Disclosure: This site may receive compensation when you click on some links and make purchases.

Firecracker Red Survivor: 1977 AMC Hornet AMX

This 1977 AMC Hornet AMX was purchased from the longtime original owner in 2018, and still presents well today despite some updating and repairs needed. The seller notes the Hornet retains its body-colored bumpers and flares, but some surfaces require fresh paint. It features the preferred manual gearbox and is said to run and drive well. Find it here on eBay with bidding at $3,650 and no reserve.

The Hornet AMX was AMC’s attempt to create a sport-focused version of the fuel efficient (relatively) Hornet hatchback. With pressure from the EPA squeezing companies that wished to market a high performance version of a specific model, AMC pulled back on horsepower gains and kept the focus on appearance upgrades and chassis improvements.

Aiming squarely at the likes of Chrysler’s “Big Bad” lineup, the Hornet AMX featured a limited color palette, along with gauge packages, special door panels, sports steering wheel, and more cosmetic tweaks. The engine had to remain the 114 b.h.p. 258, which could be paired with the manual transmission, or the 120 b.h.p. 304, paired solely to a three-speed automatic.

This one thankfully has the preferred manual transmission, which is more fitting for any model with the AMX name. The cabin remains in nice shape, with black bucket seats, center console, and seemingly nice surfaces from the dash to the door panels. The seller claims the air works and there’s no significant rust. Are these junior AMXs poised for future collectability?

Comments

  1. Avatar Moparman Member

    I definitely prefer this one over the purple regular one in the ebay ad! With a little attention to the cosmetics, bodywise and interior, this could be a really nice example! :-)

    Like 2
  2. Avatar Stevieg

    I would like either this one or the purple one in the ad. Another Kenosha Kadillac!
    With this one being a “hand shaker” (stick shift), it would be more fun to drive.
    6 horsepower difference between the 2 engines. Not sure about the torque ratings, but I know that by nature the inline engine is smoother & has more torque than a “V” configuration, so I assume the 6 will have more torque.
    So yup, this is the one I would want.
    My dream garage is getting bigger again!

    Like 3
  3. Avatar TimM

    A friend in high school had one of these with an automatic transmission!! I help him rebuild the straight 6 and he drove it for 20 years till the body rotted beyond repair!!!

    Like 2
  4. Avatar That AMC Guy

    Nice, but I prefer the original unadorned Hornet Hatchback – it’s such a nice, clean design.

    There’s a pull knob under the dash just to the left of the shifter diagram that doesn’t look quite factory. Maybe a manual choke conversion? Love that these still have the “Weather Eye” heater and the “Desert Only” position on the AC, and the factory AM/FM radio is a plus.

    Like 3
  5. Avatar JoeNYWF64

    A car with this name deserved nothing less than a 360 (& 401 optional) throughout the 70s!
    I bet they would have sold a lot more! Big mistake!
    Too many addons IMO – REAR flares, silver roof strip, & black bumper strips.
    Too bad they didn’t have that steerin wheel avail for the ’68 charger, etc.

    Like 0
  6. Avatar angliagt Member

    Earlier this year I saw a really clean one in Yellow
    on my way to work,then saw another really clean one in
    Yellow a few days later.
    Isn’t it weird how you won’t see a car in years,then
    you see two or more of them in a short time?

    Like 3
  7. Avatar Del

    Fun car. getting rare.

    Never be worth much

    Like 1
  8. Avatar Dave S.

    I bought one of these new before I got married , I liked the car a lot but it had a bad habit of cracking the distributer cap. Some gauges weren’t reliable . But still wouldn’t mind owning one again. Mine had the 4 speed SR4 Borg-Wagner manual transmission.

    Like 1
  9. Avatar suprarossa

    I had a 1978 Concord-based AMX in 1979 as a young Navy lad. Black with gold stripes/hood decal and the I-6 engine, 5spd and the Levis trim package. There was another in the dealer I bought it from with a V8, and I could have sworn it was a 360ci/TF 757 combination, but maybe only a 304. I loved the looks of that car, but it definitely was not fast

    Like 0

Leave a Reply to TimM Cancel reply

RULES: No profanity, politics, or personal attacks.

Become a member to add images to your comments.

*

Get new comment updates via email. Or subscribe without commenting.