Sports car · 2 seats

1969 AMC AMX 390

Sports car powered by AMC 390 V8.

Blue 1969 AMC AMX 390 Go Package front view

Body Two-seat fastback coupe on a 97-inch wheelbase

Engine X-code 390 V8, rated at 315 gross hp and 425 lb-ft

Transmission T-10 four-speed or optional Shift-Command automatic

Model-year production 8,293 AMXs reported across all engines

Story

1969 AMC AMX 390

The 1969 AMX paired AMC's compact, two-seat fastback with the optional X-code 390 V8. Factory specifications list 315 gross horsepower and 425 lb-ft of torque. A Borg-Warner T-10 four-speed was standard on the AMX, while the cast-iron Shift-Command three-speed automatic was optional.

The AMX used a 97-inch wheelbase, trunnion front suspension, parallel rear leaf springs, and rear torque links. Standard brakes were 10-inch drums at all four wheels. The optional Go Package added four-piston 11-inch front discs and other performance equipment, but Go Package appearance alone does not establish how a particular car was built.

AMC offered twelve standard AMX colors for 1969, with three vivid Big Bad colors added during the model year. Big Bad Blue, Orange, and Green included body-color bumpers and carried distinct door-tag paint codes. The technical color-and-trim table also records vinyl choices in Charcoal, Platinum, Red, and Saddle, plus optional leather in Charcoal or Saddle.

Hemmings reports 8,293 AMXs for the model year. Its color records identify 284 Big Bad Orange, 283 Big Bad Green, and 195 Big Bad Blue cars. Exact 390 production by transmission is left unresolved because the available secondary totals conflict. For an individual car, the X-code drivetrain, engine date tag and castings, transmission tag, axle code, door tag, build sheet, and original paperwork matter more than badges or restoration choices.

Blue 1969 AMC AMX 390 Go Package side profileChristopher Ziemnowicz via Wikimedia Commons · CC0 1.0

Price history

Values

Nominal dollars from original price sheets, auction archives, and approved value references.

Original Price

A verified original price is not yet available for this car.

Market Observations

High bid $25,500

May 2, 2024 · Bring a Trailer
Factory 390 automatic AMX A9C397X199027 retaining its Castilian Gray color context, with disclosed paintwork, a Holley carburetor, Edelbrock intake, long-tube headers, underbody corrosion, dents, and paint flaws. · modified · unknown Bring a Trailer records a $25,500 reserve-not-met high bid. The X-code chassis supports the factory 390 pathway, while induction and exhaust changes require a modified classification. This is a no-sale signal, not a transaction price; a June 2024 repeat listing of the same chassis is excluded.
1969 AMC AMX 390 A9C397X199027 auction result
Auction sale $36,000

Jan 21, 2023 · Bring a Trailer
Factory 390 four-speed AMX A9M397X133713 refurbished under prior ownership with a rebuilt engine, Holley Sniper electronic fuel injection, replacement carpeting and headliner, refinished bodywork, rear spoiler, and Magnum-style wheels; the listing reports an antique-branded Pennsylvania title. · modified · unknown Bring a Trailer records a $36,000 sale. The X-code chassis supports the factory 390 pathway, while the refurbishment and disclosed fuel-system, body, trim, and wheel changes require a modified classification. The title notation is retained as material transaction context.
1969 AMC AMX 390 A9M397X133713 auction result
Auction sale $28,001

Mar 17, 2021 · Bring a Trailer
Factory 390 four-speed AMX A9M397X189904 refurbished in the mid-2000s, repainted from copper to black, and fitted with Edelbrock aluminum cylinder heads, carburetor, and intake, headers, electronic ignition, custom interior trim, aftermarket gauges, and aftermarket wheels. · modified · unknown Bring a Trailer records a $28,001 sale. The X-code chassis and listing history support the factory 390 pathway, while the color change, engine upgrades, and interior and wheel changes require a modified classification.
1969 AMC AMX 390 A9M397X189904 auction result

Values move with paperwork, originality, options, condition, venue, and body style. High bids and guide values are labeled separately from completed sales.

Reference records

Options, Colors & Components

Source-backed details for trim, chassis, production, and authenticity.

