Compact wagons were prolific in the 1970s – a happy circumstance back then, and a body style we miss now. The Sportabout competed with the VW Squareback, as well as entries from Toyota, Peugeot, Mazda, and Volvo. Most of its peers wheezed along with small engines, while AMC’s wagon received either an inline six or a V8. The AMC was also considerably less expensive than its competition. And any car from the Malaise Era that retains chrome bumpers catches my eye, so this 1977 Hornet wagon got the nod; we have Rocco B to thank for bringing it to our attention. Find it here on craigslist, in decent driver conditon, advertised for $12,900. It’s located in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
This example is equipped with a 115 hp, 258 cu. in. in-line six-cylinder backed by an automatic transmission. This combination was a couple of notches above the base model, though still shy of the top-shelf V8. The underside is clean, but we’d need more views to judge how well it’s been treated. The seller notes that the tires and master cylinder are new, the engine has traveled only 40,000 miles, and the car has no rust. It was repainted some years ago – which is probably when it lost its front bumper over-riders.
The interior is shy of showroom new, as the carpet color has faded, the sill plates are scratched, and the front seat upholstery is grimy, but I’m not complaining! These issues allow buyers to improve a car dramatically without spending an arm and a leg. The rear seats provide a good guide to how the fronts should look, and the trunk is nearly pristine. Even the rubber seals are new. The seller notes that the air conditioning compressor needs a charge. This Sportabout boasts power steering and power-assisted brakes with discs up front.
AMC tried hard to anticipate buyers, and frequently, its entries compared favorably to competitors. But the die was cast when the company was formed from a merger of weaker players, way back in 1954. Moments of brilliance were not enough to beat back the onslaught of the Big Three, with their superior finances and flexible approach to product development. Today, cars from “orphan” makers often sell at steep discounts versus their counterparts from Ford, GM, and Chrysler, offering an opportunity to slip into the vintage car world on the cheap. Would you want to show up this summer in this spiffy Sportabout?
16 pictures, and not one of the engine. Looks like a new car, but I don’t know about $13,000. Especially with a straight six, although having A/C is nice.