The AMC Eagle was a ground-breaking vehicle that offered owners a sure-footed driving experience, courtesy of its all-wheel-drive configuration. They have demonstrated excellent lasting power, and we’ve seen a few cross our desks over the years at Barn Finds. This 1985 Limited Wagon probably isn’t the best that we’ve seen, but with a range of luxury options and a mere 84,000 miles on the clock, it is a gem. The seller has listed the Eagle here on eBay in Pottsville, Pennsylvania. Bidding sits below the reserve at $2,025 with four days remaining on the auction.
Developing an affection for a vehicle’s styling is subjective, and a classic that ticks the boxes for some enthusiasts will leave others feeling cold and unimpressed. I have always had an affection for the AMC Eagle which has never wavered. Its appearance isn’t as iconic as classics like the Mustang or Corvette, but it does look purposeful and crisp by the standards of the era. The first owner ordered this Wagon in Almond Beige, and it presents quite well nearly four decades after it rolled off the line. The paint holds a nice shine, while the panels are as straight as an arrow. The listing suggests it has been garage-kept since Day One, helping to explain why it remains rust-free. The trim is in good order for a survivor, and there are no visible glass issues. The wheels aren’t original, but they fit nicely under this Wagon’s flared fenders and give the vehicle a more aggressive appearance.
Lifting the hood reveals this Eagle’s 258ci six that produces 112hp and 210 ft/lbs of torque. A three-speed automatic handles shifting duties, while power assistance for the steering and brakes accentuates the effortless driving experience. The power and torque figures are pretty low, but with the torque peaking below 2,000rpm, the Eagle is surprisingly flexible. However, its party piece is undoubtedly its all-wheel-drive system. AMC dubbed it “Select Drive,” allowing the driver to toggle between two and four-wheel drive on the fly by flicking a dash-mounted switch. That made it ideal for tackling loose or slippery surfaces where traction might be limited. The seller claims that this classic has a genuine 84,000 miles on its odometer without mentioning verifying evidence. It was recently serviced and has been maintained meticulously throughout its life, and the six exhales through a new exhaust. It runs and drives well, with the seller stating that it is a turnkey proposition.
Air conditioning, power windows, power locks, a power driver’s seat, leather trim, cruise control, a tilt wheel, and the optional sports gauge cluster. There is no denying that this Eagle’s interior is nicely appointed by the standards of the day. The seller added a more modern stereo, but it is otherwise unmolested. Describing the condition as pristine would stretch credibility, although it is serviceable. The seatcovers have slight edge wear, but there are no gaping holes or splits. They simply exhibit deterioration that I believe a leather specialist could improve without breaking the bank. There is wheel wear and the cargo area is marked in places, but if potential buyers consider this Eagle purely as an affordable driver, there are no shortcomings requiring immediate attention.
The AMC Eagle was never designed to function as a dedicated off-roader. Its all-wheel-drive system provides excellent traction on loose or icy surfaces, which many Barn Finds readers are confronted with at this time of year. Therefore, now could be the ideal moment to park this 1985 Wagon in your garage. Do you agree?
The AMC Eagle showed the way for on-road AWD. It’s a shame that AMC couldn’t stick around to capitalize on this soon-to-burgeon market. This car looks pretty good, but I doubt it’s got only 84k miles, by looking at the driver seat and carpet wear. Pre-digital odometers are easy to diddle back to whatever mileage you want.
The rims are jeep cherokee/wrangler 15 inch rims.
184,000 is reality, uless the owner drove 2 miles back and forth all day, otherwise seats don’t look like that after 84K. Other inside picks suggest 84K is not corerect.
Those are not the original front seats. The Eagle wagon did not have a console between the seats. The factory seats touched each other and there was actually an extra seat belt for somebody who might sit in the middle although except for maybe a little kid. Anybody else would be too big to fit three across.
Looking at all the photos on the EBay listing and the one towards the end of the roof with a dent in it, also shows cracks where the pillar and the roof meet. Too much bondo???
As i have written here many times ,amc was my first awd vehicle and that started a life long love affair , have always owned awd for our canadian winters
This eagle is nice but when you look at the pictures a few times , you begin to see more of its issues , i think a bench seat for one of these is pretty hard to find nowadays and then there are the unseen issues and the mileage discrepancy, to say nicely …
YOLO