81 AMC Eagle Kammback

https://springfieldil.craigslist.org/cto/d/1981-amc-eagle/6544386617.html

 

Interesting, an Iron Duke Powered 4-speed four wheel drive Gremlin. I like it. Definatly don't see that model every day.

 

Despite the catarac and the partial scalping, it would be an interesting project

 

I like the enlarged quarter windows. They should have done that bit from the beginning...

 

I think this is what they should of done.

https://www.hemmings.com/magazine/hcc/2005/08/Lost--amp--Found--8-05/1281412.html

Hornet GT
Though not necessarily a savior to American Motors, the Spirit definitely helped keep AMC afloat during the turbulent early 1980s. But its steep sloping fastback window didn't just drop down out of thin air. In fact, I would make a case that it came somewhat indirectly from the Hornet Sportabout station wagon.



Few people seem to recognize that the Spirit was essentially a heavily restyled Gremlin, a connection made obvious when viewing the Gremlin G-II prototype of 1974 or the short-lived Spirit sedan of the early 1980s. But an even more obscure predecessor to the G-II was the Hornet GT, an AMC "experimental idea car" introduced in 1973.


Looking at the photos we found in a June 1973 issue of Road Test, AMC appears to have simply whacked a couple of feet from the center of a Sportabout, then struggled with what the rear quarter windows should have looked like-a swift kickup adorns the rear of the passenger's side window, and a rather smooth sweep defines the opposite side.


AMC enthusiasts seem convinced that the company destroyed all its prototypes after their brief stage careers, but it would be interesting to see if anybody can elaborate on the fates of the Hornet GT and the G-II.

 

I had the opportunity to buy one a few years ago that except for dull paint, was in excellent shape. It was a 6 cyl, auto with only 80K miles and I could have bought it for $1,500. It would be worth over double that now.

 

A Grornet would probably have been the downfall of the Gremlin (good riddance). I like it, not only because I was a proud owner of a '70 Hornet. The Grornet pictured might have been a success story, in Latin America, due to its design flair or in Europe, had it been thrifty and technically modern. It would have been risky business, to market it in the North American market, because of consumer partiality towards anything hatchback, though

 

I got to thinking, and I can only recall ever noticing one of these in my lifetime and it was the same color. Seems like when I lived in PA in the 80s when the Eagles were popular (the car, not the football team, that's another story), it seems like they were either the wagons or SX/4s. I knew quite a few people that had them and they all liked them, kinda like the Subie Outbacks of their day.

 

VAM, Vehículos Automotores Mexicanos, under license from AMC, built AMC vehicles for Mexico. The early Gremlins there, had the Hornet front end.

 

And cooler paint jobs. What about five mile per hour bumpers? Were they ever required there?

 

I would not think the 5mph bumpers would be required in Mexico, that car looks like it hase the Larger Bumpers installed, but not the Shock Absorbers the US spec cars required. They look more natural than the "suspended" with no filler US cars.

But I will say the AMC version of the 5 mph bumpers look better than some of the GM & Ford models I have seen.

The 73 GM Full Size Front bumpers come to mind,

 

I think that later Hornet nose looks better on that body......

 

My favorites are the first ones

 

Then there was this one they almost built.

https://jalopnik.com/the-amc-cowboy-concept-is-as-american-as-an-eagle-eatin-1599859480

http://amchornet.com/?page_id=340

 

Imagine one of these 'Cowboys' with the Eagle running gear!