Tell me the story of the AMC Eagle

"Otto-the-Croatian-'Whoops my Volvo is a sedan'" (otto-the-croatian)
03/14/2014 at 18:54 • Filed to: amc eagle, teach me something

I've known about this car for some time now, but I never researched it more thoroughly. I'm bewildered by it.It's so extraordinary. The only thing I've ever seen like it is the factory lifted Mk 2 Golf country thing.
Is there a documentary on it I could watch? That'd be ideal...

Also, this example pictured is awesome looking with the rack and the wheels and the green. 10/10 would hoon and love until I die.

DISCUSSION (10)

Goggles Pizzano > Otto-the-Croatian-'Whoops my Volvo is a sedan'
03/14/2014 at 19:03

After my parent's 2 Concords, they switched to Jeep. 30 years later I was still curious enough to ask them why they hadn't bought an Eagle instead of the Concords. Their answer was simply cost. I can guess they were a good chunk of money and that's why they didn't sell better.

/my 2¢.

jkm7680 > Otto-the-Croatian-'Whoops my Volvo is a sedan'
03/14/2014 at 19:14

Steelies+Roof Rack=Want.

Birddog > Otto-the-Croatian-'Whoops my Volvo is a sedan'
03/14/2014 at 19:15

I've owned a few and they are fun cars, especially in snow.
The AMC Eagle Den has a lot of great info.
Here's some history.
http://amceaglesden.com/guide/index.ph…

desertdog5051 > Otto-the-Croatian-'Whoops my Volvo is a sedan'
03/14/2014 at 19:15

You had to ask. Here ya go.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AMC_Eagle

AMC/Renauledge > Otto-the-Croatian-'Whoops my Volvo is a sedan'
03/14/2014 at 19:55

AMC was cash-strapped in the late '70s. They made a ton of money on the SUV craze in the '70s when they bought and expanded Jeep. But their car lines were aging and they didn't have much money to keep them competitive. Sales were falling and profit margins were thin.

So AMC got creative and tried to offer a unique and attention-getting product with very little investment. They got their Jeep engineers to help fit the existing Concord and Spirit car lines with 4WD and butch trim and charged significantly more for them, to help shore up their profit situation. As it happened, they debuted right as gas prices skyrocketed and Jeep sales began to tank. So Jeep owners could trade to an Eagle and stay within the company.

I'd recommend this book if you want to know more.

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > Otto-the-Croatian-'Whoops my Volvo is a sedan'
03/15/2014 at 20:12

All I know is that I really like them. An Eagle, a 2nd gen Corvair and a Toronado are probably the only American cars I'd genuinely consider importing.

Maybe a first gen Firebird as well. Gorgeous cars.

Otto-the-Croatian-'Whoops my Volvo is a sedan' > Birddog
03/15/2014 at 21:24

Cool, thanks! Did you take 'em offroad sometime?

Otto-the-Croatian-'Whoops my Volvo is a sedan' > desertdog5051
03/15/2014 at 21:24

Well, I asked for it...

Otto-the-Croatian-'Whoops my Volvo is a sedan' > AMC/Renauledge
03/15/2014 at 21:31

Great, thank you! So they were made right before the gas prices went up? Damn, that's a shame. The States didn't really cope very well with the jump gas prices, as far as I understand. Maybe the Eagle could've made this new body style popular if the conditions were right. So just one question, are those then Jeep parts under it? If they are that's very good news for keeping these cars alive...

Birddog > Otto-the-Croatian-'Whoops my Volvo is a sedan'
03/16/2014 at 01:59

My wagon went on a few trails. My long term goal was to swap in an AMC 360 and NP229 case.
Very capable trail vehicles in stock form with good tires.