The original concept for the Eagle arose not from AMC’s marketing department, but from Roy Lunn, one of the company’s engineers. Lunn thought that some Jeep buyers rarely or never used their vehicles off-road; instead, the Jeep’s 4WD system simply felt safer if you had to run to the grocery store in the snow. Would there be a market for a 4WD passenger car, then? It was Lunn’s job to sell management on the idea of a new niche – and to develop the car to fill that niche. Regulations were instrumental to the Eagle’s design: Lunn needed to convince the EPA that the new model was not a car, but should instead be ranked as a light truck, resulting in easier fuel efficiency bogeys. Marrying the Concord with 4WD was the plan, but it took a few years before a 4WD system emerged that would work. Almost 200k Eagles were made before production ceased in 1988. Here’s one still plying the roads in Grand Rapids, Michigan, advertised on craigslist for $7500. Thanks to Tony Primo for sending over the tip!
Three engines could be found in Eagles over the extent of model production: a 4.2-liter six-cylinder, GM’s Iron Duke four, or AMC’s 2.2-liter four. This one is the 110 hp six, known for its thirsty behavior on the road. By squeezing the car into the “light truck” category, AMC could focus on the 4WD system rather than re-engineering for efficiency. A three-speed Torque-Flite automatic handles gear changes. Our seller notes plenty of “as-needed” work performed, from replacing fuel lines and the carb, to servicing the transmission. On the negative side of the ledger, the 4WD system has never been engaged during his five years of ownership, so he can’t say it works.
The interior is nice enough – the windshield is new, the stereo works, the upholstery is decent. Its few foibles include mirrors that no longer adjust from inside but are glued into their housings, and air conditioning that is “not in use”. The cargo area is clean, and the rear seats are spiffy. The original window sticker is still with the car, as is a factory service manual. The entire presentation radiates “I took good care of my Eagle”: in my mind, when you buy an old car, you’re buying the last owner, and maybe the one before that, so a clean car, floor mats, a detailed roster of work, and original items still present adds to the value of the vehicle and gooses my enthusiasm.
The exterior is wearing a custom “wood grain” wrap. There’s a dent or two, and the seller notes that the frame was professionally repaired due to rust. Overall, this Eagle is a running project, though non-executed repairs listed by the seller are mostly non-essential and could be delayed …. well, forever. Eagle values are all over the lot, with outstanding examples selling for over $25k, while run-of-the-mill types will hover below five figures. What do you think this Eagle will bring in today’s market?
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