The Spirit was AMC’s successor to the quirky subcompact Gremlin, though it used the same platform as its predecessor. It was produced from 1979 through 1983, with an “image” edition called the Spirit AMX in the first two years. This ’79 Spirit AMX has recently been rescued from a barn and – as a secondary purchase – a 1970 AMC Hornet is also on the block. From Hopewell, Pennsylvania, this AMC is available here on craigslist for $6,500. Kudos to Barn Finders like Mitchell G. for bringing these tips our way!
Despite the fun that people had at poking fun at the Gremlin, it was a success for AMC. They sold more than 670,000 of them from 1970 to 1978. By 1979, the car was getting a bit long in the tooth, so the Spirit emerged as a rather serious restyle of the original product. The Spirit wasn’t quite as popular as the Gremlin, with 192,000 copies produced in five years. The seller’s car is one of 52,000 built in 1979, but we can’t find a breakdown as to how many came with the Spirit package.
The AMX was identifiable with a plethora of visual changes, including a huge AMX logo on the hood that was similar to the big bird emblem on the hoods of Pontiac Trans Ams. But the option went deeper, with upgrades to the suspensions and the availability of a 304 cubic inch V8, which was nearing its run in AMC vehicles. While the ploy was to ignite memories of the AMX of the late 1960s, the Spirit AMX could only manage the quarter mile in 17.6 seconds but delivered more than 20 mpg at the gas pump.
We’re told this car hasn’t seen much daylight in the past 34 years and the photos provided tend to support that. Besides the V8, it has a 4-speed manual transmission with a Twin Grip differential. The car is said to be original except for its radio. It will drive around the yard when hooked up to a gas can, but the brakes are shot so caution must be used in moving the auto. As a P.S., the 1970 Hornet that’s black in color is available for $3,500, and runs with a six-cylinder engine. It’s pretty dirty, too.
Every week on Wednesday or Thursday a bunch of get together for what we call a BS session. Last week my friend was trying to describe a AMX Hornet that his friend had in HS. So we were all doing a search on our phones until one with that paint scheme popped up. He said that’s the one! Of course the Gremlin and Pacer were also bought up. I never had a thing for the Pacer but I always liked the look of the Hornet. AMC was creative at keeping the same chassis fresh. Proof that a good design can stand the test of time.
I always imagine the AMC design engineers sitting in a boardroom with weed smoke wafting from the door and windows … “oh yah man … we’ll call it a Gremlin … and that fish bowl baby … a Pacer!”
It’s an unusual find, and clear why it was kept. I’m not so sure the Spirit was a replacement for the Gremlin, I think AMC wanted to distance themselves from that car, even though, the Spirit lived in its shadow. These were unsettled times in auto history. Change was afoot, but there was still money to be made dragging these old has been musclecar names out and putting them on mundane vehicles, and nothing was more evident than right here. Not to be partial, but I give AMC a lot of credit with this car. It had everything a motorhead would want, V8, 4 speed, cool( for the time) graphics, comfy, good heat/A?C, and delivered respectable performance and still 20+mpg. What’s not to like? Seems most people had some moral objection to AMC, and were doomed, regardless of what they offered. It’s certainly collectible on many fronts, I just don’t think, like in 1979, there’s enough interest for this really cool car.
The whole reason I got into AMCs as a teenager is that they were cheap because nobody wanted them. They were different then and still are. I love this rig and hope it goes to someone who will enjoy it. I really like the flaming AMX graphic, it is so period correct.
Dave’s car! Sort of… I remember a guy that had 2 of the Spirits, identical paint and wheels. 1 had the 4 cylinder, the other a built Javelin engine. The parts guys at AMC clued him in on what parts to bolt it right in. I wasn’t the only one who fell for the old”bait and switch” as he had a great time tormenting anyone with a fast car.
I had the opportunity to drive one of these back in the day when they were new. I remember being impressed at how nimble they felt compared to the same year Camaro. With the V8 and the 4 speed it sounded a lot tougher than it was. It probably would not have taken too much to really wake it up though.
I came close to buying a 79 AMX when they were new. Just couldn’t swing the monthly payments at the time. Can’t remember what we ended up getting, so it must have not been something that great to remember. If I didn’t already have so many vehicles I’d be looking into this little AMX. Bet you wouldn’t be parking beside another at the local cruise in!
Yes the 304 was a good engine a friend had a jeep that pulled wheelies with that motor & if I remember correctly same block as a 360, 390 just different crankshaft so all hot rod options are on the table & certainly a built 390 would increase the go factor! I as always would adopt this project but sadly I cannot.
Lots of nice things being said about the Spirit AMX and for good reason, When new they were simply a nice package with the 258 or 304. A very unique offering at the time. The 77 Hornet AMX. The Concord AMX for 78 and the Spirit for 79 and 80. It is a shame that AMC didn’t have millions to throw around for advertising. These cars should have been wildly more popular. Nothing wrong with the mechanics just the name. Didn’t say Chevy.
Team Highball.
Just leaving it here for others who don’t know what these are capable of.
Be “Gone in 60 seconds!”
Summer of 1979 worked at a Country Club bussing tables/washing dishes, Head Waiter drove up one day with a brand new 79 AMX, bragged about how it was better than the Trans Am, of course it was because he couldn’t afford a Trans-Am. Assistant Manager drove a 78 Mustang Cobra, it was like the summer of misfit cars.
And “Sign of the Times” AMX came with a vacuum gauge as part of the optional “Rally Fun Pack”
That’s beautiful! I had a ’78 AMX (Concord hatchback) and hadn’t seen another or a 79+ for years until I attended my first Charlotte Auto Fair last year and spent hours talking to the AMC club there. There was a white 1980 at that event.
I like AMC cars and their Rambler predecessors. I thought they were good cars. I had a 74 Gremlin and a 75 Pacer and drove both a lot of miles. This one would be a fun car, maybe not the fastest thing on the streets but it could sound good and handle fairly well. What more should we need?
For a complete car that’s a pretty good deal.
I was in the market that year. Looked at RX7, TA, Cutlass, etc.! This car looks great from the front… UGLY in back. Bought a new Monty Carlo, all options but no vinyl roof!
I am the one that found this and 7 other cars at his place. i bought 5 of them (4 amc’s and a ranger). the black 70 only needed a new set of points and gas to make it run and brakes of course. cleaned up well and is 99% rust free. floors,trunk,quarters are rust free and all original steel with ZERO bondo any place in the car. she is now my daily driver in the spring/summer. the 79 amx went to a guy that will be good to her. the other 70 is a parts car. the other one is a 83 spirit GT. 258 2bbl 5 speed car. has rust but is a driver. and … best news. all have clean clear titles.