By the late 1970s, American Motors Corporation was slowly drowning in competition. Pursuing salvation, it chose the only affordable strategy it could dream up: devise a new car from existing parts. Even so, the expenditure required for a new car – no matter how derivative – could have run AMC off the rails for good. But it managed to hit the ball out of the park. Management envisioned that buyers would want a car suitable for foul weather – combining a high ride height, the security of four-wheel drive, and the comfort and handling of a road machine. The Eagle was launched in 1979, situated on AMC’s Concord platform and utilizing the company’s off-road expertise, generated by Jeep. The Eagle was a best-seller right out of the gate, adding 20% to AMC’s sales in its first year and carving out a new niche – the crossover vehicle.
This wagon’s engine was replaced in 1992 after its original 258 cu. in. inline-six starved from lack of oil. The 258 was AMC’s own motor, developed in the early 1970s and widely used across its product line. As seen in the ’87 Eagle, it develops about 112 bhp and loads of torque low in the rpm range. A three-speed TorqueFlite automatic brings power to the wheels, and popping into four-wheel drive is a matter of flipping a switch. This Eagle’s odometer reads 37,545 miles, which we are led to believe is total mileage covered; the AutoCheck report supports this claim. Documents dated from when the car was new convey with the car. The seller has rebuilt the brakes (power-assisted disc up front/drum rears), changed all the fluids, and installed new tires.
The interior has a few flaws, including missing switches, a sagging headliner, and a broken speedometer. The Eagle is known for its plush living room seating; what little we’re shown of the upholstery looks good. A scratch or two mars the cargo area and the rubber tailgate seal is damaged, but the carpets are fluffy and clean.
Other than surface rust, this wagon is dry and straight underneath. The white paint isn’t perfect and portions of the exterior trim are missing. But I almost can’t believe the bidding here on eBay, which has reached just $1925 – of course, the reserve is not met. A buy-it-now price hints at what it will take to move this one down the road from Roy, Utah to a new garage – it’s set at $8500. A glance at sales prices reveals that project-quality Eagles sell for over $3k and nice versions can sell for more than $40k. What would you pay for this bit of Americana?
Absolutely love these cars, bigger than the Subaru wagon (of the time). Straight 6, and looks stunning.
And I believe you can fit a dual range transfer case?????
Wish these had been available over here.
Although I was too young to drive a car, I remember these cars. I’ve always preferred these over the Subaru of the time. Assuming everything on the car works like they should, that the only problem with the car is cosmetic, I’d be willing to pay the asking price, and then upgrade a few things to make it more personal.
I broken speedometer makes the odometer reading irrelevant. It’s a TMU car that will need work. I don’t think the reserve ask is unrealistic if the above mentioned items were addressed prior to sale. These were terrific cars in bad weather with average to slightly below average reliability. Fit and finish was poor from the start and I remember dad test driving a new one for the next potential family hauler and I remember how poorly the interior trim fit. Still a good looking car considering it was relatively unchanged from the Hornet Sportback. Dick Teague would be proud.
That depends on the condition of the car. For a project, if it runs and drives, I may pay $5,000 for the car. For a nice runner, with no work needed, other than maintenance, I’d pay close to $10,000 for the car.
Speedometer broken, headliner sagging, switches missing, engine number two. If this car saw just 37k miles I’m 37 years old.
Looks like bidding ended at $2800.
Write-up says the owner has put “I’ve put 2 full tanks of ethical free fuel” in it. Man! I hate fuel with no ethics!
The seller ended the bidding early.
I hope it went to a good owner, one who will enjoy it and maintain it.
What the heck is, “Ethical free fuel?”
I think he meant ethanol free fuel
ROFFL! That’s hilarious! That happens to the best of us. We want to say one thing, but we type in something else. If only we could go back and edit what we said and correct what we said.
Back in the day my parents and my brother and his wife had Eagles both were great cars ! this one is a little sad !