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Roadtrip Mothership: 1977 AMC Pacer Wagon

Sure, the retro-futuristic aesthetic of the AMC Pacer is not for everyone; that being said, the Jetsons-inspired rolling fishbowl has proven to have real staying power and has certainly cemented itself as a pop-cultural touchstone. This 1977 AMC Pacer Wagon is a garage-kept example living in Tuscon, Arizona and can be found for sale here on eBay for the Buy-It-Now price of $6,400.

Although only five inches longer than the hatchback counterpart immortalized by Wayne and Garth, the wagon version of the Pacer boasts a cargo area of 47 cubic feet, compared to 29 with the hatchback. Being from Arizona, the car appears to be in largely good cosmetic condition with no serious rust evident, although there does appear to be some paint loss/patina on both rear corners near the roof.

Described by Car and Driver as “the first car designed from the inside out,” the Pacer features a surprisingly spacious interior and was intended to have the passenger comfort of a full-size car with a more compact exterior. Interior condition appears to be largely good with no tears or damage to the leather seats, although the carpet is in need of a good cleaning.

Originally intended to feature a Wankel rotary engine, these plans were scrapped prior to rollout and the powerplant was replaced with the less exotic but still respectable inline six offerings from AMC. Pacers were available with either the 232 or 258 cu in I6; this one features the 258 according to the VIN. Runs great according to the seller and is mated to a 3-speed automatic transmission. The Buy It Now price does seem a bit optimistic based on other recent completed sales on eBay, but the seller is accepting offers – what would a clean Pacer wagon be worth to you?

Comments

  1. Avatar 71FXSuperGlide

    Well – you’d be the only person with one at a car show. :D

    Like 0
    • HoA Howard A Member

      Depends what car show. At the AMC reunion a few years back in Kenosha, there were a bunch of Pacers, all the colors of the rainbow. That was a fun show.

      Like 5
  2. Avatar Jeff

    I’d totally daily this. Great color, and I love the dog-dish hubcaps and whiteline tires, which complement the window trim. The price is a tad steep, but I would be tempted.

    Like 2
  3. Avatar That AMC guy

    The good old ‘Rambler Six’ is really shoehorned in there! Wrenching on these cars is a sporting proposition. The back end of the engine is under the dashboard!

    Looking at the dog-dish hubcaps, plain bench seat, and funky aftermarket AC, this example appears to be a very basic edition aside from the automatic transmission and power front disc brakes. (Not that there’s anything wrong with that!) I don’t think I even see a radio or antenna and the driver is probably not going to get much benefit from the AC outlets down where the passenger’s legs should go. This car does look to be in great condition, having no rust is most of the battle.

    Like 1
  4. Avatar Dovi65

    That $6400 asking should settle down to a more reasonable $5k.

    All that glass in an Arizona climate? Yikes. I’m thinking that the front seat was redone at some point .. I can’t imagine just a plain, flat seat surface in wild & crazy 1977.

    Like 2
    • Avatar Miguel

      I was going to say that. The title of this is “Roadtrip Mothership”.

      I don’t think I would take a road trip in this car as there is no way to get the kids, or myself away from the sun.

      It is bad enough in my 1972 Ford LTD.

      Like 0
  5. Avatar sir mike

    These are better looking than most newer cars.

    Like 7
    • Avatar Leon Labuschagne

      Agreed

      Like 0
  6. Avatar Mike H.

    Hmmm. . . Let me see. Very poor respray and a really non-standard recovering of only the front seat base (It should be pleated similar to the rear seat). Low spec & no options, coupled with either a dealer installed or self installed A/C system which takes up approximately 1/2 of the passenger footwell, all for a premium price?

    I’ll pass. Last year I had the opportunity to buy the twin of my mother’s 1979 wagon (D/L with woodgrain, power windows/locks and the much nicer looking bucket seats, factory AM/FM/CB combo) for $4400 and I passed on that one too as I felt it was close to a grand over its real value.

    I wish the seller lots of luck. A friend once told me there’s an ass for every seat.

    Like 2
    • Avatar dweezilaz

      Already been sold, Mike. $6400.

      Like 0
      • Avatar John T.

