Long Live American Motors: AMC's On The Street

"Jonee" (Jonee) 12/16/2015 at 14:35 • Filed to: AMC

2

50

I came across two AMC’s still in service last weekend. The first was this gorgeous gold Wagoneer. My first car was one of these in light blue. Since I was the first one of my friends to get their license back then, I had to drive everyone around, so it was a good thing I had a car larger than God.

I miss that thing. It would do anything and it taught me how to adjust a carburetor.

Next I ran into a well worn 1980 Concord. I don’t know who the loon is still driving this thing, but they have my respect even though they are probably nuts.

The Concord was basically an old Hornet gussied up a little for the Brougham Age. This one still has its original dealer plate frames.

And Landau roof.

This is weird.

I had an AMC Spirit once which was a cheaper version of basically the same car because AMC only had the money to build one car. They later gave the Concord/Hornet/Spirit/Gremlin 4 wheel drive and called it the Eagle. I love AMC.

As a bonus, I also found this wonderful poster from the AMC-Renault partnership days that I got framed and hung over my bed. Good thing I’m single.

jjhats > Jonee 12/16/2015 at 14:45

0

you should get a wagoner while u still can. they are climbing in value like you wouldn’t believe. top ones fetch 30-50k

thebigbossyboss > Jonee 12/16/2015 at 14:48

4

In the spirit of this here is my uncles AMC. It has 450,000 kms on it which is 279,000 miles. That is many.

Here is a picture of it someone on the internet took when it was parked near my grandmas.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > Jonee 12/16/2015 at 14:53

0

One of the best points of batshittery is that they made a Concord AMX. Saw a great one on Craigslist a while back - running, cheap, pretty clean.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Jonee 12/16/2015 at 14:59

0

That’s pretty insane someone is driving that concord around...

Justin Hughes > Jonee 12/16/2015 at 15:12

2

At the local gravel pit I’ve seen a J-10 with a crappy black paint job parked outside a few times. I think he works there. One of these days I’ll park my MJ with a crappy black paint job next to it for a Jeep truck family photo.

Jonee > thebigbossyboss 12/16/2015 at 15:18

4

Wow, awesome. That flaming AMX hood decal is killer. Respect to your uncle.

Jonee > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 12/16/2015 at 15:21

0

It was actually a Spirit AMX. Someone else just posted this photo of his uncle’s.

Jonee > jjhats 12/16/2015 at 15:22

0

I know, it’s crazy. You couldn’t give them away for a time. I imagine finding a nice one is tough.

Jonee > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 12/16/2015 at 15:23

0

This is L.A. There are some astonishing cars still being daily driven here. There’s an Avanti I see regularly. I know a guy who drives a Checker wagon. It’s crazy.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > Jonee 12/16/2015 at 15:26

0

Partly correct. ‘79-’80 AMXs were Spirits. The ‘78 AMX was a Concord two-door hatch.

jjhats > Jonee 12/16/2015 at 15:29

0

my buddy has a 91(last year). he said it was dealer only ordering. also 13 mpg highway blows

thebigbossyboss > Jonee 12/16/2015 at 15:30

3

Kinja wont let me star your comment but let it known I would give a star if I could. The engine was rebuilt at 350,000 kms or so.

The decal is because it is an AMX Spirit. They usually came with that decal although his is the only one I have ever seen in real life.

Jonee > jjhats 12/16/2015 at 15:31

0

Yeah, it’s a good thing gas was cheap when I had mine. It’s amazing that thing lasted into the 90’s.

Jonee > thebigbossyboss 12/16/2015 at 15:34

1

The “rally lights” are a nice touch as well. I knew someone with a black one, but it didn’t have the decal. He did have the louvers, though. Did your uncle take those off?

thebigbossyboss > Jonee 12/16/2015 at 15:38

1

Think so. I remember it having louvres at one point but I could imagine they are a pain to see out of.

Jonee > thebigbossyboss 12/16/2015 at 15:42

0

Yeah, visibility must suck, but they do look sweet and are so that era.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Jonee 12/16/2015 at 16:13

0

you people and your lack of rust.

Jonee > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 12/16/2015 at 16:25

0

It’s a blessing and a curse. Fortunately I don’t have too much room or I’d be bringing home derelict but rust free oddball cars every day.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Jonee 12/16/2015 at 16:33

1

send them my way then lol

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Jonee 12/16/2015 at 20:55

0

This thing looks to be in excellent shape. I have a thing for them. Give now.

Jobjoris > Jonee 12/18/2015 at 08:07

1

The Wagoneer is such a classic. Good to drive one while the gas prices were still reasonable.

