European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - June 06, 1977, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Page 10 the stars and stripes monday june 6, 1977 Corner a. / Hen i picked up a new american motors Hornet amx for testing purposes recently. I thought now what s this a venetian Blind at Back i la Lancia strains a porsche Targa Liko Silver band and front spoiler and flared fenders to Boot. A bit much maybe More gimmicks to turn on buyers those were my first thoughts. An hour later after leaving Bremer Haven and with every Driver on the autobahn glancing Back for a second look. I was Quick be coming a Hornet amx fan. Not so much from the Heads turned per minute count but because of the feel for the car. The Windy weather went from dry to rain to Monsoon conditions but the Hornet was always stable at times the autobahn was under an Inch or More of water in places a perfect situation for Aqua planing but the Little car splashed through at 60 Miles per hour with not a quiver. At the end of that drive about 400 Miles. I was not tired in the least which says a lot for a car one is not familiar with. Before going further 1 would Rale the Hornet with the special amx suspension setup As one of the top three american sports Type cars i be Ever driven the other two being i Pontiac s firebird trans am and Chevrolet s Camaro. Handling tops the handling is the Hornet s Strong Point the amx package including a heavy duty suspension with Stiller Spring and Shock absorber ratings and a front anti Sway bar. Combined with the 6-Inch wide mag wheels hires arc wide tread dh70 Goodyear radials on 14-Inch rims the package makes Lor handling that can t be faulted. T like some stiffly sprung european cars of this Type the Hornet amx allows or Flat and solid Corn crying. But without the harshness that produces the Passen Ger torturing element. The balance is just right the ride firm but pleasant. And i quickly Learned to like the body styling. Venetian Blind treatment and All. The muscle car Era is now Long gone with the Energy crisis yet the Little Hornet amx s Over All appearance is exciting enough to get you Back in the mood. And the performance in today s definition anyway is quite acceptable. 304 v-8 engine the car i had was equipped with a .104 cubic Inch v-8 with automatic transmission and it went from Zero to 60 in 10.6 seconds. Top Speed indicated on the speedometer a bit on the optimistic Side that i obtained was 105.4 Mph. The engine pulling 4.200 revs with the red line at 5.00 1. As the engine was new. That s As far As i cared to take it. The speedometer by the Way. Is marked in both Miles and kilo me ters the is in Blue and Miles in White. With the amx package the instrumentation is Complete a Welcome Relief from idiot lights that can fail to glow and then cause trouble. On the dashboard you have three in line circular instruments that in clude speedometer Gas gauge and Rev counter All easy to read and above the transmission Tunnel there s a special panel that features an Ammeter Oil pressure gauge temperature gauge and clock i not so easy to read at a glance. The Interior of the Hornet amx struck me As proper for this Type of car a no non sense Black throughout except for the White seats. I would prefer All Black and assume one could have it this Way. The bucket scats give excellent support and have built in headrests. Hatchback styling the 108-Inch wheelbase Hornet amx is in Hatchback style seating four people in Comfort ample passenger leg room at Back or two people and a great amount of Luggage space Golf clubs tool when the Back seats Are folded Down. This can be done quickly the cargo area 30.s cubic feet i fully carpeted. The Hatchback opens with Case and is propped up automatically by Gas Cylinder struts. Very Inch of Interior space has been used to advantage with a Glove Box on the right Side of the dash and another located Between the Driver and passenger this one big enough to hold Small tools or what have you. The Interior treatment is so functional and modern that the old fashioned circular dome Light intruded into the surroundings. An overhead Jet Type map Reading Light As used on the am Matador definitely should have been used that defect along with the need for a left positioned Footrest Are about the Only criticisms i have re Garding this automobile. A panel the full length of the dashboard is located under the dash by the Way. Another example of intelligent use of available space. Youth Market american motors terms its Hornet amx Interior treatment a three spake steering wheel with Vinyl covered rim is featured on the amx along with full instrumentation an extra panel on the transmission Tunnel. Brushed aluminium dash sets of instruments. Is photo Hatchback cargo area of Hatchback configuration the Hornet amx offers 30.5 cubic feet of space a sporty Hatchback designed to Appeal to the preferences and income level of Young performance oriented  that sums it up. It s a car Young people can associate with and it offers a stamp of individuality american motors Hornet amx rear window lovers flared lenders Targa like Roll bar and slotted wheels distinguish the Hornet amx a derivative of the regular two door Hatchback. The performance oriented amx aver aged 16.6 Miles per gallon with the optional 304 Cio v-8 engine and automatic transmission. The car s bumpers Are in Matching body colors. Sis photo when the two Back seats Are folded Down. Cargo area is carpeted is without the Price a european built coun in quart carries with the h v-8 engine and automatic transmission the Hornet amx was Quick and nimble easy to drive in traffic and very responsive when dropped Down from 1u to "2" on the floor mounted Box. 258 motor Standard the 304 is an optional engine the Stan Dard being the 258 six Cylinder with four set cd manual transmission both the 258 and i04 Are rated at 120 horsepower and i have an idea that the 258 with four Speed Gearbox would be even More fun to drive than the automatic with 304. The 258 with four Speed also costs $-118.50 less which makes the car quite reasonable. As u is the 304 with automatic transmission amx package mag wheels Etc costs Only u24 10 at the special military Price. The loom to amx is offered in four colors Only red. Yellow Silver and Green and it looks Good in any of them. The car is available for delivery in Europe and the United states with Ameri can motors buyer Protection plan included in the Price of the vehicle. The cars May be ordered through american motors sales representatives at army Aid air Force a change service i Takesi stores. Randy Barnett