The New York Times says this: The Chrysler Corporation said today that it had agreed to acquire the American Motors Corporation for about $1.5 billion. American Motors is a tiny company by auto industry standards, and it has been struggling to survive. But its outlook is improving and it could increase Chrysler's share of the market by a few important percentage points. Lee A. Iacocca, Chrysler's chairman, said in a statement, ''It'll strengthen both of us in what's already become a tough market.'' Modern Plant Involved The transaction would give Chrysler the highly profitable Jeep vehicles to broaden its model lineup, as well as A.M.C's modern assembly plant in Bramalea, Ontario, and 1,400 additional dealers. Chrysler announced that it had agreed to buy the 46 percent of American Motors held by Renault, the French Government-owned car company that bought into American Motors eight years ago. With that, automotive analysts said, the takeover is assured. Chrysler will also offer to buy up the remaining shares from the public. Little of the payment may be in cash. ''It's a great deal for all three companies involved,'' said Jack V. Kirnan, an analyst with the Wall Street firm of Kidder, Peabody & Company. ''Jeep is a major prize.'' Remarkable Comeback The merger represents a milestone in the remarkable comeback by Chrysler, which was saved from bankruptcy with the assistance of Government-backed loans in the late 1970's. Since then, improved sales of a succession of new car models, including the popular mini-van, returned the company to prosperity and allowed it to repay the last of the Government-backed loans in 1983. Last year Chrysler earned $1.4 billion, while American Motors lost $91.3 million. With the merger of the two smallest of the four American-based auto manufacturers, Chrysler demonstrates a new confidence in reaching for a bigger presence in the car market. It also gets a continuing relationship with Renault, one of Europe's largest auto companies. Based on last year's results, the acquisition would raise Chrysler's share of the combined car and light-truck market in this country to 13.4 percent from 11.7 percent, although leaving it well behind the Ford Motor Company, which had 21.2 percent, and the General Motors Corporation at 38.5 percent. But Chrysler's share could be somewhat bigger than 13.4 percent if the expected improvement at American Motors is realized. In the financial community, analysts said that Chrysler would be gaining important assets, such as Jeep and the dealer network, at a modest price. Jeeps fetch as much at $20,000 for the top models, providing high profit margins. Jeep alone is worth more than $850 million, according to Ann C. Knight, an analyst with Paine Webber, the brokerage house. American Motors' new Ontario plant, which incorporates modern technology, is worth $650 million, she said. Other analysts have estimated that it would cost Chrysler about $1.2 billion to design competitors for Jeep and prepare a plant to produce the vehicles, which would still lack the well-known Jeep brand name. The announcement comes after months of conjecture that Chrysler, which is assembling one of its car lines at A.M.C.'s Kenosha, Wis., plant, would make an offer for the company, which endured heavy losses for years, causing a drain on Renault. Chrysler and American Motors have a long history of cooperation, and the ties between the two have grown closer in recent years. All Jeeps and other A.M.C. four-wheel-drive vehicles use gearboxes made by a Chrysler division, and last year the two companies agreed to assemble some of Chrysler's older rear-wheel-drive cars in the Kenosha plant. Renault, with financial problems of its own, had indicated a willingness in recent months to discuss a sale of A.M.C., but such talks were apparently disrupted by the assassination of Georges Besse, the head of Renault, in Paris last November. Bennett E. Bidwell, vice chairman of Chrysler, said today that ''any opportunity we had to do anything came to a grinding halt when Georges Besse was murdered.'' Mr. Besse's replacement, Raymond Levy, only recently resumed the discussions, Mr. Bidwell said. ''The deal came together this weekend, and we signed it this morning,'' he added. The United Automobile Workers called the merger ''a good match that potentially points the way to a more secure future for workers at both companies.'' The union, which had been in negotiations over work rule concessions at the Kenosha plant, said it would break off the talks for 30 days to allow the situation to clarify. Chrysler will give Renault $200 million in 10-year notes bearing 8 percent interest and other payments ranging from zero to $350 million based on A.M.C.'s future performance. In addition, Chrysler will assume $767 million of A.M.C.'s debt and will pay $35 million for a half interest in the American Motors Financial Corporation. Chrysler will also offer Chrysler stock valued at $4 for each American Motors share in public hands. Chrysler officials estimated that would be worth $522 million. American Motors stock closed at $4.25 a share, up 75 cents, in today's trading on the New York Stock Exchange. The premium above the $4 offering price suggested to some analysts that Chrysler was in the market aggressively buying up stock, perhaps to give it a clear-cut majority when combined with the 46 percent Renault stake. Chrysler