Editing American Motors Corporation (section)

== Collectibility ==
[[File:1970 AMC Javelin SST in bitter sweet orange.jpg|thumb|right|Javelin with "Go" package]]
[[File:1958 Ambassador 4-d hardtop wagon 1.JPG|thumb|right|Ambassador hardtop wagon]]
[[File:1964 Rambler American 440 convertible-red NJ.JPG|thumb|right|Rambler American convertible]]

American Motors models historically regarded by hobbyists as particularly "collectible" include the Javelin, AMX, and performance specials such as the 1957 Rambler Rebel, 1965–67 Marlin, 1969 Hurst SC/Rambler, 1970 Rebel Machine, and 1971 Hornet SC/360. These models enjoyed limited popularity when new, resulting in low production figures.<ref>{{cite book|last=Zuehlke|first=Jeffrey|title= Classic Cars|publisher=Lerner Publications|year=2007|page=18|isbn=978-0-8225-5926-9}}</ref> In January 2007, the AMC AMX was "really taking off in the muscle car market" according to the editors of ''Hemmings Classic Car'', and it had "left its mark among AMC collectors' minds as a great alternative" to higher-priced [[Hemi engine|Hemi]]-powered muscle cars.<ref>{{cite magazine|url= http://www.hemmings.com/hcc/stories/2007/01/01/hmn_feature5.html |first=Matthew |last=Litwin |title=The Top 21 Hottest Collector Cars |magazine=Hemmings Classic Car |date=January 1, 2007 |access-date=January 16, 2011 |archive-date=March 7, 2011 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110307030510/http://www.hemmings.com/hcc/stories/2007/01/01/hmn_feature5.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

The early Javelin (1968–70) stands out from the [[Ford Motor Company|Ford]], [[General Motors]], and [[Chrysler]] pony cars.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.automobilemag.com/features/collectible_classic/0706_1968_amc_javelin/|first=Rusty|last=Blackwell|title=Collectible Classic: 1968–70 AMC Javelin|magazine=Automobile Magazine|date=February 2009|access-date=August 31, 2012|archive-date=September 23, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923180543/http://www.automobilemag.com/features/collectible_classic/0706_1968_amc_javelin/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Car expert Jack Nerad noted in a 2007 article "several fully restored AMX models" listed for sale at "little more than half the price of a comparable [[Buick Gran Sport]], [[Chevrolet Chevelle]], [[Oldsmobile 4-4-2|Olds 4-4-2]] or [[Pontiac GTO]]" in support of the author's opinion that the 1971–74 Javelin was "clearly an outstanding alternative muscle car for the enthusiast on a budget."<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.carprices.com/articles/cars.html |first=Jack |last=Nerad |title=It doesn't take a mint to buy one of tomorrow's top collector cars|work=Driving Today|year=2009|access-date=August 31, 2012|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120501054758/http://www.carprices.com/articles/cars.html|archive-date=May 1, 2012}}</ref>

According to James C. Mays, automotive historian and author of ''The Savvy Guide to Buying Collector Cars at Auction'', the "Wow! Factor" is an important and measurable pleasure to an owner whether their car is driven or sits in a climate-controlled garage.{{sfn|Mays|2006|p=77}} His "Wow! Factor" includes examples of a bright red 1969 AMX that, according to its owner, "is just a fast Rambler", but draws more people at events than the more prestigious [[Ferrari]]s and [[Lamborghini]]s, as well as a "million-dollar moment" when a Rambler owner was serenaded with the "[[Beep Beep (song)|Beep Beep]]" song by [[The Playmates]] while fueling at a travel plaza.{{sfn|Mays|2006|p=77}} Moreover, the author's collector car, a 1969 Ambassador station wagon, made friends as strangers came to greet and host him as if "long lost kin".{{sfn|Mays|2006|p=37–38}} Mays points out the ready availability of parts for American Motors engines and his experiences in having service done on Ramblers without being charged for the work in exchange for the experience of driving a "sassy Rambler" (a 1966 American convertible) and having pictures taken with it.{{sfn|Mays|2006|pp=39–40}}

Other American Motors models, once somewhat ignored by the hobby, are now considered "future collectibles". Examples include the 1959 Ambassador 4-door hardtop station wagon, of which only 578 were produced, and the Jeep Scrambler CJ8, a combined pickup truck-Jeep, of which only a few thousand were made.

