I Drove an Eagle today

"505 - morphine not found" (morphine500)
08/27/2015 at 11:35 • Filed to: AMC Eagle

A friend of mine bought a freaking AMC Eagle wagon, straight outta 1987 . No real news, except this is in Hungary, which is in Europe, where this was of course never sold officially.

This original CUV is used, but complete, unmolested, and in agreeable nick. OK there are quite a few small problems, especially around the HVAC, it’s not immaculate, but goes, turns and stops well enough, and looks good doing so. Ummm, as good as a fake-wood-clad malaise wagon can, at least.

I drove it today, and loved every minute of it. I know this is the malaise, and built by a company in bad shape, but I still find it great. Love the 258 motor and the 3speed slushbox for example, they should be slow, but pull very well, and the car is plenty quick to keep up with traffic. It’s also excellent in the grassy and dirt-road environment we took to. And the 4WD is great too, engages at the flick of a switch, and works well. Lovely!

Of course there are quite a few frighteningly amateur fails in the car. Like the window winders, which you can only use with the doors open, otherwise you are going to hit your hand into the parcel shelf under the dash. Or that most of the fittings inside and out are just bolted there, with philips heads visible all around the car. Or that the fake wood is a film, simply wrapped around the door edges. The whole things reeks aftermarket, but is basically factory stock. Whatever floated the boat of the average American buyer, back then....

Yes, i guess it would be too expensive to feed the thirsty (for Europe) six-pot, but otherwise, I would have no problems DDing the thing. And neither does my mate owning it. It shows why Detroit got elapsed by Japanese and European offerings back then, but also why lots of people still find these American Barges wonderful. And now I will have to consider these too, if i ever move to the country...

DISCUSSION (18)

Alex B > 505 - morphine not found
08/27/2015 at 11:41

Are you sure it’s not straight outta Compton?

vondon302 > 505 - morphine not found
08/27/2015 at 11:43

Too cool. You never see these in the states. Amc quality was horrible even by american malaise era standards most of them got crushed years ago. That eagle got some love somewhere.

505 - morphine not found > Alex B
08/27/2015 at 11:43

Nah, this one’s straight outta Brampton .

505 - morphine not found > vondon302
08/27/2015 at 11:48

Was bought by a Canadian, with Hungarian origins. He transported it to Hungary, and only used it for one month a year which he spent here. Then he passed away. So this one spent a lot of time in garage....

desertdog5051 > 505 - morphine not found
08/27/2015 at 11:56

Or that most of the fittings inside and out are just bolted there, with philips heads visible all around the car.

I was thinking about that last night. How wonderful it was to be able to access areas of your vehicle with just a screwdriver. I miss that. I have a window switch that I need to replace and I have no idea how to get to it. I’m sure it will be complicated.

505 - morphine not found > desertdog5051
08/27/2015 at 11:58

I agree with that sentiment, however, you can do bolts with style: recessed heads, plastic covers on top, etc., and you can do it like it was done by a half-drunk hobo: just screw it in, somewhere, anywhere. This is the latter.

Ash78, voting early and often > vondon302
08/27/2015 at 12:00

Yeah, no kidding. I don’t think I’ve seen one of these in at least a year, and I pay attention to cars. That’s like a unicorn in Europe.

AMC/Renauledge > vondon302
08/27/2015 at 12:01

Nope. It wasn’t.

AMC quality actually was better than the Big 3 in the 1970s and 80s. Their rustproofing was better. Their warranty was better. And publications like Consumer Reports and Car and Driver affirmed it.

Jeeps weren't that well made, but AMC actually improved their quality from the Kaiser days.

lone_liberal > 505 - morphine not found
08/27/2015 at 12:08

I actually saw one of those on the street yesterday and it wasn’t one that had been repaired and restored. No, it was a complete beater. I was amazed that it was still chugging away and that some car-hipster hadn’t purchased it yet.

vondon302 > AMC/Renauledge
08/27/2015 at 12:17

After driving a 76 cutlass my 84 cj was garbage left a trail of parts behind it. That’s the only reference i have. Still miss both those cars.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > 505 - morphine not found
08/27/2015 at 12:20

The 4.2 really is a great engine but it was saddled with some really lackluster carbs. I think that one is new enough to have an electronic carb, which work great when they are functioning but do NOT respond well to deferred maintenance. Tell your friend to do the responsible thing and ditch it for a nice Weber 2bbl or something.

AMC/Renauledge > vondon302
08/27/2015 at 12:28

Yeah, in those days, the Toledo factory still had dirt floors. Not conducive to making a quality product.

vondon302 > AMC/Renauledge
08/27/2015 at 12:32

Dirt floors in the 80s? Really now.

AMC/Renauledge > vondon302
08/27/2015 at 12:35

Yup. Chrysler kept building the XJ Cherokee in that dirt floored plant through 2001.

505 - morphine not found > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
08/27/2015 at 12:38

He got it rebuilt by a guy normally building dragsters. It works, but isn’t perfect, the solex in my 505 works better for example. So maybe you’re right....

vondon302 > AMC/Renauledge
08/27/2015 at 12:43

Wow and i like the xj. The more ya kmow.......

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > 505 - morphine not found
08/27/2015 at 12:50

Pretty much anything bad you’ve ever heard about that engine has come from somebody who didn’t have an e-carb that was working right.

He should keep an eye on the rear main seal though.

AMC/Renauledge > vondon302
08/27/2015 at 12:53

Yeah, I think that lends it even more toughness credibility.