officials said they plan to complete the takeover in June. Analysts said Chrysler does not need all the plants A.M.C. operates, and they suggested that at least one of its four assembly plants would be sold or closed. Chrysler and American Motors have been discussing producing Chrysler's subcompact Omni and Horizon models at Kenosha, which has been underutilized because of the collapse in demand for A.M.C's own subcompact car, the Alliance. However, those talks have been held up by Chrysler's insistence that it has to cut labor costs if it is to make such low-priced models profitably. Mr. Bidwell said today that the company would probably have to decide whether to make the cars at Kenosha before taking over American Motors. The Belvidere, Ill., plant was shut recently for conversion to production of a higher-profit car. Chrysler has tried to keep its costs under control since escaping from the specter of bankruptcy. But two of A.M.C.'s assembly plants - the Kenosha facility and the Jeep plant in Toledo - date from the turn of the century and have a history of high costs and poor labor relations. The Standard & Poor's Corporation said that it was studying Chrysler's credit standing and that a downgrade in ratings was likely as a result of the implications of the A.M.C. acquisition. Including unfunded pension obligations and legal contingencies, largely as a result of rollover accidents in Jeeps, Chrysler is paying a total of $2 billion for American Motors, the rating company said. Mr. Iacocca said Chrysler would continue to distribute Renault cars in North America through the A.M.C. dealer network and would work with the French company to develop new products. American Motors recently introduced a compact sedan from Renault, the Medallion. It has also planned to introduce a mid-size car, the Premier. Company officials had said this broader product line would give it better prospects for profitability. OTHER MERGER PLANS SWEEP ECONOMY USAir and Piedmont airlines agreed to merge. Resorts International ac cepted an offer from Donald Trump, and Caesers World re- ceived a takeover bid. Harper & Row received a takeover bid out of the blue. Supermarkets General, owner of Pathmark, also re ceived an unsolicited offer. First Boston plans to buy Allegheny International, which makes Sunbeam appliances. A version of this article appears in print on March 10, 1987, Section A, Page 1 of the National edition with the headline: CHRYSLER IS BUYING AMERICAN MOTORS; COST IS $1.5 BILLION.
Also: Why did Chrysler buy American Motors Corporation (AMC) and not Ford? Several reasons really. AMC entered into a partnership with France’s Renault in the 1970s that served as a lifeline to AMC. But by 1985 AMC was again unprofitable and Renault was also in financial difficulties. Renault’s chairman was in the process of divesting in AMC when he was assassinated in late 1986. Around this time Chrysler had entered an agreement with AMC to build M-body cars (Plymouth Gran Fury, Dodge Diplomat, and Chrysler Fifth Avenue) for Chrysler. Renault indicated it wanted to divest its ownership and Chrysler was all too willing to buy AMC for $1.5 Billion (USD) in 1987. (Below: the AMC factory in Kenosha, Wisconsin back when it made Nash) Chrysler was very upfront that it was only interested in AMC’s Jeep brand. 1988 would be the last year for AMC branded vehicles, where were rebranded as Eagle. Chrysler itself was finally on firmer financial footing after receiving a government bailout in the 1970s. The success of Chrysler’s K-Cars (Plymouth Reliant and Dodge Aries) which debuted in 1981 and its game changing minivans which debuted in 1984 gave Chrysler the financial wherewithal to buy AMC. So why buy AMC and not Ford? (Below: Jeep Assembly line in Toledo, Ohio in late 1960s) In 1987 Ford Motor Company had worldwide sales of $71.6 Billion (USD) on more than 6 million vehicles. For comparison, Chrysler Corporation sold a little more than 2 million vehicles and it’s revenues that year were rather distorted by one-time charges relating to sales of foreign assets and the purchase of AMC. But it’s sales revenues and profits were nowhere near as large as for Ford. To suggest that Chrysler had the financial wherewithal to purchase as large and profitable a corporation as Ford is laughable. Now, could Ford have bought Chrysler, or for that matter, AMC? Sure. But they had no reason to do so. Ford was already developing the Ford Explorer and would bring that to market in 1990 and had comparable SUVs to what Jeep offered. And that begs the question as to WHY Chrysler would want to buy Ford? Chrysler bought AMC as they wanted the Jeep brand and had nothing that competed against it and couldn’t afford to develop a suitable competitor. Ford (comprising of Ford, Mercury, and Lincoln) was direct competition to all of the brands AMC and Chrysler already had (comprising of Plymouth, Dodge, and Chrysler). Chrysler wouldn’t have needed or wanted the brands Ford had and would have had far too many brands overall and too many brands that overlapped or competed with each other. (Below: Chrysler Chairman Lee Iaccocca making an announcement regarding rebranding AMC) As a result, Chrysler’s purchase of AMC made sense. Chrysler was able to parlay the Jeep brand into a far more successful make, adding several models. A Chrysler purchase of Ford would have made no sense at all.
