Must be orphan car week: in quick succession, we have covered a Hornet, a Pinto wagon, and now this slightly scruffy AMC Pacer. Minted in 1976, today’s quarry is located in Tamworth, New Hampshire, and has had only two owners. Integral to AMC’s internal rescue efforts and a testament to the company’s dedication around “being different”, the Pacer project was launched in 1971. After engineering the body for GM’s planned rotary engine, the design team was stunned when GM killed that effort. AMC hurriedly crammed its six-cylinder into the engine bay, where it intruded under the cowl. The car was finally introduced for sale in 1975. It sold like hotcakes – for one year. In 1976, interest waned, and its costly development budget echoed uncomfortably in the halls of AMC forever after. Some historians blame the Pacer for the demise of AMC. Despite its love-it-or-hate-it looks and an early reputation for quality issues, the Pacer has gathered fans lately. Prices are rising, so if you’ve been contemplating Pacer possession, it might be time to take the plunge.
Meet AMC’s 258 cu. in. six-cylinder. AMC was optimizing for gas mileage, as it had no four-cylinder to offer in a landscape that was crowded with the little buggers, so a single-barrel carb and an 8.0:1 compression ratio would have to do. Output was just 110 hp, no match for the 3114 lb curb weight. The Pacer was as heavy as the Ford Granada sedan and much heavier than the Gremlin. This car has a three-speed automatic, impinging still more on what passes for performance. Pine needles in the hood channel testify to time outside. On the other hand, the carburetor, fuel pump, brake lines, and brakes have been replaced.
Like the paint and engine, the interior is likely original. A few hunks out of the driver’s seat contradict the really spiffy back seat. The cargo area sports only a couple carpet stains despite the fishbowl of glass above it, which has a reputation for frying all available surfaces. The hatch seal is thoroughly deteriorated (if you ever lack for seals and sheeting, check out Steele Rubber Products – I was able to find a reasonable replacement for a Tatra trunk seal from Steele). The Pacer could be ordered in several upscale “packages”, including the X, D/L, and later, the Limited. This example is the base model.
AMC marketed the Pacer as the first “wide small car”. Despite generous outward proportions, the interior is only slightly roomier than most sedans and coupes on the market back then. Unfortunately, the Pacer’s styling made it difficult to re-design the body. The two-door coupe was your only option until a wagon was introduced in 1977. By then, sales had plummeted. This car is available here on eBay, with bidding at $6050 and a buy-it-now at $9000. A pristine 1975 Pacer is listed at another venue, promising to set the benchmark for values. That outcome stands to make this seller either smile or scowl.
Back on the 4 door Hornet post, That AMC Guy, who was very cordial, I meant no disrespect, said accurately, most people don’t have any connection with Rambler/AMC, other than the quirky cars they produced. I guess one could be known for worse things, the Pacer is one such car. Rambler was pretty straightforward, but AMC pushed the limits of what people really wanted. While the Pacer was odd looking, it didn’t take long for people to look beyond that, and testimonials of what a great car it was, won out. I knew of several folks that loved their Pacers, and would have bought another. I remember an ad, I can’t seem to find, they cut a Pacer in half and drove a Vega(?) inside of it. The movie Waynes World, which came out in 1992, gave the Pacer a lot of attention, but by then, most Pacers were reconstituted Toyotas, and it was just a quirky car the producers felt would generate the most interest, and it did.
Pacers were great cars, and will no doubt generate interest everywhere you go. That AM radio won’t fly, and a cassette player with a Queen tape is paramount. I suggest checking an antique store for both,, :) “EXCELLENT”!!!!
I remember seeing a TV ad that showed a Pacer driving through the outline of a Chevy Nova (72.2”). I was curious and looked up AMC Pacer ads. I found one that showed the outlines of the AMC Pacer at 77.0”, Ford Maverick at 70.5”, Chevy Vega at 65.4”, and the Datsun B210 at 60.8”!
I still wish I had my 1975 Pacer X!
