American Motors AMX, Javelin and Rambler: Books - History

Storied Independent Automakers - Nash, Hudson, and American Motors

With roots extending back to the first decade of the twentieth century, Nash Motor Company and the Hudson Motor Car Company managed to compete and even prosper as independent producers until they merged in 1954 to form the American Motors Company, which itself remained independent until it was bought in 1987 by the Chrysler Corporation.

In this book, renowned automotive scholar Charles K. Hyde argues that these companies, while so far neglected by auto history scholars, made notable contributions to automotive engineering and styling and were an important part of the American automobile industry.

Hyde investigates how the relatively small corporations struggled in a postwar marketplace increasingly dominated by the giant firms of Ford, General Motors, and Chrysler, which benefited from economies of scale in styling, engineering, tooling, marketing, and sales. He examines the innovations that kept the independents' products distinctive from those of the Big Three and allowed them to survive and sometimes prosper against their larger competitors.

Hyde also focuses on the visionary leaders who managed the companies, including Charles Nash, Roy D. Chapin, Howard Coffin, George Mason, George Romney, and Roy D. Chapin Jr., who have been largely unexamined by other scholars.
Finally, Hyde analyzes the ultimate failure of the American Motors Company and the legacy it left for carmakers and consumers today. Storied Independent Automakers is based on extensive research in archival collections generated by the three companies.

The Legend of American Motors - The Full History of America's Most Innovative Automaker

NEW

This colorfully illustrated book details the economy, high performance, and luxury exploits of American Motors Corporation (AMC), the iconic US company that forged new and dramatic styling paths with Dick Teague, furthered innovative engineering, and brought the Jeep brand to an international audience.

Founded in 1954 by the merger of Nash-Kelvinator Corporation and the Hudson Motor Car Company, American Motors was the little company that made a big impact. Small and manoeuvrable enough to exploit areas of the auto market that others were too big to cover, the company from Kenosha offered an antidote to the excesses of Detroit's 'Big Three' - General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler.
Combining products lines, AMC refined its lineup during the 50s, dropping Nash and Hudson brands, and turning the Rambler into its own unique marque.
AMC were truly early pioneers in automotive innovation, incorporating safety and technology features into its vehicles years before the Big Three, and including everything from brake master cylinders and disc brakes, to adjustable backrests and reclining seats.

When America decided it wanted sporty, rather than econocars, AMC got groovy with the Javelin, AMX, Scrambler and Rebel Machine.
However, through it all came solid Rambler value, and a different approach from Detroit; an accent on consumer protection, and brand label special editions. And when it came to blue sky thinking, AMC surpassed all with their Gremlin and Pacer small cars.

Kenosha truly made Jeep 'The One & Only,' popularizing and expanding the brand, and making it the sales success it is today. And to cover all eventualities, AMC created America's first crossover, the Eagle.
From innovation, through style and speed, and with safety and practicality; it all proved that America's smallest was its biggest surprise!

The Cars of American Motors - An Illustrated History

Though American Motors never approached the size of Detroit's Big Three, it produced a long series of successful cars that were distinctive, often innovative and in many cases influential.

This history examines AMC's cars from the company's formation in 1954 through its absorption by Chrysler in 1987. The Gremlin, Pacer and Eagle vehicles are examined in detail, as are the AMC custom cars of George Barris and Carl Green.

The text details AMC's 1980s involvement with the French firm Renault and the design legacy of that joint venture, which includes the Hummer. The evolution of Jeep is covered from the 1960s through the 2000s.

Features include some 225 photographs; a listing of AMC / Rambler clubs, organizations and business entities, with contact details; tables of detailed specifications and performance data; data on technical devices, trim packages and all model variations; a comprehensive account of AMC / Rambler appearances in film, television and cartoons.

Rambler 1950-1969

Several small cars were introduced by American companies in the 1950s but only the Rambler was successful. From 1950-1969 more than four million Ramblers were produced. Starting out as a Nash model, it later was offered through Hudson dealers before becoming a separate make in its own right.

Rambler set a sales record for independent makes that remains unbroken even today. In this book, exquisite photographs illustrate models throughout the entire lifespan of the modern Rambler. Includes a detailed history of the company, written by Patrick Foster, America's premier AMC historian.