Recent article on BarnFinds: Assortment of AMC AMX Projects American Motors introduced the AMX in 1968 as a GT-style performance machine. It was a derivative of the new Javelin “pony car” with 12 inches taken out in the wheelbase to create a 2-seater. The car was in production for seven years although the last four were spent as an upgrade to the Javelin (with four seats). The seller has six of these cars from different periods, and they may need anything from a little bit of work to a complete restoration. Located in Sturtevant, Wisconsin, pricing for this assortment is vague, so you’d have to contact the seller to see what he/she has in mind here on Facebook Marketplace. Even by AMC standards, the AMX was never a widely produced car. From 1968 through 1970, just 19,134 copies were made with V8 engines ranging from 290 to 390 cubic inches. That volume must have led AMC to roll the AMX in under the Javelin with the car’s only redesign in 1971. As a performance option on the latter, another 15,961 AMXs would emerge before AMC discontinued production of both cars in 1974. That’s the same time Chrysler abandoned the pony car market, too. The seller’s listing doesn’t help a lot in determining exactly what’s for sale and what each vehicle will require. It’s even hard to tell if six cars are here or maybe just five. A list of the cars by model year would have been an easy thing to include. Only two of the machines appear to be first-generation AMXs, with the rest from the second generation. At least one of the cars has or had a 401 cubic inch V8, the largest engine available after 1971. And one of the cars has the cool Pierre Cardin optional interior (check out the fancy upholstery in one of the cars). There are two black AMXs of which one may have been more recently repainted. The best way to tell them apart is that one has a louvered rear window and the other doesn’t. Motors seem to be in short supply on these cars, so if you take one home you’re likely going to have to source the parts needed to make it go. Before buying a plane ticket to Wisconsin to check this inventory out, I’d spend some time on the phone with the seller to get a feel as to what’s really here (or not).
I went through nearly this whole thread, I as well like different. That said… The very first car. The Machine. About the information display board. I’ve seen display boards written up like this one at shows, and start reading then just walk away. My opinion: who cares about every detail done to the different parts of the car and the names that no one would ever know that did the different work. Who owned it in the past, etc. And on and on about that. Just tell us the highlights of how AMC came about it and some AMC history of the car! Maybe some racing history. Just to much of I don’t care info and such. Is it just me? Or anyone feel the same way? Normally I’m not so negative, but jeez…
Kevin and Mook from Junkyard Digs are bringing a 1979 Gremlin X back to life and drive it home: Will an ABANDONED AMC Run & Drive Home After 36 YEARS!? Gremlin X Revival
Two AMC articles popped up on BarnFinds dot com today: 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. This ’79 Spirit AMX has recently been rescued from a barn and – as a secondary purchase – a 1970 AMC Hornet is also on the block. From Hopewell, Pennsylvania, this AMC is available for $6,500 on Craigslist. Despite the fun that people had at poking fun at the Gremlin, it was a success for AMC. They sold more than 670,000 of them from 1970 to 1978. By 1979, the car was getting a bit long in the tooth, so the Spirit emerged as a rather serious restyle of the original product. The Spirit wasn’t quite as popular as the Gremlin, with 192,000 copies produced in five years. The seller’s car is one of 52,000 built in 1979, but we can’t find a breakdown as to how many came with the Spirit package. The AMX was identifiable with a plethora of visual changes, including a huge AMX logo on the hood that was similar to the big bird emblem on the hoods of Pontiac Trans Ams. But the option went deeper, with upgrades to the suspensions and the availability of a 304 cubic inch V8, which was nearing its run in AMC vehicles. While the ploy was to ignite memories of the AMX of the late 1960s, the Spirit AMX could only manage the quarter mile in 17.6 seconds but delivered more than 20 mpg at the gas pump. We’re told this car hasn’t seen much daylight in the past 34 years and the photos provided tend to support that. Besides the V8, it has a 4-speed manual transmission with a Twin Grip differential. The car is said to be original except for its radio. It will drive around the yard when hooked up to a gas can, but the brakes are shot so caution must be used in moving the auto. As a P.S., the 1970 Hornet that’s black in color is available for $3,500, and runs with a six-cylinder engine. It’s pretty dirty, too.