Engine Details

**Engine-bay view of a restored 1969 AMC AMX 390 Go Package example**Christopher Ziemnowicz via Wikimedia Commons · CC0 1.0

Engine type and induction 90-degree OHV V-8 with 4-barrel carburetor · 1969 AMC 390 CID V-8, AMX optional engine · engine assembly / specification
Bore and stroke 4.165 x 3.574 in · 1969 AMC 390 CID V-8 · engine assembly / specification
Compression ratio 10.2:1 nominal · 1969 AMC 390 CID V-8 with 4-barrel carburetor · engine assembly / specification
Published maximum horsepower 315 bhp at 4,600 rpm · 1969 AMC 390 CID V-8 with 4-barrel carburetor · engine assembly / specification
Published maximum torque 425 lb-ft at 3,200 rpm · 1969 AMC 390 CID V-8 with 4-barrel carburetor · engine assembly / specification
Cylinder block material Cast iron · 1969 AMC 390 CID V-8 · block / specification
Cylinder head material Cast iron · 1969 AMC 390 CID V-8 · cylinder head / specification
Piston construction Autothermic flat-top piston with valve pockets, slipper skirt, tin plate, and steel-strut inserts · 4-barrel 390 CID AMC V-8 · piston / specification
Crankshaft material SAE 1046 forged steel · 1969 AMC 390 CID V-8 · crankshaft / specification
Manual-transmission carburetor Carter AFB 4664S, 4-barrel · 390 CID, 315 hp V-8 with manual transmission · carburetor / carburetor list
Automatic-transmission carburetor Carter AFB 4665S, 4-barrel · 390 CID, 315 hp V-8 with automatic transmission · carburetor / carburetor list
Air-cleaner element Cellulose fiber element · 1969 AMC 390 CID V-8 carburetor air cleaner · air cleaner / specification
Water pump One centrifugal pump, V-belt driven, 55 GPM at 4,400 rpm · 1969 AMC 290, 343, and 390 CID V-8 cooling system · water pump / specification
Ignition system type Conventional ignition standard; transistorized/capacitor-discharge ignition not available · 1969 AMC 290, 343, and 390 CID V-8 engines · ignition / specification

Transmission

Factory transmission AMC Borg-Warner T-10 four-speed manual
Factory transmission AMC Shift-Command three-speed automatic

Options

AMC 390 V8 reference for the 1969 AMC AMX 390Classic Muscle · Reference illustration

Go Package Go Package / Go Pack optional · performance · References describe the AMX Go Package as performance equipment; VIN alone does not prove factory Go Package status.
Twin-Grip Twin-Grip limited-slip differential optional · chassis · Factory AMA axle section lists Twin-Grip as optional; references describe it as available with several ratios.
Trendsetter Trendsetter side exhaust optional · appearance · Hemmings reports AMC's side exhaust could be ordered after January 1969.
39-2 / PP2 390 Go Package optional · performance · Factory AMX ordering guide lists the 390 Go Package as the same equipment as the 343 Go Package except with the 390 CID engine.
Big Bad Color Package Big Bad Color Package optional · appearance · Factory AMX ordering guide lists a January-production Big Bad Color package including body color, painted front and rear bumpers, aluminum molding for the upper edge of the front bumper, and painted rear bumper guards.

Paint

**Blue 1969 AMC AMX 390 Go Package rear view showing the white stripe treatment, 390 badge, rocker trim, and redline tires**Christopher Ziemnowicz via Wikimedia Commons · CC0 1.0

39 Matador Red factory · solid
63 Castillion Gray factory · metallic
64 Beale St. Blue factory · metallic
65 Regatta Blue factory · metallic
68 Alamosa Aqua factory · metallic
71 Hunter Green factory · metallic
72 Frost White factory · solid
75 Willow Green factory · metallic
76 Pompeii Yellow factory · solid
77 Butternut Beige factory · metallic
79 Bittersweet Orange factory · metallic
80 Black Mink factory · metallic
2A Big Bad Blue optional · solid
3A Big Bad Orange optional · solid
4A Big Bad Green optional · solid

Appearance

AMX identification and 390 engine association factory · badge
Chrome steel 'Mag' wheels, 14 x 6 optional · wheel
E70-14 AMX tire fitment with red-line option factory · other
Black or white Go Package stripes optional · stripe