I had an AMC Spirit once which was a cheaper version of basically the same car because AMC only had the money to build one car. They later gave the Concord/Hornet/Spirit/Gremlin 4 wheel drive and called it the Eagle. I love AMC.

Haha. So true. Funny how it seems. Always in time, but never in line for dreams.

Maybe we should let the Karenjy use the AMC name when sold in the USA.

Jonee > Jobjoris 12/21/2015 at 21:40

1

Yeah, I couldn’t drive a car that gets 28 liters per kilometer as you guys say. Even just on weekends. But, it was suck a lovely car. It drove well for something that mammoth.

They sure did keep poor Dick Teague busy trying to figure out how to disguise the Hornet again.

Somebody needs to bring back AMC. I don’t know why it hasn’t happened. Something like the Karenjy, a cheap “offroader” might be perfect actually. It might piss Chrysler/Jeep/Fiat off, though. I wonder if they still own the AMC name. Probably.

Jobjoris > Jonee 12/22/2015 at 03:23

1

Maybe it’s a great gift of the gods it hasn’t happened yet. I do think Chrysler/Fiat owns the brandname. And with current badge engineering it would only harm the solid reputation of the AMC name. Karenjy should obtain the name instantly. You as the United States distributor should make work of this instantly. Call Agnelli!

Jonee > Jobjoris 12/23/2015 at 02:57

1

Yeah, can’t sully American Motors’ good name by splashing it on a Chrysler or, God forbid, a fucking Fiat. A car from Africa inspired by a Renault is much more appropriate. Come back as they left, sort of. I wonder if anyone has actually considered bringing back AMC. Probably not. “Gremlin” would be a great “ironic” name for an electric car.

Jobjoris > Jonee 12/23/2015 at 04:13

1

And there’s a Wankel connection as well! I really need to talk to the Agnellis...

Why on earth are you speaking of a “FUCKING FIAT”????

Jonee > Jobjoris 12/23/2015 at 04:22

1

I was kidding. I love Fiat. I wrote a book report on a history of Fiat that I read when I was in the second grade. I’ve been into Fiats longer than you. I never could get my parents to buy one, though.

Jobjoris > Jonee 12/23/2015 at 07:04

1

Longer than me? Are you drunk or something? Go to bed! I’ve been surrounded with FIATs all my life?

Jonee > Jobjoris 12/24/2015 at 14:25

1

Yeah, but did you read this book and do a report on it?

I need to find this book again, actually. Might be some good Weird Wheels material in there.

Jobjoris > Jonee 12/24/2015 at 16:39

1

I didn’t read that book as I learned English properly just when I was 10. But I did do a report on the Fiat 500 before that. And the 2CV. And the Leopard 2 tank.

Jonee > Jobjoris 12/27/2015 at 15:40

1

That’s actually pretty impressive you learned English by 10. I had barely learned English by the time I was 10. A 500 and 2CV reports? That’s awesome. If I had known those cars existed, I probably would have done a report on them, but I didn’t see my first 2CV until I was 11. Changed my life, though.

Jobjoris > Jonee 12/29/2015 at 12:52

1

Well, at 10 I could follow most of it on the TV without the subtitles. At the age of 11 it’s taught in school I guess.

My neighbor had a Dyane and my aunt a 2CV6. When I really was young my uncle had a Spot as you know. So I literally grew up with these. The FIAT was just my favorite car ever. Back then.

Jonee > Jobjoris 12/31/2015 at 00:00

1

That’s pretty good. TV is a great way to learn. I can’t remember how old I was when we started taking a language class. Maybe 12. I took French.

What made you pick FIAT? I guess in Europe, that’s like liking Chevy, so it makes sense. I always had a thing for AMC’s because we had a Jeep and I liked the Pacer. And, I had a toy FIAT that was a really early car and I was fascinated with it, so that’s why I did that report. I think it’s still at my parents’ house. I should find it.

Jobjoris > Jonee 01/01/2016 at 07:40

1

At the age of 12 we had English, French and German. At 13 Latin was added. Then I had to leave school due to some disseminations on how to act on school (resulting in using fireworks in class, don’t ask: I was young). I had 3 different schools in 7 years. I guess I was bored quickly ;-)

An uncle of mine collected all kinds of crap . Also every single Autovisie car mags from the ‘60’s and on. So when we visited him I always ended up in this room full of crap and I was heavily interested in the story of the Dino. But... There was not much info on that one in our public library so I ended up doing a report on the FIAT I did find a lot on. The 500.

Go get that FIAT from your parent’s house!

