DOTS - The Wide Small Car

"WhatDaFunk" (WhatDaFunk) 02/15/2014 at 13:36 • Filed to: DOTS

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When it was introduced in 1975, AMC called the Pacer "the first wide small car," aiming to marry the convenience of a small city car with the wide and spacious interior that Americans were used to. That innovative thinking informed much of the Pacer's design which included features such as rack-and-pinion steering for improved stability and control, asymmetrical doors allowing easier access to the back seat on the passenger side, cab forward design to maximize interior space and an aerodynamic design to reduce drag.

Though it was initially a critical and commerical success, the luster soon wore off. It's heavy weight, anemic performance, subpar gas milage and increasing competition from more sophisticated cars ultimately led to its demise.

This particular Pacer has the optional X package offered on the coupe version between 1975-78. The Pacer X included vinyl bucket seats, sports steering wheel and custom trim, as well as a floor-mounted gear shift and front sway bar. The exterior received chrome features, styled road wheels, and Pacer X decals on the doors.

The exterior of this car is in excellent condition, and has obviously been well cared for. I couldn't quite tell how well the interior had held up as all the seats and the cargo area were covered in towels. This car has the California blue license plates from the '70s, so I wonder if it's still in the possession of its original owner.

Bandit > WhatDaFunk 02/15/2014 at 13:38

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I love it. So much want.

SightHound > WhatDaFunk 03/02/2014 at 20:46

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I dream of a Frankenproject car that is all Pacer X up top and AWD turbo Eclipse underneath. Who's in?