And the second AMC from today: 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 another new AMC product, the Hornet. American Motors didn’t have the same deep pockets as the others, so this approach would have to suffice. And it did for the next eight years. This ’74 Gremlin has the “X” trim edition and looks to be in really great original condition. The odometer reading might be an honest 25,000 miles. From Hayden in Idaho, this time capsule is available here on Craigslist for $24,500 The Hornet replaced the American in 1970 as AMC’s entry in the compact car field. And just as they had done to create the AMX from the Javelin a couple of years earlier, they took 12 inches out of the wheelbase of the Hornet, added a sharp drop-off at the hatchback, and called it Gremlin. It was sort of a subcompact, at least how it was marketed, and it was the only product in that class to have a six-cylinder engine as standard (so it wasn’t quite as fuel efficient as the Vega and Pinto with four-bangers). But from 1970 to 1978, AMC pushed more than 671,000 Gremlins out the doors in Kenosha, Wisconsin, and also in Canada and Mexico. Even though the appearance of the Gremlin either turned buyers on or off, AMC added the “X” package in 1971 to woo younger buyers. The Gremlin X came with a larger engine (and a V8 would come along later), wider tires and fancier wheels, (optional) bucket seats borrowed from the Javelin pony car, and all sorts of stripes and badging. The seller’s 1974 “X” is wearing its factory Mellow Yellow paint which looks to be in mighty good shape for being nearly 50 years old. The seller says there is no rust on the car but admits there’s a 2% chance you might find some. The interior is just as nice as the exterior, with an upholstery pattern that is all 1970s. The little car even has factory air conditioning which works as it should. An inline-6 is under the hood, likely the 258 cubic inch edition, and is paired with an automatic transmission. If the mileage is accurate, this could well be one of the least-used Gremlins left on the planet. It’s a super nice car, but is a 49-year-old Gremlin worth nearly $25,000? That’s up to the buying public.
Had one of these in the mid / late 80's. Traded a guy an 8ball for it. Wife drove the 304 hot and cooked it. then did the same with the 360 I dropped in as a replacement. Finally dropped a Buick in there which it had when she pawned it never to be seen again
We like our current AMC. They are like a virus, spreading like mad around Sarasota. Ours is a warmed up 360 f.i. 4 speed with 3.73’s
Posted today on BarnFinds dot com: 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 way for a vehicle allowing easy rear seat access. It is unfinished, but the seller achieved his first goal of ensuring the car is mechanically healthy. It falls to its new owner to complete the work required to return its panels and paint to their former glory. The Spirit is listed right here on eBay in Spokane, Washington The seller set their auction to open at $7,000 but has received no bids. AMC introduced the Spirit as its replacement for the Gremlin. While it utilized the previous model’s underpinnings and many drivetrain components, the styling was nowhere near as radical or polarizing as its predecessor’s. The Spirit remained in showrooms until 1983, and although sales figures were lower than the company hoped for, 71,032 people gave a Spirit a new home in 1980. This car is the AMX version, following the company’s policy that car’s wearing that badge should have sporting credentials. However, budgetary constraints and tightening emission regulations limited many of the changes to cosmetic enhancements and trim upgrades. The AMX derivative made a bold statement in any color, and this car would have done so when its original Cardinal Red paint was at its sparkling best. It is pretty tired now, the decals show marked deterioration, and the panels carry a collection of bumps and bruises. There is plenty of good news for those considering pursuing this gem further. The exterior imperfections could be addressed without panel replacement, and an enthusiastic amateur could tackle many in their home workshop. With a fresh coat of paint laid onto the panels, spending $500 on a readily available decal kit would return the exterior to its former glory. I haven’t mentioned rust to this point, and that is for a good reason; There isn’t any. The exterior shows no problems, with the underside shots confirming this Spirit is as solid as the day the original owner took delivery. The glass is in good order, and the wheels and tires are recent addition that adds a touch of aggression to the exterior. The best word to describe this Spirit’s interior is probably serviceable. It won’t score the new owner any show trophies in its current form, but they could take