This rather tidy looking 1981 AMC Spirit Liftback is reported to have only covered 43,025 genuine miles. Billed as a restyled replacement for the Gremlin, it is an example of what Popular Science magazine described as AMC’s engineers’ ability to “get $200 worth of looks out of $100.” You will find this Spirit listed for sale here on eBay. Located in Santa Clara, California, it is offered with a clear title. The seller has set a BIN price of $2,700 although the option is also there to make an offer.
This Spirit looks like quite a nice little car that could easily be used as a daily driver. The body looks straight, and at least in part thanks to those galvanized external body panels, it also appears to be free of rust issues. The Olympic White paint has a nice shine to it, and the car also appears to be remarkably free of dings or dents.
There is some bad news. The seller states that the car has a cracked windshield, and he wasn’t kidding! To me it looks like it has all of the hallmarks of a bird strike or an errant baseball. However, replacing the windshield shouldn’t present any major problems for the new owner.
The interior presents quite well, especially for a car from this era where plastics did not respond well to extended UV exposure. It appears as though it is completely stock inside, with no obvious aftermarket components added. The dash and trims look quite good, although some of the interior plastic is starting to show that powdering effect that we see so often with cars of this age. The dash looks good, and I’m not sure whether the seats are dirty, or whether it is a trick of the light. All of the carpet and the cover for the spare wheel appear to be present under the rear hatch, and they look to also be in good condition.
Under the hood is the 151ci Iron Duke 4-cylinder engine, and in this case it is backed by an automatic transmission. The auto does negatively impact fuel economy by around 10%, but the lock-up torque converter tend to alleviate this once the car is up and going. The car is said to run and drive well, and it is nice to see that everything looks exactly as it should for a car of this age. Nobody has gone ballistic in this engine bay with sprays and polishes. The car also has been fitted with new tires.
As a daily driver, I think that this Spirit has a fair amount of potential. It looks to be in really nice condition (except for the windshield) and the liftback would also make it quite a practical car. It’s also interesting to note that there are precious few of these on the market at present. If I were in the position where I was looking for a daily driver to commute to and from work or to the shops, this is a car that I would be seriously considering.
Seems like a bargain. Unique, practical, and in very nice shape. The hobby needs more cars like this.
Looks like you could drive this home and use it daily during the good weather months. I’d keep it off the road in winter where I live.
I’d be tempted but it doesn’t have enough doors. The hatchback helps, but that slope means there isn’t much room for cargo.
– John
I’d rather it have ONE door than FOUR!! That back seat does fold down, btw. Problem is single people these days/their friends are too lazy to reach into/get into the back seat of such a car, when back in the old days, EVERY car(& there were a heck of a lot more to choose from!) came as a 2 door, & maybe a 4 door! & a single person wouldn’t be caught dead driving a 4 door if they could help it. People today are also too lazy to manually crank open a side window, or lift groceries over a rear lip to put into the trunk. I shake my head when i compare the trunk LID on a new Challenger(for geriatrics), with that of one on a ’70 Challenger. It ruins & restricts the styling on the back too.
I’ve owned three of these, all manuals. One with a 258, one with a transplanted 360, and one with the 151. My dad also had a four-cylinder Spirit. This car initially caught my eye, but the Iron Duke with a slush box is a dismal combination. I’ve had fun in modestly-powered cars before, but I can tell you without reservation, you won’t do it in this one.
Honest pricing for an honest car. Looks to be in great condition, windshield aside
It won’t break traction with the engine/transmission combo but the Iron Duke will last forever
I’m not sure about windshield availability these days. About 10 years or so ago I had no problem getting one for a Hornet. AMC used the same windshield throughout the Hornet/Gremlin/Concord/Spirit/Eagle line from 1970-1987. So it’s been a long time but the same windshield fits numerous AMC models.
Could be driven as-is – very slowly – but this car is crying out for a Jeep 4.0 and AW4 transmission transplant out of a rear-drive Cherokee XJ.
Amc guy, back in 1990 I had a curved windshield made for a 1956 Cadillac SDV.
I am sure they can make one for this car.
I’m pretty sure my father probably has at least 4 windshields in his barn.
I completely agree on your suggestion of the 4.0L conversion.
If I can find a new one for my 71 AMX, I think the Hornet/Gremlin/Concord/Spirit/Eagle windshield should be pretty easy to find.
Just had my 72 Gremlin windshield replaced…had bids from 3 install companies, so they are out there. It was $350 installed.
That color combo is hideous. Wouldn’t have chosen that then, won’t be buying it now. These AMC look best in solid dark colors with Magnum 500 wheels and fat paws.
If one of you buys it, I know where a parts car is that could donate it’s glass…..
Interior looks like a luxury car compared to the base seats and dashboard in my parent’s 71 Gremlin.
Their 72 Ambassador Brougham could have used the same treatment, especially at nearly twice the price of the Gremlin.
Very nice. And I’d have another Iron Duke in the driveway in a heartbeat.
Sort of a shame AMC didn’t continue the OHC AMC 4 [Audi/Porsche origins] and develop it the way Rover did the Buick 215 V8, though.