- Seller: Paul B (Contact)
- Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Mileage: 27,308 Shown
- Chassis #: A4A067A519663
- Title Status: Clean
- Engine: 258cui Inline-6
- Transmission: Automatic
Do you live in a salt-free region of our beautiful United States? Do you live in a rust-belt state but long for a simple three-season daily driver that will turn some heads and start some conversations while still providing reasonable gas mileage? Do you like quirky collector cars named after insects? If any of the above apply to you, this may be the opportunity of the day, month, year…it’s a 1974 AMC Hornet two-door sedan located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and it’s being offered as a Barn Finds Auction with no reserve!
Surprisingly, the two-door sedan sold far fewer examples than the Sportabout or Hatchback models (29,950 units compared to 71,413 and 55,158 respectively), so you won’t find many other Hornet drivers on your commute, and it’s ready to start working right away; the seller says that it runs and drives well with a new fuel tank and fuel pump.
AMC’s trusty 258-cubic-inch six cylinder sits between the spring towers; for 1974, it produced 110 horsepower and 195 lb.-ft. of torque, channeled through the “Torque-Command” automatic with a standard 2.73:1 axle ratio. The original owner (or selling dealer) also opened the wallet quite a bit wider for optional air conditioning, a $400 option (on a car with a $2,774 base price). Unfortunately, the air doesn’t work, but everything else on the car does. The engine compartment looks very clean; the seller appears to have done his homework in getting this Hornet back on the road (it had been sitting for quite some time).
The interior is also in very nice shape (but not perfect). There’s a tear in a seam on the driver’s side of the big bench seat, and the carpet has seen a few heels in its day, but the seller will throw in a brand new carpet, in addition to some “really nice emblems” and “an almost perfect front bumper.” And how about that steering wheel? It was a Hornet option (and it looks great).
I think all of us love an underdog if we’re being honest with ourselves, and few auto companies personified that spirit (ha) like American Motors. No, this Hornet is not showroom new, but it’s extremely solid and there’s no reason why the new owner couldn’t begin enjoying it immediately. Along the way, it will be a fun project to improve the cosmetics with the new parts included by the seller, and perhaps enjoy a nice weekend polishing the old Copper Metallic paint. If that sounds like your idea of a good time, this might be the insect on wheels for you.
Bid On This Auction
Bruce bid $1,675.00 2025-06-01 09:34:14
Steve bid $1,400.00 2025-05-29 08:39:45
Brad bid $1,250.00 2025-05-28 20:06:29
Rod In Tucson bid $1,000.00 2025-05-26 18:59:36
Brings back memories of a-car My Brother and i had to share. Ours was a 1970 Hornet back in the day with a 6 cyl maybe a 199? Three on the tree and no power anything or air! The vacuum wipers were a treat unless You were not accelerating or if pushing in the clutch then they worked great! This replaced our 69 Rambler American that got totaled the year before. Later had a 1979 Amc Spirit, a whole lot nicer upgrade!
Interesting that it has the 1973 horn assembly. My 74 has the AMC logo in red,white and blue. Must be a steering wheel replacement as that is the wheel assembly for the “X” package.
You are correct sir! I do have the factory original steering wheel and it will go with the sale.
Change the rear gear ratio to something more sporting, buff the paint, upgrade the wheels, tires and shocks. And you would have a very nice daily driver. (And the change in the rear diff gears would not harm the fuel e economy much.) If closer, I would seriously consider this car.
A green 1974 AMC Hornet was my first car.. I liked it. I did wish it had a V8 instead of the inline 6. I drove it for a year or so and sold it to my younger brother then bought a Trans Am.
Is this a Brown Hornet? Like from Bill Cosby and the Cosby Kids cartoon? Where’s Mortimer Marker??
Lolol, funny and brings back some memories for sure.
The steering wheel looks incorrect. The center is correct for a 73. I believe it was added.after the fact.
You are correct! I have the factory steering wheel and it will be included in the sale.