AMX/3 DESIGN EVOLUTION PHOTOS
•RENDERINGS, CLAY MODELS AND AMC IN_HOUSE PRESENTATIONS
•AMX/K-AMX/3 FIBERGLASS IN-HOUSE AND AUTOSHOW PRESENTATIONS
•AMX/2 RENDERINGS, CLAY, THEN FIBERGLASS AUTOSHOW PRESENTATIONS
•AMX/3 FIRST STEEL PROTOTYPES ARE PRODUCED
•PUSH-MOBILE AMX/3 IN CLAY THEN FIBERGLASS IN-HOUSE AND AUTOSHOW PRESENTATIONS
•THE PRESS RELEASE CAR #3 FINISHED PROTOTYPE
•THE AMC DESIGN EVOLUTION CONTINUES AND FINAL AMC DESIGN CHANGES
Attempt to chronologically display the images of the AMX/K-AMX/3project.
Below, the first rendering and first model created in clay under the AMX/K-AMX/3 project. May 1967 AMC gave Richard Teague, the head of design at American Motors, and Bob Nixon, his chief designer, are given the go-ahead to propose a mid-engine prototype. The project was called AMX/K at that time and it convinced AMC management of the idea to actually build a mid-engine sports car ultimately named the AMX/3.
The first photo is the rendering by Eric Kugler. The next group of photos are the "AMX/K" in the early phases of clay, note how the taillights shape resembles the below later AMX/2. The next group of photos are the first completed AMX/K in clay and the next group are renderings are based on this photo. The next group of photos are the AMX/K in-house presentation in clay, note the round taillights and note the side window back glass shape is different on this "first model" compared to later models below. In the last group of photos are the car is simply labeled AMX, dated April 11th, 1968. All photos here are clay except the two last photos. This clay version was splashed for the fiberglass body sent to Italy to be used for the shape of the steel body cars. Final photo is the rejected Giugiaro proposal.
The first mockup done in fiberglass as the design evolution continued. Displayed in-house as the AMX/K at this time.
August 1969 photos of the AMX/K. Note the 3-slot taillights and rear fascia similar to Car #1. This is the second model evolution of the three mockups built during the project. Note the more familiar rear side window design. The last photo is interesting: appears to have DOT side markers and Magnum 500 wheels.
Under the AMX/K project, the AMX/2 "teaser" side program was created to generate public interest in a mid-engine sportscar without giving away the actual shape of the AMX/3 already developed at that time. The second model done in fiberglass under the AMX/K - AMX/3 Project. Even Hot Wheels built one.
The AMX/2 introduced at the February 1969 Chicago Auto Show and shown at many others in '69.
After design concept #1 in clay is splashed to produce the fiberglass model sent to Italy, the first group of metal bodied AMX/3 cars includes #2, #3 and later, #5 are constructed. The steel bodies were formed from a wooden jig based on a fiberglass model splashed from the original clay design. June 1969 Car #1, the first steel bodied prototype was sent to BMW.
Car #2, the second prototype followed in 1969 December 5 final BMW testing reports on the improved torsional rigidity thanks to development by the design team. Testing on Car #2 followed in the streets of Turin then the Monza track.
AMX/3 mockup first in clay then presented in fiberglass at the April 1970 New York Auto Show. Called the third fiberglass model in the project by Teague, it was donated to the Rippey Museum. This famous styling mockup is now owned by Tom Dulaney.
While the steel body cars were being developed in Italy, AMC continued design modifications on the third fiberglass mockup pushmobile independently of the Italian steel bodywork. The result was the April 1970 New York Auto Show display. Note the similarities the second group of steel cars #4 and especially #6 and #7. Note how AMC continued developing the pushmobile adding DOT side marker lights and the air inlet at the rear quarter window. DOT side markers were removed from the drivers side when it was painted and donated to the Rippey Museum.
The first fully completed steel body running press release Car #3 is imported to the U.S.
March 1970 Car #3 was the only one finished and imported to AMC in the U.S. during the AMC funded project. Cars #2 and #3 (and later arriving #5) are the "early" steel bodies. It is appears Car #5 was not imported until '73 along with Car #1 and the transaxles.
June 1970 the design changes continue at the AMC Design Center in Detroit. Note the design work to "conceal" the wipers was done by AMC. It has been suggested and reported that the later cars are different, therefore not "real" AMX/3 cars but these design photos and continued rear body design on the fiberglass pushmobile prove the later cars were finished exactly as designed and intended by AMC appearing on Cars #4, #6 and #7.
The body design modifications are introduced in Car #4
July 1970 the fully funded project is canceled by AMC, but AMC offers Bizzarrini to continue the project self-funded with parts and commitment from AMC for 10 AMX/3 cars with Bizzarrini marketing 20 Sciabola cars, but Bizzarrini ultimately declines. AMC does fund Bizzarrini & Diomante to finish Car #4 with all the AMC design modifications, then AMC presented Car #4 at the October 1970 Turin Auto Show. Car #4 is the first of the "later" styled steel bodies. By March '71 AMC involvement ends selling Cars 4&2 to Werden.
The final modifications by AMC are introduced
Car #6 and later #7 are finished using the AMC design modifications. This is the car that would have been available to the public if the project continued to market in late 1970 / early 1971. Car #6 was again shown at the 1976 Turin Auto Show funded by OTO Melara to sell transaxles. In addition to the new rear body shape and raised cowl on #4; #6 receives the lower front hood scoop elimination and the pop-up rear spoiler elimination per AMC design changes present on the final mockup pushmobile AMX/3. Finally in 1973 the project was officially scraped and the remaining cars still in Italy, #1 and #5 and 28 OTO Melara 4MXPD transaxles were imported to the US by AMC. Diomante/Bizzarrini were allowed to keep Car #6 in Italy as AMC honored its right for them to build the cars marketed as Sciabola but none were sold except the unfinished Car #7 and AMX/3 Spider.
* All photos borrowed from the internet and/or selected bibliography items.