Everyone knows about muscle cars from companies such as Chevrolet, Ford, and Plymouth. But AMC was able to come up with a unique vehicle that would compete with all muscle cars on the market. With its lightweight construction, impressive horsepower and drag-racing engineering, AMC created a car that could beat any competition despite its modest reputation.
The 1969 AMC Hurst Super Stock AMX 390 was developed specifically for NHRA Super Stock competitions with only 52 units being manufactured to comply with NHRA regulations. Due to its exceptional quarter-mile performance, stripped-down construction and racing-oriented hardware, AMC AMX has turned into a real drag-strip monster capable of embarrassing other famous performance cars.
1. 1969 AMC Hurst Super Stock AMX 390
The 1969 AMC Hurst Super Stock AMX 390 has been designed to take victories in drag races. With the collaboration of Hurst Performance, AMC developed a special Super Stock competitor, which resulted in only 52 vehicles being manufactured for NHRA homologation purposes. The project has been presented in February 1969 at a dealer meeting in Riverside where legendary drag-racer Shirley Shahan demonstrated the car’s features. In total, AMC has manufactured 52 vehicles, thus giving a unique performance machine a place in drag racing history.
SS/AMX Racing Highlights:
- Only 52 examples produced
- Built for NHRA competition
- Hurst Performance engineering
- Lightweight 3,050-pound body
- 390 V8 powerplant
The quarter-mile performance of the car has become its unique feature. Hot Rod testing revealed that the AHRA record of 11.08 seconds at 127.11 mph has been set by the car, and other examples also demonstrated impressive performance with some SS/AMX examples reaching 10.50-second times while one of them achieved 10.73 second quarter-mile run at 128 mph. Back then, it was extremely hard for showroom performance cars to achieve 13 second mark, thus AMC has shown impressive acceleration.
2. Chevrolet Corvette
Chevrolet Corvette has become one of the best-known performance cars during that period of time; however, its comparison with AMC SS/AMX reveals interesting information. Despite having impressive engine power and sophisticated performance features, the periodical tests revealed that the showroom-specification cars couldn’t compete with the specialized car of AMC. The Car and Driver magazine tested 454 LS6 Corvette and reached 13.8 seconds at 106.8 mph result, while Motor Trend with L88 Corvette achieved 14.101 seconds at 106.89 mph result.
Corvette Performance Comparison:
- 454 LS6 big-block available
- L88 delivered serious performance
- 13.8-second LS6 quarter-mile
- 14.101-second L88 quarter-mile
- SS/AMX was significantly quicker
Despite the difference in testing conditions and street tires usage in Chevrolet cars, the fact remains that AMC SS/AMX has been developed specifically to provide maximum acceleration. Its lighter body weight, aggressive gearing, racing hardware and specific setup have made the car quicker than Corvette with greater engine power.
3. AMC’s Lightweight Construction
Another factor that played a significant role in the impressive acceleration of SS/AMX is its light weight. AMC and Hurst decided to strip the car from unnecessary parts instead of increasing its horsepower. The final weight of the car has reached approximately 3,050 pounds; thus, it had a great advantage over other performance cars. Acid-dipped body panels and relocation of the battery to the trunk made the car ready for drag-races.
Lightweight Engineering Features:
- Acid-dipped body panels
- Approximately 3,050 pounds
- Relocated trunk-mounted battery
- Competition-focused construction
- Reduced unnecessary equipment
As one can see, the car has been stripped of everything that was not needed for racing purposes. Moreover, the weight of the car made it lighter than its competitors. For example, 1971 Corvette weighed approximately 3,446 pounds, thus giving AMC a noticeable advantage. Additionally, Hurst installed a special engine crossmember, which allowed to quickly remove the oil pan between racing runs.
4. 390 V8 Racing Hardware
Under the hood of SS/AMX has been placed AMC 390 V8, but the engine has been equipped with special components to improve its performance on the drag-race strip. Specifically, Edelbrock STR-11 cross-ram intake manifold has been used with dual Holley carburetors along with high-compression forged JE pistons with 12.3:1 compression ratio. The cylinder heads were modified by Crane with special porting and larger valves in order to improve air flow.
390 V8 Performance Hardware:
- 390 cubic-inch V8
- Dual Holley carburetors
- 12.3:1 compression ratio
- High-flow cylinder heads
- 4.44 rear axle gearing
Also, the whole drivetrain has been modified. Hurst has installed 4.44 rear axle gears, Doug Thorley headers and Hurst Super Shifter to help the car to use its horsepower better. Moreover, AMC did not use blueprinted engines, as Hurst provided the car with a regular passenger-car camshaft. This approach gave racers the opportunity to install their preferred camshafts and tune the engine for specific class in the drag-race.
5. 420-HP NHRA-Rated Engine
According to the official statement, AMC has rated the 390 V8 at 340 horsepower; however, after checking by NHRA technical inspectors, the engine received 420 horsepower rating. This change was important as NHRA classification was determining which cars could compete against each other. Moreover, AMC has removed some unnecessary equipment from the SS/AMX, such as the heater and did not offer the car with a factory warranty.