Jonee > Jobjoris 01/03/2016 at 18:36

1

Ha. They frown upon bringing fireworks to school over there? These days, you’d probably be under suspicion of terrorism. That’s a lot of languages. We only have one second language requirement, but there aren’t as many tongues spoken on this continent.

That sounds like a really fun place to visit as a kid. I would have loved that. My grandparents’ house was a little like that, but instead of car magazines, it was newspapers from Poland and Israel. Not nearly as interesting as Autovisie. It’s too bad you didn’t find that book I had. Although, a report on the 500 is pretty awesome. That’s the car I would have chosen regardless.

Jobjoris > Jonee 01/04/2016 at 05:16

1

To be honest: The amount of smoke generated was quite frightening ;-) The languages learnt at school depends on what kind of school you’re going. Some lower grade schools only do English as a second language.

It was totally awesome. Great house constructed in the ‘30’s, in Nijmegen. Where I was born. I probably mentioned the uncle for driving a Mercedes W123. And ordering a next one at delivery as he had to wait at least two years for a new one to be delivered and he drove a lot. Really.

Jonee > Jobjoris 01/05/2016 at 00:59

1

Lower grade like low quality schools? That’s interesting. So, there’s no standard as to how many languages you have to learn?

Oh, I think you have mentioned him and the W123’s before. That’s awesome. That’s interesting that the wait was that long. I doubt you had to wait 2 years over here. I always loved those pillar-less coupes.

Jobjoris > Jonee 01/05/2016 at 09:36

1

Lower grade as in lower level schools. Someone with the intellect or urge to just go be a postman doesn’t need the same education as a university professor. The first choice is made about 12 years old over here (depending on what the primary school says your capable of).

Really love those W123 coupés. He just had the normal sedan. 200 and 240 diesels. Deadslow. And always green! Awesome guy.

Jonee > Jobjoris 01/06/2016 at 01:13

1

Oh, I see. Interesting. That seems pretty early to make that kind of decision. Does every area have all these different kinds of schools?

Jobjoris > Jonee 01/06/2016 at 04:34

1

Every somewhat bigger city has. You never have to travel over 15kms. The intellect-part can be determined at the age of 12 I suppose.

Jonee > Jobjoris 01/06/2016 at 23:44

1

We have “advanced placement” classes for the smart students which I guess start around then. That’s a little similar. And, when you get to high school you can choose to go to a vocational school where you learn a trade. Those are the kids that aren’t going to college. Some cities, like L.A., have high schools for the arts, too.

Jobjoris > Jonee 01/07/2016 at 04:25

1

You were in such a class of course. We actually have 4 levels. And special schools for the truely gifted.

My illustrator brother went to such a art-school. Or rather: after highschool so it was an art college.

Jonee > Jobjoris 01/08/2016 at 03:11

1

That’s really great. We should have a system like that, but typically, we don’t like to spend money on schools. A school has never killed a terrorist.

I went to art college, too. It was great. I did whatever I wanted to.

Jobjoris > Jonee 01/08/2016 at 04:57

1

You should. I think every single European country has a system like this. No holding back the gifted. No slowing down because 1/3rd of the class just won’t get it.

What did you do?

Jonee > Jobjoris 01/12/2016 at 01:00

1

I mostly made movies. And I made them on real film, not videotape, or digital. Some were pretty weird and arty. It was a good way to meet girls.

Jobjoris > Jonee 01/12/2016 at 09:09

1

So what’s the current way of meeting those. Cruising the Le Car I suppose?

Jonee > Jobjoris 01/13/2016 at 23:50

1

Totally. Girls think it’s adorable. It worked even better with the 360. I had girls flag me down in that.

Jobjoris > Jonee 01/14/2016 at 07:33

1

I can imagine. One of the most adorable cars in the world. Over here a Mehari in the winter doesn’t work. An Ur-Mini does.

Jonee > Jobjoris 01/15/2016 at 02:12

1

Yeah, Ur-Minis definitely do it. My R4 worked on French chicks. One in particular. A Pacer worked for me once. Older women seemed more attracted to them for some reason. And, a really pretty Swedish girl actually commented on the NX. She was with her pale, sick looking boyfriend, unfortunately, though.

Jobjoris > Jonee 01/15/2016 at 08:31

1

I usually ended up with girls finding cars totally uninteresting. Krista didn’t even have her driver’s license when we met...

Jonee > Jobjoris 01/16/2016 at 03:34

1

Oh, yeah. I think you told me that. I really only had one girlfriend who was into cars. The other ones just tolerated my interest.