It’s always sad to read that someone is helping to sell a car to settle the estate of a person who clearly loved their vehicle for decades. This 1980 AMC Spirit DL Liftback is one of those vehicles. It was bought new and enjoyed by one person, having traveled just 31,732 miles in the last 4.5 decades. It’s now listed here on eBay in Cincinnati, Ohio, there is no reserve, and the current bid is $3,850.
The older I get, the less I care for aftermarket wheels like this, but that’s just a personal preference. This is what we would have done, and did do, in the late 1970s and early 1980s with any car that had two doors, and sometimes, even if it had four doors. This car certainly fits the profile of a car that looks good with big tires in the back and smaller ones in front.
Looking at it from this angle, however, those wheels are tailor-made for this car. The fender flares would look like me wearing a tent without big tires in the back, like a skeleton wiggling around in a paper bag. So in this case, I say, well done! Not that it matters what I think. This is another case where I have to wonder what a modern car designer would do with the slab bumpers.
The Spirit (1979 to 1983) was an evolution of the AMC Gremlin, but with a sloping liftback. This body style would also be used for the AMX in 1979 and 1980. The interior looks great for being 4.5 decades old, and it’s just plain luxury for an AMC of this size to have so much (faux) woodgrain. As expected, the back seat looks like new, as does the rear cargo area. The seller says there is no rust on this car, and I believe that claim. Their photos are outstanding, which is so nice to see after looking at hundreds of listings with vertical, cut-off, dark, blurry photos.
The paint on the valve cover is about the only visual flaw in this entire car that I can see. As you already noticed, this is AMC’s 258-cu.in. OHV inline-six, which had 110 horsepower and 210 lb-ft of torque when new. Backed by a TorqueFlite automatic sending power to the rear wheels, it’s said to run and drive perfectly, and it draws a crowd everywhere it goes. Any thoughts on this fantastic-looking Spirit?
Cool car, and agree wheels look great.
Id be tempted to bid if a manual
I’ve always had a soft spot for AMC and this one is so cool. I’m normally all about originality with the drive train in cars like this but this one would be fun with a small AMC V8 or maybe a turbo 4 swap
Sweet.
I always thought of these as a gussied-up Gremlin — wow is this a SURVIVOR!
Well, that’s what it is! The Spirit is a restyled Gremlin. There was also a Spirit sedan that used the same body as the Gremlin but with larger back windows.
Don’t know why, but I want this. And it’s not too far from me… hmm..
Always loved cars with the right combination of the color blue, with a tasteful amount of chrome. And the wheels, with the slight stance at the rear, is just awesome.
This little AMC has a lot going for it.
It’s extraordinary to see an AMC Spirit that was treated as a cherished, “forever” car. Most were driven into the ground as commuter cars or trashed by college students long ago. Spoilers were limited to the AMX and the Eagle SX/4, so someone went to the trouble of sourcing and installing an OEM spoiler on this Spirit, further evidence that it was loved.
It’s odd. Guy splurges for aftermarket tires and mag wheels buys an OEM spoiler and installs it, yet orders the car with a six and three on the tree. Nice for a fun little driver though.
The wheels are a recent addition to the car and could have been added by any previous owner.
It’s a nice car, but the 3spd column shift will hurt its appeal even though the car will likely see limited use.
Steve R
There’s no clutch pedal and in the interior photo you can see the automatic transmission quadrant in the instrument cluster.
Well sir, then that thar’ clutch pedal is one of the smallest I’ve ever seen ! Just sayin’…
If it was a 3 on the tree Id be bidding.
Me too
My brother had a ’79, my sister had an ’80, and I had an ’80. I love these. Unfortunately all were 4 cylinders and the only good one out of the 3 was my brother’s because it had an Audi motor.
Mine had a Pontiac 4 cylinder, but the 6 should be nice
My own experience owning a Hornet Sportabout was too negative to get too excited about this, but I still have a lot of affection for an old AMC.
Rare to see something this clean.
Wow! My BFF had a Black & Silver one (1980). It was a great teenage car to cruise around in!
This could be the bargain you are looking forward to. It’s unique and could be a fun run about car without spending a small fortune. As for the 3 speed on the column, I just sold a 73 Ford F-100 that had that. It was crazy I could leave the keys in it because no one knew how to drive it. I took it to the tire store to fix a flat, they said no problem,but you will have to drive it in and out for us. We don’t have anyone who knows how to shift it. I have also gotten premier vale parking with other cars of mine, for the same reason. It is really kind of fun.
Good little story Joe. It’s become an old joke about manual transmissions, three-on-the-trees specifically, being “anti-theft devices.” But you have run into it as a real thing. And, even at a tire store.
That just happened to me at a Ford dealer in Detroit. 2015 Mustang with a V6 and a stick.
My wife dropped me off, and we always wait until the other person is off and driving before the other car leaves. We were waiting for them to bring the car around, and I even texted my wife, and said “it’s probably because he can’t drive a stick.” I was right…
I’ll admit, if you said “AMC Spirit,” my response would be, “remind me, what was that?” But thanks to the attractive blue paint, the tire/wheel package, the spoiler, and the overall clean condition, this is an attractive car.
Thanks Scotty.
This really is one very nice AMC Scotty. It all works too, the spoiler the blue, the rims, it all just works very well as a package. You hit on a sad nerve here, in that this was obviously someones pride and joy, and now they’re gone. I hope this AMC gets the same love and care with its new owner.
The wheels fit the car, nice look. To bad it doesn’t have the v8 though
There’s nothing wrong with the reputation of the 258 engine. It may be better than the V-8. The car is at $6,800 late evening Wednesday. It is an automatic.
I’m sitting here thinking the same thing
4.0 H.O. swap with a Clearwater Cylinder head…
IDK who started with the 3 SPD manual but it’s a torque flite automatic.
If any of you guys are interested AMC HOMECOMING is at the end of July on Kenosha Wisconsin
This is only held every 3 years at Kennedy Park on the shore of Lake Michigan. It is the mecca of all AMC shows and there will be plenty of cars like this one. The seller should take it there if it doesn’t sell and will sell it there for sure.Ill be there with my 71 Javelin/AMX and at Great lakes Drag away on Sunday
I think I’ve seen this car before. You can get 3-400 HP out of these 258,s. Bulletproof engines and torque monsters. You could have ordered a 304 V8 but they only a few more HP and not worth hopping up. BTW you could have ordered the car new with the spoiler
I like the styling of this car. I can see it as an upgrade in styling from the Gremlin, but it also looks like an upgrade in styling from the 1982 AMC Eagle hatchback coupe I had. I think it was called X/S or S/X. Looks better sitting lower to the ground than the high perched Eagle.
These are such fun to drive. The turning radius is so small and it drives like a slot car
Auction update: this one sold for $9,072!
i miss amc!