(We’re re-running this one in honor of Hugh Hefner, the philanthropist, publisher, and iconic figure behind Playboy magazine. Hefner passed away at the age of 91 on September 27th, 2017 after living a life that, while no doubt controversial, could easily be said to be well-lived. -McTaggart)
Bright pink is not a color you’d normally associate with an AMX. Red/White/Blue, sure. Matador Red, Rally Green or Tahiti Turqoise, sure. But this 1968 AMX is officially Playmate Pink. Yep, as in Hugh Hefner’s special breed of bunnies. Ever since 1964, the Playmate Of The Year would win, among other items, a new car, which up until 1976 was painted in the eye-searing color. The AMX went to Victoria Vetri, better known by her alias, Angela Dorian, a Playmate that became famous for being copied into NASA’s extra-vehicular activity cuff checklist and movie star (Rosemary’s Baby, When Dinosaurs Ruled The Earth). Vetri owned the car up until a few months before her 2010 arrest for attempted murder after she shot her husband, Bruce Rathgeb following an argument. While the Playmate is doing nine years behind bars for attempted voluntary manslaughter, the car is now restored to it’s former glory and for it’s first real appearance in forty-ish years, is brought to Jay Leno for it’s official unveiling. It’s not the top of the line AMX, with a 260ci V8 and an automatic, but it is a well-restored example and if you think the story of the car is weird now, just wait until current owner Mark Melvin starts telling other bits of the story. Roman Polanski, Sharon Tate, and the Manson Family all have some kind of tie to the story, which seems extremely out of place for such a pretty pink car, don’t you think?
I don’t care what color it is, that car is beautiful! Congratulations on saving a part of AMC, AMX (and Playboy) history.
Though it looks a bit strange, can you imagine a pink 1969 Shelby GT 500? Well that’s what Playmate: Connie Kreski got the following year.
It was a tradition since 1964:
http://jalopnik.com/5536844/playmate-of-the-year-cars-1964-to-2010/
I like how Jay is helping the owner sort out the car with feedback –> trans kick-down not working as is the horn.
I think Jay should have taken him and the car over to see Heff
as he suggested
Cool history on that car. Not sure what connection to the Manson murders other than maybe vistor at the house beforehand but there are a few cars that may have a much darker connection…
The Rambler had a dead body inside, the Firebird belonged to one of the victims on the lawn and the Porsche to another victim in the house.
http://cielodrive.com/photo-archive/10050-cielo-drive-driveway.php
This 69 Camaro was Sharon Tates service loaner. Her Ferrari is probably still around too.
http://cielodrive.com/photo-archive/sharon-tate-camaro.php
What a beautiful AMX. I still have hope that Jay Leno and some other well heeled friends will one day revive AMC.
I’d put my Man Card out on loan and drive the $#iT outta that car.
Thanks, Bryan,