Pink 1968 AMC AMX Took Three Years To Restore, It's a Unique Playboy Gem

Sure, most independent carmakers were already extinct by the late 1960s, but American Motors Corporation (AMC) provided a few notable competitors. AMC's first sporty-looking fastback arrived in 1965 as the Marlin. Two years later, AMC introduced the Javelin compact and the Rebel midsize, both available with V8 engines producing more than 300 horsepower.

In 1969, the Rambler spawned the SC/Rambler, a drag-racing homologation special co-developed with Hurst. More importantly, AMC introduced the AMX in 1968. A short-wheelbase rig, the AMX was a two-seat sports car aimed at the Chevrolet Corvette rather than pure muscle cars. It remained in production for only three years, and its performance figures peaked in 1969 with a 390-cubic-inch (6.4-liter) V8 good for 340 horsepower.

While not as popular and desirable as other muscle cars from the golden era, the AMX introduced many innovative features and set no fewer than 106 world speed and endurance records. It also spawned a Super Stock racer, and AMC even considered a wacky version with a rumble seat in the trunk. But I'm actually here to show you one of the rarest AMXs out there: the 1968 Playmate of the Year car.

And I'm not talking about the limited-edition AMX finished in pink that AMC sold during the 1968 model year. The muscle car you see here is the vehicle that Angela Dorian received as a gift from Playboy that year. An almost mythical car that was presumed lost for many years, this one-off was restored over three years in the 2010s, and it's still roaming the streets and drawing crowds at car shows in 2023.

The AMX is also one of only 11 pink cars that Playboy gave away as Playmate of the Year prizes from 1964 to 1974. It shares this honor with the 1964 Ford Mustang, 1966 Dodge Charger, and the 1967 Plymouth Barracuda.

Discovered as a worn-out classic finished in matte black and showing rust issues, the AMX is now a Concours-ready sports car thanks to Mark Melvin. It wears a perfect rendition of the factory Playmate Pink hue, and it still rocks its numbers-matching V8 engine (albeit not 100% original). Moreover, Mark got it with all the original paperwork that proves Angela Dorian owned it.

Powered by the entry-level 290-cubic-inch (4.8-liter) V8 rated at 225 horsepower, it's not the quickest AMX out there, but it's definitely one of the most spectacular AMC survivors you'll see in a very long time. And I'm pretty sure it's the finest Playmate of the Year vehicle in existence, too. Check it out in the video below.