their time sourcing parts to recapture its lost youth. The shopping list will include new front seatcovers, replacement carpet for the rear of the folding back seats, and a few small hard-trim items and control knobs. I undertook a brief online search for these items but had no luck. The next owner might strike gold with more time and patience. The dash and pad are free from trouble, the door trims look respectable, and the carpet is new. It isn’t weighed down with luxury features, but the factory tach and AM radio are both welcome touches. This Spirit’s exterior may be no oil painting, so we need to delve below the surface to identify its greatest attributes. Apart from the rust-free status, its engine and four-speed manual transmission have less than 10,000 miles on the clock since receiving a rebuild. The process included installing a NOS clutch kit, a new two-barrel carburetor, a new intake, and a high-performance camshaft. The 258ci six would have produced 110hp when it rolled off the line, but there’s a good chance this motor unleashes a few extra ponies. If that’s the case, it should have no trouble improving upon the factory’s claimed 17.9-second ¼-mile ET. The list doesn’t end there because the seller added a new exhaust manifold, new brakes, a comprehensive collection of polyurethane bushes in the suspension and anti-roll bars, new shocks, and new front wheel bearings. He aimed to ensure the car was mechanically sound and achieved that goal. Potential buyers should consider it a turnkey proposition that they can drive and enjoy immediately. Project candidates that can be driven and enjoyed immediately are always attractive, which should be true of the 1980 AMC Spirit AMX. Its healthy drivetrain and lack of rust mean a new owner could take their time to address its shortcomings without worrying that corrosion will consume its metal. I am surprised it has received no bids because it should fall within what many would consider the affordable category. Time remains on the auction, so the situation could change at any moment. Are you tempted to pursue this classic further?
I have "AMX" saved as a search on Ebay and this car has come up several times without meeting its reserve. As posted above I had one of these with the 304 under the hood with an automatic. We had some fun with the car and for the right price I might pick up another. This car is missing a few key parts which are nearly impossible to find. Also without the V8 under the hood , to me, its just a spirit with a fancy paint job.
It didn't sell, so the owner relisted the car for sale on eBay I first thought it was the car that was in this Lou Costabile video, but that one was in Illinois: 1980 AMC AMX Spirit in Cardinal Red Paint & Engine Sound on My Car Story with Lou Costabile On "My Car Story" we're in the North Suburbs of Chicago on 9-16-17. We're looking at a 1980 American Motors Corporation ( AMC ) AMX Spirit in Cardinal Red Paint. This car has a straight 6 engine. The car's Owner is Bud Brick. Bud’s had this car since 2011. Bud shares this car is all original. Also the car has less than 8,000 original miles! How did this one survive!
Recent article on BarnFinds dot com: 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 obscure ones. One that falls into the second category is the 1969 AMC Rebel Raider. Like many models of its type, the Raider was a cosmetic package that offered the impression of luxury at a bargain basement price. The seller is frank about our feature Rebel’s needs, stating that the supplied photos paint a better picture than would be found via an in-person inspection. They describe it as a major restoration project, but it is among the most affordable complete vehicles of this era you will find in the current market. The Raider is listed here on eBay, located in Hudson, Wisconsin The seller set their BIN at $2,500. The Raider option was a cosmetic package offered to Rebel buyers via New York and New Jersey AMC dealers. AMC offered the Raider in three newly-released paint shades. Only three hundred cars received the treatment, with the totals split evenly across the three colors. Every vehicle also received a Black vinyl top to add an extra feeling of luxury. This Rebel is 1-of-100 ordered in Big Bad Blue, initially called “Blue You’ve Never Seen.” The Black vinyl top disappeared many years ago, with the roof now sporting a Black rust-preventative paint. That strategy was unsuccessful, with the roof carrying a few minor holes. They are the start of the problems because both rear quarter panels have rot, and crouching down provides an uninterrupted view through the rockers. The seller admits this car represents a significant restoration project, but this dark cloud does contain a silver lining. The floors appear to wear little beyond light surface corrosion, and the