AMC deserves so much more recognition than it gets. They took on the big guys while doing more with less. If it wasn’t for Renault, I imagine we’d have the big four instead of the big three. It’s just terrifying that AMC’s fate is happening again with Mopar.
That's very cool, My Friends Dad, Bill Norgrove, worked for AMC in design and several of his Coworkers were able to purchase Concept vehicles right off their employee B-lot, one of the guys had a Gremlin Pickup. That Dennis Colins guy from fast N Loud is a bigtime Jeep collector/restorer/reseller.
@@AutoArchaeology no, that was when it was fairly new, I really don't know what happened to it but it sounds like someone has it now. There were other cars too but I can't remember the exact details and rather not misquote anything.
That is pretty cool, I vaguely recall this car from an old picture somewhere, I knew it was an AMC but knew little else. Thanks for bringing this to us!
It's easy to see Dick Teague's styling work on this one. Such a tiny car but still a very sophisticated, attractive overall design. I've seen a few videos of the sharp new Microlino recently, but this Amitron still looks even more advanced.
my dad gave me a book called "cars that never were" that talks about a lot of AMC"s concepts like the amx 2, pushmobile, cavalier, amx-gt, am-van, concept 1 n 2, and amx/2! wild to see this video come out as when i was a kid i thought for sure most of these cars were destroyed!
Several years ago, I purchased a group of papers and drawings that came from AMC. There are cost analysis and model comparisons that include product proposals. My favorite is the Cowboy. A coupe utility based on the Hornet. A Hornet Elcomino pick-up of sorts. I really like this kind of stuff and add it to my personal library of car literature when I’m lucky enough to find it. I also feel like some of this stuff should be archived publicly available somewhere or at least copies of it. I’d love to own a Cowboy. I’m very fond of the coupe utility body style. My father used to convert 1958-late 60’s Imperials into ones that had powered dumping beds. He did all the work himself and they looked surprisingly good, kind of like flower car Cadillacs. 01-07. 9:27
@@haffrods7055 Peterson took that amazing orange wedge car and called in a famous young LA detailer to “refresh” it. It looked absolutely perfect and new. This one should be a breeze.
I've had pictures of the Amitron & Electron cut from magazines for a long time. Compare that to what, with a similar purpose, was produced 12 years later.,the battery powered Citycar. Homely, slab sided - it makes the AMC concept look like a spaceship. AMC was ahead of the curve for sure. Granddad was very insightful in saving the EV concept and the Jeep from the crusher. Thank you Justin for following in your G'dad's footsteps. In the future world, vintage EVs might be the only classics we're allowed to drive. And thanks AA for the video.
My dad was 1 total car nut, 2 lifelong Chicago resident, 3 subscriber to many car magazines. We went to the annual car show at McCormick center and he pointed this car out to me. I saw it in person, prolly did not sit in it, but saw this up close at Chicago car show AFTER reading about it in car mags.
I had a 76 AMC Hornet coupe back in the 80s . Straight 6 , 4speed manual everything . Green on tan vinyl interior . Nice economical and reliable car in mint condition , bought and maintained for peanuts
Best friend at the times dad had a Marlin. We went to Winslow Arkansas in it to spend the summer with his grandparents, watched the moon landing from their house up on the mountain. That car was really nice. I thought it was cool as hell. Would love to have it today.
Hey, I just saw this on UA-cam. I lived in Redford. My neighbor had that Arbitron if I’m pronouncing it correctly his first name was Chuck. I’m wondering if Justin was his grandson in Chuck’s garage he had mini jeeps too laid up on the walls a couple of them Arbitron from pronouncing it correctly, it was designed to get a go to grocery store. The Front seat would deflate and you could put air back in them when you were done getting groceries. It was pretty impressive. I live right next-door every time I walk out to my garage and see that I was always know, it was up in the rafters back. Memories Chuck would take me to all the races at the Michigan Speedway, I met so many race car drivers got your signatures. We always reach to park in the pad and he knew Penske and we go up in the suite to get something to drink. Get something to eat. He was quite a man I miss poor guy, moved away Livonia and just never kept in touch but to see that brought back so many memories thanks guys
It looks like a cross between a GREMLIN and a PACER , both were actually built . But this consept was electric . Where did he put the battery ? Electron . I don’t think it would have gotten far , but it is still a nice idea . I’m a weirdo so I like it .
