Talk about wrapping yourself in the flag! This AMC Eagle takes the “American” part to a whole new level with its tri-color red, white, and blue paint scheme, and there’s more to the theme inside. Not seen often these days, anytime an Eagle is viewed in the wild, it is worth a closer look. This 1982 AMC Eagle SX/4 is located in Elcho, Wisconsin, and is available here on eBay for a current bid of $2,601, reserve not yet met.
The Eagle was a unique, four-wheel drive, compact car produced by AMC, and then briefly by Chrysler, between 1980 and 1988. Multiple body styles offered included a two-door coupe, two-door Kammback, four-door sedan, four-door station wagon, and a two-door hatchback like this example. There was also a two-door “Sundancer” convertible, modified by an outside contractor, and offered in ’81 and ’82. Total Eagle production for 1982 was about 38K copies.
The seller states that this Eagle is a true barn find but offers no details beyond that other than to say it hasn’t been driven in twenty years. Being an SX/4 model means mostly appearance and convenience items like bucket seats, center console, sporty wheel covers, power steering/brakes, and exterior trim items. Further claims state a rust-free body and frame with a patched floor in place. Too bad there is no image of the patched floor in the listing, it would be good to know exactly how it was patched. No comments are rendered regarding the origins of the patriotic paint job but the three included images of the exterior reveal a sound presentation – a strong finish with no rust, dents, or damaged body panels. The only issue of concern is that there is no included image of the rear of this Eagle and it looks as if the back bumper is missing. Note the single-only, errant, white-stripe tire in the rear right position.
The interior is referenced as having new carpet and seats that are in “great shape”. The interior images are stilted in such a fashion that a comprehensive view is never revealed. This one image shows a driver side dashboard that is losing its lower portion, not sure what, if anything, that indicates. Agreed, the seat upholstery is in good nick but the cover for the seatback pivot bracket is missing.
Here’s the headliner, I have nothing else to add. There are no included images of the optional 110 net HP, 258 CI, in-line, six-cylinder engine though the seller indicates that this Eagle runs and drives. He does recommend trailering it as it hasn’t been driven in twenty years. At 108K miles, this AMC in-line six, a very durable engine, should still have some life left in it assuming that it was maintained properly. The gear train consists of a five-speed manual transmission connected to a four-wheel-drive transfer case and axles. The seller mentions that he has not tried to engage the four-wheel-drive system.
This is an interesting car, there really was little to compare to it back in the ’80s as full-time, four-wheel-drive passenger car configurations hadn’t come into their own. This example would appear to be a sales flip and, as is frequently the case, it has quite a few unknowns. And then there are the knowns, like the paint job, which isn’t going to be to everyone’s liking. There are only three bids tendered at this point and the bid amount is still in reasonable territory though there is an unknown reserve. This could be an inexpensive way to relive the eighties and enjoy some four-wheelin’ at the same time, don’t you think?
Well, here’s a patriotic son of a gun. Kind of ironic, a car company called “AMERICAN” Motors, failed. I have a friend that had this exact car, sans paint job, his was red, and from Wisconsin, for all I know, this could be his. It was a great concept, and was a nice car, okay gas mileage, for a 4×4, great heater, but had one flaw, the 5 speed. He bought it new, and was okay for about a year, then the trans began growling. He took it in, at the time, it was new, and parts were scarce, he waited about a month to get the car back, it was ok for a couple months, it began growling again, this time the dealer had it for 2 months, said they couldn’t get parts and he traded it. I think the automatic was a better unit, but a great find, if the trans is okay, that is.
makes me think they were going for the Mark Donahue Trans Am paint job.
https://www.carscoops.com/2010/05/donahue-driven-champion-amc-javelin/#lg=1&slide=9
I think this car would look good in either red, white or blue but not all 3. At least not in this color configuration.
The ebay link above points to the Pontiac Star Chief Wagon…
Sorry, and thank you, technical error. It has been fixed.
JO
Here is the link to the 1982 AMC:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1982-AMC-Other-50-SX4/264772344539?hash=item3da5a95adb:g:mQMAAOSwjCle8Mze
This vehicle truly is glorious! I’m pretty torn between this and Kammback, but the overdone ‘Merica-ness puts this one over the top.
Dad had a 79 AMC concord “SPORT” wagon from 1980 till about 92. Almost identical save the 4 wheel drive. Bullet proof straight 6 and yes very solid 3 speed auto on the tree. I had a love hate relationship with it , when it was new it was fantastic , lots of camping trips in the old girl , time it was 6 years old and I was 16, not so crazy about it. But then when he let it go for an accord in the early 90s , I honestly shed a tear
I ran one of these in a rally, I think it was later 80s but a new car. It was a monster on the gravel once you got used to driving it, not sliding it. True AWD cars caught everyone off-guard when they came out, I remember people standing in the pits with their jaws dropped when Hurley Haywood cut his first few laps in TransAm in an Audi Quattro. Didn’t take long for those to be outlawed.
I had a roommate in college (what’s up STEVE!!?) who had one of these, all white. He drove it like a badge of honor. I saw it as a horror. I seem to remember him telling me that some major engine component was made of nylon. Connecting rods? That can’t be right. Anyone know if these engines had components made of nylon (besides the cam gear)?
The 258 had a plastic valve cover some years, 1981 through 1986 I think. They were notorious leakers. The fix is to install an aftermarket Jeep cast aluminum valve cover, which is what I did on the Eagles I used to own.
The valve cover on this car though looks like the older stamped steel type.
1975-1977 AMC engines used a Presolite electronic distributor that had a plastic vacuum advance. These had a reputation for regularly blowing out.
Houston the eagle has landed…. in the wrecking yard junk
It’s bad enough it’s an AMC. That color isn’t helping….