SS/AMX Power Details:
- Factory rating was 340 horsepower
- NHRA rating reached 420 horsepower
- High-compression engine setup
- Heater equipment was removed
- No factory warranty offered
This approach has shown how seriously AMC took Super Stock program. SS/AMX has not been designed to become a grand touring car that could also accelerate well, but rather a competition machine that was sold through dealers of AMC. The combination of approximately 3,050 pounds, unique engine hardware and aggressive gearing has made it a unique machine with impressive performance even compared to modern cars with much more horsepower.
6. 10 Second Quarter-Mile Performance
The figures yielded by the SS/AMX remain some of the most spectacular features of this car. Tests revealed an average 11.08 second quarter-mile speed at 127.11 mph, while another tested SS/AMX managed the same in 10.73 seconds at 128 mph. “American Dream” SS/AMX reportedly completed a 10.50 second quarter-mile drive under ideal conditions.
Drag Racing Performance:
- 11.08-second documented pass
- 127.11-mph trap speed
- 10.73-second recorded run
- 128-mph quarter-mile speed
- 10.50-second favorable-condition run
These performances put the SS/AMX into a completely different class of cars. Its 10.73 second performance benchmark is worth noting since it remains impressive even with modern cars that enjoy technological advancements. This specialized AMC managed to do so many decades before the advent of traction control, launching capabilities and advanced electronic engine management system.
7. Only 52 SS/AMX Machines Produced
As soon as production came to an end, the SS/AMX became extremely rare. The AMC produced only 52 examples of the car to meet NHRA homologation requirements. Thus, even during the racing era of the car, obtaining it became difficult for enthusiasts. Hard racing inevitably took its toll, damaging the cars and even rendering them lost. There is an official SSAMX registry that counts only 39 cars.
SS/AMX Rarity Facts:
- Production totaled 52 cars
- Only 39 are currently known
- Built for homologation purposes
- Many suffered racing damage
- Surviving cars are highly collectible
The history of the car includes lots of unique survival stories, such as the discovery of the last-produced SS/AMX that reportedly spent decades in an Alaskan shipping container. Some cars were later modified with AMC conversion parts having 1970’s-style body parts. It shows how the racing cars can undergo changes for decades and keep traces of their racing past.
8. Original $5,994 Price Tag
Ownership of an SS/AMX machine in 1969 involved quite serious money issues. According to the period sources, the car was originally sold for approximately $5,994 and had no warranties whatsoever. Its special character made the car attractive only to serious racers rather than regular car buyers. Some cars reportedly stood on the dealership floors for months because of the lack of appropriate buyers who were willing to spend so much money.
Original SS/AMX Details:
- Original price was $5,994
- Sold without factory warranty
- Specialized racing equipment
- Optional factory paint scheme
- $79 Hurst paint surcharge
Buyers could also order an optional red-white-and-blue appearance. Hurst charged additionally $79 for the paint treatment. Now, it seems unimaginable how the original price of the car became reality considering the current price level. For instance, a verified SS/AMX sold at Mecum Indy for $181,500 in May 2022, while another SS/AMX, which is reported to be in mint condition and owned by one person, reportedly was priced at $211,000 in 2025. Such transformation of a racing car to a collector one is truly impressive.
9. 1970 AMC Rebel Machine
AMC did not stop at drag races and introduced the Rebel Machine in 1970 as a street-oriented machine, which competed with such classic muscle cars as the Chevrolet Chevelle SS, Plymouth Road Runner and Pontiac GTO. The Rebel Machine had a 390 V8 engine that could deliver 340 horsepower. Thus, this car had a powerful engine together with the equipment needed for regular street driving. The aggressive appearance and the functional hood scoop spoke for themselves.
Rebel Machine Highlights:
- 390 V8 engine
- 340 horsepower output
- Four-speed manual transmission
- Hurst shifter included
- Only 2,326 produced
The car featured the four-speed manual transmission, Hurst shifter, aggressive axle ratios, heavy-duty suspension components, power disc brakes, and 8,000 rpm hood tachometer. According to Motor Trend, the 0–60 mph acceleration time was 6.4 seconds and quarter-mile run was 14.4 seconds at 99 mph. With the production number of 2,326 cars in one year, the Rebel Machine became another important element of the AMC performance line.
10. AMC’s Enduring Underdog Legacy
While the SS/AMX’s quarter-mile record is impressive in and of itself, it serves as evidence of AMC’s ability to develop a specialized performance machine despite not being known primarily for such. AMC proved that a company whose products were known mainly for their practicality could produce a performance car capable of going head-to-head with the best that America’s performance legends had to offer. While AMC certainly did not have the resources of companies like Chevrolet, Ford, or Chrysler, AMC managed to do things in a different manner with ingenuity, light-weight design, and performance-minded approach.
AMC Performance Legacy:
- Challenged Detroit’s performance giants
- Focused on engineering efficiency
- Created rare racing machines
- Produced memorable muscle cars
- Built lasting collector appeal
Thus, AMC’s SS/AMX and Rebel Machine became the two facets of AMC’s performance cars legacy. The former represented the aggressive drag racer focused solely on winning the quarter-mile drag race, while the latter represented more street-oriented car with a similar aggressive attitude. AMC proved that even an underdog automaker could produce cars with the potential of attracting attention and competing with more famous brands.