''Hemmings Classic Car'' magazine included the 1969–70 Rebel SST and the 1974–78 Matador coupe in their 2008 list of "dollar-for-pound (weight)" cars that could be bought in show-quality condition for a comparatively modest outlay.<ref>{{cite magazine|url= http://www.hemmings.com/hcc/stories/2008/01/01/hmn_feature1.html |first=Jeff |last=Koch |title=Dollar-A-Pound Collectibles |magazine=Hemmings Classic Car |volume=4 |issue=1 |pages=14–19 |date=January 1, 2008 |access-date=January 16, 2011 |archive-date=May 30, 2011 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110530014821/http://www.hemmings.com/hcc/stories/2008/01/01/hmn_feature1.html |url-status=live}}</ref> The writer also noted that "most of AMC's '70s lineup" qualified for inclusion on the list.

The AMC Gremlin is described as having "a cult-like following" in today's collectible car market.<ref name=StLouis>{{cite news|url=https://www.stltoday.com/classifieds/transportation/reviews/article_88ceab86-32b2-5758-9484-8c48522f060e.html|first=Bruce|last=Kunz|title=1970 AMC Gremlin- America's first "sub" compact car|newspaper=St. Louis Post-Dispatch|date=December 3, 2007|access-date=August 31, 2012|archive-date=March 15, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120315164258/http://www2.stltoday.com/classifieds/transportation/reviews/article_88ceab86-32b2-5758-9484-8c48522f060e.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> The Gremlin shares components with some other American Motors models, making its repair and restoration relatively inexpensive compared with other "historic cars".<ref name=StLouis/>

The AMC Pacer increased in value according to a Pacer owner who is the CEO of a major insurance provider for collector car owners.<ref>{{cite magazine |url= http://www.businessweek.com/autos/content/aug2007/bw20070823_780539.htm |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070901101305/http://www.businessweek.com/autos/content/aug2007/bw20070823_780539.htm |archive-date=September 1, 2007 |last=Palmeri |first=Christopher |title=Revenge of the Nerd Cars |magazine=Business Week|date=August 23, 2007|access-date=November 24, 2010}}</ref>

There are active Rambler and American Motors car clubs in the U.S. and elsewhere (examples in [[American Motors#External links|External Links]]).

=== ''Hot Rod'' magazine revival April Fool's joke ===
In April 2008, [[Hot Rod (magazine)|''Hot Rod'' magazine]] released an article claiming that American Motors was in the process of being revived. The vehicles in the works were to be the [[AMC AMX|AMX]], [[AMC Matador|Matador]], [[AMC Ambassador|Ambassador]], [[AMC Pacer|Pacer]], and [[AMC Gremlin|Gremlin]]. It was a popular article, illustrated with drawings of the [[concept car]]s entering production and accompanied by plentiful information. However, it was later revealed as an [[April Fools' Day|April Fools']] joke.<ref>{{cite magazine|first=Steve |last=Stanford |date=February 2009 |title=AMC Concept Cars – The Return Of AMC! It's The Biggest Story of the Year, and No One Saw It Coming |url= http://www.hotrod.com/featuredvehicles/hrdp_0804_amc_concept_cars/index.html |magazine=Hot Rod |access-date=April 13, 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080421203052/http://www.hotrod.com/featuredvehicles/hrdp_0804_amc_concept_cars/index.html |archive-date=April 21, 2008}}</ref>