Classic Recollections: Instant attraction never fades for AMC AMX
Hot summer days are perfect for lusting after muscle cars. It was a burner one hot July in 1973 when Nader Ghazaleh and a co-worker, Steve, were passing the time doing just that: daydreaming.
The pair were picking up a load of carpet on the Southside of Chicago en route to their next job site. The conversation was about must-have cars. For the 22-year-old Nader, his choice was easy: he wanted an AMC AMX. A high school buddy's mom had a '69 AMX and Nader loved it.
"There were so many Mustangs, Camaros and Corvettes - the AMXs were oddball cars and very cool."
Naturally, he told Steve, "Boy, I wish I could have an AMX." Steve's eyes widened as he exclaimed, "'My friend Will has one and he's looking to get rid of it!"
The excited young men made a beeline to the owner's garage in Chicago's Ravenswood neighborhood. The 1970 model was bought new at Brown's AMC on Western Avenue. By 1973, it wasn't running and the owner, stumped and very frustrated, wanted it gone. Nader took one look and was more than willing to be the one to take it off his hands.
However, he was strapped for cash. His wife, Pam, was pregnant with their first child and a project like this wasn't a top priority. Still, he threw out his best offer - $600. The owner scoffed, reporting he still owed $1,800 to the dealer. As Nader turned to leave, Will reluctantly caved. The car was moved to Nader's parents' Northside garage, where it sat for several months.
Nader's best friend, Wolfgang, provided the impetus and mechanical know-how to get the project moving. After he replaced a piston, installed a new timing chain, crankshaft and rod bearings, plus a whole host of other engine internals, the hot hatchback was ready for the road.
From 1975-'79, Nader commuted in it daily while his weekends included numerous "fishing trips." That's when Nader could be found racing other car enthusiasts on Lakeshore Drive near Montrose Harbor. He'd find some overconfident driver and purposely let him win a few races, "baiting the line." Then, on the biggest race, Nader would unleash his hopped up hatch and take him "hook, line and sinker."
During the workweek, the AMX slowed way down and was parked in front of the Texaco service station in Cicero that Nader owned. The Golden Lime Metallic calling card had no trouble bringing in customers.
"People would look at the car and I'd come out and tell them stories about it," recalls Nader. "Impressed by the mechanical work, they'd trust us to work on their cars."
After Pam passed away from cancer, the AMX was put on the back burner and stored. He had all but forgotten about the vehicle when his second wife, Angela, prompted a renewed interest. He spent the 1990s doing small odds and ends, building up to a full overhaul in 2015. He wasn't alone in the process - lifelong pal Wolfgang lent a hand and now the AMX is back and better than ever.
"I've gotten even more attached to it," said Nader, who now lives in Park Ridge. "I'm teaching my son, Sam, to drive it and soon he'll inherit it. Hopefully, he'll go on to enjoy it for many more years to come."