I wish I knew what really pulled me towards this 1973 AMC Hornet while I was digging through eBay. Certainly, picking a Hornet isn’t a bad idea…AMC’s final major platform design lasted through four major model names (add Spirit, Concord and Eagle to the list) and ran to the end of AMC’s line in 1987, with the Eagle wagon living on until the very end of 1987 itself. It’s the early Hornets that speak to me the most, though…they’re like a good Maverick or Nova, they are simple, clean designs that made good use of the “compact” dimensions that American manufacturers were scrambling towards as the emissions mandates loomed. The Hornet might even be the least “weird” American Motors product ever produced.

The simplicity of this green example is what is capturing my attention. It’s all one color, the stock green inside and out. Nothing changed or screwed with, just all there and aged well. The 258/Torque-Command automatic is an underrated choice, and while I’ll always want more power out of one, there is no real reason to not build the six. Fixing the air conditioning system nets year-round comfortable driving, and even the newer US Mags wheels look perfectly at home on the car. I would actually struggle with myself to clean up, modify or alter much of anything on this car. Building a stroker out of the 258 would be fine, but other than that? I couldn’t do anything else. What about you?

eBay Link: 1973 American Motors Hornet