I admire companies that did a lot with a little. Studebaker did that during the (many) moments it had a lifeline. American Motors is another company, though sometimes a completely different context. It was brave to enter one of the most competitive segments at the time—pony cars. To add distinction, it created a short-wheelbase version and instantly had a halo car with the AMX.
When General Motors and Chrysler were introducing redesigned versions of their pony cars for 1970, AMC did a good job of updating its own, as you can see in one of these AutoHunter Picks. Would you agree?
1970 AMC AMX
Do you prefer the 1968-69 AMX, or the 1970? Ads proclaimed, “We made the AMX tougher this year because it’s tougher this year,” which wasn’t a lie. A hood scoop was now standard, though only functional with the Go Package option for the standard 360 or optional 390.
Parking lights moved to the grille, with the bumper cavities now functioning as air scoops for the brakes. Arguably, the most important improvement was the redesigned dashboard, now with simulated woodgrain trim. This 390 car features the unusual “Shadow Mask” treatment and side pipes.
1962 Ford Thunderbird Sports Roadster
The 1961-63 Thunderbird is somewhat like Herman Hermits—their pop sensibilities caught my ear but, with age and exposure, my tastes evolved. The same thing happened with the 1962-63 Sports Roadster. I still love this era T-bird, and I experience wistful pangs when I encounter one, which seems to be often since they were always owned by mature folks.
The Sports Roadster is special, but early ones are difficult to pedigree; this one is a later ’62, so it has the “proper” VIN proving it’s a not just your average Thunderbird ragtop.
1966 Oldsmobile Toronado
Again, another story about cutting my teeth: There was a neat 1966 Toronado near where I lived, but then I saw a ’67 and noticed how the headlamp lids were nicely integrated with the sheetmetal. I preferred the ’66 grille but, overall, the ’67 was cleaner.
Fast forward several years, and I learned that the ‘66’s lids were sunken to invoke simulated air scoops above. Neat! Now there’s no way any Toronado will ever outdo the original in my mind, with this example on AutoHunter a stunner in Ebony Black with green vinyl and cloth Strato Bench interior.
1968 Ford Mustang Golden Nugget Special
The world of classic Ford Mustangs is large, with many regional specials that are little-known. This one is called the Golden Nugget Special and was produced for the Seattle ordering district. All were built in Sunlit Gold with black hood stripes, black C-stripe, and black vinyl top. Interiors appear to be a mix of black or gold.
There was even a plaque inside that declared it a Golden Nugget Mustang along with the original owner’s name. Period newspaper ads said 525 were planned to be built, but only 481 hardtops were built according to Marti Auto Works, of which 84 were powered by the 302-4V.
