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American Motors eXperimental
1969 AMX at Silver State Challenge
AMX-perience.com is a proud sponsor of "THUMPER"
"Yes it's fast.....No, you can't drive it"
Featured in Hot Rod Magazine May, 1999
Colorado resident Jim Weyand has owned this 1969 AMX for nearly 20 years. The car has undergone many changes since Jim has owned it, though none quite as radical as in the last few years after he became interested in the Silver State Classic Challenge wide open road race held each year in Nevada.
If you're not familiar with the Silver State Challenge, 90 miles of Nevada State Highway 318 is closed to public use and opened for competition. The vehicles entered must pass a rigorous tech inspection to determine which class they will be allowed to run in. Jim runs in the 165mph class even though the car passes tech for the Unlimited Class.
Originally a 290 car, it now boasts 401 cubic inches of pure AMC muscle in front of a Richmond Gear 6-speed transmission. The car is outfitted with four-wheel disc brakes, one piece rear axles, Gymkhana Suspension, and a six point roll cage.The front air dam, lower body skirts, and unique cowl-induction system were all hand made by Jim. Its hood, fenders and trunk lid are all fiberglass.
These photos of "Thumper" were taken at Rocky Mountain AMC's Regional Car Show on August 9th, 1998 in Aurora, CO. Of the forty nine AMC's displayed at the show, nineteen were AMX's.
Yes, that's a valid license plate on Thumper. Jim regularly drives Thumper to Colorado events, she's a perfectly street legal reliable race car.
It's a beautiful car inside and out, Jim has received numerous show trophies to go along with his many racing trophies.
You need to be ready if anything goes wrong when your approaching 180mph.
The lid says 390, she's actually a 401. Check out the hand made air induction setup that forces air in from the modified heater inlet vents.
On 4-11-99 Thumper was at Pikes Peak International Raceway
These photo's were taken at Pikes Peak International Raceway during the Trans-Am weekend, September 25-27, 1998
The raceway hosted a "Lose your lunch ride" during the lunch break between races. For a $20.00 donation (all donation's went to the Children's Hospital in Denver) an individual would get to ride passenger in a race car for three laps around the racetrack. Some twenty cars were signed up for the program to the over 80 people who paid for their chance at a ride.
Former Trans-Am Champion Dorsey Schroeder was the track announcer (being broadcast on Speedvision) for the weekend and, during the time between Jim's runs (he gave four rides for a total of twelve laps), he asked for the crowds attention to be directed to "the red, white, and blue American Motors AMX with #53 on the doors", Dorsey went on to talk about the similar paint scheme between the AMX and Mark Donohue's Javelin. He continued talking about AMC's in the Trans-Am Series for 2-3 minutes. It was excellent exposure for American Motors. Keep in mind that among the 20 other cars were Ferraris, Porches, a Lamborghini Countach and many others, yet the lone AMC received the exposure!
Over 100 mph in front of the grandstands - the cars had to run behind the Pace Car.
Thumper at the State Patrol Training Track
Thumper at the Silver State Challenge
If you would like to become a member of Team Thumper and be a part of the fastest vintage American Motors AMX currently racing, there are several sponsorship plans available:
Individual Plan: For a one time donation of $40.00, an individual will receive a beautiful glossy 11"x14" photograph of Thumper hand signed by its owner/driver Jim Weyand. A tech sheet on Thumper will be included with each photo.
Business Plan: For an annual donation of $250.00, your business will receive a beautiful glossy 11"x14" photograph of Thumper hand signed by its owner/driver Jim Weyand. A tech sheet on Thumper will be included with your photo, and your name will appear on our Business Sponsors list displayed with Thumper at the shows/events attended. Your business's decal will be placed on one side of Thumper.
Corporate Plan: For an annual donation of $500.00, your corporation will receive two beautiful glossy 11"x14" photographs of Thumper, each hand signed by its owner/driver Jim Weyand. A tech sheet on Thumper will be included with each photo, and your name will appear on our Corporate Sponsors list displayed with Thumper at the shows/events which Thumper is displayed. Your corporation's decal will be placed on both sides of Thumper.
In lieu of a cash donation, sponsors can donate products and/or services. Some examples of products that are needed include (but are not limited to); racing fuel, lubrication products, tires, drivetrain components, and helmet to helmet communication system.
If you would like to be a member of Team Thumper, please e-mail amx7050@juno.com
