We’ve seen a few nice AMC Pacers here on Barn Finds over the years, and some had the now-iconic “Baskerty Print Fabric” seats, which are literally as cool as it gets. I don’t remember one with clear plastic covers on the front seats as this one has, though. The seller has this highly-maintained 1977 AMC Pacer posted here on Craigslist in Deming, New Mexico, and they’re asking $7,000. Here is the original listing, and thanks to Tony P. for the tip!
Deming, New Mexico caught my eye on this listing, as that’s my usual route to the southwest. I look forward to that shortcut between Hatch, NM and Deming, on my way to I-10, Tucson, and beyond. There are longer and more remote roads in America, but this one is remote with a capital R. Not that this Autumn Red Metallic Pacer didn’t also catch my eye – great find, Tony!
We don’t know if this has always been a southern New Mexico car, but it sure looks good, at least in the overall photos. The seller knocks it out of the park on their listing, both for great photos and for an outstanding listing. They show a couple of detailed images that show some small areas of rust, but they say those are the only two areas of rust, and the underside is solid and clean. The “Styled Road Wheels” look great. Here’s a brochure to check out, and this is what the rear cargo area looks like, very nice.
Those seats, wow! They look like new. This pattern is known by AMC as “Basketry Print,” often called “Navajo pattern,” and there are some fabrics equal to these but not many better, in my opinion. The condition of this rare fabric appears perfect both in the front split-back bench and the rear. The front seats are shown without the plastic covers and with the covers. AMC offered the Pacer for model years 1975 through 1980, and its famous shape is as legendary as those seat covers are.
This one doesn’t have an engine, just a compartment full of hoses and wires. No, somewhere under that clean mess is an AMC 258-cu.in. OHV inline-six with 114 horsepower and 192 lb-ft of torque when new. Power is passed through a TorqueFlite three-speed automatic to the rear wheels, and please click on the craigslist link to see the mind-blowing list of work that’s been done on this car. The seller says they’ve spent almost $10,000, but as they’re now 74, their health is forcing them to give up on finishing the restoration. Any thoughts on this Pacer?
I remember when they were the new, “hip” thing. An acquaintance bought a new one and liked it a lot, as did I. Flash forward 3-4 years and the charm had largely worn off, to the point where they became a prop for “Wayne’s World”. I’m back to liking them, though, because the bugs have all been addressed and they are, after all, unique in a sea of lookalikes.
Nice find Primo! Excellent write up Scotty G..
Those seats were definitely the most exciting thing about the Pacer.
A blown up Gremlin…
Except for the engine and transmission its all different , like comparing the Pinto to the Mustang ll
So another chick magnet. I can’t even remember the last time i have seen one. Party on.
I use to part these out for street rods. The front suspension unbolted and they had rack and pinion steering and GM steering columns, so they worked great.
Really nice complete honest ad by the seller. Nice to see those when they come up, rather than dark photos in a garage and a one line description.
I’m about Pacered out. I’m not a real fan of these. And even less of a fan of the wagon. In regards to our discussion the other day about Motor Wheel, I believe these factory wheels were produced by Motor Wheel. Can we please put a 6 month pause on Pacers?
In the early 70’s I worked at an OEM supplier of ”soft trim”…. and AMC was a customer. They came out with some novel interior designs and fabrics such as the Cassini Matador and the Levi Jeep.
One day I delivered some pre production samples to AMC Hq. in Detroit where an engineer showed me the new model… Pacer. A prototype body was in the engineering area and he explained about it. They were excited about it and I was happy for them…
In 1982, I bought a 75, very basic, owned by a little old lady who drove it church on Sundays (honestly). Super low mileage (that’s why I bought it). Yellow, with a 3 on the tree. Surprised to find AMC managed to federalize it without a catalytic converter (a big deal back then). Fast forward, the huge doors started to sag and needed hinges, and the 3 on the tree became a bear to shift. Too bad, it was a cool car.
I owned a 76 pacer X back in the 80’s actually was a decent commuter. My buddy said It was the only car that made a gremlin look good!
Good work SG. I agree, cool upholstery. And that road sure is desolate.