The seller of this 1975 AMC Pacer says it’s mostly original inside and out, with “mostly original paint” and has had the same owner since 1999. It isn’t a perfect car by any means, but it’s 50 years old now, and to have survived in any condition is a miracle. It’s listed here on eBay in Newport, New Hampshire, and there is an $8,995 buy-it-now price listed, or you can make an offer.
Five decades is a long time, I don’t need to tell any of you that. You’re either younger than 50 or older than 50, and on either side of that teeter-totter, it’s a daunting age. You likely either look back on 50 as if it were a magic time when you were “young”, or you look ahead and wonder what life will be like when you reach that age, that old, old, ancient age of 50. I’m on the downward end, how about you?
The seller has uploaded a ton of great photos via this link in the eBay ad. Please check them out; they show pretty much everything other than underside photos. They do show some areas that look a bit rugged as far as rust goes, so this car isn’t a show queen by any means, but it appears to be solid. Some of the rust areas on the Golden Jade paint appear to have been touched up over the years, but it has probably helped to preserve it.
The Pacer was made from 1975 through 1980 (production ended at the end of 1979), and it’s such a, yes, iconic car that it’s hard to believe it was only made for such a short time. The seat fabric is fantastic, and it appears perfect both front and rear. Some of the surrounding brown vinyl is ripped, but that shouldn’t be a big issue to replace. SMS has samples of the seat fabric, but I can’t nail down the name, although one brochure references “Diamant fabric”, on page 6 here under Standard Features. I can’t find a photo of this fabric on any Pacer brochures, but a somewhat similar diamond pattern shows up on a Hornet section of an AMC brochure (page 15), although it’s a bit more padded. That could be marketing fluff, or maybe actual fluff that’s gone away over the last five decades of sitting on these Pacer seats. The rear cargo area looks solid and clean, other than some visible rust in the crevices. I wonder if they removed the carpet or pad for the photo?
The hose-filled engine is AMC’s famous 258-cu.in. OHV inline-six, which would have been rated at 110 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque when new. Backed by a Chrysler-sourced TorqueFlite automatic sending power to the rear wheels, this one is said to be in good running order. This car is a bit above Hagerty’s valuation given the unknown corrosion questions. How much would you pay for this Pacer?
The Pacer was kind of a funny car. It was as though they decided to forgo traditional styling and make a drivers car. Sloping hood fort visibility, tons of glass for sightlines, wider for handling, long doors to enter. I drove one BITD and was surprised how well this worked in real life. The car felt roomy, stable and just different in a good way. But the public wasn’t buying it against the Pinto and Vega.
And they aren’t voting with their pocketbook today either and I think this one is over priced.
Hate to say it, but 60 is the new 50. At 50 I didn’t feel any different than 40 but I had a lot more skills and made a lot more money. Life got even better until 60. “Age is a matter of mind if you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter” Whoever coined that phrase hadn’t hit 60 yet…
I’m told it gets worse at 80, I hope it takes me a long time to get there.
Be grateful if you get there….a lot of people don’t.
Now approaching 81, I can say life is slower paced but just as good. Appreciate your wins and losses, your better perspective on life. In one of Clint Eastwood’s movies he says “Don’t let the old man in”. Don’t give in to the old man BS. from people who are just trying to sell you something.
Just some non-auto related ramblings. I’d love to have this Pacer.
I’m not sure. I just turned 66 a few days ago and my girlfriend says I’m only half the man I used to be so I must be only 33!!!
I remember hearing once that the passenger door on these Pacers is actually longer than the driver’s door for ease of entry/exit for the rear passengers.
A family in my hometown bought one of these shortly after they hit the market. He traded in a 1969 Dodge Charger for it. The Charger was turquoise in color with a black vinyl top and interior with a 383/auto.
They sold very well at first, all the people that were a bit different and liked the looks bought them and sales dried up after that demand dried up. It is similar to what is happening to the Hyundai Santa Cruz. When that came out, it may be ugly, but some people bought them, now that they have them, sales have crashed.
Hyundai changed the Santa Cruz concept design to having the same front end of their Hyundai Tuson car. They also had a feature that you could activate to add on an extra six inches to the bed. I was really disappointed by the styling changes and the lack of a hybrid engine.
I am anxiously waiting for Toyota’s new version of the Stout!
I bought a new Pacer Wagon, the styling was much better, and it was a really good car. It lasted for 8 years and was then passed on to another family.
