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Serious 4×4 Survivor: 1987 AMC Eagle Sedan

From 1954 until 1988, American Motors Corporation was a competitor to the “Big Three” manufacturers (Chrysler, Ford and General Motors), and it introduced some interesting products to the market before its eventual acquisition by Chrysler in 1987. Many consider AMC’s Eagle to be one of the first crossover vehicles, and this 1987 AMC Eagle Sedan that Barn Finds reader Pat L. found here on Craigslist is a nice specimen of one of the final Eagle Sedan models.

This example is available in Fayetteville, Arkansas with a clean title, and the seller mentions that the sedan was garage kept its entire life. Unfortunately, sales for the sedan body style were dwindling as AMC was closing its doors, and according to the enthusiast website AMC Eagle’s Den, the company only manufactured around 450 Eagle sedans.

The exterior on this Eagle looks very clean, sporting a cream and brown two-tone paint job. While its looks may not be for everyone, I’m personally a big fan of this Eagle – it’s really neat to see a sedan with a raised ride height, large tires, and a 4-wheel-drive system.

Inside, you’ll find a well-preserved brown interior. There are a few blemishes on the front carpet, but it is easy to expect that from a vehicle with off-road capabilities. However, the interior is in great shape, and the seller even mentions that the air conditioning works.

Under the hood, there’s a hefty 4.2-liter inline six-cylinder engine, which pairs to an automatic transmission allowing the Eagle’s operator to choose either two- or four-wheel-drive. The engine utilizes a Clifford intake and exhaust system, plus a dual Weber carburetor setup, and it has traveled 90,000 miles.

The seller is asking $6,900 or best offer for this AMC, though they will also consider trades. Would this tall sedan be the one for you, or would you prefer another one of the Eagle’s body styles?

Comments

  1. Avatar nycbjr Member

    Is there a lift installed?

    Like 0
  2. Avatar LARRY

    Sure looks like it. They weren’t this tall from the factory. I love the intake with two Weber’s should make good power

    Like 5
  3. Avatar That AMC guy

    These Eagle sedans are pretty rare! Sure does look like this one has been lifted a bit. Gotta watch that with the factory suspension as the drive axles are very short and don’t take kindly to much of a lift.

    The dual Webers should wake up that 258, though may cause problems for emission inspection in some areas. Since the emission system was based on an electronic feedback carb chances are it’s all been disabled. A little hard to tell with no underside photos but it even looks like there’s a custom exhaust system with no catalytic converter. I don’t think anyone in California will be buying this one!

    Thankfully by 1987 AMC gave up on the plastic valve cover, so no worries about oil leaks up top. Gotta love power seats accompanied by manual locks and crank windows! That’s the way things rolled in the 1980s.

    Like 5
    • Avatar JTC

      Might not certify in Oregon either.

      Like 0
      • Avatar PatrickM

        Nor Maryland. Shame, as I like this car.
        this would be even better if it was a wagon. I like the stance, but, if the lift is there, there might be a problem just driving it if the stock drive shafts are still installed. I’m afraid I am going to have to pass on this one. Shucks. Good job BF. Keep ’em comin’!

        Like 0
  4. Avatar irocrobb

    I had a wagon like this as a winter car in the mid 1990s. Unreliable and hard on fuel and liked to burn oil. Only used it one winter. Mind you it plowed threw snow.
    They sure bring crazy money now

    Like 0
    • Avatar That AMC Guy

      I’ve owned a couple of Eagle wagons over the years. Biggest challenge with Eagles is keeping the Rube Goldberg emissions system in tune.

      By the mid-1980s meeting emission regulations with a carb was very much a sporting proposition. The Eagle’s setup actually works well when everything is installed and adjusted properly but that becomes more problematical as components age. The factory certainly was not aiming for a service life of over 30 years.

      I never had many issues with mine aside from mediocre (to be kind) gas mileage and leaky plastic valve covers.

      Like 2
  5. Avatar Richard Gugenberger

    My brother had a wagon in this same trim level and color , but power windows//locks , really nice car with very few problems , and it went thru the snow very well !

    Like 1
  6. Avatar Karl

    The eagles were a great very futuristic, look where we are NOW idea but very poorly executed. Very high maintenance very LOW mpg and very cheap looking and feeling interiors. Great idea to bad it couldn’t have been executed in the same way!

    Like 0
  7. Avatar Healeymonster

    I picked up a wagon version back in the early 90s for a song.. $400.00 from the dealership where i was a tech. I have to admit that other than a stuck front brake caliper it never let me down. I used it like a pickup truck and my wife used it like a soccer mom. Great for the time we had it. Eventually replaced it with a 3.0 Sable wagon with much better fuel economy.

    Like 1
  8. Avatar Stevieg

    Kenosha Kadillac!

    Like 2
  9. Avatar Miguel

    I had a brown version of this same car. It drove nice around town and on the highway.

    I sold it for much less than they are asking here.

    Like 0
  10. Avatar chrlsful

    same thing, come back w/the waggy.
    Wonder – hows Clifford doin now ‘w/the son’?

    Like 0

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