The original drive train of the Amitron should be restored and put on display and modern batteries and motors installed to show what could have been. So good to see concept cars rescued from the crusher. GM is the worst offender in this regard, followed closely by Ford and MOPAR. I consider it criminal destruction of automotive history.
@@AutoArchaeology oh damn well someone should electrify it and get it working now that battery motor and speed controller technology has become cheap? You could put a 96v setup in this and it would be able to do the speed limit on the highway and go up hills with 2 people in it with ease!
This guy is so freekin cool! The Amitron comes out of the best automotive styling period ever. At 5:52, you show the AMC Cavalier from ca. 1966. One thing that I’ve been dying to know is whether someone from AMC stole the styling cues from Mercury or vice versa when it comes to the production ‘67 Cougar. (There is one shown at 7:37 for reference) Or just amazing coincidences? Maybe Justin knows?
@@AutoArchaeology Thanks. I would not be surprised at all if there was someone who switched companies and was on both design teams and took his ideas with him. Kind of like how the guy who designed the ‘68-‘69 Buick Skylark “S”-sweep bodyline also designed the S-sweep line on the ‘69-‘70 Cougar.
Also an attempt to double the number of vehicles in a given space, whether parked or being driven. This was about the time that I had my '73 Honda Civic Sedan. Now we have the congestion pricing tolls for lower Manhattan in an attempt to reduce congestion.
@douglas_drew they had a big scare back in 1971 saying that the world was going to run out of crude oil in 10 years. It was all propaganda and just an excuse to put up the price of fuel. This was before the "global warming" scare tactics !!!
You can see AMC design all over that Amitron/Electron. 60's/70s electrics and concepts were weird looking, unfinished, with no serious intent behind them. This a a little bit George Jetson, a little bit Gremlin/Pacer. In pristine show car shape, it would draw BIG ATTENTION!
Damn. What a let down. Come to learn about the car in the thumbnail and it's barely in the video. No walk around, no interior shot, just three quick picks and that's it. Should have put the jeep in the thumbnail it got more attention
Cool video! Love prototypes always dreamed of owning one. In the video there’s a short glimpse of the hood of another car in that barn; what is that? Thanks for your videos.
I can't stay warm. I'm 100 miles to the West of you. I'll make the 30 minute drive to Rockford for lunch with some old roller skating friends tomorrow, and we'll do our holiday celebration then.
I am 99.99999% positive they made a plastic model car of this AMC , I remember my brother building it and for years I have been trying to find info on that model car , do any of you older folks recall a model car like that
@ both cars are brothers. Your Avenger took advantage of Volkswagen components. But that parts market has dried up. I saw a video of a guy who took a Boxster and put a Gullwing body on it. The Avenger is very low but could probably be made to work. Another cool idea might be to plop it on a Fiero with the 3.8 engine. That would be killer. Corvair vent windows are getting hard to find but they are out there. I wish I was there to help. But I have one last challenge. I am turning a 1977 MGB into a little Packard Speedster that they never made. Its name is the Clipper “B”. Your kit deserves to be built. Get ‘er done!
Problem was on my end, weird how everything works great then one acts weird. Reboot and it worked, thankfully, I really want to check out this vehicle, thanks for posting
Yup! I work with computers, I know how that goes. Something works fine all week, then goes sideways. That's why I don't have an ending video like usual. My mics quit working for some reason? Cold? Who knows.
@@JamesWoodring-mu2iz always wanted a Marlin and a Chrysler Crossfire and having them Foosified with the same interior and exterior treatments. Just fir fun.
@@larrysorenson4789 as a muscle car restorer for 40 years ive always loved fastback cars ! my favorite were mustangs! ! i know every manufacturer was trying the same approach but the early barracudas and the marlin was just to much fastback ! thanks for the reply ! we all love what we love!
@@JamesWoodring-mu2iz i still think the matching set would be funny. And on the AMC line I have imagined a Pacer with the top cut off leaving the windshield and roll bar. Cover everything with bed liner. Jack it up 18” with full off road suspension and huge knobby tires and a camo paint job. That would make the unwary take notice. 😃
@ I’m a collector and appreciate what I have. My stuff is well restored, clean and displayed .. not rotting away in a barn. I also take my stuff to shows too. So shut up.
