AMC AMX - Industry Firsts

Industry Firsts

The AMX was not only sporty and attractive, but it introduced many industry firsts.

The American Society of Automotive Engineers named the AMX as the "Best Engineered Car of the Year" in 1969 and 1970.

For its first year recognition, the reasons cited included the car’s dashboard, which was injection-molded in one piece "for safety purposes, an industry first." The AMX's new 390 engine was developed to have a large displacement within its minimal external dimensions and moderate weight, while the use of common components and machining with AMC's 290 and 343 engines assured manufacturing economy. The 1968 models also included an innovative fiberglass safety padding, a "plastic" on the inside of the windshield posts that was first used on the AMC Javelins.

For the following year's award, the citation included the 1970 AMXs (and Javelins) being the first production cars to use windshields that were safer, thinner, and lighter than ordinary laminated glass. Developed by Corning, the glass featured a chemically hardened layer designed to give under impact and crumble into small granules to reduce injuries. The inner layer has "stress raisers that will cause it to break before excessively high concussion forces can be developed in the occupant's skull."

American Motors also incorporated new designs for windshield sealing for the 1970 models, and developed a systems solutions process that began in the styling studio to insure maximum efficiency.