How to open the hood in 1969 AMC AMX?

Experiencing difficulty in opening the hood of a 1969 AMC AMX can be quite frustrating, especially if you're unsure where to start. Whether you're trying to perform routine maintenance or simply taking a look at the engine, knowing how to correctly open the hood is essential. To address this issue and ensure you can easily access the engine bay, follow these detailed steps.

Step 1: Locate the Hood Release Lever Inside the Car
To begin, you need to find the hood release lever inside the vehicle. In the 1969 AMC AMX, this lever is situated beneath the dashboard, typically on the driver's side. It is a small, slightly protruding handle that you can pull. Carefully reach beneath the dashboard and feel around for this lever.

Step 2: Pull the Hood Release Lever
Once you have located the hood release lever, firmly pull it towards you. This action will release the primary latch holding the hood down. You should hear a click or pop sound, which indicates that the hood is now partially open and ready for the next step.

Step 3: Locate the Safety Catch Under the Hood
With the primary latch released, the hood should now be partially lifted. Exit the vehicle and move to the front. Stand directly in front of the center of the hood and feel underneath the edge. There will be a safety catch located approximately at the centerline of the hood.

Step 4: Release the Safety Catch
Insert your fingers under the hood's edge and find the safety catch, which is a small lever or bar located near the center of the front of the hood. Push this catch upwards or sideways (often towards the driver's side) to fully release the hood. This secondary latch ensures the hood doesn't open while driving, so applying slight upward pressure might be necessary to lift the hood completely.

Step 5: Lift the Hood
Once the safety catch is released, use both hands to lift the hood fully. The hood may have a prop rod that can be used to keep it open securely. If your AMC AMX has one, locate the prop rod along the inner frame of the hood or near the fender, and place it into the designated hole or slot meant to hold the hood up.

Conclusion
Opening the hood of a 1969 AMC AMX involves finding and manipulating two sets of latches: the interior hood release lever and the exterior safety catch. By following these steps accurately, you'll gain easy access to the engine bay for any maintenance or inspection purposes.