Unless you’re a die-hard fan of the Eagle station wagon or are particular to suffering the ills of a dead-stock Concord, budget-hunting for a project when you’re an American Motors fan, as far as I can tell, just sucks. What do you do…split the difference between a coffin-nose Matador and a prosthetic leg beige Spirit with the Iron Duke under the hood? Sorry, I’d be jumping ship to the nearest anything else first. With AMC dead since 1987 and most of the later cars pretty much the same since 1970, the question becomes: what flavor Hornet do you want more?
Honestly, we prefer the oldest version best. Like the Nova, Maverick and Duster, there’s a certain bit of “junior supercar” looks going on in what usually was a six-cylinder, low-buck alternative to a Rebel Machine or a Javelin. A Hornet with power under the hood was something to worry about, with the SC/360 variation proving the point. But most Hornets, like this 1971 SST, were pretty basic and were usually used, abused and trashed when through. This one, though…beauty. From it’s super-clean engine bay with the 258 inline-six to the 1980s-throwback Cragars, everything about this Hornet rules.
$4,450? What are you waiting for?
This thing SCREAMS “High School First Car”! AWESOME ! ! !
Completely agree with you HotRodPop.
When we cruised in the late 70’s early 80’s a gal had one of these. Dark green and just as nice.
The nose needs lowered & the rear needs to come up some more! LoL!!! I’d take it in a split second
I was a gearhead from the late 70’s and this car is a perfect example of the times. That being said, I didn’t like the jacked up look then and I don’t like the stance today. I would love this car after I changed the tires and wheels, put some 6×9 triaxials in the rear shelf and found a cassette tape of the Doobie Brothers Takin’ it to the streets. It looks like a great deal to me!
Sorry, need to ditch the six. 401 and 4 speed works for me.
Holley Sniper efi … O/D trans and rear axle from a Cherokee ..
update the rims and tires … great cruiser
LS swap and cue the cranky Brit!
Needs a healthy 401, a bunch of converter, some 4.88’s and slapper bars, some old school Centerlines, and a pair of 9 x 30’s out back. Great bracket package in a good looking car.
Alter nothing? Lose the wheels and flares, lower it and add some more modern 16/17 inch rims. EFI and a Procharger with an ECU ignition and you have an unsual compact sleeper.
Those flares are stock bub