This 1983 AMC Spirit is unusual simply for existing, as it’s one of the AMC models we don’t see much of anymore and it has clearly been preserved. But it’s oh-so-much more than that, as the exterior appearance may lend a few clues to the performance that lies within. Still, the amount of horsepower on deck is considerable, and the subdued appearance makes it a bit sleepy, in some ways. The seller maintains it’s immaculate, and that the Spirit has been garaged most of its life which explains the excellent cosmetics. Find it here on craigslist with an asking price of $15,500.
The Spirit is located in Port Orange, Florida, if you wish to check it out in person. The 360 V8 is far from stock, and the seller notes the AMC does double duty as a street car and one that you take to the strip. The 360 has been modified with a 280 camshaft; 727 automatic transmission with a 2500 stall converter; 4.10 positraction rear end; stainless steel fuel tank; and more. The tires are near new, and the seller notes that the Spirit is equipped with an exhaust system that can be opened manually when at the track. Apparently, it’s been featured in enthusiast magazines more than once.
It’s not hard to see why, but the interior really is the proverbial cherry on top. Usually, with cars like these, you expect the cabin to be gutted down to a single racing seat and harness, and not much else. Not so, as the Spirit retains a very nice stock interior with fake woodgrain on the dash still presenting surprisingly well and upholstery front and rear that looks like new. The aftermarket steering wheel won’t be to everyone’s taste but I’m sure it will come in handy at the track. If you wish to continue using this AMC on the quarter mile, you’ll likely appreciate the extra gauges; if not, I see no harm in removing them from the A-pillar.
Photos show the Spirit doing what it was clearly meant to do, and I’m sure if you were so inclined, you could surprise more than a few other drivers at the stoplight grand prix. The seller claims it will run 12.2 seconds down the quarter mile strip, certainly helped by the fact it weighs just a hair over 2,500 pounds. The bodywork is also quite nice and the seller reports there is no rust to be found, not even in troublesome spots like the floors and undercarriage, with eBay photos showing those areas to be in great shape. The AMC Spirit may not be the most collectible car out there, but if you have to have one, this hot rodded example is worth a look.
Wow! IMO if you’re a fan of these model AMCs, this one’s a great deal.
WTH!… Actually, I like it and would definitely drive it! The colors are good and the front bumper delete is even better. The only thing I would change would be that steering wheel.
Love the car, but 12.2? No way. To get a car into the 12’s takes a lot more than this, but fun factor, off the charts. So,,what to do with it? Unless you plan on doing pic #4 at every stop sign/light, and it’s probably not competitive, as is, seems kind of a waste. I suppose helped old Jeg put another level on his house, and that’s okay. Jeg’s gives a ton of money to charity. I’d have to think a stock V8 in a Spirit would be good enough, but that’s me.
Maybe 12.2 in the 1/8 mile??
I like his spirit! Front bumper delete actually looks good and I like what he did with it. Hard. To say what e.t. He would run at the strip. It’s possible if the engine has the right build/numbers but I’m with Howard. If you are saying 12.2 show the time slip to prove it!
You lost me at the very Pink steering wheel, plug wires, and rotor cap. But those could be fixed in an hour or so. It sure is different and with the size of the car and the size of the engine should a fun drive.
This brings back memories of 9G 27. Also known as the stock number of my first company car. 1979 Spirit 304 4speed light pale blue. I felt like king s#@t of turd mountain. I had just spent a wasted year verifying serial numbers for GMAC and was overjoyed by an offer from one of Dad’s friends to go with American Motors. That my job was closing a store that had been where Powell’s books is now on Burnside for 65 years should have tipped me off. I digress. Old man syndrome. The car was great fun. But gas mileage was king and the EPA for the V8 was 13/21. In 1980, people actually paid $1000 over monroney to buy diesel VWs. 1973 to 1984 may as well been twilight zone. The only rule was there were no rules. The thing I learned was hip national bank was king. And short wheelbase v8 Spirits entertain ed.
