I wonder at how some car models seem perennially neglected – for instance the Lotus Eclat. Can’t find a good one, let alone a basic driver. Others, like the AMC Eagle, seem to attract owners who care to care for them. This 1986 Eagle wagon shows 75,000 miles on the odometer, and whether that’s all she’s traveled or not, the wagon is in good shape. It’s for sale here on craigslist with an asking price of $14,500, and it can be driven home from Sacramento, California. We owe thanks to numskal for the tip!

By the 1970s, the US auto industry was downshifting, particularly on the power front. Gas prices had shot up, regulations were proliferating, and smarter competitors overseas were eyeing opportunities in America’s small-car market, where the Falcon at 20 mpg was considered an “economy” car. AMC – always under the weather in a financial sense – found bursts of inspiration with the Hornet, the Pacer, and the Gremlin. As long as it was catering to niches, and once it had tucked Jeep under its belt, AMC continued the trend by designing the Eagle, a profoundly important car in the history of automobiles. It was the first real “crossover”, looking and mostly driving like a car, but underpinned by 4WD. This one has a 258 cui six-cylinder paired with an automatic. By 1986, the 4WD system had improved; advertised as Select Drive, it allowed shifting from 2WD to 4WD on the fly. As tidy as this engine bay is …

… the interior is superlative. What you may think is a crack on the dash is, I think, a reflection from the windshield. The headliner is new. The woodgrain overlay on the instrument panel is in perfect condition. The rear seats appear as if they never hosted a kid, let alone a pack of ’em. Even the retractable cargo cover looks nearly new. The carpets might benefit from a bath, but there’s literally nothing else to criticize unless you object to the aftermarket gauge hanging under the dash on the right side of the steering wheel. The car comes with a warranty notice, a shop manual, and an owner’s manual. A prior owner’s handwritten notes show oil changes, mileage, and other service events.

This example has been lifted 2″, and it sits on Jeep rims with factory hubcaps. The grille, bumper, and sheet metal are quite straight, and I like the Baja driving lights. The Eagle’s fenders were flared from the factory to clear its suspension; that’s another appealing feature. As cool as this Eagle wagon is, I think the price will prevent it from finding a new home right away. For not much more, Eagle fans could entertain this prospect, a “woody” in dark blue, with cold AC and low miles. Which one would you pick?