The first family car I remember was a 1950 NASH AMBASSADOR. What a great car! Charlie Nash and George Mason knew how to build cars. Unfortunately like other independents (and others) NASH couldn’t compete. For me, the final 57 NASH was the last to hold my interest. I once took a road trip in a PACER. Once was MORE than enough. AMC while trying to survive, took many roads. Like the PACER, most were Dead Ends.
If any other members of the GREAT AMERICAN LAND YACHT SOCIETY come here, I hope you are all having a smooth Cruise down Life’s Highways. Looks like I’m getting closer to my Dead End. LOL always!
Sad to hear that, Rick. Wishing you comfort joy and peace.
Thanks Nelson C. And others! In today’s crazy world, it’s definitely nice to find compassion! I’ve long been a Vintage Rolls Canardly (Roll down one hill and Can ardly get up the next), but those hills keep getting to be harder to climb! Much Love and many thanks!
Hi Rick, hope for the best, deal with the worst. I feel I’ve made several friends here, who are also on the “last lap”, and we all take our turns. I only hope this site has brought back memories of happier, healthier times, it sure has for me, and keep this dear, we lived through the BEST of times, and are constantly reminded here, just what fun we had, for PEANUTS. I don’t know about you, but in that regard, I can die a happy man and won’t miss much of the future. I wonder if my grandfather said the same thing? Peace.
Howard A. Thanks to you as well. I try to count my blessings daily. I am fortunate enough to be able to stay in my 61s and drive where and when necessary. Seems my schedule is compromised of trips to Dr. appts, drug and grocery stores, and attending Funerals. Per my instructions, when my time comes, my cremains will be carried to my grave in my 2007 Town Car. Nothing available as a HEARSE has any appeal. Yes it’s a very different world 😔 today. We were very fortunate to have lived most of our lives in the BEST nation at the BEST of times. 🇺🇸 I have been going through old photos, cars I have owned, family, and friends. Those WERE the days! One day at a time and thanking God for each one. So MANY folks throughout the world have so little! Guess I’m Rambling on like an old compact NASH. Again, LOL to ALL out here in the BARN!
In my post , as usual I made a mistake. Where it says stay in my 61s, I meant stay in my home. Memories light the corners of what’s LEFT of my mind! BTW, VOTE, whatever your choice. IMO it is a right, but also a responsibility. God Bless America and each of you Barn Finders! 🇺🇸
I remember eagerly anticipating the Pacer back in the day, being an AMC/Ramber fan and having read about the Company’s project “Amigo” in the magazines. What emerged was not quite what was anticipated, but it did wind up on the cover of Car & Driver magazine.
As mentioned in the article, AMC spent pretty much the last of its development capital on the Pacer and it only sold well for the first year, probably not enough to even break even on the investment. The wagon version helped a little, but not enough. The later V8 option didn’t help much either. There were some ideas to use the platform for other products but they never were developed beyond the idea stage. (Do a search on “AMC Pacer Li’l Chief”.)
One of the problems was lack of power, another was poor gas mileage. The Pacer didn’t really use much less gas than a traditional intermediate-sized sedan of the time like a Matador, which could seat six people against the Pacer’s four plus had a real trunk. With the crude emission controls of the day the Rambler six cylinder engine just was not powerful or efficient enough for the Pacer’s bulk. (Things probably would have been worse if the GM rotary actually been employed. At least the six and later V8 were reliable.)
Also due to the large glass area you really needed air conditioning. Unlike today where virtually all new cars some with that feature, in the 1970s it was still an expensive option that many did not want to pay for, particularly the generation that had lived through the Great Depression and World War 2.
On the plus side the Pacer is very comfortable, stable, and is one of the safest domestic cars of that period in an accident. The Pacer was originally supposed to be a fleet, efficient, lightweight coupe. The reason for its pudginess and weight is that it was built up in anticipation of more stringent crash and rollover standards which as it turns out were not put into effect.
Anyhow this one looks scruffy but decent if there isn’t a lot of hidden rust. The hot ticket would be to drop in a Jeep 4.0 and either a manual transmission, or AW4 automatic from a 2WD Cherokee. A big job but it would really transform the car.