trunk pan seems solid. The trim generally looks good, with the seller’s decision to include a NOS grille and headlamp bezels a welcome bonus. There appear to be no significant glass issues. Still, for those considering tackling this build, it is worth remembering that the seller says the photos don’t fully expose the deterioration or problems. Therefore, arranging an in-person inspection could be wise. This Rebel’s interior is crying out for attention but is essentially complete. Difficult to source items like the factory AM radio are intact, but the seller admits the front seat isn’t original to this car. The shopping list may not be long once you dig beyond the glaring faults. The seatcovers are toast, the pad is cracked, and the carpet has disappeared. However, the remaining Black vinyl upholstery looks surprisingly good and might present acceptably following careful cleaning. It is a strategy worth considering because the potential value of this classic means the new owner must minimize costs to remain financially viable. The Raider package offered no performance upgrades, with every car featuring the 290ci two-barrel V8, a three-speed automatic transmission, and power assistance for the steering and brakes. The V8 produced a healthy 200hp and 280 ft/lbs of torque, allowing the 3,426 lbs Rebel to cover the ¼-mile in 17.6 seconds. That isn’t startling, but it was considered acceptable for a budget-priced vehicle in 1969. The news with this classic is mixed. The radiator and air cleaner appear to be the only missing major components, and locating replacements should not be difficult. However, that sweet little V8 is locked, and it is unclear whether this is due to lack of use or if it may have been the motivation for the car being parked initially. It requires careful inspection, but it could be salvageable if it can be made to turn. Ford proved the master of the regional editions during the 1960s, with the Mustang California Special and High Country Special remaining desirable in the current classic market. I admit I had never heard of the AMC Rebel Raider, but the seller’s listing suggests I am not alone. The relative obscurity is probably partly due to the regional factor but also the exceptionally low production total. It is unlikely to become a mega-bucks classic, but the unpredictable nature of the scene means it can never be ruled out. It is an affordable project, and the parts required to return it to its former glory are readily available. If you want to march to the beat of a different drummer, restoring this 1969 AMC Rebel Raider could be an excellent starting point. Item description from the seller on eBay: 1969 AMC Rebel Raider. If you aren't sure what a "Rebel Raider" is, just google it and find out more information. Check out the included ad picture for the Rebel Raider. A grand total of 300 Rebel "Raiders" were built, all for the northeast part of the country. 100 in Big Bad Orange, 100 in Big Bad Green and 100 in Big Bad Blue. Although at the time, these colors were brand new, and actually had different names at introduction (Big Bad Blue was called "Blue You've Never Seen"). All were V8 cars, all had black vinyl roofs. An INCREDIBLY rare car. 290 V8 with column AT. Does not run (hasn't for decades) and engine appears to be stuck. This is a MAJOR project. Needs pretty much everything restored. Was found in a Dakota field several years ago, No title. Bill of Sale only. Most states have a process for getting a title for a car without one, in others it is very easy as they only require a bill of sale, check your state rules. Again, this needs TOTAL restoration. I'm trying to be upfront and honest here, the pictures actually make the car look better than it actually is, but it is 98% complete. This is not a "quick fix", it will require A LOT of work. Lower Quarter panels are shot, yet the floors aren't bad. Trunk floor is actually solid, but you can see light through lower rockers. I do have more pictures upon request. Some trim and parts are just set in place for the pictures, not actually attached. Grille is a NOS unit (with the box). Along with NOS headlight bezels. No keys. Tires are in good shape, but are older. Front seats are not original. All seats require reupholstering. Roof was originally vinyl, but it's not now (it was sprayed with a rust preventative black primer). Roof has some small holes in it. Touch ups were done with a color matching Big Bad Blue paint to slow the deterioration in several places, but plan on A LOT of work with this one. But if you have the ambition to tackle this project, it would be a great looking (and insanely rare) car when finished. Rolls and Steers, but no brakes. Did I mention it is a MAJOR project. But what other '69 V8 2 door hardtop do you find for under 3k? More pics upon request. Located in Hudson, WI.