Love them or not the Pacer is an unmistakable car. It aligns perfectly with my attraction to something different. The coupe is better looking IMHO and I like this grille before it got the V8 hump. This one is well equipped and appears straight. Could be a fun little get about.
I have a friend that bought 2 of those out of a wreaking yard in Soccoro, NM.
He paid 500. It cost him more to get them home.
However, they were untouched and unwreaked.
After 5 years; they are still on the trailer.
The consumable parts are still available, the parts interchange, covers most manufacturers of the period.
8 grand for a novelty piece? Maybe in another 50 years.
Somehow I was a passenger on a test drive when they first came out. The driver was Johnny Morris. (Chicagoans know that name) He tried his darnedest to roll that thing driving down Sheridan Road and thankfully he did not succeed. He was a crazy driver. I have just never liked the body style which bothers my fellow AMC and Studebaker buddies.
My dad ordered a 1975 Pacer shortly after they were introduced. He traded in a 1970 Volkswagen bus. I was happy to see the bus go. It was SO SLOW, I think a kid on a 10 speed bike could go faster. I was with dad when he ordered the car. He only ordered 2 options, a 3 speed on the column with overdrive and bucket seats. I talked him into the seats. I tried to get a floor shifter, but it was part of a package he didn’t want.
I was with him when he took delivery. While he was signing papers, I was walking around the car. Something was right but I could figure out what it was. The car was a dark brown metallic, with a tan cloth interior. There was vinyl strip running down the sides of the car. After a few walk around, I discovered what was wrong. On the passenger side the strip was tan, on the driver’s side it was black. I pointed it out. Dad took delivery and they ordered the same color strip. It was replaced a week later. I loved the car. It was a rocket compared to the bus and my car a 1971 Plymouth Cricket.
The Pacer was the most inspired car of the ’70s in a era of very uninspired cars.
My neighbors bought a new one in about 1975. Almost a stripper except the automatic transmission. Now power steering and no power brakes. They ended up selling it because she couldnt handle the no power steering. And she was a school bus driver.
Looks like fun to me, so easy to see out of, but I bet you needed air or you would fry in the hot sun under all that glass.
Yes, you NEEDED AIR CONDITIONING! I never owned one, but I rode in a few of these. My impression was, a compact car, but with a full-size accommodating interior. My first reaction was, “How did they DO that?”
When I hear Pacer Yugo come to mind.
Fill the back hatch with some rich topsoil and grow some great crop if choice. Now thats green energy!!
Everyone just called them fish bowls. There was a nice one in my town up until just a few years ago.
Talk about a bundle of snakes on the engine ! That would have to fixed!
Andy and Harrison Reed: The Pacer my dad owned did not have a/c. We lived in Iowa and survived. In 1975 I was 22 and my dad was 50, the heat did bother us. Now that I’m pushing 72, I would survive without a/c.
To Mike fullerton: I live in the North Country, where it snows from October until April; however, I would have a tough time without air-conditioning. But, thanks for your kind words!
To Mike fullerton: I live in the North Country, where it snows from October until April; however, I would have a tough time without air-conditioning. But, thanks for your kind words!
I know some people dig these cars but IMHO, they are one of the worst looking cars ever made.
Check out Excaliburs and Zimmers.
I’d say basically every car made today is uglier, although the original grille is better than the revision. Even Porches are ugly now.
There is a SUPER documentary now on YouTube that some here on BF have mentioned. It’s called “The Last Independent Auto Maker,” and it’s about AMC, from the beginning to the end. One of the episodes is dedicated to the Pacer. My wife and I have finished four episodes and have, I believe, two left. Highly recommended!
The “slope nose” Pacers are the best looking IMHO. It is a shame that the AMC / Curtis Wright Rotary development died in favor for an agreement with GM (which GM shut down). Add a 13B rotary with 5 speed and some period correct turbine wheels and you will have something.
This car is almost identical to my FIRST new ride! Mine had a roof rack and the Navajo interior.
It was always in the shop!
I ordered a new Pacer from the local dealer in the Spring of 1975, and it was delivered in June of that year. I should have ordered the 258-cu. in. 6 but got the 232-cu. in. instead thinking it was more fuel efficient Not so! I also ordered it with a 3-speed manual transmission (on the floor). I did get the DL package with the “basketry weave” Indian style upholstery and the optional styled rims which were made from a rubbery material. Very odd. I kept it two years and sold it. It was quite the novelty item at first as I was always getting stopped by folks wanting to look at it. My ’86 Ford Taurus had the same effect on people as it was revolutionary for its time. The Pacer was reliable. The interior parts were on the cheap side, but it worked well.