Without "these hoarding idiots" these vehicles would likely not exist. But then, I admit I always loved a good barn find, especially if I didn't have to restore it.
AMC doesn't get enough love. They did a great job fighting Detroit's giants for as long as they did.
Yup
Yes they did.
AMC deserves so much more recognition than it gets. They took on the big guys while doing more with less. If it wasn’t for Renault, I imagine we’d have the big four instead of the big three. It’s just terrifying that AMC’s fate is happening again with Mopar.
Federal regulations effectively disadvantage small manufacturers regardless of industry. AMC no exception.
That's very cool, My Friends Dad, Bill Norgrove, worked for AMC in design and several of his Coworkers were able to purchase Concept vehicles right off their employee B-lot, one of the guys had a Gremlin Pickup. That Dennis Colins guy from fast N Loud is a bigtime Jeep collector/restorer/reseller.
Does he still have the Gremlin Pickup?
Was it maybe the Grem-bin? I was wondering about the fate of that one just a few days ago.
@@gruntherblendin388 the grembin survives in a friends collection. someone just unearthed one of the Cowboy pick up prototypes
@@AutoArchaeology no, that was when it was fairly new, I really don't know what happened to it but it sounds like someone has it now. There were other cars too but I can't remember the exact details and rather not misquote anything.
That is pretty cool, I vaguely recall this car from an old picture somewhere, I knew it was an AMC but knew little else. Thanks for bringing this to us!
Oh how many times I've seen the picture of the Amitron / Electron and wished to see what it was actually like. So glad it was saved! 🤓
There will be a lot more in the future!
Is this a working car or merely a shell with no drivetrain like many concept cars are?
It was just a shell.
The Amitron is a great little piece of AMC history.
I can’t believe I’ve never heard of this thing. Very cool !
Wow I was sad when I read it was destroyed. This is awesome that it survives and will live on.
AMC has a habit of living on.
It's easy to see Dick Teague's styling work on this one. Such a tiny car but still a very sophisticated, attractive overall design. I've seen a few videos of the sharp new Microlino recently, but this Amitron still looks even more advanced.
It really was a brilliant design.
my dad gave me a book called "cars that never were" that talks about a lot of AMC"s concepts like the amx 2, pushmobile, cavalier, amx-gt, am-van, concept 1 n 2, and amx/2! wild to see this video come out as when i was a kid i thought for sure most of these cars were destroyed!
Most of them were, or tucked away.
Several years ago, I purchased a group of papers and drawings that came from AMC. There are cost analysis and model comparisons that include product proposals. My favorite is the Cowboy. A coupe utility based on the Hornet. A Hornet Elcomino pick-up of sorts. I really like this kind of stuff and add it to my personal library of car literature when I’m lucky enough to find it. I also feel like some of this stuff should be archived publicly available somewhere or at least copies of it. I’d love to own a Cowboy. I’m very fond of the coupe utility body style. My father used to convert 1958-late 60’s Imperials into ones that had powered dumping beds. He did all the work himself and they looked surprisingly good, kind of like flower car Cadillacs. 01-07. 9:27
The Kenosha History Museum has a wide variety of AMC stuff like that.
I was going to say it should go to the Peterson Museum and it did. That's awesome.
It will only be there for a limited time though, then it is coming back.
@@haffrods7055 Peterson took that amazing orange wedge car and called in a famous young LA detailer to “refresh” it. It looked absolutely perfect and new. This one should be a breeze.
Glad to see these unique items are safely stored away by someone with family connections to those that created them.
Someone like Galpin Auto Sports would love the AMC. It would fit right in at their showroom
it needs a "jay leno" type "museum"... DRIVE IT!
I've had pictures of the Amitron & Electron cut from magazines for a long time. Compare that to what, with a similar purpose, was produced 12 years later.,the battery powered Citycar. Homely, slab sided - it makes the AMC concept look like a spaceship. AMC was ahead of the curve for sure. Granddad was very insightful in saving the EV concept and the Jeep from the crusher. Thank you Justin for following in your G'dad's footsteps. In the future world, vintage EVs might be the only classics we're allowed to drive. And thanks AA for the video.
Happy to provide a window into the small corner of the automotive world.
