It is a question I have often pondered. How effectively would AMC have competed against “The Big Three” had it had access to a decent budget? The company produced some innovative products, and while some of its models wouldn’t win an automotive beauty contest, we must give the company and its engineers credit for their efforts. One such vehicle is this 1984 Eagle Station Wagon. It brought the versatility of a Wagon with all-wheel-drive technology that other companies only adopted years later. This classic presents exceptionally well for its age, is equipped with some desirable factory options, and undoubtedly falls into the affordable category. It is listed here on Craigslist in Joseph, Oregon. It could be yours for $7,000 or a reasonable offer, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Pat L for spotting it.

AMC introduced the Eagle for the 1980 model year, basing its new offering on the Concord compact. It was initially available in Coupe, Sedan, and Station Wagon form, with the Spirit-based SX/4 and Kammback joining the lineup the following year. The styling wasn’t groundbreaking, but it was crisp, clean, and a worthy competitor to anything offered by the opposition. This Olympic White Wagon presents well for its age. The paint retains a healthy shine, with no significant flaws in either it or the panels. The vehicle has spent its life in dry climates, making its lack of substantial rust unsurprising. The seller identifies some developing areas on the repainted trim and the edges of the undercarriage. However, these don’t appear to be pressing problems, and addressing them in a home workshop would be a satisfying way to while away a few hours during the upcoming winter months. The trim and glass are in good order, and the roof rack is a practical addition to a Station Wagon that would turn heads wherever it goes.

Assessing this Eagle’s interior reveals only minor faults requiring attention. The most obvious is the cracked steering wheel, which detracts from the overall presentation. Replacing it would make an enormous difference, and a brief online search unearthed several nice examples in the correct color for under $150. There is minor wear in the damage-prone rear cargo area, which is common on almost any Wagon. The problem isn’t severe and is in keeping with this classic’s survivor credentials. The seller added new speakers for the factory radio/cassette player, but there are no other visible aftermarket items. The carpet appears to be marked under the driver’s feet, although a deep clean might improve the situation. Otherwise, this interior is well above average. The leather and plaid cloth seatcovers are excellent. There are no signs of abuse or evidence of plastic succumbing to the rigors of age or UV rays. The Eagle scores plenty of points for factory options, with the new owner receiving air conditioning, power windows, a six-way power driver’s seat, and a tilt wheel.

The high-riding stance of the Eagle Wagon gives some clues as to AMC’s innovative approach to the vehicle’s drivetrain configuration. While most manufacturers produced Wagons of this size with a rear-wheel-drive layout, AMC took a different approach which was only adopted by other manufacturers years later. Buyers could order their new Wagon with a four under the hood, but this classic features the 258ci six producing 115hp and 210 ft/lbs of torque. There is nothing startling about either figure, but what the Eagle does with it helps it stand apart from the opposition. Bolted to the six is a three-speed TorqueFlite transmission that feeds the power to two or all four wheels via a viscous center differential. In most situations, it gave the Eagle fairly typical handling and road-holding ability but exceptional traction on loose surfaces, ice, and snow. One update for the 1984 model year was a transition to a more user-friendly “Shift on The Fly” system for the all-wheel-drive system, addressing the shortcomings experienced with the previous engagement system. With no dual-range transfer case, these vehicles weren’t direct competitors to more dedicated off-roaders, but they had an edge over the average Station Wagon in adverse conditions. This Eagle is in excellent mechanical health and should be considered a turnkey classic. The seller recently serviced the transmission, replaced the coolant, and fitted new drive belts and a fuel filter. Night vision will have improved courtesy of new headlamps, and the braking system received fresh fluid.

The Station Wagon proved the popular pick in the 1984 Eagle range, with 21,294 buyers selecting one out of a total sales figure of 25,535 vehicles. The seller’s price for this one looks highly competitive against recent sales results and could definitely be considered affordable. It has only been on the market for around a day, and I won’t be surprised if someone snaps it up pretty quickly. Are you tempted to be that person?