Article about the Raider on Hemmings: Flashy, not fast: The 1969 American Motors Rebel Raider was a limited-run package, exclusive to New York and New Jersey dealers Regional specialty car programs lured curious potential customers into dealer showrooms by promising an exclusive offering, often at a tempting price. Even if consumers didn't ultimately buy that particular vehicle, it still got them in the door so a savvy salesperson could seize the opportunity to sell them a different one. These packages normally consisted of a group of options added to an existing model, as well as a catchy name announced with decals or emblems, and possibly special stripes and/or paint colors to make the creation standout further. Some of these distinctive rides went on to become widely known beyond their geographical points of sale, while others were seemingly lost to time. In 1969, New York and New Jersey-area American Motors Rambler dealers offered the "Raider." Based on the unit-body midsize Rebel, it featured "Electric Green, Tangerine, or Blue—You've Never Seen" (as stated in the ad) exterior colors, a black grille, a vinyl top, a bench-seat interior, a sports-type steering wheel, an AM radio, power steering and brakes, and other small items. We know those colors instead as Big Bad Green, Big Bad Orange, and Big Bad Blue, and our featured Raider's original window sticker lists "Big Bad Blue." Given its aggressive appearance, you may be expecting to hear that the engine was a rumbling 280-hp 343, or possibly the even-more-powerful 315-hp 390, but it was actually a 200-hp 290 two-barrel V-8 with a single exhaust. It was backed by a column-shifted Borg-Warner Shift- Command automatic transmission and a 3.15:1 axle ratio. The powertrain choice made sense to keep the price reasonable and reach a broader customer base. Though it wasn't fast, the Raider surely drew attention, and that's what the dealers wanted. Its inclusion of the options listed also made it a comfortable driver. To make a splash, 75 Raiders participated in a New York/New Jersey dealer drive-away the night before the New York International Auto Show. A total of 300 of these special package cars were built. This original-down-to-the-paint-and-powertrain Raider had just 43,000 miles on it in 2000, when Joseph Marsh Sr. of Worcester, New York, purchased it. By then he and his son Joe Jr. had been dedicated AMC disciples for decades. Both had worked for the automaker's dealers and collected its cars. When Ray Smith of Long Island inquired in AMC circles about who would be best to buy his recently deceased wife's Raider, Joe Marsh's name came up frequently. Ray sent a letter to Joe Jr. via the Hudson Valley American Motors Club explaining that his wife, Irene, bought the car new at Bob's Rambler in Huntington in 1969 and had enjoyed it for the rest of her life. Upon her passing, she wanted the next owner to appreciate it, as well. "On a Saturday, my dad and I took a road trip to Huntington to look at the Raider," Joe recalls. "As soon as we pulled up, I realized that it was a very special car. It was just as Ray had described." Later that day, they came to an agreement and Joe Sr. bought it. Approximately a year later, Joe Jr. updated Ray on the Rebel. "I told him we had detailed it, added dual exhausts to replace the rusty single system, and had been taking the Raider to car shows. He was elated, and said he knew he'd made the right choice when he decided to sell it to my dad." Chrome NOS AMC rocker covers have since been installed, and period-correct 14 x 6-inch Magnum 500 wheels and white-letter radials replaced the standard wheels, wheel covers, and whitewalls. Gas shocks were added to its coil spring suspension, comprised of unequal-length control arms and an anti-roll bar in front and a four-link in the rear, and new brake shoes were installed for the 10-inch drums. Though Joe Sr. passed away in January 2019 at the age of 93, the rare AMC has remained in the family, as Joe Jr. has become its caretaker. The Rebel Raiders grabbed some local limelight in 1969 and helped draw buyers to New York and New Jersey American Motors dealers. Yet, the brightly hued intermediates seemed to slip under the radar thereafter. It begs the question: How many more seldom-seen regional specialty package cars from various automakers are still out there just waiting to be discovered? SPECIFICATIONS Engine: "Second design" 290-cu.in. OHV V-8 Horsepower: 200 @ 4,600 rpm Torque: 285 lb-ft @ 2,800 rpm Transmission: Shift-Command three-speed automatic Rear: axle Salisbury-type; open; 3.15:1 Tires / Wheels: 7.75 x 14 bias-ply (currently 215/70R14) / 14 x 5.5-inch stamped-steel (currently 4 x 6-inch Magnum 500) Wheelbase: 114 inches Weight: 3,520 pounds Total production: 300 Base price new: $2,699 2020 equivalent: $19,063
