Most of us know that although a sunny and dry year-round climate can help preserve vehicles, as far as not being rusted out from road salt goes, it can also be harsh on paint and interiors due to that same sun and heat. This 1973 AMC Hornet Hatchback is posted here on craigslist in Vista, California, and they’re asking $9,000. Here is the original listing, and thanks to Tony P. for the tip!
I can’t pin down this dark green color, at least according to two AMC brochures. Both of them are faded (page 20) when they show the colors, but I believe it’s either Tallyho Green or Fairway Green, according to this eBay paint chart. I’m leaning toward Fairway Green, and in either case, it looks nice on the sides, but the painted portion on the hatchback that isn’t covered with the rear window or part of the vinyl top (a very cool detail), the paint is mostly gone. Thanks, Arizona sun…
There it is in all its blazing, sunburnt glory. How great does this car look, otherwise, though? Very great, that’s how great. The remaining green paint is duller than Andy Griffith trivia night at my house. Otherwise, this car looks outstanding to me, inside and out. I’m normally a notchback fan, but I really like the detail of the hatchback with part of the vinyl top on it.
AMC made the Hornet from 1969 for the 1970 model year, until the end of the 1977 model year in one generation, with a few updates over the years, but no sweeping changes in the design. The first thing I noticed is the automatic gear selector on the hump, and sadly, the seats have clearly been reupholstered in white vinyl. I’m guessing the Arizona sun baked the original seat fabric, which I’m guessing may have been a very cool checked or plaid fabric, and I’d redo that asap after getting this car. We don’t get to see the back seat or the rear cargo area, unfortunately.
But in a rare turn of events for a craigslist ad, we DO get to see the engine! And not just one photo, but at least three full engine photos, along with three photos of engine numbers. Well done! It looks much nicer than I expected, and this 232-cu.in. OHV inline-six (100 hp and 185 lb-ft of torque) even has power steering and power brakes! A 258 would be nice, but this has to be a nice driving car with those power features. There was also a 304 and a 360 V8 available. This one is backed by a three-speed automatic sending power to the rear wheels, and the seller says it runs and drives very well. Would you repaint this Hornet or seal that surface rust, I mean patina, and drive it as it looks now?
This is another one of those cars we ( or me) didn’t pay much attention to in the 70’s . We had an AMC dealer in the town I grew up in and they were quite popular, they were everyday cars that simply blended in. The 232 is probably plenty of torque to move this light Hornet around, but can you imagine a plain ordinary car like this with a 360? That probably would’ve surprised a couple people at a stop light back in the day. It’s a tough call but I agree with Scotty, I think its fairway greenas well and the interior looks really good too. I wouldn’t go nuts with this but I’d like to see it painted the original color and maybe period correct white walls too.
1971 SC-360 with 4 speed manual & ram air.
Check the video I attached for PL below Driveinstile. You’ll like that one 😏 👍
Andy Griffith trivia night sounds rad!!As a wee lad when my mother wanted me out of my hair and no-one was around to play hockey with she’d plop in front of Andy Griffth.So since iw as like 5 yrs old,i’ve been a Canadian that says howdy and y’all naturally…LOL.This is a great colour on a cool car,always loved Hornets.
Actually, the rust is the surface type and easily remedied. Quite solid and original overall, I like it. However that endemic 6 has got to go. I’d find a 360 to drop in. And yes, you’ll fool alot of people at red lights. Keep the dog dishes, as they seriously help the underrated image.
Imagine how many more people you could embarrass with a 401.
I like your way of thinking.
You got it Tony go big or go home!
You’re right Tony…. As the saying goes…… In for a penny…. In for a pound!!!
My Grandpa bought one new in 1973. I was born on his birthday aug 23 1972 and he still had the car when he passed in 2002 and it only had 41 000 miles on it. He said it was the last car he was ever going to buy. His was maroon with black inside. It was a 232 with A/C and manual brakes and steering and a Am radio. It also had full hubcaps that were pointed outward! Basically he said it was his retirement car
My grandpa bought a 1973 like this one new when I was born one his birthday August 23 1972. It was maroon with a 232 auto with A/C and manual brakes and steering. He had it untill he passed in 2002 with 41,000 miles on it It had the bullet style hubcaps and he said it was his retirement car.
A few years ago I saw a very nice yellow one advertised. It had a 360 4bbl with a 4 speed. I should have grabbed that one. These were potentially q-ship street sweepers, back in the day.
Oh that one must hurt still PL 😢
I feel your pain. Great comment. Love the sleeper hot rod factory AMCs.
Here’s one for you. 🍻 👍
https://youtube.com/shorts/ln6oIDaGVpI?si=5Jj-Sa4YWFqqQ7u_
Repaint the deck lid in the original color with flatting agent so it matches the rest of the car. If a custom look is desired, stop the rust and… wait for it, … do the deck lid with vinyl to match the roof! Just kiddin’, sort of…
Definitely wheel trim rings. Whites? Maybe, or maybe just low shine tire dressing.
Always thought these were cool looking, and begged to be turned into sleepers.
In my opinion, having had a 232 and a 258, the 232 is better. It spins up a bit quicker with the shorter stroke. This is nice, and I’d have to get that rusty part painted and definitely get some whitewall tires for it.
Replaced my Gremlin 258 six banger for one of these that sat unsold on a closing dealers lot. It had been ordered 360. V-8, 4spd. What a ball, missed the Gremy but lat got one with dealer 401 4spd. Best of all worlds
Uncommon cars with mass appeal to those who appreciated AMC!!!
Hmm Green Hornet remember the days
Wow $9,000 for a Hornet with dull paint and unknown miles? Someone bought it as the ad is deleted. Crazy.