My dad was 1 total car nut, 2 lifelong Chicago resident, 3 subscriber to many car magazines. We went to the annual car show at McCormick center and he pointed this car out to me. I saw it in person, prolly did not sit in it, but saw this up close at Chicago car show AFTER reading about it in car mags.
Ps, either this year or a year later, saw James Bond’s submersible supercar at same show
That's awesome!
I had a 76 AMC Hornet coupe back in the 80s . Straight 6 , 4speed manual everything . Green on tan vinyl interior . Nice economical and reliable car in mint condition , bought and maintained for peanuts
His Gramps shoulda snagged an AMX 3 concept car! 🤩
They tried!
@@AutoArchaeology yes we did!
Hi! Thanks for showing us this unique one!
Best friend at the times dad had a Marlin. We went to Winslow Arkansas in it to spend the summer with his grandparents, watched the moon landing from their house up on the mountain. That car was really nice. I thought it was cool as hell. Would love to have it today.
That's cool.
@AutoArchaeology Never got a Marlin but I do have a 69 AMX.
The Amitron kind of got built as the Pacer. Wayne's World Party Time Excellent
Amazing finds hope the Amitron makes it into a museum!
It is going to the Peteresen for a short time.
The first Ford Fiesta that was imported to the US always reminded of a sort of enlarged version of the Amitron.
Oh just wait!
Is it me or did the Jetsons just land. 😂
That Amitron needs a 3d scan. I'd love to crank out a "hot wheel" of it.
A viable shape and concept today!
A $15,000 two passenger electric commuter/town car.
*It's so cute! It needs a 454 of course.*
*What is the vaguely-1962-Caddy-looking white roadster @**5:59**?*
@ strap on your spurs and go for a ride!
Could be a baby Pacer before the ugly grew on it.
If a Pacer and a Gremlin had a kid
@@larrycurrier290 before the ugly got it.
Happy New Year 🎊
Happy New Year!
Very cool. Great history i sure haven't seen
Hey, I just saw this on UA-cam. I lived in Redford. My neighbor had that Arbitron if I’m pronouncing it correctly his first name was Chuck. I’m wondering if Justin was his grandson in Chuck’s garage he had mini jeeps too laid up on the walls a couple of them Arbitron from pronouncing it correctly, it was designed to get a go to grocery store. The Front seat would deflate and you could put air back in them when you were done getting groceries. It was pretty impressive. I live right next-door every time I walk out to my garage and see that I was always know, it was up in the rafters back. Memories Chuck would take me to all the races at the Michigan Speedway, I met so many race car drivers got your signatures. We always reach to park in the pad and he knew Penske and we go up in the suite to get something to drink. Get something to eat. He was quite a man I miss poor guy, moved away Livonia and just never kept in touch but to see that brought back so many memories thanks guys
Yes, Justin is Chuck's grandson. Sounds like you had a good time with him.
Man, the Armitron is so cool. I love that retro 70's futurism. I wish we had modern electric cars that looked like that.
That concept car would be relatively easy to get running with modern EV equipment. Would be awesome to see it running and driving again.
Yes, but I don't think the owner would allow that.
It looks like a cross between a GREMLIN and a PACER , both were actually built . But this consept was electric . Where did he put the battery ? Electron . I don’t think it would have gotten far , but it is still a nice idea .
I’m a weirdo so I like it .
An amazing find. Had the battery technology we have today existed back then our world would look a lot different now.
The original drive train of the Amitron should be restored and put on display and modern batteries and motors installed to show what could have been. So good to see concept cars rescued from the crusher. GM is the worst offender in this regard, followed closely by Ford and MOPAR. I consider it criminal destruction of automotive history.
There was no actual drivetrain, it is just a concept. Didn't actually work.
@@AutoArchaeology oh damn well someone should electrify it and get it working now that battery motor and speed controller technology has become cheap? You could put a 96v setup in this and it would be able to do the speed limit on the highway and go up hills with 2 people in it with ease!
This is gold dust
I just read the wikipedia article to this car. Impressive little thing.
One of these concept cars looks like the Matador.
That Amatron is the Holy Grail
Love it, old Mopar man, subbed!
Thanks for the sub!
I hope the Concept Grand Touring turns up one day.
That would be awesome!
