American Motors was always out to create new products on a shoestring budget (because they had to). A case in point is the AMC Eagle which was based on the compact Concord, borrowing 4-wheel-drive infrastructure from Jeep which became part of AMC in 1970. The seller has two Eagle wagons, both from 1984. One runs and one used to. From Gig Harbor, Washington, you can buy them individually or as a pair at a discounted price of $5,000 here on craiglist. Kudos to Rocco B. for this twofer tip!
AMC went on to build 192,000 Eagles from 1980 to 1988, although the last year would be under the watchful eye of Chrysler who had acquired AMC in 1987. The most popular iteration was the 4-door station wagon, which accounted for sales of some 113,000 units. At the time the Eagle was on the market, it was the only 4WD passenger car built in the U.S. and resembled what would later become known as ‘crossovers”.
The focus of the seller’s listing is the red-white-and-blue Eagle which is in running condition. We don’t know the history of the multi-colored paint job on this vehicle as it doesn’t appear to be a factory option. With a 258 cubic inch inline-6, this Eagle is said to run and drive great. And it comes with a plethora of new and spare parts, one of which includes an entire extra car.
You can buy the R/W/B Eagle for $4,500, the parts car for $1,200, or as a package deal for $5,000 even. The seller had plans to put a lift kit on the primary vehicle but never got around to it. It should be a versatile machine complete with a roof basket, cross-country tires, and a CB radio (“Breaker-Breaker, 1-9”). You should be able to drive the primary Eagle home (unless it is 2,000 miles away) but the seller can help with moving the parts car if needed (and for an extra charge as he/she has a trailer).
Love it, especially the RWB, breaks up the outline.
Looks far better than a Subaru L wagon , and a 6 in the engine bay. (Not gunna mention the sub is FWD when in 2wd) oops, lol
Couldn’t find out if it has a dual range transfer case?
And I’d do an engine swap, Chrysler 265 hemi, or even the 245 hemi.
The Eagle did not come with a dual-range transfer case from the factory. It is difficult to swap in a V8 if you wan to retain 4WD since the front differential mounts to the 258 engine block.
The hot setup would be to install a Jeep 4.0. The early 4.0 blocks retained the 258’s bosses for the front diff mount, though they may not be drilled or tapped. (That suggests AMC gave the idea some thought themselves though they never actually did it.)
The Australian 265, and 245 hemi’s were straight sixes.
The E38 265 could out run a Ford GTHO.
Lovin’ the rooftop potty. Haven’t seen an overhead head in a long time.
At $4,500 for just the primary car, why is this still available?? Monster slopeside vehicle.
THIS is a bargain ! For one, the ‘patriotic’ themed unit has a bunch of spares, is a runner, has what appears to be no rust, and isn’t totally trashed (look at the interior !)
And, secondly: the parts car (other than being cruddy inside) is also complete and not rusty or bent. AND: IT is an uncommonly seen manual transmission (see the 3 pedals?) model.
Wow, I agree. Why is this even still available ?
Just answering the question: It’s still available because it presents poorly, because of the combination of hacked up bumpers, the paint job and no wheel covers. Gives a poor impression.
It’s all about presentation.
I agree John.. if they fixed it up. More pictures front and back and engine. They probably could of ask more for it. But being in the NW part of the country I wonder myself it should of sold. Is there something wrong with it!! Well good luck to the seller..🐻🇺🇸
I agree with your ‘other thans’ but this is priced at $4,500, not at a silly $14,500 etc. Some cars don’t need to be restored to enjoy.
I could diffently live with the removal of that piece of fence across the front
but maybe not as healthy if one struck a bear or deer while out running thru the woods ~ (which is what the well protected one appears designed to do)
Mounted to stock bumper hit something it’s going to cause more damage than good
you are probably right on that account, although there is something to be said for “sometimes it’s the thought that counts”…… hahaha
To correct a common misbelief, the Eagle 4wd had nothing to do with the Jeep 4×4 at all. It was a completely different system designed in house by AMC. In today’s parlance it would be called AWD.
Thank you, finally someone that know what they are talking about.
In Aussie terms.
Buggar.
sure, rally car! Y’d i never thinka dat? (i6 engine:best for low rev tq of all engines = less off rd tire slip). The SAAB below was quite a champ, the WRX seen here, too… I dont think it’da do well against them but they sure were ubiquitous here in the NE. Good ol AMC came up w/great ideas (AMX for 1).
It’s probably still available because when you try to respond to the listing it kicks back a network error message. Believe me I tried!
If my father were still alive, I’d be interested. He always wanted one.
Lovin’ AMC!
I miss AMC.
I sold these new. They were an amazing 4WD. One could drive this car through the sugar sand of the “Florida Ridge” and never stick it. When demoing the car we’d take it out to the middle of a sand dune, stop, and change drivers. The car would crawl right out. Again, amazing. We sold a bunch of them.