We decided to make a trip to our local pick-n-pull junkyard to get some parts for Jesse’s daily driver. While we occasionally see classics in the junkyards around Boise, they aren’t usually all that interesting, but we were surprised by what we found this time around! Parked amongst early 2000’s Chrylsers, we came across this 1980 AMC Eagle. That wouldn’t be all the special, except this one is a less common coupe and it actually looks to be in decent shape inside and out. We don’t know how it ended up here, but we sure would have loved to have gotten our hands on it before it got fell into such a sad state.
The Eagle is one of the first real CUVs, which might not seem like a big deal, but considering how popular crossovers are these days it makes these AMC somewhat significate pieces of automotive history. They were well built, featured a competent 4 wheel drive system, and were quite comfortable. Most buyers opted for either the 2-door liftback or the 4-door wagon, as they offered the most versatility. The coupe was only offered from 1980 to 1982 with less than 15k built.
From the looks of the interior, this car hasn’t been used for a number of years. It appeared that mice had been calling it home for quite a few years, but the upholstery is in decent shape all things considered. There are lots of good parts here that hopefully make their way to other cars before this one heads to the crusher.
I was so surprised to see this Eagle in the salvage yard, that I decided to record a quick video walk around. Be sure to watch it and click here to subscribe to our YouTube channel to stay up to date on our latest videos! And let us know if there are any parts you’d want off of this AMC in the comments below.
Always mixed feelings to come across a potentially interesting older car in a salvage yard.
I’ve seen quite a few 70’s-80’s ones recently, including some unusual Mustangs and the like, that could have been saved in the right hands.
A HS teacher of mine – Miss Keane – drove an ’80 coupe. She was a bit of a frump, and even then I thought the frumpy borrowed-from-the-Pacer seats, and light brown plaid upholstery suited her to a “T”. The killer opera windows sealed the deal!
Great teacher! Have a soft-spot for these, and think of her on the rare occasion that I come across one.
Rescue it! Make it the new Barnfinds project car.
I wish we could Grant, but this junkyard won’t sell complete cars once they are in the yard.
I still prefer the wagons, but then, my mom drove one.
Scrap it. Nothing to see here
I could use the trim off the front of the hood and the trim strip that runs down the center of the hood if they are in decent shape. Just pulled my 80 wagon into the garage for a winter rebuild.
found a very nice condition 80 Eagle wagon here in the Aurora (CO) Pull and Pay just last week. Still had brand new tires on it. Ohhh so tempted to buy it…20 years ago we had an 83 Eagle wagon. Probably the best all-round car we ever had sans my 94 Grand Cherokee that we put almost 300k on. Only issue we ever had was it ate air filters. You HAD to change the air filter every time you serviced it at 3,000 miles. If you didn’t then within 1000 miles your mileage would tank and it would run crappy. New air filter?…ran like a top.
I have a 84 sport need heater an ac control if all works
ideal 4 me too, thnx Josh!
How I wish I could get that right rear quarter panel trim piece if it’s in good shape for my 80 eagle two door. Anybody know where the location of this is?