The Spirit was the subcompact successor to the American Motors Gremlin. But it wasn’t an all-new car, just a new body on the old Gremlin chassis. The Spirit AMX was marketed as something of a performance car in the image of the 2-seat 1968-70 AMX that was based on the then-Javelin. But it wasn’t nearly as potent, though it came with a sporty suspension package and optional small-block V8. The seller’s ’79 AMX has likely been sitting for a while and needs carburetor work and a new paint job.
AMC Spirits were built from 1979 to 1983, with 52,700 copies in the first year. Of those, just 3,650 were the AMX edition so it’s a fairly rare car when found today. Those models came with fender flares and a front air dam (also rear spoiler), sway bars, adjustable rear shocks, front disc brakes, road wheels, and assorted decals. In the passenger compartment, a Rallye Gauge package was added to help measure the performance of the 258 I-6 or 304 V8 (the latter only having a 2-barrel carburetor, indicative of the era).
The seller’s car has a 4-speed manual transmission and will run if you pour gas down the carburetor. It may need a rebuild and the fuel delivery system could require cleansing. A moon roof comes with the car, but it’s hard to tell if it was AMC-installed or aftermarket. The dark blue/black paint has run its course, but rust doesn’t appear to be an issue (none is mentioned).
One bright spot is the interior which looks to be in pretty good shape. The car has changed hands at least three times but does not come with a title, so you’ll need to sort that out with the seller and the DMV in the state in which you plan to register the Spirit. From Montvale, New Jersey, this 35-year-old AMX (it was only offered for two years), is available here on Facebook Marketplace for $3,400. A tip brought to us by Barn Finder “Gary”.
Oh AMX, you were once so proud, look what they reduced you to. You have to admit, AMC did their darndest to try and keep the musclecar alive. With the downturn of performance, car companies stuck well known names on lackluster cars, The Challenger was another. While a mere shred of the original, this was actually a pretty cool car. It had a V8, 4 speed, racy looks. Too bad by ’79, peoples attitudes were changing to fuel efficient SUVs, and as mentioned by the numbers, the car was a dud. Fast forward to today,,,it’s still a dud. Nobody is going to want this, as is. Again, since there’s very little brand loyalty today, it’s just a quirky car from the 70s, and has to be a lot nicer for any appeal. I still say the stick is a deal breaker here.
Wrong, I want it. These cars are underated. They did well at IMSA and ralley racing. I have a 401 to drop in and it becomes instantly wicked
I appreciate your concern for the brand, I do and yes, as I said, it could be a fun car. Just one problem, there’s like 9 of “us” left that even know what an AMC Spirit was, and even less with a spare 401 laying around. I know it’s a tough pill, but we’re becoming extinct. The only way anyone would be attracted to this car, was if it had the window sticker in place, a turn key deal, apparently money for that is not a deterrent. Meaning, you know as well as I do, today, very few are willing to take this on. Bums me out too, but we can enjoy the fact, we enjoyed these when they were new, memories future generations couldn’t possibly enjoy, and there’s a bit of satisfaction in that, I’m finding.
my sentiments exactly,
id LOVE to own this car..
im not far from it, so i just might try :)
Been looking for many years
thank you Barn Finds !
Amazing how if Howard doesn’t want something, “no one” is going to want it. This is very cool. Another cool car that you don’t see over and over again. I hope someone brings this back to life. It is rough but in good enough shape for a simple resto.
I can appreciate it for what it is. I want it but not enough to haul it clear across the country. I’d really prefer the Standard Spirit Hatchback though.
These didn’t tend to rust because they had the advertised “Ziebart Rust Protection”. Also, these were pretty decent-looking cars but I think the public knew they were a Gremlin in disguise. AMC did all it could with what it had however.
45 years old, not 35 years old! :p
Summer of 79′ I worked at a downscale County Club bussing tables and washing dishes (it’s a neighborhood now, Al Cervic bought it) Head Waiter Mitch had just bought a brand new AMX like this one, tried to tell us it was a better deal than a Trans-Am, still remember riding in it and watching the Vacuum Gauge needle (Still love Vacuum Gauges) Love how AMC still had an Ammeter when everyone else had gone to Voltmeters. Worst part about Bussing tables was you had to dress as nice as the waiters, and still wash dishes at the end of the night. Worst job I ever had.
I’m also one of the 9 Howard refers to. I like everything about this, but it is too far from me to grab up. I prefer the manual transmission in little cars. I like AMCs, especially at shows, they are a break from all the Mustangs and Camaros.
Howard, I always enjoy your posts.
Poor AMC. Trying to squeeze every last nickel out of their 10 year old designs. One of the Gen X’ers that used to write for Hemmings, started “restoring” one of these AMX’s, years ago. He wrote about it excitedly for a spell. Then it quietly went away. I think a lack of parts and/or money, did it in.
Count me in as a AMC fan being I bought a 72′ Gremlin X new,and also my late brother who passed in 1981.
New Jersey? Now we know why rust wasn’t mentioned.
The AMC Spirit is a fantastic car. Period. A 401 is is an easy bolt in and there are plenty of 401s around to fill that engine bay. If ever a small car was built for drag racing and sheer mayhem this is it.
Sneer you may Howard, but not only are there thousands of AMC lovers out here, there is more of a cohesive loyal following for AMCs in general than there is for any other marque.
These cars are easy to work on and respond very well to performance upgrades.
There’s nothing built by Chrysler, Ford or GM of the same size that can begin to compare.
AMCs big problem was that when it came to marketing their products, they were hopelessly inept.
As for the original AMXs, these are better in every category as well as categories AMXs, Javelins, Camaros, Mustangs, Firebirds,Challengers and Cudas could dream about.
Don’t know what you obviously know nothing about.
Always like this style AMX with a 4 headlights! Of course I light the 1968 to 1974(?) AMX cars but after those the 4 headlight cars with the fender flares were cool imo! Love the black with orange accents. Were they the fastest car around? Absolutely not! But I thought they were cool! They had sort of a Mad Max vibe to them.
Leaky moonrof, no title, no undercarriage shots. No thanks.
Just came across one of these in my old hometown area, with 16K on the clock. It looks like these things live on………Check it out here: https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1523429278558112/
That was worth a look for sure. It’s in amazing shape. It’s a new car broken in.
What wrong with the factory tach?
Must have been a shortage of AMC 360 & 401 motors in ’79. They could have stole some sales from Pontiac’s you know what.
Craig Hansen my friend Brian had one blew the engine we dropped in a 401 out of a matador also changed it to matador spindles was very fast the turbo cast wheels are very rare and worth alot it’s still sitting in a horse field in CT for 30 yrs