Anyone who knows me, or even doesn’t really know me but they know what kind of cars I own and/or like, knows that a 1981 AMC Eagle Kammback is pretty much on top or towards the top of my wish list. No, really! This example is on Craigslist in the Pagosa Springs, Colorado area with a price of $2,800. Here is the saved ad in case someone nabs this car and the CL link goes away.
Truth be told, I was 99% sure that I would be lining up shipping for this car but then I looked at the photos again a few times and decided to keep looking for a 100% rust-free example, if there even is such a thing left on the planet. That’s not to say that this car is bad or anything, I can’t really tell from the photos as to the extent of any rust that is there and I’m all about rust-free cars at this stage of my life. The seller says that it has no body rust, and I did talk to him and he’s a heck of a nice, seemingly-honest guy so I believe him. But, there’s a fair amount of surface rust on some areas and that’s a little worrisome.
You can see a few pieces of body cladding and bumper ends missing, etc. That also scared me off wondering where on earth would a person find any of those parts. Well, the seller had them off being repainted and they’re now back on the car! But, enough about my car-buying saga, we’re not here for that nonsense, we’re here to check out this super rare 4WD Kammback. In 1980, AMC put up the first 4WD Eagle for sale and in 1981 they wanted a car that would be appealing to people buying a car for the first time: i.e., those folks that couldn’t spend as much money as an Eagle 4WD wagon sold for. The Kammback started at $6,000 and they basically evolved from an AMC Spirit, which is a descendant of the AMC Gremlin as you can plainly see with that classic shape! I absolutely love it and I know that I’ll regret not buying this car.
The interior does look pretty good other than a few areas that need work, but the seats look fantastic. The rear hatch glass was broken and the previous owner had a piece of plexiglass cut to fit which explains the unusual look. I can see some rust happening in the rear hatch area, or what appears to be rust around the perimeter. The gasket also looks fairly harsh so that may need to be replaced at some point. This car has a 4-speed manual which is great but, in 1982, the last year for the Eagle Kammback, they offered a 5-speed to wring a few more MPGs out of these cars. A 1982 model with a 5-speed would be ideal but since they only made just over 500 of them in that last year of production, there isn’t much chance at finding a rust-free example.
Another thing that throws me off a little on this car is that the engine has a perfect-looking air cleaner and valve cover but the rest of the engine and engine compartment looks like it hasn’t been touched in 36 years, or since 1981. And, is that blue paint surrounding the valve cover? Hmm.. But, this isn’t a car that most people (other than me) would want to do a nut-and-bolt restoration on to bring it back to like-new condition. It’s a quirky car that most people wouldn’t be caught dead in no matter the condition that it’s in. AMC used a GM “Iron Duke” 151 cubic-inch inline-four with just a touch over 80 hp. For around $140 buyers could opt for AMC’s 258 cubic-inch inline-six with 100 hp. ZOOM! Supposedly, this car runs and works great and I’ll have nightmares about not grabbing it. Are there any other folks out there who think this ’81 Kammback would be fun to own? I can’t be the only one, can I?!
Scotty, buy the 4×4 Pinto instead!
Ha! I’d have to drop an SBC in it.. hey, wait a minute..
These really are neat, rare, little cars. I have not seen one in person in 31 years. The four cylinder is unfortunate, but if I were you, I just might grab it and pick away at a driving restoration until I found my Dream Kammback! Nice find!
Thanks, XMA0891! Unfortunately, the seller has two people in front of me who both say that they’re interested, so if they both back out I’ll nab it up for sure. None of my small, oddball cars are for daily-driver or road-trip status, and none of them are for winter use here in Minnesota. They’re just for goofing around with in town on nice, dry days. I don’t know why some folks think that every vehicle needs to do everything in every climate for every person. For $2,800 this thing is cheap enough to drive once a month and still get more than my money’s worth of enjoyment out of it.
I have a mint rust free one. Won’t be cheap tho
Ugh, I wouldn’t associate the word “desirable” with this car or whatever it is. This vehicle is proof that there is literally and ass for every seat in this sport.
I had one of these one time, for a very short time.
I didn’t see it as an off road vehicle in any way.
I always thought something would break if it was in the dirt.
Yes, I own an Eagle, thanks to this site! You featured a nice 84 5 speed wagon about this time last year, and I took the bait. It’s a great car and I don’t regret buying it at all. It’s great in the mud, but I don’t push it very hard.
My mom had a silver one, 4 X 4 with a 4 speed. It was horrible to drive but was really good in the snow.
I am all in Scotty. For that kind of money I don’t see how you could go wrong. I am certain I would have done the same thing to the hatch until replacement glass could be located. I can’t remember if these came with a low range. Best of luck on the car Scotty and happy Thanksgiving to all! Oh, and thanks for putting in the CL ad saver. Take care, Mike.
I would drive like manuals and looks like a gremlin from the back so is it short like a gremlin. or not
It is probably 4-5 inches longer then the Gremlins are.