It looks like Russ Dixon at BarnFinds dot com likes AMC's. Here's a new article that popped up today: 304 V8 Project: 1972 AMC Gremlin Russ Dixon 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 took their new Hornet compact, cut 12 inches out of the wheelbase, and gave it an abrupt fastback look. While not a subcompact in the strictest sense (it had an inline-6 engine rather than an I-4), AMC would sell more than 671,000 copies through 1978. This ’72 edition has the optional small-block V8, but the overall vehicle will need a lot of work. The car is available for $6,500 on Craigslist and may soon be in Portland, Oregon. The Gremlin was a car with both a strange name and odd looks. But it got the job done, especially if you wanted a smaller car that wasn’t a tin 4-banger. While the auto didn’t deliver quite the same savings at the fuel pump as the others, you could stuff more things into a Gremlin and it was initially priced well under $2,000, right in the same territory as the Detroit newcomers, VW Beetle, and Japanese imports. The Gremlin also hit the market six months before the Ford Pinto and Chevy Vega, giving AMC a bit of a head start. Quickly added to the options list was a 304 cubic inch V8, nothing that any of the competitors could boast. I suspect that addition made the Gremlin a bit front-end heavy, but I’ve never read any negative reports. As the story goes, this ’72 Gremlin has been in the same blended family since the 1980s. It was driven then by the lister’s brother-in-law’s mother. It has since been passed along to the brother-in-law who wants to sell it but is unsure whether Southern Oregon is the best place or to bring it to Portland where a bigger collector market may be. We’re told that the V8 has been confirmed as original to the car (but no photo). The machine does not run, needing freeze plugs at a minimum before trying it out. Parts of the interior have been redone and the body has been partially prepared for new paint, with some of it down to bare sheet metal. A sunroof is present, but it was installed by the dealer, not the factory. This may be a solid Gremlin to bring back, though Hagerty suggests that $4,800 is the average price for one of these in “fair” condition.
An electrifying history indeed. Electric Vehicle Prototype AMC Gremlin In 1973, City Light modified an AMC Gremlin to be an electric vehicle prototype. The car was powered by 24 rechargeable six-volt batteries and could run for about 50 miles at highway speeds before needing to be recharged. It even had its very own charging station at the base of a parking meter. The cost to charge: 25 cents an hour. Here's the charging station for the vehicle, in use by City Light Superintendent Gordon Vickery:
In the mid-90s in eastern Massachusetts there were a group of people who were converting small pickup trucks to electric, by replacing the gas motor with electric and putting a bunch of lead-acid batteries in the bed. they also had a range of 50-60 miles. I didn't like the idea of having a bunch of batteries directly behind the driver.
Just published om BarnFinds dot com: 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 or Vega: a V8 engine! This project car also features factory air conditioning and an automatic transmission. It lot drives and looks solid enough to support the seller’s claim that it came from California. This listing here on eBayaccepts $14,000 via Buy It Now or try a lower number with the Make Offer button. The 304 cid (5.0L) V8 with this car’s three-speed automatic transmission moved the Gremlin X to 60 MPH in 9 seconds, according to AutomotiveCatalog, one second slower than that year’s Chevrolet’s Corvette. The “X” model Gremlin got sportier seats and wheels and other mostly-cosmetic upgrades. This one shows signs of one or more high school makeovers including aftermarket gauges, switches, and what looks like another car’s 1990s factory radio, with equalizer of course! Hang your graduation tassle from the rear view mirror, and you’re ready for whatever life has to offer. Carpe diem! Slotted road wheels also came with the Gremlin X. While only two inches longer than a Volkswagen Beetle, that long hood obligated by the base inline six-cylinder engine and the comically truncated Kammback rear vs. its Hornet sibling resulted in yet another polarizing AMC styling exercise. If you’re going to take share from the “big three” and survive, spice it up! You won’t flip loyal buyers from their favorite brands with the automotive equivalent of white bread and mayonnaise. Rust-free rockers and lower metal bodes well for this project car. Seats don’t exactly match Gremlin X units on Wikipedia, but they are close. While mechanical and other systems are poorly described in the listing, an AMC enthusiast might sink their teeth into this solid-looking classic and end up with a nice driver or all-stock specimen. Do you consider this V8 Gremlin X a sporty compact or a small performance car?
I have a red/white/blue Javelin in my shop for metal work. 1 of about 100 built. Dealer couldn't sell it so it was repainted bittersweet orange and sold.
