Is it just me, or do some of you also miss the good old days when you could not only still walk into an AMC dealership, but drive out in an affordable sedan with yellow paint and a green interior? The seller here calls his Hornet a time machine to the disco seventies, and it’s such a good description that I wish I’d coined it myself! This 1973 AMC Hornet here on Craigslist is a fine relic from a bygone era, and a more enjoyable find than locating a vintage polyester suit at a thrift store, or even an old 45 record of The Hustle. It’s also a car I can appreciate more now than I did back in the day, so if you’re feeling the same, this one is located in Prescott, California, and is priced at $13,500. Barn Finds reader Jack M. spotted this stinger, and we’d like to thank him for sending in the tip!
The exterior appears to be in excellent shape, although it’s unknown if there’s been any bodywork done or if the outside has always looked this good. Even after a close examination, the only imperfection I noticed was a small dent on the passenger side quarter, near the trunk lid. I believe the outside color here is Daisy Yellow, and its presentation is strong all the way around. Somebody got a little happy with the side moldings, stretching them all the way up the front fenders, but at least this one will be about 99 percent protected from new dings on the sides.
The mileage is listed as 32,500, with no word on whether that’s original, but the condition of the interior leads me to believe it’s a good possibility. Perfect is a strong word, but that’s how the seller describes the inside area, and it sure seems close. I’m digging the green everywhere, but also appreciating the seat inlay fabric, plus it’s great to see that this one’s equipped with factory air conditioning. Some sort of aftermarket Stereo is playing the tunes, but most of the other components appear stock.
The good news continues in the performance department, as there’s one of the optional V8 engines under the hood, with everything still appearing orderly in the bay. If the low-mileage listed is actual and the mechanicals have been looked after, there’s probably lots of life left here, with the seller believing his Hornet is reliable enough to be driven anywhere in the country. $13,500 isn’t exactly cheap, but I can think of many worse and less satisfying ways to spend that kind of cash. How about you?
That green interior sure is a contrast with the bright yellow exterior. Have to wonder who thought that was a good idea. With two less doors this could easily command maybe twice the money. Looks like it’s an original honest car. It’s all about smiles per mile!
Leisure suit colors🕺
I believe that this vehicle may actually be located in Arizona, given the Arizona plate. While it might be in SoCal, it is not uncommon for sellers to post on CL in other locations from theirs to reach a wider audience.
I believe you are correct, Prescott az and by location i would say it is actually Chino Valley, AZ which is just outside of Prescott.
The great days when you had variety in ordering a car. Different color selections for the interior. Today not so, boring black or gray in 99% of vehicles. Manufactures today only care about the cheapest materials and bottom-line profits. Sad.
The Hornet of those years was a handsome car in both 2 and 4 door variants, and the fact this has a V8 and has a really clean exterior and interior, makes it especially nice!
I love yellow, but- – – -!
Needs to be some kind of green.
Peter,
It’s a Hornet! Luckily it doesn’t have black stripes. But I really like it.
Isn’t a four door a parts car ?
Old days thinking. Dodge Charger today is considered the go to these days and most welcome that platform.
V8, auto, PB, PS, AC, this is one finely optioned Hornet!
Uncommon for an econo-box!
Love the fact that it’s a foor door. Even the alloys look good on it. You can only appreciate the color palette of the era still a lot better than what’s offered today. Oops emissions set up seem’s to have had the plug pulled, an hour or so with the factory manual and a good tune up while there will bring it back to snuff easy.
From the pictures I believe that the miles are in fact actual.
What a rare find. I’d be in the market but more than $13K is a no-go for me. The seller omits further V8 engine information, i.e. whether it has the 304 cid or the 360 cid, but even in the best case “like new” condition, that car lists with $2,400 USD with J.D.Power. That seems pretty low in my opinion, and I can’t find cross-references. Hagarty lists American Motors, but not the Hornet at all. I’d shoot for the $7,500 USD range.
According to the 1973 AMC Exterior Colors Chart “Lustre-Gard” (no typo, that!), the color is not Daisy Yellow (code F4), available on Javelin, Matador and Ambassador. Instead, it is Mellow Yellow (code E9), available on Gremlin and Hornet.
At first, I thought the car once had a vinyl top and, because of deterioration, it had been removed and replaced simply with white paint. I imagined a green vinyl top, aptly in-sync with the wild green interior. But no; the 1973 AMC Exterior Colors Chart’s flip side states clearly: “Two-Tones with Snow White – All body colors are available as two-tone with the second color of Snow White (A1), as a modest-cost dress-up option. Roof two-tones are offered on Hornet, Matador and Ambassador sedans and hardtops. Side and rear panel two-tones are offered on Matador wagons.”
The door jambs look like mellow yellow, but it might be the lighting.
Repaint? The color is definitely a/an attempt at daisy yellow. I have a Gremlin in Mellow yellow and that is definitely the lighter shade of Daisy yellow.
We had a 1974 Hornet Sportabout 4door wagon. Automatic/v/8. Green with vinyl imitation woodgrain siding,all the bells and whistle’s. Ps,pb,ac,roof rack. Went fast had a lot of get up and go and as a pleasure to drive.
I spent 50 years in the auto repair industry. Ten years in an AMC/JEEP dealership and, without a dpubt, the AMCs were THE MOST TROUBLE FREE vehicles that I ever worked on. None of them, EVER came down with a single common failure. . . . .
Remember this?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7V5dHEb8gw
Sure do. Another great Bond movie and sharp Hornet. Looks great with the Cragar’s.
This is a clean Hornet with a v8 and A/C. My grandpa bought a new one in 1973. It was a 2 door 235 engine floor shifted auto with power brakes, steering and A/C. It was a plum color and had black interior. He had it until he passed in 2002 with about 45,000 miles on it. He told me it was his retirement car!
Actually the body side mouldings did run the length of the car in 73.