AMX Dash Plaques

The original 68 cars came from the factory without a numbered dash plaque, but did have a similar plaque with the letters "AMX cast into it.  (You could not just inscribe the letters onto a blank plate-it is different). I have documented some cars made the week of Jan 20, 1968 as having numbered plaques on the glove box, and no "AMX" only plaque.  There were 88 AMXs made up to Jan 27, so certainly no more than 88 cars had the "AMX only plaque.  Strangely, the "AMX" only plaque was on the center crashpad, as seen in the brochure.  The numbered plaques appeared on the glovebox beginning in Jan., but I have no memo or letters to state that, or why the change.  (Though the Javelin's plaque was on the glovebox from the beginning). There are a few cars out there that have both plaques on the car, but none are verified yet as coming from the factory that way.  (And I have requested info on the cars from the owners, but none replied). The number moved from the glovebox back to the center crashpad somewhere around the week of Feb. 24.  (Again, no memo, production letter, etc.)  There were 423 AMXs made to that point, with an additional 346 AMXs made that week, for a total of 769.  It is generally said the first 500 had the plaque on the glovebox.  In general terms, that is perhaps true, but doubtful AMC stopped everything at exactly #500 and made the switch, plus what about those with the "AMX" plate?  I believe the number to be on the later end of the weeks (#769) mainly because the survival rate of these glovebox cars is just too high (I believe I have listed well over 100).

AMC did not issue #1-100.  They sent a memo to the dealers stating they are withholding these numbers for "Special Customers", such as giving a sports star his uniform number.  A follow-up letter states they had zero takers on the offer.  Playmate of the Year Angela Dorian had a "special" AMX number-her measurements.  Can't remember off hand the lowest confirmed number I have listed, but pretty sure it is AMX-0010x, or one of the first 9 that had numbers.  Two cars I might mention.  Locally there was a car #00088.  This was inscribed by a jeweler, from a close looking plaque. Haven't seen the car in years, but not authentic.  There is also a car in Wisconsin with number 00003.  This is confirmed by me as one of the first cars off the line, but should have the "AMX" plate.  It was sold by AMC to an executive, so perhaps that number was used from the "reserved" 100.  AMC once ran an add in a trade magazine about a guy who's car was stolen, and his crashpad and number were stolen.  AMC happily responded to the guy's letter for help by sending him a new plaque with his number.  Blank plaques were in the parts book, and I ordered one to put my wife's name on it back in the early 70s, but was not able to get it.  I did buy a blank at the Kenosha meet, as did Ross Peterson, and the guy had boxes of numbers, most consecutive.  You're right when you say they walked out the door at the factory.  This guy easily had a couple 100, but only the 2 blanks  (and a few "AMX" plates, but at over $100, I passed). However, it should be pointed out the whole factory did not have access to these numbers, only the dash assembly area.  When the cars came down the line, the dashes were already assembled.  (And one year I was talking to Larry Mitchell when a guy came up to him and showed/gave him a VIN plate with MR. AMX or something like that inscribed on it.  I believe those at the factory recognized the potential of this car when they made it).  The numbers for 1968 run up to 06999.  Wish I had my list so I could tell you the highest one I had listed, but do believe it was 069xx.  One more item.  The back mounting prongs for the glovebox tags are short, straight, and rounded ends.  Those for the crashpad cars are long, tapered, pointed ends.  The glovebox numbers are mounted with acorn speed nuts.  The crashpad plaque has self retaining push on clips holding it in place.  On a side note, Bruce Rambler and I have advertised on and off for a number of years (15+) for a Rallye Pak overlay without the holes, to be used on glovebox numbered cars.  I have never found one, even not for sale, and last I knew, either did he.  Be interesting to see what the dealers did for customers who had the early car and wanted the Rallye Pak.

For 1969, the crashpad was changed to woodgrain, but the dash plaque remained exactly the same as before.  The numbers generally began with 07000 and ended with 16999.  However, the car used for the 69 brochure had plaque #02433, definitely a 68 number.  Could be a car kept by AMC for restyling.  Had the complete 69 interior, but have not seen an underhood shot to determine actual year.  Again, can't confirm earliest and latest numbers I have, but I did have a 69 290 4spd my brother totaled (with only 4,000 miles on it) back in the mid 70s, with number 164xx.

For 1970, the dash was redesigned, the number was redesigned with blue and red trim, and moved to the glovebox.  Very different from earlier plaques. (And I have never seen or have heard of a blank one). The numbers began at 17000 and ended at , well, who knows, but I did own one of the 6 AMXs made in July, 70, and it's number was the highest I had seen, 24xxx.  (This was possibly the last AMX made, as I have seen one other July car, with numbers way earlier than mine).  I also owned the lowest 70 number I have seen, #17013.  The brochure car had number 170xx, last 2 digits blocked by a glare.

Cosworth Vegas and Bricklins had numbers that were accurate, showing exactly what car was made in what order.  (I believe Vettes and Shelby Mustangs had similar sequential numbers, only as part of their VIN.   AMX VINs are shared by the whole car line).  AMX numbers were not exactly haphazard, as they came in boxed sets.  Generally, if the number of a car is higher than yours, the car was made after your car.  An exception would be if the numbers were close together and came out of the same box.  A higher number might have come out first.  I once owned two 68 AMXs with sequential VIN, Body, Sequence, and dash plaque numbers.  They were identical in every way, except one was auto, one 4 speed.

It's hard to put a lot of faith in dash numbers today, as every AMC show I've attended has had vendors selling numbers from parted out cars, priced from $25 to $75.  It' too bad this could nave been a great feature of the cars if done right.  (And I've never found out why AMC thought to do this, or who was responsible for the idea).

Tom Benvie (tbenvie@bu.edu)