This guy is so freekin cool! The Amitron comes out of the best automotive styling period ever. At 5:52, you show the AMC Cavalier from ca. 1966. One thing that I’ve been dying to know is whether someone from AMC stole the styling cues from Mercury or vice versa when it comes to the production ‘67 Cougar. (There is one shown at 7:37 for reference) Or just amazing coincidences? Maybe Justin knows?
I asked him, I'll get back with you.
I believe that it is just a coincidence, but could be wrong.
@@AutoArchaeology Thanks. I would not be surprised at all if there was someone who switched companies and was on both design teams and took his ideas with him. Kind of like how the guy who designed the ‘68-‘69 Buick Skylark “S”-sweep bodyline also designed the S-sweep line on the ‘69-‘70 Cougar.
Very good! Thanks!
Now I know where they got the idea of the Pacer
Good stuff!
Thanks!
I'd like to buy that
Looks like a weird golf cart or a Disney ride.
Good morning,,,,,,,,,,,Yeee Yeee 😊
i had no idea this thing survived! i wonder if any other AMC concept cars are still around.
There are a handful known out there still, but not much.
The Amitron seems like a cross between the AMC Gremlin and a Smart Car. Commander Koenig would have driven this on the TV show Space:1999.
I do remember the vehicle. It was cool, was an attempt to be futuristic vehicle. It is sad to see what happened to A M C.
Y next door neighbor owned the AMC dealership when I was a kid.
I bet Dennis Collins in Texas would love to buy that Jeep
Concept car or concept golf cart ?
An attempt at an Electric car. That is about the best tech that was available at the time. 1970s CitiCars for one.
Also an attempt to double the number of vehicles in a given space, whether parked or being driven. This was about the time that I had my '73 Honda Civic Sedan.
Now we have the congestion pricing tolls for lower Manhattan in an attempt to reduce congestion.
@douglas_drew they had a big scare back in 1971 saying that the world was going to run out of crude oil in 10 years. It was all propaganda and just an excuse to put up the price of fuel. This was before the "global warming" scare tactics !!!
The Jetsons called and they want their car back.
does it come with authentic sound effects?
Oh, good. Came here for the humor!! 😂
@@paradiselost9946 we can hope
You can see AMC design all over that Amitron/Electron. 60's/70s electrics and concepts were weird looking, unfinished, with no serious intent behind them. This a a little bit George Jetson, a little bit Gremlin/Pacer. In pristine show car shape, it would draw BIG ATTENTION!
They really did go for the look of the future.
That Amitron needs to come to mine to live.
5:07 definitely gives off Gremlin vibes. One can clearly see where the Gremlin came from.
Not to mention "These boots are made for walkin'!" vibes.
Looks to me like the precursor to the Pacer
@albertapeet that one too!
Why I got a back flash of convincing him to help lift it up there using "cranes and pulleys"
Cool car.
Damn. What a let down.
Come to learn about the car in the thumbnail and it's barely in the video. No walk around, no interior shot, just three quick picks and that's it.
Should have put the jeep in the thumbnail it got more attention
Couldn't get up there and walk around at the time. That's why there is pictures.
@AutoArchaeology well it looks like it got taken down for the pictures? Even said it was on its way to a museum. ??
Yes, my video is from 2018, the last pics were last week.
@@AutoArchaeology right on. I feel a bit Rick Rolled that's all
Great history
Cool video! Love prototypes always dreamed of owning one.
In the video there’s a short glimpse of the hood of another car in that barn; what is that? Thanks for your videos.
After viewing the video one more time I think that might be a Lincoln.
I have a car book w a picture of that car, can't believe it still exists.
Thank you
I can't stay warm. I'm 100 miles to the West of you. I'll make the 30 minute drive to Rockford for lunch with some old roller skating friends tomorrow, and we'll do our holiday celebration then.
Stay safe then!
They probably would have sold more of those electric concepts than the Marlins. 😮😅
I don't think I would mind having a car like that.
Looks like somebody just cut the back end off of an AMC Pacer
@@yannisgouras4482 or was it the front end?
Interesting. Is it front engine / front wheel drive? Did they prototype the chassis with drive train?
@@larryfromwisconsin9970 screaming electric
They never got past the planning stage, but probably 4wheel electric.
5:19: He has the "original model"???? Wow. Does her family know? 🤣
@@johnmohanmusic booo.
