Pacer

Texas Field Finds: Stash of AMC Cars

If you’re a fan of American Motors products from the 1960s and 1970s, there seems to be an abundance of them in a field in Taylor, Texas. At least five are there (three Gremlins, a Pacer, and an Ambassador),… more»

Running Fishbowl Project: 1977 AMC Pacer

American Motors was the little company that wasn’t afraid to try something different to succeed. One such initiative was the 1975 to 1980 Pacer compact, which was somewhat round in appearance, resembling a “jellybean”. The car’s big claim to… more»

Cheap Running Project: 1977 AMC Pacer Wagon

Growing up near an AMC dealership in the seventies and having a father who enjoyed rooting for the underdogs, it wasn’t surprising when he eventually drove home behind the wheel of one of their products, though it did little… more»

A Bit of Bubbly: 1976 AMC Pacer

Must be orphan car week: in quick succession, we have covered a Hornet, a Pinto wagon, and now this slightly scruffy AMC Pacer. Minted in 1976, today’s quarry is located in Tamworth, New Hampshire, and has had only two… more»

Running Jellybean Project: 1976 AMC Pacer

To continually differentiate itself from the competition, American Motors was always making products unlike the others. One of them was the Pacer, an egg-shaped compact car that was said to have been designed from the “inside out” with passengers… more»

Low Mileage Survivor! 1980 AMC Pacer Wagon

Before we launch into a review of AMC’s Pacer, let’s establish a modicum of credibility for a car that doesn’t always get the respect it deserves. First, Brigitte Bardot owned a Pacer, a wagon version complete with faux wood… more»

Stored 25 Years: 1978 AMC Pacer Wagon

One thing you can say about American Motors is they weren’t afraid to take some chances. From the formation of AMC out of Hudson and Nash in 1954, they would dabble with this product or that one to see… more»

Flying Fishbowl: 1979 AMC Pacer D/L

If there was a contest for the quirkiest cars ever built, the AMC Pacer would surely make the shortlist. In production from 1975 to 1980, it offered buyers the interior space of a full-size car in a much smaller… more»

Highly Optioned Fishbowl: 1979 AMC Pacer DL

More often than not, it seems like when the subject of an AMC Pacer comes up most people just want to talk about how much they love or can’t stand the unusual styling and curvature, but the first thing… more»

1 of 1,876: 1958 Edsel Pacer Convertible

The Edsel was a dark period for Ford in the late 1950s. Research told company executives there was a market for a product between the Ford and Lincoln/Mercury lines. Named after Henry Ford’s son, the Edsel was introduced in… more»

Plastic-Wrapped Seats: 1958 Edsel Pacer Convertible

It is possible that I’m the odd man out because I think that 1958 Edsels are the best looking of the doomed brand’s offerings. The company tried to tone down the unique and divisive horse-collar grille the following year,… more»

64k Original Miles: 1978 AMC Pacer D/L Station Wagon

AMC introduced a Station Wagon to its Pacer range in 1977. The original Hatchback’s styling polarized opinions, but the Wagon’s appearance was considered less radical. It also proved an important move because Pacer sales were in freefall by the… more»

Fishbowl Woodie! 1977 AMC Pacer

When you are number four, you have to try harder. Such was the case with American Motors, which was always in the shadows of the “Big 3” (GM, Ford, and Chrysler). They came up with cars that were different… more»

Flying Fishbowl: 1977 AMC Pacer

American Motors was always trying to play catch-up to the Detroit “Big 3”. So, when it came time to come up with a new compact to do battle in a fiercely competitive market, they rolled the dice in the… more»

Former Movie Prop: 1958 Edsel Pacer

The Edsel was Ford Motor Company’s biggest product miscue of the 1950s, perhaps of all-time. It was launched during a period of economic uncertainty and the buying public didn’t respond positively. Sales were far below expectations and Ford pulled… more»

Flying Fishbowl! 1980 AMC Pacer

American Motors was an automaker that would think out of the box as needed to stay relevant. A case-in-point is the oddball 1970-77 Gremlin, while another is the 1975-80 Pacer. The latter was an upside-down bathtub-shaped compact that had… more»

Barn Finds