One of the most noteworthy classic cars
of this time is the AMC Eagle line. The AMC Eagle revolutionized the automotive industry and it deserves far more recognition than it’s been given. Despite the loss of sales and relevance over time, the cars AMC produced were stunning, quirky, and ahead of their time. Although AMC has long since vanished, much of the innovative technology and designs used for the vehicles are still used today.
From the AMC Matador to the Eagle, some of the company's cars have become collectible, nostalgic vehicles. Jerry
, the car ownership super app
, has all the info you need to know about AMC and the AMC Eagle. What innovation did the AMC Eagle bring to the masses?
Although AMC created Jeep, it wasn’t enough to bring the sales the company needed to keep afloat. Enter the AMC Eagle with its four-wheel-drive and the use of Kraton.
According to MotorTrend
the AMC Eagle took five of the pre-existing rear-wheel-drive vehicles, increased their height by four inches, and put four-wheel-powered drivetrains underneath them. Despite AMC having various models, all vehicles in the Eagle line had the elements of rear suspension and driveline that were seen in the Jeep CJ-5.
The new inner workings weren’t the only things the company changed though. Design changes had to be made in order to accommodate these changes including using fender flares and runner panels made of Kraton.
Using Kraton for the AMC Eagle was revolutionary for the company as fiberglass was known for cracking in cold conditions. Kraton was also lightweight and flexible making the cars more efficient for many drivers across all regions.
These fresh ideas kept them afloat until they were bought out by Chrysler in the late ‘80s.
Average at best: the Kammback
The 1981 AMC Eagle Kammback coupe was based on the AMC Gremlin, and was lacking in design, being considered one of the least popular Eagles. The interior and exterior designs were nothing to write home about, and sales numbers were low because of this.
Despite this, the car brought people to dealerships with its affordable cost leading to higher sales of other Eagle models. During that time the AMC Eagle Kammback coupe sold for the low price of $5,995.
The more popular AMC Eagle: the Wagon
Unlike its sibling, the 1981 AMC Eagle Wagon was affordable with drool-worthy design elements for the ‘80s. The interior featured a leather-covered steering wheel, cushy carpet flooring, cloth seats, and a tilt steering column.
The outside design was made more stylish because the Wagon’s four-wheel drive didn’t require it to have the mandatory 5-mph bumpers most cars had at the time.
Though the vehicle wasn’t fast that wasn’t its intended purpose. Instead, the four-wheel drive combined with its weight, made it heavier and gave it fantastic traction for snow and ice. In the ‘80s this classic car sold for $9,500, making it a great deal when compared with its rivals.
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