Sometimes, you just really want to get rid of a vehicle, even if it’s not that bad and just needs some tinkering. That seems to be the case with this 1978 AMC Concord D/L Coupe. It looks much nicer than a $1,000 car, doesn’t it? It’s like 2005 prices have come back again – I wish! The seller has it posted here on craigslist in Arvada, Colorado. Here is the original listing, and thanks to Mike F. for the tip!
For those of you who are sad because vehicle prices have gone nuts over the last few years, here you go. No excuses here. I remember spending an hour or two on eBay every morning before work, and this price is almost too good even for the mid-2000s for a car that looks this good. The weird part is that when I started this one a few days ago, as you can see from the “original listing” link in the first paragraph, this car started out at $3,500! Then it went down to $2,500 a day or two ago, but now it’s a grand! Seriously, this is a steal.
Someone with a YouTube channel will buy this, clean it up, get it running, and probably make $12,500 on clicks alone. Then they’ll sell this car for $5,000. It needs a new vinyl top – this one is “long gone” – so there’s that, and they say there’s a dent in the left front fender, but a new one is in the trunk. Someone, please save this car!
AMC made the Concord from 1977 for the 1978 model year until the end of 1983, and I’ve always wondered what a convertible might look like… They say this car has been off the road for about a decade, but I’m sure most Barn Finds readers could get it humming like a sewing machine again in no time. The interior looks much nicer than it should for a $1,000 car, doesn’t it? I still can’t believe the asking price. The back seat looks like new. We don’t get to see the trunk area or underside, but I don’t see any rust in the photos.
This engine looks fantastic! It’s AMC’s 258-cu.in. OHV inline-six with 120 horsepower and 200 lb-ft of torque when new. Backed by a Chrysler-supplied TorqueFlite automatic sending power to the rear wheels, this one isn’t currently running due to sitting for a decade. A two-door Concord with a 258 and a fantastic interior for just a grand? Yes, all day long.
This must be solid old AMC week here at Barnfinds. I honestly don’t know where these old AMCs have been stashed, and this one really looks great. For 1000 bucks??? Unreal. I like your drop top version there too Scotty, And also how you sneak it in the factory brochure too. The only issue which was already brought out is the vinyl top. And who knows. Maybe something can be done to save it.
Driveinstile… where’s Howard ?
He may take a flier on this AMC legend for a grand đź‘Ť
AMC would probably still be around today, if they had you as a stylist Scotty!
You guys are way too nice. Five years ago, I would have bought this car sight-unseen, but uuuuf, in this economy, there’s no way.
The 258 w/TorqueFlite is a bullit proof combo that run for ever!
This is one of those cars you buy for your newly licensed teen driver so they actually have to pay attention to the road and their mirrors if this thing was closer I would be looking to buy it
But the teen’s friends would not know how to get in the back seat of this 2 door. & those up front would be asking “where are the power window switches?”
I can’t remember the last time i saw a teen driving – or working – in my area.
The price might be cheap but the car won’t be inexpensive to make roadworthy and safe. After sitting a maintenance-free decade every system should be considered suspect.
Nah. Just spray some starter fluid down the carburetor and jump the battery. No problem! Just kidding , fuel tank and lines, brakes , tires all need looking at.
Mr. Fitzgerald, a customer on my boyhood paper route, bought this exact car new, right down to the painted hubcaps.
I remember the tops of the fenders dissolving, seemingly overnight. Suddenly 1978 was a long, long time ago.
Great find…spend some money mechanically and splurge on a new vinyl top (maybe contrasting color). I’m surprised this isn’t a “surplus” car at the Rambler Ranch outside of Denver.
Car is still up for sale on CL. Wonder if the bill of sale issue might be holding it back.
Rambler Ranch….great place! Worth seeing if you’re in the area…..
I can say without reservation, and Mike can affirm, Colorado has an eclectic mix of older vehicles. Not sure why, exactly, not wholly because of lack of salt, the state, by nature , attracts an unusual group, and the cars they probably drove to get here.
This was no Rambler, it was the epitome to one of AMCs most successful cars, the Hornet. AMC was gasping for breath, we all knew change was a foot thanks to a certain “T” word. By ’78. Toyota was a household word in America. AMC threw everything they had into this car, all for naught, as the Alliance was around the corner nobody was waiting for. These cars had the entire Nash/Rambler/AMC thing going for them. From the “Weather Eye” heater, originated in 1939 and 1978 was the last year they called it that, to the reclining seats of similar infamy. It was a sad day in Kenosha when the last of these rolled off the line. Life would never be the same.
Why it isn’t sold:
1) no title, HUGE red flag, even though not to most here, not the end of the world, most have no idea what to do.
2) doesn’t run. People today don’t even know how to open a hood, and mechanics, if you can even find one, charge in excess of $100/hr. Adds up quick when the minivan needs tires.
3) limited interest. It’s not a ’69 396 Chevelle.
I know, we’ve been over this and over this. I would love to have it, and at $1,000, by all rights, it should be gone by now. I hate these indicators of our present society,,,,
My grandma’s neighbor had this car but in a tone of red, think of this car but in red, but not bright red. The husband passed away, he was a WW1&2 Navy veteran, his wife never learned to drive. She offered me the car, but at the time I was a dumb 16 year old and wanted something “cooler”. I’ve kicked myself since, it was a really clean car and they really took care of it.
Nice Concord! These are basic vehicles by today’s standards and easy to work on. If you do your own mechanical work it should not be too difficult or expensive to make roadworthy – I’ve seen much worse.
For $1000 if it were not thousands of miles away I’d probably jump on this thing despite needing another car, and a project car at that, like I need to put on another 30 pounds.
Looks like someone has ditched the single barrel carb and swapped in a Ford-Motorcraft two barrel. Nothing wrong with a few extra horses and enhanced drivability.
Took my drivers test in my folks white on blue 79 concord DL wagon. That was 1986. I had loved the car when Dad bought her as a 6 month “used car” (had been a demo). By 86 as a teenager was kinda embarrassed by it. It held on till the early 90s when the 6 thru a rod . I actually shed a tear for her when it was hauled off to a scrap yard. If this was in Tennessee or the area I would sure be interested . not quite Dad’s 79 , but close enough. Personally I wonder if you couldn’t just ditch the vinyl top and have the roof resprayed ? Personally never liked vinyl tops. Half top even worse.
$1500 over priced……….wow………that is one ugly car…………..
6/12/25 It’s gone. Hopefully to a good home.
Thanks, Frank! I was just checking a few older listings to see if they had sold. I hope this one gets back on the road again.