AMC Cars 1954-1987

Formed in 1954 by the merger of The Hudson Motor Car Company and Nash-Kelvinator Corporation, American Motors Corporation was no ordinary company. It was the last, and the very best, of the great independent automakers.

Highly regarded AMC historian and expert, Patrick Foster, gives us an in-depth look at AMC and its cars from its beginning in 1954 through its demise in 1987. Over 300 photos combined with informative captions show all of AMCs cars. A great reference for the AMC enthusiast!

AMC Rambler (1956-1969)

Brooklands Portfolio book about the AMC Rambler models from the years 1956-1969. Describes the Rambler Six, Rebel, American, Ambassador, Classic, Marlin, Hurst SC/Rambler and Rogue as well as the Rambler/AMC Marlin, Ambassador and Rebel.

• The 41 articles, taken from contemporary British and American car magazines, provide much information about history, model changes and technology.
• Also driving impressions, tests, comparison tests, technical specifications, etc.

▶  More information on the Brooklands Portfolio books

AMX & Javelin (1968-1974)

Brooklands Portfolio book about the AMX and Javelin models from the years 1968-1974. Describes the AMX Javelin 304, 343, 360, 390 and 401 along with the prototypes AMX Prototype, AMX/2 and AMX/3.

• The 48 articles, taken from contemporary British and American car magazines, provide much information about history, model changes and technology.
• Also driving impressions, tests, comparison tests, technical specifications, etc.

▶  More information on the Brooklands Portfolio books

AMX: From Concept to Reality

Beginning with the early design stages of the AMX, including early sketches, interior design, clay work, fiberglass mockups, and show cars, this book moves on to actual production models.
It covers the entire AMX lineup and specials including the SS/AMX, Jeffords/AMX, Dick Teague's AMX and The Big Bad color AMXs. Other pre-production ideas covered include AMX/2, AMX/3, AMX/K, AMX II, AMX III, and Project IV.

Javelin Photo Archive: From Concept to Reality

Get an inside look at the development of American Motors' Javelin beginning with the early design stages of the Javelin, including early sketches, interior design, clay work, fiberglass mockups, and show cars.
From there, move to the actual production models. Includes the entire Javelin lineup and specials including the TransAm Javelin and the Mark Donohue Javelins.

Les Renault 9 et 11 de mon père

C'est en septembre 1981 que naît la Renault 9. Sous un aspect consensuel de berline trois volumes, elle procède d'une révolution culturelle et industrielle à la Régie et son homogénéité lui vaut bientôt le titre de "Voiture de l'année". Un an et demi plus tard apparaît la Renault 11; cette fausse jumelle de la 9, qui s'en distingue par son hayon et son aménagement, est destinée à relayer la Renault 14.

Bientôt, les nouvelles Renault révèlent leur potentiel. Outre l'Europe, elles vont investir quatre continents et être assemblées tant à Taïwan qu'au Zaïre, en Colombie ou au Portugal. Mais le duo se fait aussi le fer de lance d'une autre conquête. La prise de contrôle du constructeur American Motors conduit la Régie à concevoir des versions adaptées au Nouveau Continent, sous les noms d' "Alliance" et d' "Encore".

Universelles, les Renault 9 et 11 ont joué sur tous les tableaux, tour à tour laborieuses comme les 9 et 11 Diesel, modernistes à l'instar de la 11 Electronic ou musclées dans le cas des 9 et 11 Turbo, avec pour cette dernière une belle carrière en rallye. Tous ces talents en font aujourd'hui des "youngtimers" appréciés, emblématiques des années 1980.

• Richement illustré, cet ouvrage est consacré aux voitures Renault 9 et 11 des années 1981-2000.
• Retrace en détail l'historique et l'évolution des Renault 9 et 11.
• Ce tome de la collection "La voiture de mon père" n'est pas seulement une source d'information profonde pour le propriétaire, mais aussi un guide d'originalité concis.
• La technique, les variants, les modifications et les versions spéciales sont décrites d'une manière détaillée.
• Traite aussi de la fabrication à l'étranger, notamment en Belgique, en Turquie et en Colombie.
• Un chapitre est dédié aux modèles Alliance et Encore, produits par American Motors pour le marché nord-américain.
• Contient plus de 250 photos d'époque, souvent inédites.