When it comes to malaise era muscle, most enthusiasts begrudgingly acknowledge the Cobra II or King Cobra as one of the barely discernable bright spots on a bleak landscape. But it seems the AMX Hornet, conceived with a similar proposition in mind, rarely makes an appearance in that conversation. It could be that it was a one-year only model, so its visibility was fairly limited – but you won’t be hard to find in this example wearing one of the four colors offered known as Sunshine Yellow. The seller contends this example is as reliable as they come, having completed multiple Hot Rod Power Tours from start to finish. Find this hot rod Hornet here on eBay where bidding is over $6,000 with no reserve.
Perhaps “hot rod” is too generous, as the Hornet AMX was fairly limited in the engine department, just like its Cobra colleague. The AMX came standard with a 258 straight-six that could be had with a manual transmission, or the 304 V8 that was automatic only. This example features the smaller engine paired to the optional automatic transmission, so it’s effectively the cruiser of the pack. The looks were certainly indicative of a car with high performance aspirations, including rear window louvers, a blacked-out grill, front spoiler, and wheel spats, along with mag wheels, anti-roll bars, and more.
Inside you got bucket seats, a sports steering wheel, rally gauge cluster, and custom door panels. The interior of this car is in excellent condition, certainly presenting like that of a survivor and not a car that was driven regularly. Mileage is just under 138,000, and the seller reports no rust to speak of. While it isn’t perfect, he contends it’s a great driver that’s been very reliable while under his ownership. Certainly, its success on the Power Tour speaks to its ability to stand up to regular use, but the cosmetics also show its been loved at the same time. The seller does mention that some of the window run channels have become loose and the driver side door glass rattles.
OK – it’s not a powerhouse, but this is a car that can just look good and draw plenty of smiles. In my opinion, this is how you have to approach this era of “muscle” cars – easy to live with drivers with good looks that will always draw a crowd, even if it will never win the stop light grand prix. Once you accept that these cars were never about that, you can begin to appreciate the merits they do bring to bear. The seller clearly feels the same way and has gotten years of enjoyment out of this dependable classic, which is offered at no reserve. Thanks to Barn Finds reader Larry D. for the find.
Too bad this Hornet doesn’t have the “sting” of a 304, but it’s still a nice one; could use a little detailing of the interior. If I were hunting one, I would add it to my hive immediately! GLWTA!! :-)
How do you go on a Power Tour without power?
Same way you meet girls in an Anglia….you don’t…
That’s a good motor, even if this AMX is little more than an appearance package. The engine morphed into the 4.0 Jeep engine that powered those vehicles for so long.
Unfortunately, pretty much every American car manufacturer built a performance model in the 70s that used a once great name as a draw, but the reality was pretty dismal.
As much as I like Hornets, and there were some decent models over the years, even my love of a yellow car would have me walking past this one.
A 6 cylinder with an automatic transmission in a ” performance ” car is a contradiction in terms. Yes, it’s rock solid reliable, but it is also bordering on MEH. And if this did become my car in some alternate universe, those rear window louvers would be (re)painted black.
IMO, AMC should have saved a lot of money & just stuck with the much better looking SC-360 body thru the ’70s & just modify the bumpers. & maybe offer a lower roof/fastback version. & even offer the 401 v8 to compensate for the cat converter.
So close to home! Too bad not at least a manual trans in it. Leave it alone or mod it!
Just drop in a 360 or 401 (a bolt-in) and get rid of the silly targa bar and you e fixed it.
All of you naysayers were not around or to young to remember the 70’s. The 304 didn’t have much HP and was weak. The 258 in this AMX will smoke the tires, especially with a stick. You can build these to crank out 450 HP now http://www.newcomerracing.com/jeep-engine-packages.html
The Mustang and Camaro were no powerhouse’s either and the 77 AMX held it’s own. Do some research before you post your uneducated nonsense.
I am a child of the 50s and have loved cars since I began pulling the tiny toy ones out of cereal boxes at the age of 6 or 7. Over the years I have owned ONLY 25 or so vehicles (deployment to overseas bases probably helped keep that number from being higher). I vaguely remember borrowing a co-workers Rambles Classic wagon to run a few errands, and that is most of my exposure to AMC products.
Having said that, I currently own 2 cars, a Mustang and a Crown Victoria that have DOUBLE the horsepower of this car…I don’t consider them to be performance cars.
My Mustang and this Hornet are hampered somewhat by that automatic transmission, as you yourself seem to admit.
I do appreciate that this car has potential, but a 100 horsepower engine and automatic transmission do not make for much performance no matter how sexy the bodywork and wheels.
This runs rings around the Aspen “Sport”.
Item location:
Walnut Cove, North Carolina
Lipstick on a pig , not much else to add
I had one just like that a few years back and was a fun and reliable car. Had enough performance for the time period.