I am 99.99999% positive they made a plastic model car of this AMC , I remember my brother building it and for years I have been trying to find info on that model car , do any of you older folks recall a model car like that
6:02 look for images and videos of Torino Lutheral in Argentina. I see many lines very similar. They are small series cars.
Yes they are!
Looks like Fiberfab tried to make a version of it...called a Scarab with a motorcyle back half.
@@AircooledMisfits i helped a buddy build a Valkyrie in ‘68. Still have the instruction manual in a box somewhere.
@larrysorenson4789 I have an Avenger waiting it's turn to be built.
@ both cars are brothers. Your Avenger took advantage of Volkswagen components. But that parts market has dried up. I saw a video of a guy who took a Boxster and put a Gullwing body on it. The Avenger is very low but could probably be made to work. Another cool idea might be to plop it on a Fiero with the 3.8 engine. That would be killer. Corvair vent windows are getting hard to find but they are out there. I wish I was there to help. But I have one last challenge. I am turning a 1977 MGB into a little Packard Speedster that they never made. Its name is
the Clipper “B”. Your kit deserves to be built. Get ‘er done!
I thought this was going to be the Levacar. THAT was a concept car, but a Ford. Shares a design link though, person who moved from AMC to Ford.
That was a very interesting one for sure! I have some other Ford Concept videos coming out in the future.
fix that.. if not give it to someone who will. ffs
If I had a 64 rambler and a 65 Marlin
I bet the design would be more efficient with a long tail.
Voltron!!! Relax we found your Boot.
lol
Looks like an American 4 wheel version of the Bond Bug.
BRING BACK AMC! BRING BACK THE GREMLIN, THE JAVELIN, THE MATADOR..
Rad
I had good year tire's like that on a old golf cart axle you can tell they're very old
Oh yeah!
That is very interesting! I’ve never heard of the Armitron until I seen this video, Nice video otherwise!
Thank you!
A doorstop on wheels.
We're is the tarpon
I don't know, I hope it wasn't destroyed.
It was destroyed. I have the left fender badge that came off of it.
@@jjsgarage3940 picture please
Amitron .
Bit like a bond bug.
Contact Elon and ask him for money and modern batteries and motors to update it.
The video has no sound, is it just me?
Yes
I checked at multiple different points, and the audio works for me.
Problem was on my end, weird how everything works great then one acts weird. Reboot and it worked, thankfully, I really want to check out this vehicle, thanks for posting
Yup! I work with computers, I know how that goes. Something works fine all week, then goes sideways. That's why I don't have an ending video like usual. My mics quit working for some reason? Cold? Who knows.
I
I like cars, but that car ugly😳😳😳👎🏽👎🏽
Too lazy to show... 👋
Ain't no way this was going to be a car💀
Most concepts don't.
A lways
M ounting
C oncerns 😄
The guy with the Gremlin X in my neighborhood said "Always Made Crap" lol
@joea9608 😄
Someone should retromod the Amitron with a Tesla conversion
the marlin was butt ugly!
@@JamesWoodring-mu2iz always wanted a Marlin and a Chrysler Crossfire and having them Foosified with the same interior and exterior treatments. Just fir fun.
@@larrysorenson4789 as a muscle car restorer for 40 years ive always loved fastback cars ! my favorite were mustangs! ! i know every manufacturer was trying the same approach but the early barracudas and the marlin was just to much fastback ! thanks for the reply ! we all love what we love!
@@JamesWoodring-mu2iz i still think the matching set would be funny. And on the AMC line I have imagined a Pacer with the top cut off leaving the windshield and roll bar. Cover everything with bed liner. Jack it up 18” with full off road suspension and huge knobby tires and a camo paint job. That would make the unwary take notice. 😃
@
you must be the LA artist/cartoonist?
If so it all makes sense.
Theee hoarding idiots don’t deserve to have items like this
Neither do you
@ I’m a collector and appreciate what I have. My stuff is well restored, clean and displayed .. not rotting away in a barn. I also take my stuff to shows too. So shut up.
Not very generous in your estimate of others.
@ well it’s true. These old farts let things rot just to hoard them from others.. see it all the time
Without "these hoarding idiots" these vehicles would likely not exist. But then, I admit I always loved a good barn find, especially if I didn't have to restore it.