AMC

The Scrambler! 1969 AMC SC/Rambler Project

Technically known as an SC/Rambler this discovery is actually looking a bit rambled and scrambled. It’s still a neat find owing to its one-year-only production of an estimated 1,500 or so copies. It also shows that even Number Four… more»

Red, White, and Blue! 1970 AMC Rebel Machine

American Motors had some success in the muscle car market, with products like the original AMX (1968-70) and the SC/Rambler (1969). When it came to the mid-size market, they had a one-year wonder in the form of The Machine,… more»

Needs Interior Work: 1973 AMC Gremlin X 3-Speed

“Driving fun teams up with solid economy in this sporty sub-compact. That’s why Gremlin leaves a lasting impression wherever it is seen and driven – and that’s just about everywhere.” Or so says a 1973 AMC brochure. This 1973… more»

Affordable Driving Project: 1974 AM Hornet Hatchback

Enthusiasts always welcome affordable project candidates, and their attraction grows if they run and drive well. This 1974 AMC Hornet Hatchback ticks those boxes, and the fact it appears rock-solid adds to its appeal. It will almost certainly never… more»

No Reserve 4X4: 1985 AMC Eagle

Today, we never think twice when we hear “crossover” – the phrase that describes a utility vehicle on a car platform. But in the 1970s, crossovers didn’t exist and that’s one reason American Motors’ Eagle series was a sensation,… more»

Open-Air Summer Fun! 1961 Rambler American

The Rambler American, built by American Motors, was one of the first compact cars marketed by a U.S. automaker. With roots in its Nash heritage, the American debuted in 1958, was quickly joined by the Studebaker Lark in 1959,… more»

Remarkably Preserved: 1971 AMC Ambassador Brougham

Over the years, I’ve come to admire American Motors even more because they really were the underdogs of underdogs against the mighty “Big Three.” They did quite a bit with very limited resources and didn’t blink twice about competing… more»

Running V8! 1973 AMC Gremlin X

Billed as “the first American-built import,” American Motors Corporation’s Gremlin competed against the likes of the Ford Pinto and the Chevrolet Vega. This 1973 AMC Gremlin X in Frankfort, Illinois features one option that never graced a factory Pinto… more»

360 V8 Pony Car: 1971 AMC Javelin SST

The Javelin was AMC’s entry into the fast-growing “pony car” market in 1968. The car would only enjoy one redesign in 1971 before American Motors would exit that space in 1974. One of the changes in ’71 would be… more»

304 V8 Project: 1972 AMC Gremlin

Chevrolet and Ford were about to enter the U.S. subcompact car market in 1970. Not to get left behind – and owing to their limited resources – American Motors set their sights on what would be the Gremlin. They… more»

Rare Edition: 1969 AMC Rebel Raider

The practice of manufacturers releasing region-specific special edition vehicles was probably at its peak in the late 1960s, and it is a strategy that is rarely seen today. It resulted in some rare and desirable cars and some relatively… more»

Rebuilt Engine: 1980 AMC Spirit AMX

Practicality can see many enthusiasts abandon a project build, which is the case with this 1980 AMC Spirit AMX. It was a father/son build, but with a new baby on the way, the son feels it needs to make… more»

Nicest One Left? 1974 AMC Gremlin X

When the subcompact car challenge was launched by U.S. automakers in 1970, there were three new contenders: the Chevy Vega, Ford Pinto, and the AMC Gremlin. The first two were all-new cars, while the latter was a rework of… more»

Stored 34 Years: 1979 AMC Spirit AMX V8

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…. more»

Le Project: 1980 Renault Le Car

Who remembers the Renault Le Car? It was the little French automobile that was really a Renault 5 that was rebranded and sold through American Motors dealers in the 1970s and 1980s. Though popular on its home turf, it… more»

30-Year Barn Dweller: 1959 AMC Metropolitan

The Metropolitan was an English car intended for the U.S. market. Nearly 100,000 were imported between 1953 and 1961, giving the VW Beetle some competition. They were interesting little cars that fascinated me for some reason back in the… more»

Barn Finds