That car has had many many ” touch ups done on it. Colorado cars typically do not rust at all unless they were brought from out of state at some point
Looks pretty solid. The missing parts could be costly, however there is nothing mortally wrong with this car. Correct me if I’m wrong, but didn’t they use those four cylinders in postal jeeps. My friend worked for the post office in the 80s. She bought one of the jeeps when it was retired and it has that same engine. She tells me that it takes like a minute to hit 60 and is basically impossible to start on cold mornings
I think I’m looking at a gremlin?
I’ve always loved the smaller Eagles too, but I’m much more of an SX/4 guy than the kammback.
Never saw one of these,looks like fun,hope you get it,Scotty!!!
It looks like a minimal amount of work is needed to make this a decent car. I once had a neighbor who had one, he lifted it up 2″ with spring compress/expanders and put oversized diameter snow tires on it. I gotta admit it really set off the 4×4 look and ive like these cars ever since that day..
I wouldn’t mind having one either..
This one looks a little like a lifted X11, especially with those wheels…
Clever idea using the plexi glass for the hatch glass. The unit was flimsy even on the first Gremlins and for 71 AMC eliminated one of the struts that held it up.
I’m a fan of the Iron Duke. For all it’s noise and gruff running, it smooths out at speed and cruises nicely. It cracks me up.
I would think much easier to find in an AMC than the VW-Audi AMC purchased and built OHC 4 used in the Spirit and Concord at one point.And easier to source parts.
For around my area which is Prescott Arizona one would be great except for the 4 cylinder. Nothing against them, good engine and all that but with the elevation here and some of the hills you would have to work that poor engine too hard.
I like the Kammbacks. I would like to own one myself, just not the 4 cylinder. I have a 1978 Gremlin and just seem to like the oddities.
Rare
Scotty,
I’m with you in having a soft spot in my heart, (not to mention my head),
for the AMC Eagles.
Hey Scotty, snag it up man. I love that car. My wish car is a 1972 Gremlin….dont care what color…but want the 6 cyl and 3 spd floor shift. Guess we may be related?? LOL. I just read the add and the bottom of it says $2,600. Better go for it Scotty. Cya.
It’s a rather base model, the option list was long, and it’s too bad a few of these extras weren’t added. At least some d/l model reclining bucket seats, I’m thinking the flares on the sides should be dark blue, like from the factory?
I think you’re right, John. The seller told me that he has since restored and reinstalled the missing wheel flares that weren’t on when he took the photos. I’m afraid to call him again, he said that he’d call me if the two other buyers ahead of me backed out, but I’d sure love to have this car.
Reminds me of the gremlin…
Sorry Scotty, I drove up yesterday and picked it up. It’s a real nice addition to our family stable of AMCs. It joins my wife’s ‘74 Gremlin DD and my ‘72 X project. The gentleman was super nice, and still has several SX/4 parts available if anyone’s interested. The car itself isn’t perfect but drove really well. I plan to keep it pretty much stock, other then some more aggressive rims/tires. No plan to lift it or really change anything else though. On that note, anybody know of a source for a rear window?
So YOU’RE the one, Coma?! (kidding)
Congrats! I’ve kept the CL link and just checked it this morning and saw that it was deleted. Ugh. You know where to find me when (not if, when!) you’re ready to let it go. I’m glad that it’s still in the Barn Finds family at least. Congrats, again!
I have a 82 kammback that I drove as a teenager, tell it broke down. It’s for sale if anyone is interested.
I might be interested in picking up a second, just depends on price and location.
i picked up one of these for free. some guy was gonna junk it. looks like the windows were taken out i can see where they used to be in the inside of the car
it also says eagle in the glove box
more pics of the car
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Updated picture just took it
I had an 1981 2.5 4 speed kammback i got out of north dakota .nice shape ,almost no rust , handled excellent but the engine was tired .I put on 4 snowtires , found a hopped up jeep 2.5 making about 120hp and had it installed. what a great combo .it was unstoppable in buffalo winter snow, was quick ,felt solid and sporty . gas mileage was decent in low 20’s I regret selling it but i got a big laforza suv for the family and the wife hatd it ,so i took the laforze ,we got her an acura mdx and kammback had to move on . I am now looking for another one and will likely do a bit of modifying , 150hp should be nice , 5 speed or a gear vendors, correct gearing , and we have a great winter run around car and summer offroad fun car for when i move to colorado .
1981 Kammback. All original. Only missing transmission. Last on the road in 87. Really hate to get rid of it, but $1,000 takes it.
My mom had one of these back in the early 80s, it would go anywhere. It was a really fun little car, but wouldn’t take a turn a turn, my brother rolled it over 3 times, and just pushed it back over without a scratch. They were built like little tanks.
Lovely looking car. If I bought one, I’d have an 81 AMC Spirit grille installed where the original grille was.