Do you ever notice that certain models of cars edge up slightly – possibly indicating they’re about to get “hot” – and then seemingly level off? The Porsche 944 is a car that comes to mind in the sports category, but I also see it with models like the AMC Eagle Wagon 4×4, which caught on a bit over the last few years but has also hit a bit of a plateau. This 1986 example presents well and looks quite clean, and it’s listed here on eBay with bids to $7,900 and no reserve.
Of course, you can see how this happens: nostalgia kicks in, or there’s some sense of scarcity and it triggers a “must buy” response in buyers with some money to burn. But then reality sets in, and the market corrects in response to reality, such as high production numbers or a model otherwise lacking the cache to make it over the hump into the true collector car category. The AMC Eagle Wagon, although cool as heck and an innovator, will have difficulty giving an air-cooled 911 a run for its money.
And that’s OK! We should have a wide selection of decidedly cool vehicles that don’t belong in the Louvre. The Eagle shown here is quite handsome with a well-preserved interior to match its straight and true exterior panels. The checked cloth seats still look good today, even if the steering wheel with its grotesque wrap brings the whole vibe down a bit. The dash has a fuzzy pad on it, which has hopefully kept it from cracking.
With just under 66,000 original miles and claims of rust-free original paint, this AMC Eagle wagon certainly bears the trappings of being a survivor. There’s a huge following for these pioneering four-wheel-drive wagons, so it will undoubtedly find its way to a new home that will cherish it for the next owner. The Eagle may not be on its way to a $30,000 sale, but for an emerging collector car that should sell for safely under $20,000, it’s hard to go wrong with an all-weather rig like this.
In the past I have voiced my opinion of respect for this car. I agree it’s a design that is relevant today as it was in the past. Growing up in the north east AMC Eagles were king and their owners fiercely loyal to the brand. I can see why since these were go anywhere cars in bad weather. The Eagle was Americas Quattro Avant. This one is one of the nicest left and I agree this might become the next Grand Cherokee in terms of appreciation.
No matter how nice or low mileage. This era of any car was just basic disposable transportation . Anything over $3000 is way too much.
Great write up Jeff. I’m torn on these cars. I have a love/hate relationship with the looks of them, this one is very clean and looks great however. I think what sunk them (besides AMC on life support by 1986) is that they look old fashioned even for the 80’s. These cars were clinging to the 60’s-70’s design cues and not moving forward with the rest of the 80’s designs. Im curious to see what this sells for.
Awesome rig these were all over years ago in the rust belt. They served their owners well. Timing is everything and so much about these cars is so current yet when they came to market yet the sales just were ho hum. There is a very durable 6 hiding in the engine bay and the styling is good. The best part is how they engineered the drivetrain.Will it become a collector classic, I doubt it, a great car nevertheless.
For 1986 only the Eagle came with an open center differential, not the viscous unit used all other model years. So if one wheel loses traction the car is going nowhere! Of course this one is way too nice for use on salted winter roads anyway.
That plastic valve cover has to go. Aluminum aftermarket replacements are readily available (for Jeep) though you do have to tap some holes in the head for the hold-down bolts.
can any one tell me what type engine is in this eagle ?
JEFFREY, according to the VIN, it’s an AMC 258-cu.in. OHV inline-six.
Just a basic USED CAR. No matter what the milage. This era of American anything is pretty much worthless. Anything over $3k is foolish bidding . They were made to be disposable. By 70k miles they pretty much need everything.
when I was 15, mom had a AMC Hornet wagon. these remind me so much of that old wagon. I would love to have a manual transmission version of this, though I know those are few and far between
Does the dash have any cracks ? A/c & gauges all work ?
Beautiful example here. Have to remark this is identical to the one I had which was an ’83. It went for nearly 300,000 miles on a Rural Mail carrier route of 138 miles a day before I sold it to a fellow wanting a back up unit for his own. That engine never used a drop of oil during my ownership and the only item I replaced on it was a cracked upper A-arm assy. Just normal maint. kept it going faithfully thru some of the worst weather conditions in the upper midwest. I also had a more easy to use variant with a ‘shift-on-the-fly’ which was white and used it as a back up unit as it was really too nice to use up on the route. I sold that one to a collector. Other than the troublesome rear hatch hinges which had a propensity to cracking and allowing the hatch to come unhinged on one side, I really had no issues to driving these any where with no problem in any weather.
Wished I could have had this one as it sold at a bargain value of 10 grand. Someone got a great car at a great value ~~~
Where I elk hunt in Eastern Washington I used see one of these…horrible old logging roads where most people drive jacked up 4X4’s.. and then there was this little Eagle wagon transversing those roads like a Costco parking lot…
Having started with a 1981 Eagle wagon, an 83 wagon, 84 sedan, and two 88’s wagons (yes tho DMV said no were built..the finally did register them 88’s) I had all of the dealer brochures. The seven main bearing 258 six was a great engine…minus the plastic valve cover, and I went the Weber route also. The national AMC club is a good source for info and help. Maybe somewhat dated design, however great tuff old surviver.