American Motors of Ontario Performance Plus

AMO+, being derived from American Motors of Ontario, Performance Plus. Our members encourage and promote the recognition and enjoyment of the vehicles built by American Motors. We are also dedicated to the restoration and preservation of AMC performance cars. We share our experiences proudly.

The ownership of an AMC performance vehicle is not a requirement for membership. Membership to AMO+ is limited to those sponsored by AMO+ members in good standing.

Visit our Membership Options Page with the link below:

For further information about our club or membership, please contact Gary Freelen at:  garyfreelen67@gmail.com

Hello to 2024!  I can't believe another year has passed.  This is a milestone year for our club, as we turn 25 in the summer.  That is amazing, our Silver anniversary, and I can tell you we have 'silvered somewhat' since then, but our desire is still strong!  We will determine what we should do to celebrate this time stamp at our AGM in the Spring.  I guess I had better get to schedule that!

I have to also add that American Motors Corporation turns 70 this year.  On May 1 1954, this joint venture that was signed by Nash and Hudson in January of 1954, was revealed to the public.  At the time it was the largest corporate merger in U.S. history.

The AMO National Convention is taking place in Virginia (not only for lovers this year!) on June 12-15.  For more information please visit https://amo.club/ .  Ramblerama is on again, and will take place at the same location as last year, on Saturday June 22.  Check out our calendar for more information (you have to be a member to access that).

Hope 2024 is treating you well so far, and let me know if you have any questions on the above mentioned email.  Take care.

We have arrived in 2023, and we're not looking back!  2022 started to open up to those who wanted to carefully get out and about.  I managed to successfully attend the AMO National Convention in Novi MI.  It was great to get back into the car show swing, and use all my senses around our marque.  To see the shiny, hear the rumble of a Rambler, smell the exhaust as the cars pass to get to their place at the show.  It was wonderful!

This year our club is scheduled to gather at our AGM on May 13, and see an AMX reveal like no other (no pressure Harm).  Ramblerama has been moved to June 10 in Port Perry at the Scugog Shores Museum Village.  The AMO National convention is in Knoxville TN, starting on June 21.  All of these events are on our Events calendar.

I hope to see you at our AGM, and we'll plan the rest of the year together!  Take care and continue to be safe.

We made it to 2021!  That 2020 year is something that we will not soon forget, even though we'd like to.  Not much has changed since the ball dropped in Times Square to ring in the New Year, but we do have some hope with the vaccine that is making its way around the world.  It will certainly not get to anyone of us for the forseeable future, so we still need to remain apart, and continue to use the existing methods that have worked so far (for our circle anyway) to keep in touch.  

Let's hope that we will be able to get together in the summer, and drive our cars more that we did in 2020.  Take care, and be safe, Gary.

2020 is here!  Another year has passed and we welcome a new decade.  Our AGM is tentatively scheduled for Saturday April 18 at 1pm.  (Check out the events calendar, and will see that Barb and Harm are hosting the event  - The event was cancelled and we will congregate when it is safe )    

Unfortunately, we are under siege from the COVID 19 virus.  We need to be diligent, in our approach.  Self isolate, and use social distancing where possible.  Do not gather in groups and keep up to date on the status of this virus.  If you do go out, please wash your hands thoroughly when you come home, and keep them away from your face!  Don't shy away from everyone, keep in touch with your friends through texts, email, and how about a good old phone call?  Keep tabs on your neighbours, and make sure that they are doing well.  If you have to go out, you may want to ask someone if they need something.

We will get through this, and please make sure you follow the instructions provided by the experts.  We need to flatten the curve, if we are going to make it to any car show this year.  We're all in this together, so stay apart now, so we can be together later.  Stay safe, and be well.

AMO National Convention in Colorado in June 17-20  *** UPDATE *** This show has been postponed to 2021 - Stay tuned for further details

Ramblerama with the Northern Ramblers on June 27 in Port Perry  ***UPDATE***As of April 2020, Rambler Rama,  will not be going ahead on June 27. The club executive are pondering a later date. They will announce their plans on their Facebook page,  website and in their AM Spirit magazine.  I will keep in touch with them and include any new information.

Kenosha Homecoming July 21-26 (update from the committee should be available June 1, 2020, whether the show goes on - some members have cancelled their trip already) ++++UPDATE++++ This show has been cancelled as well, and will happen in 2021.

Autofest in Oshawa Aug. 29-30 - UPDATE - According to Facebook, this event has been postponed until 2021.

If you need any information on these shows, please  at garyfreelen67@gmail.com

Thanks, Gary Freelen

New for 2020 - Member cars

Gail and Mike's 1974 Javelin AMX in the pole position for our Spring 2020 project.  We all need a project, right?

Sonia and Gary's 1965 Rambler Ambassador with a 327

Barb van der Veen's 1967 Rambler American convertible

Harm van der Veen 1970 AMX (more pictures on Harm's AMX project page - Just continue to login and see!)

Darryl Rae's 1975 Hornet (with a stinger, that's for sure!)  The engine installed last summer (2019) is a stroked 401. It has CNC ported aluminum heads, aftermarket pistons and rods, the only stock parts are the block and crank. Made 593 hp on an engine dyno. This engine is a nitrous motor and should handle up to a 250hp shot! It has a Tremec 5 speed as Darryl wanted overdrive, and connects to a Moser 9” rear end with cal tracks. 

