1971 AMC Touch Up Paint (22 OEM Colors)

The 1971 AMC Vibe

In 1971, American Motors wasn't just building cars; they were making a statement against the Detroit establishment. While the Big Three were getting corporate and conservative, AMC was busy giving the Javelin those iconic "humped" fenders and selling the Gremlin to anyone with a sense of humor. With 22 colors in our database for this year, it's clear AMC wasn't afraid of a little attention. We're talking about a lineup that featured the legendary "Big Bad" trio-Big Bad Blue, Big Bad Green, and Big Bad Orange-alongside earthy, "only-in-the-70s" classics like Mustard Yellow and Tijuana Tan Poly. It was a high-impact year where the paint was as bold as the 401 Go-Pack under the hood.

Paint Health Check

If you're staring at an original 1971 finish, you're looking at the Single Stage Era. Back then, the color and the protection were mixed into one thick, honest bucket of acrylic enamel. There's no clear coat "lens" sitting on top to protect the pigment. This means your AMC has spent the last fifty years fighting a losing battle against the sun. The biggest threat here is Oxidation. If your Bittersweet Orange Poly looks more like a dusty brick or your Mialeah Yellow has turned into a chalky mess, that's the paint literally dying on the surface. Without a dedicated clear layer, the pigments break down and turn into a fine powder. It's a bulletproof tech in terms of adhesion, but it's chemically "open" to the elements.

Restoration Tip

The good news about single-stage paint is that you can often "bring it back from the dead" because the color goes all the way through. If your AMC is looking chalky, don't panic-but do put in the work. You need to mechanically remove that oxidized top layer. Start with a clay bar to get the grit out, then use a light cutting compound to buff away the "dead" paint until the true hue of that Golden Lime Poly shines through. Here's the Salty Painter's golden rule for 1971: It needs wax or it dies. Once you've polished it, that porous enamel is naked. You must seal it with a high-quality wax or sealant immediately to act as a sacrificial barrier, or you'll be back to Square One (and a chalky hood) by next season.