Being an AMC fan since childhood and having learned to drive in a Gremlin, I can’t say I was very excited to find out that the powers that be at American Motors Corporation had chosen to end production of their mischievous subcompact after 1978. However, its replacement, the Spirit, filled the missing gap nicely as an affordable and fun little car. While some earlier Gremlins had offered an optional V8, this had been phased out by the time the 1980 Spirit arrived, so it’s great to find an example like this one here on Craigslist that somebody took the time to stuff a 304 into. This powerful hatchback is in Farmington, New Mexico, and is priced at $10,999. Barney, thanks a lot for locating this one and sending in the tip here!
AMC buyers who were still longing for a classic Gremlin were in luck, as one of the Spirit models, known as the Kammback or sedan, looked a whole lot like a glorified Gremlin, with the only noticeable changes being a more modern front-end and a stretched rear side window. However, a different version was also available, such as the one being offered here. Known as the Liftback or coupe, the back section was more sloped, creating some additional room and a more sporty appearance. The seller says this one was restored in the early 2000s, which included a change of color when the new paint was applied. Mag wheels were also added, with fatter tires on the back, creating a look that was quite popular during the seventies and eighties.
Two different-sized engines were on the menu for the Spirit in 1980, including a 2.5-liter four-cylinder or the larger 4.2L inline-6. While both were known for their reliability, who wouldn’t prefer a good old V8 under the hood, so whichever one was originally here was yanked in favor of a 304. The owner says this car runs, stops, and drives excellently, noting that it has recently undergone a tune-up and a fresh oil change. No specifics are given about the transmission, but it’s an automatic, with a desirable floor shifter.
Besides being described as clean, few other details are provided regarding the interior, but it appears to be in fine shape overall. The front buckets are a nice feature, and three digital aftermarket gauges have been added above the heater controls. No radio is present, so you’ll have to install one if you want any tunes, but I’m thinking the sound of that V8 might be more fun than listening to music here. Any thoughts to share on this 1980 AMC Spirit?
It never ceases to amaze me, someone, somewhere in this great land, takes a mundane car like the Spirit, and cranks it up to the 9s. You name it, this person poured their heart and soul( and pocketbook) into a car most wouldn’t have even noticed when new. Not particularly a wheelstander, but doesn’t have to be. Sitting still, it looks awesome, and the V8, well, I’m sure makes a statement. Why not dual exhaust? It’s a hot rod, and dual exhaust usually tells the world that. To many, this was deemed the “new” Gremlin, but was much more than that. A sporty Concord, like the ill fated last AMX.( 1980) The Spirit was a good car, and this was the peak of production, with almost 71,000 Spirits in 1980 sold at about $4500, including AMX versions, about a grand more. That number dropped drastically, and by 1983, only 4400 were sold, model dropped in ’84. While the AMC part may escape many in the future, I’m happy this person chose to show the ages, we could do it too. Sharp car, and yep, automatic. I wouldn’t dawdle on this one.
There is one inaccuracy here – the 304 was available in the Spirit in 1979.
Dan, page 9 of this 1980 AMC Spirit data book doesn’t show a V8 being available, even on the AMX version.
https://xr793.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/1980-AMC-Data-Book.pdf
There was a 304 V8 for the 1979 model year, as you mentioned, but the car featured here is a 1980.
https://xr793.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/1979-AMC-Spirit.pdf
I ALWAYS like it when you post the sales brochures, etc Scotty. Whoever built this, like Howard already brought out, really put a ton of very high quality work into it. I like it, a lot. And also, Kudos to them for taking something that was basically an everyday car, and making it something special. ( Howard already said that too). This looks like it would be a lot of fun to run around in.