2019 Opening remarks:

This is a special year for our club.  2019 marks the 40th anniversary of the existence of AMC clubs in Canada.  We started out as the Classic AMX Club of Central Canada, and then a sister club came along called the Northern Ramblers in 1983, to provide a 'home' for the rest of the AMC branded cars.  The Classic AMX Club of Central Canada was eventually shelved, in favour of the Northern Ramblers brand. 

The current version of our club called AMO+ was born in 1999.  It has already been 20 years, and  AMO+ is still going strong.  We participate in the American Motors Owners Association (AMO) National Meets, and the Canadian AMO+ presence is well represented on the Board of Directors of AMO as well.  We have also held positions that co-ordinated all of the AMO chapters in the AMO newsletter, and several Canadian members have taken the lead on car judging, to further develop and grow in that area.  Over the years we have held a number of regional meets (1990 - 1994) and 2 National AMO meets (1995 Kitchener and 2008 Kingston).

Here is our logo for the Autofest Show that is taking place in Oshawa, on August 24, 25.

Some of the cars at Autofest 2019

For more information on the show, you can look up Autofest, and you will have to register with them.  We are joining their show field as an AMC club, but are not doing separate registration.  If you are coming, please let me know, at garyfreelen67@gmail.com.  

Update on August 26 2019.

What a great show!  We had 21 club cars on Saturday, and 12 club cars on Sunday.  We would have had more on Sunday, but we ran into some mechanical issues.  The spectators at the show were pleased to sample the variety of AMC candy that we were presenting.  There were well over 1100 cars registered in total for the 2 day event. 

Opening remarks for 2018

As 2018 is the 50th anniversary of the AMX, we are encouraging everyone who has one of these wonderful cars to send in their pictures.  They will be posted for all to see and appreciate!  Above is the 1968 AMX of Glen McDonald who was our President before the 2008 AMO Convention in Kingston.  Unfortunately, Glen passed away before being able to enjoy the meet and appreciate the amazing feedback that we continue to receive even to today.

CRUISE NIGHTS IN ONTARIO

If you can, get out to a local cruise night in your area or visit a neighbouring town for fun, good conversations and amazing cars! The list below is a partial one of cruise nights that are near most of our members. Check to make sure their events are still happening by calling the info numbers provided.

MONDAYS

Bridgenorth Cruise in the Park, Ward Street, Info: 705-742-4159

Kitchener, PartSource Store, 563 Highland Rd. W., Info: 519-505-5957

Oakville, A & W Restaurant, 369 Speers Rd, Info: 905-782-6809

Wasaga Beach Cruisers, next to WalMart on 100 Stonebridge Blvd., Info: 705-429-2426

TUESDAYS

Bobcaygeon Beach Park, 45 Park Street, Info: 705-738-5319

Brampton Street Rods, 499 Main Street, Info: 905-78-5446

Cambridge, Canadian Tire on 65 Pinebush Rd, Info: 519-260-0259

Oakville Lions Club, 970 Dorval Drive, Info: 905-691-1011

Peterborough, 1550 Lansdowne St. W., Info: 705-745-6361

Port Perry Cruisin' Classic Car Club, 1680 Reach Street, Info: 705-357-2358

Waterloo, Mel's Diner, 140 University Ave.W., Info: 519-579-6357

WEDNESDAYS

Barrie Thunder Classics, 3 Simcoe St at Heritage Park, Info: 705-722-8899

Rockin' the Waterfront Bay St. N. and Guise St., Hamilton, Info: 226-934-3566

Lindsay A & W Restaurant, 363 Kent St. W., Info: 705-432-2504

Downtown Oshawa BIA Show & Shine, Corner of King and Queen Sts., Info: 905-261-8352

THURSDAYS

Innisfil Beach Cruisers, 676 Innisfil Beach Rd., Info: 705-436-4452

Uxbridge, 180 Main St. S., Info: 416-543-3428

FRIDAYS

Twin Lake Cruisers at Home Depot, 3225 Monarch Dr., Orillia, Info: 705-826-1782

Pete's Big Bites Late Night Cruise, 821 Dundas St.W., Whitby (9 - midnight), Info: 905-668-8566

SATURDAYS

Saturday Night Food Drive Cruise, 250 Kingston Rd.E., Ajax, Info: 905-428-3873

Shake Rabble & Roll, 939 Dundas St.W., Oshawa, Info: 905-666-9700

Port Hope, 177 Toronto Rd., Info: 905-885-9228

SUNDAYS

Over N Under Car Club 10081 McLaughlin Rd, Brampton, Info: 905-678-6569

Peggy Sue's Cruisers, 1245 Rymal Rd., Hamilton, Info: 905-512-6689

Newmarket (The WORKS Gourmet Burger Bistro), 18075 Yonge St. N., Info: 905-235-8100

NOTE: For a more complete list, go to: classiccarcruisenights.com

PICTURES FROM PAST AMO CONVENTIONS


Above picture - Rockford, Illinois - 2015 AMO Convention

AMO Plus, Andover - July 2012

Kingston 2008
2008 in Kingston