Re: 79 AMX identification

["Jim Blair" <carnuck@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

A: I forgot the AMX was Spirit based later on. My 77 was Hornet Hatchback 
and my brain equated Hornet to wagon to Eagle and extrapolated Concord from 
that! LOL


From: "Jeff Reeves" <jeffr@xxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <mail@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: 79 AMX identification
Date: Mon, 3 Jan 2005 08:33:58 -0500
Message-Id: <200501030834317.SM01252@D4JF0F51>

Taillights never wrapped around on a Spirit. You're talking Concord.

Looking at the taillight ID numbers won't help either---from 79-83 all
Spirit taillights used the same DOT numbering and they all would show a "79"
somewhere in the sequence to identify they were in compliance for a 1979
design car.

To identify this car as a true AMX, you'll have to do as Frank Swygert
suggested--look at the body code on the door trim tag (assuming the driver
door is original and still has the trim plate) or drop the steering box to
verify the serial number stamped there matches the last 7 or so digits of
the VIN plate. Frank said the AMX was a top-level *Concord*, but that was
only true for 1978. 1979 and 80 AMX was a Spirit based car.

I don't recall maroon being an available color for an AMX--I think the 79
AMX could be had in red, white, yellow, blue, silver and black. Of course,
all this is just what I recall off the top of my head since I don't have my
reference books here at work with me. In regards to the black dash
panels--something in the back of my mind says that the AMX could be had with
either black or the aluminum looking panels, depending on whether the car
had the standard or deluxe interior. But, again, I don't have my reference
material here with me at the moment.

Regarding the lack of body flares--these could have been removed at any
time. If the car was repainted, there would be no evidence of the flares, as
they simply attached to existing points and screwed into the same holes used
by garden-variety wheel trim moldings.

Here are a few things you can look at that a true AMX should have regardless
of paint color or flares: Full gauge package, including tachometer and the
four-gauge pod  beneath the dash; sport steering wheel; front swaybar that
is approximately 1" diameter and a rear swaybar that's about (I think) 5/8"
diameter; rear three-piece spoiler; left and right remote controlled black
sport mirrors.

Jeff Reeves
79 Spirit GT
72 Javelin SST

69 Ambassador DPL