        It got listed back on eBay on Tuesday, October 23 for the same Buy-It-Now price of $6400 with the option to make an offer. The prior sale must have fallen through.

        Like 0
  7. Avatar Ben T. Spanner

    A female co worker bought one new. AMC’s advertising tag line was “here comes the wide one” She was greeted frequently with that statement.
    If I recall correctly the wankel engine was to be built in my home town of Canton, Ohio at a new Curtis Wright ? plant. The building was erected but the oil embargo and shortage ended the idea of a wankel. I doubt a 4 cyl, as used in the later AMC spirit would have propelled these cars very well.

    Like 0
    • HoA Howard A Member

      I seem to remember a Pacer ad, where a Vega was driven inside a Pacer cut in half.

      Like 0
      • Avatar Joe

        Was a Nova

        Like 1
    • Avatar Wolfgang Gullich

      The real end to the Wankel deal was that AMC was going to build the engines under license from NSU (as you know or don’t, Felix Wankel was employed by NSU to design rotary) and then Audi bought NSU out and it killed the deal. Similar situation to GM and the Vega, as it too was supposed to have an NSU-licensed Wankel which was also sunk by the Audi buy out.

      Like 0
      • Avatar dweezilaz

        AMC was going to buy GM’s rotary engines for the Pacer.

        It had a deal with VW/Audi to purchase and build one of their four cylinder engines, which they did calling it the AMC 2.0.

        When Renault invested a controlling stake in AMC that engine was dropped and AMC began buying GM’s 2.5 liter 4 for use in their cars and Jeeps.

        Like 0
    • Avatar That AMC guy

      AMC had made a deal to buy the GM rotary engine. At the 11th hour that engine was cancelled by GM due to emissions and gas mileage concerns. AMC therefore had to fit their existing six-cylinder engine. (In hindsight had they had not sold the Buick/Jeep V6 back to General Motors that would have been a better fit.)

      Like 1
  8. Avatar Jimmy

    I like the looks of the Pacer wagon over the hatch, if I were to buy this I would offer 5K and then rip out the A/C to give my passenger some leg room plus give the engine some breathing room then just DD it in the spring and fall with some Friday night cruises.

    Like 0
  9. Avatar Sam61

    I like Pacers but this is a very overpriced base model…surprised it’s not a manual…$3000 IMHO.

    Someone must have skinned a blue barrel for that “leather” interior…as durable as MB Tex or Sears toughskin jeans.

    Like 2
  10. Avatar Steve

    it’s the only car I would want to ADD fake woodgrain side paneling to, after the LS SWAP!!!

    https://www.hotrod.com/articles/hrdp-1010-steve-bashfords-1978-amc-pacer-wagon/

    Like 0
    • Avatar Don H

      Man I’m getting tired of the letters L and S🤨

      Like 4
  11. Avatar Gay Car Nut

    Lovely looking AMC Pacer. It’s nice to see an original survivor.

    Like 1
  12. Avatar Joe Haska

    I convinced a friend of mine to buy a Pacer about a year ago. It was built by an older gentleman, that loved AMC cars. But for this Pacer, he decided to break his code of ethics and put a 500 cu. in. Cadillac in it. He was also a great mechanic and fabricator, and the car was outstanding. My fiend bought in for under 4K, I remind him all the time, should he sell it, I would automatically get first right of refusal!

    Like 1
    • Avatar chrlsful

      I saw it (I think on here /or/ by a ‘member’s’ link here).

      Like 0
  13. Avatar CanuckCarGuy

    Big fan of the Pacer, and big fan of green cars…but it would seem that I don’t like green Pacers. Maybe some woodgrain would bring out the love with this one.

    Like 0
  14. Avatar Miguel

    That sure is one selfish passenger there.

    They won’t share any of that cold air.

    Like 0
  15. Avatar Leon Labuschagne

    Wish we had these in New Zealand and Australia.

    Like 0
  16. Avatar Bob Jewell

    just bought a 1977 Pacer for $3000.00 from Auburn, Washington.
    Levis edition with 258 cu.in.,AC, and lots of upgrades.Body in excellent condition.
    I will buy more if I can find them.
    Bob Jewell

    Like 0

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