAR and Formula 5000. I hate to burst your bubble but he really did like that car!

Donnybrooke: Turn One, 120 MPH 1995, 150,000 miles, stock engine.

Currently my car resides in the let’s say ‘90’s “Resto/Pro/Touring category and I’m leaving it that way with 16 x 8 Halibrands, lowered, suspension tweaks, custom shocks, Wilwood 4 wheel discs, 12:1 steering gear and a 420 HP 360 with nothing I can’t restore.



On the wheels, yes they are reproductions that truly evoke the heritage of the days of glory for all the Ponycars that were a part of the Trans Am series.

My suggestion is you remove your clip on Bowtie, unbutton your collar and get over it. Then go back to lurking. Is it another Camaro? No! Colorado built an elegant and nasty example of a Trans Am Champion! I also stand by the concept of the Silver Bullet and what Mark would have liked!


P.S.

Sorry bout that. Hope it's just a flesh wound!

[Coloradoamx]

It's fully understood that the wheels are not British minilites, but the wheels on the car are NOT cheap. They are a modern interpretation of the classic design. Nor can British minilites be had with the size and offset that I needed to work on the car, both for the stance as well and the wheel opening I had to work with. The wheels are my choice, not because they were cheaper, but because in my opinion, they look better on MY car. This is a Pro-Touring car, not a replica needing "correct" parts for concours.

Please clarify what you meant by "What Mark Donohue would have built"..."I don't think so"" Mark Donohue drove exactly this body Javelin AMX, and in fact won the Trans Am championship in 1971 in a Javelin/AMX. Where was the Camaro after Penske and Donohue left Chevrolet after the 69 season? Donohue lost the Trans Am championship to the Bud Moore Mustngs by 1 point in an uproven car, and won the series in 1971, and George Folmer won the Trans Am Championship in a Javelin in 1972. Admitedly, the series was on the decline by 1972, the cars and drivers were the same, albeit corporate sponsorship.

For reference, read The Unfair Advantage written by Mark himself, and see what he had to say about his days racing AMC. He had full design control at AMC over the body of the 2nd generation Javelins, including: rear quarter design, front fender bulges, cowl induction hood, front and rear spoilers, etc. In fact he personally designed the rear spolier, so I think we do know "what Mark Donohue would have built" .....

[TorqDork]

I got coloradoamx to shoot some fresh photos of his AMX. He did a very nice job!

[70rs]

Originally Posted by TorqDork

I got coloradoamx to shoot some fresh photos of his AMX. He did a very nice job!

Beautiful car!

Except those cheap knock off mini lites.........JUST KIDDING!!!!!!

I agree with your comments above regarding the "feel" of these wheels. And the wheels on your car too. Both look fantastic and carry that "feeling" from way back when.....

Donohue would really like both of these cars I bet.

[Coloradoamx]

This is the view that most get of the car!

I'm happy to say that the Silver Bullet will be on the Car Quest calendar for 2012...that's a very cool thing, because there are some awesome cars that it's keeping company with during the rest of the year!

[waynieZ]

Congratulation's on the calander shoot. The car looks great.

[coolwelder62]

Javelin,Look's awesome.

[TorqDork]

Originally Posted by 70rs

Beautiful car!


I agree with your comments above regarding the "feel" of these wheels. And the wheels on your car too. Both look fantastic and carry that "feeling" from way back when.....

Donohue would really like both of these cars I bet.

Thanks for your comments. I think this car is Awesome and why I put it on an upcoming Car Quest calendar that will feature a blend of Pro/Touring and Resto/Mod Musclecars. Colorado took some nice photos to help make it happen. I literally passed up the chance to put my own car on the calendar and bowed to what in my opinion is a cooler car than mine and best represents the marque.

Here are some more:

[TorqDork]

Thought I'd throw in some detail shots of this unique car.

Factory fiberglass cowl induction hood, wire mesh grille screen and good looking T Stripe


The '73's and '74's had Corvette style taillight pods.


Non Factory Seats


Dash.


Well Done Engine Compartment


Also congrats on the car being featured on a Pro/Touring style Calendar for 2012