Rescuing abandoned projects is a recurring theme here, and Wayne Creel of Early, Texas, was no exception. Wayne's rare one-of-556 Matador Red AMX had been sitting on jackstands for 15 years when he found it. Fortunately, it had been stored in a garage all that time, or else he'd have a lot more in it than $25,000 by now. The car was plucked from an ignominious fate for a plenty steep price of $15K, but Creel says the car was in great shape. That is, until he started checking out the motor, trans and brakes. The bulk of additional funds have been lavished on a top-shelf 390, bored out .030-over. Ross aluminum 11:1 pistons, polished stock rods, a forged steel crank, Crower cam, Harland Sharp rockers, Holley 750 carb and an Edelbrock Torker intake crank out an unknown quantity of twist, but that's OK with Creel; he's all about driving it, not racing it. We also have to give Creel kudos on his photography--and for picking the right color car to build.
| 1970 American Motors AMX |
| Owner: | Wayne Creel; Early, TX |
| Engine: | 396ci (.030-over 390), 11:1 comp, forged crank, Edelbrock Torker int., Holley 750, Crower cam |
| Transmission: | Borg Warner T-10, Lakewood bellhousing, Zoom Kevlar clutch, Hurst shifter |
| Rearend: | Dana 20, 4.10:1 gears, Moser axles, Twin Grip posi |
| Chassis/suspension: | subframe connectors, factory torque links |
| Brakes: | rebuilt stock power discs |
| Wheels: | Wheel Vintiques Magnum 500, 14 x 6 (front), 15 x 8 (rear) |
| Tires: | Bridgestone 205/70R14, front; Sportsman Pro 26 x 12.5, rear |
| Horsepower: | unknown |
| Best ET: | unknown |
| Total cost to build: | $25,000 |