Interior

**Cabin of the same restored 1969 AMC AMX 390 Go Package example, showing the two-seat layout, instrument panel, wood-rim wheel, and four-speed floor controls**Christopher Ziemnowicz via Wikimedia Commons · CC0 1.0

Ventilair vinyl bucket seats: Charcoal (931), Platinum (932), Red (935), or Saddle (936) factory · seat
Optional leather bucket seats: Charcoal (931) or Saddle (936) optional · seat
Center console and floor controls factory · console
AMX instrument panel with tachometer factory · gauge

Chassis

Trunnion front suspension Suspension · factory
Parallel rear leaf springs with torque links Suspension · factory
Go Package heavy-duty suspension Suspension · optional
Standard front sway bar Suspension · factory
Front coil springs specification Suspension · factory
Parallel rear leaf springs specification Suspension · factory
Direct-acting shock absorbers Suspension · factory
Standard four-wheel drum brakes Brakes · standard
Go Package power front disc brakes Brakes · optional
AMC Model 20 rear axle Rear axle · factory
390 four-speed ratios Rear axle · 3.54 standard; 3.15 optional · factory
390 automatic ratios Rear axle · 2.87 standard; 3.15 optional · factory
Twin-Grip limited-slip differential Rear axle · limited-slip · optional
390 Go Package Twin-Grip limited-slip differential Rear axle · limited-slip · required

Production

Transmission Records reference for the 1969 AMC AMX 390Classic Muscle · Reference illustration

1969 AMC AMX, all engines total · 8,293 · reported
1969 AMX Big Bad Orange by color · 284 · reported
1969 AMX Big Bad Green by color · 283 · reported
1969 AMX Big Bad Blue by color · 195 · reported

Authenticity

Model 20 Rear Axle reference for the 1969 AMC AMX 390Classic Muscle · Reference illustration

Go Package verification Factory documentation such as window sticker, dealer order form, or build sheet · Owner paperwork, dealer paperwork, build-sheet locations if present · fraud detection
Engine originality boundary AMC V-8 casting numbers and valve-cover engine tag can identify/date engine, but do not directly match the car VIN · Engine casting areas and small tag screwed to the valve cover · numbers matching
Big Bad paint code Driver's-door tag code 2A for Big Bad Blue, 3A for Big Bad Orange, or 4A for Big Bad Green · Driver's door tag paint-code field · trim correctness
AMX body identity Factory AMX is a two-seat body with no rear seat · Body configuration and factory identification records · fraud detection

Still Researching

engine Factory AMA rows now resolve core 390 specifications, materials, carburetor list numbers, air-cleaner element, water-pump specification, and ignition-system type; complete casting numbers, valve-cover engine tag decoding, distributor model/date variations, fuel-pump identifiers, intake/exhaust manifold identifiers, service-replacement parts, and car-specific originality evidence remain unresolved.
transmission T-10 and Shift-Command paths are recorded, but the complete tag, gearset, case, shifter, and date-code matrix is not.
rear axle Factory ratios, Model 20 identity, optional Twin-Grip availability, and 390 Go Package Twin-Grip inclusion are recorded, but every assembly code and dealer ratio is not.
brakes Standard drums and Go Package front discs are recorded, but every casting, date, line, and package interaction is not.
suspension AMA specifications document sway-bar, spring, and shock dimensions, but original spring tags and complete factory service-part applications remain unresolved.
option packages Factory ordering-guide evidence now resolves AMX Go Package option codes 39-1/PP1 and 39-2/PP2 with listed equipment, and identifies the Big Bad Color package, but the complete restriction, combination, midyear revision, and price matrix is not normalized in the allowed option-package fields.
production Model-year and Big Bad color totals are recorded, but trustworthy 390 transmission, option, trim, and regular-color subtotals remain unresolved.
paint colors The standard and Big Bad palettes are recorded, but special-order finishes and color production beyond Big Bad cars are not.
trim and appearance Major wheels, tires, stripes, badges, and side-exhaust context are recorded, but every molding, stripe, wheel, and dealer accessory is not.
interior The factory seat materials, colors, and trim codes are recorded, but every option and body-color compatibility detail is not.
authenticity markers Core body, drivetrain, paint, package, and documentation checks are recorded, but complete component-date and assembly-number guidance is not.