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Hornet AMX News & Events
Fourth Levi’s Hornet AMX Registered!
Of the original production of 100 cars, four Levi’s Hornet AMX’s have now been documented. If the interior option isn’t unusual enough, this latest entry is also the second car in the registry powered by an “E” code 232 cid straight six engine. Truly the rarest of the rare!
Spotted at AMO Rocks Cleveland 2015
Hornet AMX’s at Kenosha 2014
Four 1977 Hornet AMX’s were spotted at the 2014 AMC Homecoming show in Kenosha, Wisconsin. This included two red ones, one yellow, and one refinished in a custom silver color. Although I didn’t do an actual count, this time the ’77s may have outnumbered the ’78s or the ’79-80s at the show!
Brand New Hornet AMX
Thank you to Sheldon Rody who provided these vintage photos of his demonstrator, a new Hornet AMX on the lot at Fort Wayne American. The photo above even shows a second Hornet AMX in the background!
Hornet AMX Colored Jeep?
A Jeep CJ5 has surfaced which has original 7P coded Lime Green paint. What is unusual is that Lime Green apparently was not available on Jeeps, plus this one is a 1976 model, and Lime Green was a new color for the 1977 model year. It was one of just four colors which were available on the Hornet AMX. Thanks go to Frederic Lynes for sharing his very cool Jeep with us!
Rare 232 Powered Hornet AMX Found
AMC fan Darrin Konkin has uncovered an ultra-rare Lime Green Hornet AMX in Canada. As if the color isn’t unusual enough, this particular AMX also carries an “E” engine code in its VIN, which indicates a 232 six cylinder with 1 bbl carburetor. It is backed by a 4-speed transmission. Since the 232 engine was not officially available in the AMX model, this late production car must have somehow been special ordered this way. It is the only factory 232-powered Hornet AMX known to exist.
Hornet AMX’s at GAD XI
It’s always great to meet up with another 1977 owner and assemble a pair of Hornet AMXs for the first time. That’s exactly what happened May 25, 2012 at Great AMC Day XI. This terrific event which includes drag racing, a car show and swap meet is held annually at National Trail Raceway, just east of Columbus, Ohio.
Old Cars Weekly Car of the Week
Even more recognition for Bob Wunrow’s original owner Hornet AMX came as it was selected as Old Cars Weekly’s online Car of the Week for January 17, 2012. Congrats Bob!
Hornet AMX Featured
One of the participants of the Kenosha Hornet AMX Reunion this past July has been featured on the cover of Old Cars Weekly for its October 20, 2011 issue. The story details how the car was restored under warranty in 1987 after the failure of its Rusty Jones rustproofing. Collector interest in third generation AMX’s just keeps on growing!
NOS Decals Sell on eBay
A set of new old stock Hornet AMX hood and hatch decals recently sold on eBay for $91.00 plus shipping. While I would hesitate to use 34-year-old decals on a car, they would be neat to put in a poster frame for display. If you need replacement decals for your restoration excellent reproductions are available from Phoenix Graphix, along with the side “AMX” logos and Levi’s stickers.
http://www.phoenixgraphix.com/amc/amc407.htm
2011 Kenosha Hornet AMX Reunion
Beautiful weather highlighted the 2011 Kenosha Great Cars on a Great Lake show and first ever Hornet AMX reunion. Although we didn’t assemble all four colors as planned, the cars present looked great and attracted a lot of attention parked in a row right across from Wally Booth’s drag cars. Thanks go to Mike Spangler for the terrific field position and reserved parking area!
New Mexico Paperwork Found
Thanks go to AMC enthusiast Bob Reno for donating three original Hornet AMX deal jackets from an AMC dealership in New Mexico. These folders include a wealth of information on these cars, two red and one green, including copies of the window sticker prices, pre-delivery inspection and financial forms, even an extra set of keys for one of the cars which was repossessed in 1978. None of the three VINs had previously been documented so this brings our total to 140 cars!
Thank you!
A big thank you goes out to Daniel Strohl of Hemmings for including an item about the upcoming Hornet AMX reunion in the Hemmings Auto Blogs of June 6, 2011.
http://blog.hemmings.com/index.php/2011/06/06/hornet-amxs-to-reunite-in-kenosha/comment-page-1/
Thanks also to Drew Hardin of Muscle Car Review for including a reunion news item in the July 2011 issue of MCR.
Unusual May 1977 Photo
I recently purchased an original Hornet AMX press photo that I had never seen before. On the back it’s stamped Detroit News with the date May 19, 1977. There is also some handwriting including what kind of car it is, “Motor World” and “Rouge Park” (River Rouge Park is on Plymouth Road in Detroit). The photo shows what is probably a red AMX running the standard wheels with optional white letter tires. But notice the standard Hornet hood badge, rather than the bullseye which was used with the hood decal. Also odd is that the driver’s window is rolled half way down, and the seat is tilted forward against the steering wheel. Also note what appears to be a private license plate rather than a manufacturer, “AMC” or “1977” plate. It makes me wonder whose car it was, and why it was photographed for the newspaper so late in the model year?
Hornet AMX Feature in HMM
Is the world ready for a 1977 Hornet AMX feature in a major muscle car magazine? The answer is YES according to Hemmings Muscle Machines which included a great six page full color article in their July 2011 issue. This is the first historical feature of a particular Hornet AMX that I am aware of, proving that collectors are finally noticing the late model AMX’s. A tip of the hat to the staff of Hemmings for helping to promote these great cars, and for including a plug for the registry.