Paging Darth Vader, Your AMC Pacer Has Arrived

"DailyTurismo" (thedailyturismo) 09/29/2014 at 13:15 • Filed to: DailyTurismo, Blog

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The Pacer was a poorly built hatchback from the waning years of AMC's existence on this planet and would have totally rusted into the collective garbage heaps of America if not for the iconic appearance as the preferred ride of two rockers named Wayne and Garth in the groundbreaking SNL skit-crossover-feature movie Wayne's World.

Actually, Blues Brothers beat Wayne's World to the big screen by a decade, but we aren't talking cop motor/cop shock combinations today. This Pacer is no Mirthmobile or ordinary example; it looks more like the Pace Car of the Apocalypse. Find this !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! offered for $9,900 reserve-not-met on eBay, with 2 days to go, located in Detroit, MI.

This Pacer has been thoroughly restomodded by its current owner. It represents a great chunk of the previous owner's money, far greater than the current bidding price, but the price should still cause a double take. Almost 10 large for a Pacer? That's what she said.

The original 304 cubic inch V8 was pulled out and replaced with a 401 cubic inch V8 that has been massaged majorly from the original 200ish horsepower to something on the order of 400 horsepower if the tuning is done right. The V8 actually fits easily in the Pacer because it was an oddly wide car that featured the width of a full sized car in a compact package. Party on Garth!

The view from the back seat is positively Bohemian, and the black face gauges only hint at the Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader transformation this car has been through. One last thought, that shifter, shhhwing!!

See another car that looks more like a Porsche 928 having an allergic reaction? !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

Originally posted as !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! on !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! .

Image credits; ebay.

lone_liberal > DailyTurismo 09/29/2014 at 13:19

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I saw it on Bring a Trailer and thought it was exceptionally cool. I don't know what it would be like to drive, but I'd like to find out.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > DailyTurismo 09/29/2014 at 13:22

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We have a "poorly built" perception because it was an AMC and featured AMC loss of parts availability and weird-design related malfunctions... however, it wasn't unreliable outside the normal criteria for the time. I have a Popular Mechanics dating from the 70s that details an (IIRC) first 70,000 miles extended evaluation of Pacer owners, and the reliability was as good or better than its contemporaries.

Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast. > DailyTurismo 09/29/2014 at 13:25

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After seeing this, I now have to re-evaluate my life.

505Turbeaux > DailyTurismo 09/29/2014 at 13:47

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JBHbait all day

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 09/29/2014 at 14:05

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Not to mention the body structure of the Pacer is unbelievably tough.

When the US government started thinking about implementing a new 50MPH impact standard for crash testing in the mid-70s, all the other manufacturers hired Lawyers and Lobbyists to tell the government how it was "impossible" and "too expensive" to meet that goal. AMC, being shy on Lawyers and Lobbyists just told their engineers to do the best they could to try to meet the standard in case it was implemented.

result: By the time the mid 80's rolled around and Pacers were beginning to get into demolition-derby condition most organizing bodies had outlawed them from competition, or created special "Pacer and Volvo" only classes to give the big American iron a chance.

The Compromiser > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t 09/29/2014 at 16:36

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was in an accident in a Pacer. Can confirm.

George McNally > DailyTurismo 09/29/2014 at 18:59

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I want to buy a dune buggy sometime in the next couple of years......I have money set aside for it- I almost wanna get this.

Aaron James > Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast. 10/03/2014 at 17:20

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I know, I like this way more than any sane person has a right to......

uttertosh > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t 10/04/2014 at 05:17

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"Pacer and Volvo" only classes to give the big American iron a chance.

Lol. As a Swede, I can't help but feel a 'guilty' laugh come on at this phrasing! Oh, poor American pride! I mean, it can't have been easy being constantly beaten by Swedish safety dorks! ;-)

blackmtnman > George McNally 10/04/2014 at 08:55

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Buy a V6 Pontiac Fiero, strip off the body and doors, install paddle tires on the back. You're good to go.

SalsaShark > DailyTurismo 10/04/2014 at 20:16

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The only thing "groundbreaking" about Wayne's World is the fact that it made money.

I wonder if it made enough to fill in the crater made by "It's Pat!"

Ambassador Renate > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 10/06/2014 at 16:35

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We used them for our pizza delivery cars 1981-1987