Racing AMX Information

[klvn8r]

If you're leaning toward a modern lighter caliper, check SVRA, but not medallion classes.  You'd be shocked at how well iron calipers etc can be improved....160 mph Corvettes use them reliably.

Klvn8r

[Shadow Ahead]

Yeah, Kelvinator, I was joking about the leaking. I bet they have been massaged to the point of excellence. I just don't want the weight. Given that most braking is from the front even with 50-50 weight distributon ( static- of course ) going with drums is great solution given that they are inherently lighter when talking about ones that are made from like materials. With drums it allows you to be legal for more classes without incurring a major weight hit.

T S

[SMKZ28]

Here is a picture of the #60 AMX at what must have been an SCCA race at Watkins Glen in 1969 or the early 70's.  I found the picture at a web site dedicated to the half red/half blue 1968  SCCA  B/P AMX: http://www.ssamx.com/1968_scca_bp_AMX.htm  Check out the three nice Camaros and two Cobras as well. 

I also noticed that the picture is also in the Interview with Gary Morgan thread here on this web site: http://www.camaros.org/forum/index.php?topic=7770.0;all

[klvn8r]

That is Ike Knupp in the TEAM (Technical Employees of American Motors) AMX.    A factory basement effort headed up by Jim Alexander and Knupp.  Car was run in 69 and I believe won the Cen-Div that year.  They went to Daytona for the runoffs, and I've read that Knupp was leading Alan Barker when something broke.   There is a Corvette book (about the L-88??) where Delorenzo or Thompson  mentions Knupp out-qualifying all of the BP Vettes and many of the AP cars.  This picture might be in that book....it looks slightly familiar.  Nice find, SMK!!!

klvn8r

PS--the car pictured on the SSAMX site is a different AMX than the one pictured above.  Knupp did enter a race or two driving that one....but the car in the pic with the Cobras is not it.  After speaking with Alexander many years ago, we determined that the original car was most likely lost. 

[wolfmin]

There's an interesting picture in the book "Corvette-Star Spangled Sports Cars" that shows the Owens-Corning Corvettes taking the checker, finishing 1-2 at a national at Mid-Ohio in the rain and right behind them finishing 3rd O.A. and winning B Production is Ike in the AMX.

[Shadow Ahead]

That is Ike Knupp in the TEAM (Technical Employees of American Motors) AMX.    A factory basement effort headed up by Jim Alexander and Knupp.  Car was run in 69 and I believe won the Cen-Div that year.  They went to Daytona for the runoffs, and I've read that Knupp was leading Alan Barker when something broke.   There is a Corvette book (about the L-88??) where Delorenzo or Thompson  mentions Knupp out-qualifying all of the BP Vettes and many of the AP cars.  This picture might be in that book....it looks slightly familiar.  Nice find, SMK!!!

klvn8r

PS--the car pictured on the SSAMX site is a different AMX than the one pictured above.  Knupp did enter a race or two driving that one....but the car in the pic with the Cobras is not it.  After speaking with Alexander many years ago, we determined that the original car was most likely lost. 

The "something that broke" was A Corvette just in front of Ike that he was about to pass for the win. Instead of locking the brakes to avoid it Ike downshifted and bent a valve or two. It slowed him enough that Barker passed him near the end and there went the overall National Championship.
  As to the original 60 car, according to a member of the Randall family of Randall AMC fame in Arizona, the former road racing AMX they own is the T.E.A.M car. I have not confirmed this as yet with any corroborating evidence.

S A

[klvn8r]

The TEAM car did eventually end up out at Randall, but in a discussion with Alexander about 15 yrs ago +/- he said that he and Phil Toney went out there looking for it, and were told that it got crushed...   As for the the slower Vette and bent valve....I know I've seen/heard that story before, just can't seem to remember where or who....  Probably one of the AMC books from the 80's.   

I just hope that a "clone" doesn't pop up and claim to be 'the one'.

klvn8r

[Shadow Ahead]

Yep, in books but I've seen the mention ( though probably quoting the book ) on a website or two of the Corvette story. The book, and I would assume their reputation was pretty impeccable considering the contributing authors and interviewees that were found listed in each volume and A Q's association with the Princeton Institute for Historic Research, was Automobile Quarterly, First Quarter 1981, Volume XIX, Number 1, pg 22 - 'Change Of An Image: Behind The Scenes At Amc With The Amx And The Javelin', by Robert C. Ackerson.
  The TEAM car in question I pointedly asked the Randall grandson to confirm was in their possession about a year past. A few weeks after I posed the question I prodded him again and he told me that he had checked with his family ( father?, uncle, grandfather?- I know a couple of the Randalls have died ) and that it was the TEAM AMX for sure. The only thing left to do is to get all the known identifying facts about the TEAM car and go out there and check if they will allow it. I do know that they have pics of the car when they owned it early on and the driver's rear quarter still had the sponsorship lettering on it that vintage pics show on the car when it raced as the TEAM AMX. Check out the pics on the AMC Forum ( Bill D's site ) and elsewhere. If th car they own now is the car they owned then it is the TEAM AMX. Short of scraping off layers of paint there have to be other identifiers as to the car's provenance.

S A

[SMKZ28]

Back in reply #14 Mike Scott (Group/7) mentioned a picture at Garage Blog.  This might be the one he was talking about.  It can be found here: http://thegarageblog.com/garage/more-vintage-racing-porn-amx/  along with several comments about the car and the picture.  I found it while searching for something else.

[Shadow Ahead]

That's a Canadian sponsored AMX. I'll see if I can find the one color photo of it.


S A

[S A Dunbar]

Photo from the pace lap of the 1967 Road America June Sprints.  I believe that's Ike Knupp on the outside of the fourth row.  And my father on the outside of the 5th row in his red/white 1963 Corvette.

[Jon Mello]

There was a Dwight Knupp from Southfield, MI who ran a Barracuda in '67, car #64. Possible relative of Ike Knupp? I suspect the car at RA was Dwight's car.

[S A Dunbar]

There was a Dwight Knupp from Southfield, MI who ran a Barracuda in '67, car #64. Possible relative of Ike Knupp? I suspect the car at RA was Dwight's car.

Yes, Jon, I'm sure you are correct....Dwight Knupp.

[Shadow Ahead]

Dwight is Ike.

S A

[klvn8r]

Yes, Dwight 'Ike' Knupp.....he was an electronics guy at Chrysler before AMC brought him on board.  His son is an active racer as well.

klvn8r