Love It. Just trying to figure out WTH the deal is with The Plates on the front, Two different ones and then NONE. WTF.
The AMC 360-cubic inch displacement V-8 engine was an overhead-valve design with two valves, one intake and one exhaust, per cylinder. The cylinder bore was 4.08 inches and the crankshaft stroke was 3.44 inches. The bore spacing on the engine block was 4.75 inches center-to-center. The normal oil pressure for this engine is 46 pounds per square inch. The compression ratio was 9.0 to 1 in 1970, 8.5 to 1 in 1971 and 1972, and 8.25:1 in all later versions.
Power Outputs
Power outputs varied from year to year over this engine’s long production run. Early versions built in 1970 and 1971 have higher output ratings than the 1972 and later versions, but this is mainly due to the rating method used. For instance the 1970 and 1971 360 with a two-barrel carburetor had 245 horsepower at 4,400 rpm and 365 pound feet of torque at 2,600 rpm, while 1972 and later versions had 175 horsepower at 4,000 rpm and 285 pound feet of torque at 2,400 rpm. Horsepower and torque rating continued to go down slightly through the 1970s as more pollution equipment was added and leaner tuning was adapted to reduce emissions. Four-barrel carburetor equipped 360 engines were available until 1976 and had slightly higher horsepower and torque ratings than the two-barrel version.
Torque Specifications
When assembling or rebuilding an AMC 360 V-8, it is imperative to torque the retaining bolts for the various parts to the correct tightness. The cylinder head bolts should be torqued to between 100 and 110 pound-feet. Connecting rod bolts require 25 to 30 pound feet of torque. The main bearing cap bolts need to be tightened to between 95 and 105 pound-feet. The harmonic balancer mounted to the front of the crankshaft needs to be tightened to between 53 and 58 pound-feet. The flywheel retaining bolts at the rear of the block need to be tightened to between 100 and 110 pound feet of torque. The intake manifold bolts on top of the block need tightened to between 40 and 45 foot pounds, while the exhaust manifold bolts on each side of the block only require 23 to 27 pound feet of torque.
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There is not much detail on the engine build or if it is just stock with a bit of a cam. Back in the day my buddy had a 390 AMX 4 speed that would run consistently in the 12’s, if I’m not mistaken the weight of that car was about 3200 pounds. If this engine is anywhere near 350 hp I can believe a 12 second pass…
Located in Port Orange, FL
Nice for the price. But not being interested at all in drag racing, I would put in an economy rear, since it has plenty of power, and drive it at 80 mph all day. (And I would keep all the pink accents, too.) It would be the only one at Cars and Coffee – there is a local one at 8 am on Saturdays, almost all modified cars – all 10 of them. (I am in almost nowhere CA – go 180 miles north to Reno NV and there are thousands it seems – Hot August Nights is one of the biggest car fests in the country. And if I were rich, and it were old enough, it would be good in the Great American Race.)
It’s a treat to open the hood and see an AMC and not a SBC.
Amen, The 360 is a great engine. My choice for power. A 401 is nice but people think they are gold. I would take a 360 any day. With the gear better believe 12 seconds in a 1/4 with a warmed over 360.
This is a nice driver that presents well. This would be an excellent car you would be proud of and smile. This is a quality build and with what I see you cannot build it for this. Very nicely done by an AMC enthusiast. I can tell by the simple attention to detail using the correct engine color. I would bet the engine mods specific to AMC are right on.
One thing I would change is the Mopar style scoop. It’s not a Mopar and never will be. I would run a repop SC/Rambler scoop or a vintage snorkle mailbox. I have seen others take a 70 Javelin/AMX rusted out hood and cut out the scoop.
Anyone heard of the Randall(?), 401 Gremlins?/ They might have taken a few COPO cars, heh?…
I don’t doubt that it’s happened, but how many COPO owners would admit to getting spanked by an AMC? ;)
Seller claims weight is at 2500 pounds ?
Yeah, I remember the straight 6 in my Mom’s ’71 Gremlin X would burn the tires, no problem.
Clown Car