At the time in the US the AMX was the only mid-engine car being "leaked" to the public. No one outside of Ford knew what the Pantera looked like and if I recall correctly, it had no name yet, only a code number designation.
Calling the AMX3 the superior car, may in fact be true, but in retrospect is just sour grapes.
Ford held the $10,000 line for a reason. The AMX3 cost analization by them internally, certainly fits into the story of what happened.
The problem was that AMC was virtually bankrupt at the time and the AMX3 was a last desperate stab at making a miracle comeback.
Personally I was ready for it, but not at $12,000 or even $10,000.
Back in '73, I filled out a mail in free Pantera brochure offer and as a result got the "yellow" brochure in the mail from Ford.
In addition I got a call from "Park Lincoln-Mercury" in Yonkers, NY, and got an offer over the phone of $5,100, for a new Pantera with a trade of my '68 Shelby for a new white Pantera.
I was in my senior year of college and concentrating on graduating and keeping out of the draft so that never happened for me.
Timing I'm afraid is everything?
Here are some pictures from one of the AMX3's taken at a Cobra Club meeting in MI back in '74.
They are from Jeff Burgy. Don't know which car this one is, but it certainly is not an aberration. Look at the hair stiles. Yikes.
I guess we all have stories to tell. For me I sometimes I wonder if they really ever happened or I just imagined it all?
Ask me about Jim Webb calling me and wanting me to buy his 427 Cobra. One of two with the dual Paxtons. His and Cosby's.
My wife tells me to stop the BS. I tell her it isn't BS. I had to pick between her and that car? Sometimes she still believes me?
