If you look up the word “quirky” in the dictionary, you might see a photo of the American Motors Pacer there. Along with one each of the AMC Gremlin and Matador. AMC was always willing to think outside of the box because they had to in order to remain competitive with Detroit’s “Big 3”. The Pacer, which was shaped like an upside-down bathtub, arrived in 1975 and faded away in 1980. The seller has a first-year example that hasn’t run in about three years. Located in Atlantic Beach, New York, this car is being sold out of a collection here on Facebook Marketplace. The asking price for the “collectible” is $5,000.
The design of the Pacer was deliberate, and more than a third of the real estate it occupied was glass. Also, we understand the door openings didn’t measure the same on either side of the interesting coupe. AMC introduced the Pacer in mid-1975 as a compact, even though the Gremlin was still around for three more years, replaced by the Spirit on the same platform. We assume an inline-six is under the hood here, either 232 or 258 cubic inches in displacement.
Weird must have appealed to a lot of people, as AMC sold more than 280,000 Pacers over its six-year run. The biggest demand came in 1976, after which interest began to trickle off. The Pacer was roomy for its dimensions, which may have been its major appeal. This one has 84,000 miles and an automatic transmission, and is a one-owner car that the listing repeats as an “AMX Pacer collectible,” which it’s not the former and may not be the latter, either.
Last operational in 2023, the Pacer needs a battery now, and at least some air in the right front tire. The body and undercarriage are said to be decent, though the burgundy paint has seen better days. The interior will need some detailing plus new upholstery on the driver’s bucket seat, for sure. Also, both door panels have been removed and are MIA. This might be a good project for an AMC fan, if the price is right. And thanks, for the tip, Barn Finder “Zen”!
Not running, indeterminate amount of rust, needs interior and who knows what else. It might be worth a shot at $1,000-$2,000, anything above that there is too much downside risk.
Steve R