I just looked at the pic of the “Lil Chief ” I always thought AMC should have done something like this. They came out with the Eagle in ’81 using the tried and true Hornet and even a Gremlin variant. I also saw a pic somewhere of a Pacer minivan, I forget if it was sketch or a prototype. Now if they had made a 4WD Pacer minivan, sign me up.
I read an interview recently with Dana Carvey, who said that they both needed medical attention after he and Mike Meyers recreated the famous “head banging” scene from “Wayne’s World” all these years later. I can imagine that “Schwing!” might have been a bit more difficult as well…
“Party on, Garth…”
Hi John, another WW Pacer story. A while back, I went to a prop house in L.A. These things are huge, and have practically every prop from Roy Rogers hat to Barney Fifes badge. Anyway, they had loading docks, and across the way, were a couple dumpsters and some junk piled on top of a blue Pacer. The car was in rough shape, but very well could have been from the movie. Many times, production companies have several made for a movie. Rick Harrison of Pawn Stars claimed to have bought the original that was restored, but no actual proof it was used in the movie. Hollywood,, a grander waste of resources I doubt you’ll find on the planet.
When I lived in Santa Barbara, CA, there was a local VW shop (Doug’s Bougs) that had several cars from one of the “Herbie” movies. One had the body on backwards, one had a a system (weight transfer?) to allow it to pop wheelies easily and one had holes so the driver could stay below the windows and still see. He may also have been the guy behind the partial DC-3 fuselage turned into a motor home that I spotted several times.
Better take a closer look at the Pacer available at “another venue”. I see a bunch of body rot.
The First Wide Small Car was a worthy idea but it suffered in application. Too bad too. AMC took the red pill in hopes of pulling off a marketing coup. Instead it was the beginning of the end.
I was in HS by this time mowing lawns in the ‘nice’ trailer park in town. Mostly senior citizens for clients. One lady had a tan on tan Pacer. I don’t believe it has a single option except for a radio. Three speed on the column and no window tint. She kept the seats covered with blankets and would roll the windows down in the morning before going anywhere. Always parked it cross wise on the driveway pad. Only saw her drive it a few times, wrestling that steering wheel and working the gear shift.
I’m not sure what AMC thought they were going to accomplish with GM’s Wankel. As slow and thirsty as a Pacer was with an AMC six, GM’s Wankel would have been worse. Prototypes were guzzling gas and only putting out 125 lb-ft of torque. Had AMC used GM’s Wankel in the porky Pacer, we’d still be waiting for them to hit 60 MPH.
Back then, this new fangled “Wankel” ( we laughed at that name) was initially supposed to be this wonderful answer to our boring, outdated piston engines, a shining beacon of hope, but t’was not to be. Rotaries are fantastic engines, but were rushed into production, with dismal results. I say it was a blessing AMC never went with those.
Hey, Howard- have you seen the new all electric Jeep Wagoneer? Thoughts?
( face palm), say it ain’t so,,,just when you think enough is enough, yet another example surfaces. I read an all electric Wrangler is planned for 2028( oh goody), but for now, it’s a hybrid. Right now, the cost is a paltry $50,150, and range for “battery only”, is a whopping 21 miles. I must be missing something here.
Not sure where you came up with $6050? It is at $2,550 now.
You need to look at the eBay ad. The $6050 was canceled and retracted just recently, after the article was published.
First of all it is being sold with a bill of cale. I have a 1978 Pacer wagon that runs and drives but needs brake work and interior work. I am asking $1800 for it and I had alot of stupid bids the nice thing is I do not have to sell it.. Compared to the couple I seen sell I am not asking to much. I am not good on a computer so I am linited as to my options, I listed in facebook and a couple of AMC sites. I will just wait till the heat stops and fix it and sell it for more.. I may list in in a auction with a reserve ( I never sell anything with no reserve )
Automotive glass is heavy and the Pacer was like a goldfish bowl. The excessive amount of glass truly added to the car’s weight. A Hornet was a much better bet at the time if you wanted an AMC product.
I think AMC would have sold a LOT more with a lower roof. Same for Ford & its ’79-’93 mustang.
I dont know about Pacers , but Ford sure sold a ton of those Fox body cars