AMC’s Hornet series was one of the most brilliant moves the company made…mainly, because it was a platform that the company was able to stretch as thin as angel hair pasta to use for many different applications, from legit muscle car (SC/360) to the proto-crossover (Eagle) and hatchback (Gremlin/Eagle Kammback). For a company that was always on the shoestring budget, American Motors got every last cent possible out of the Hornet architecture. The look might have changed over the years, but the underpinning was always frying-pan simple, and that goes a long way. The Hornet two-doors are probably the most clean, straight-up design that AMC produced in their short life…there was no real quirky look or hitch to the styling. Done up right, they can look pretty wicked, and while the outside appearance of this Daytona Yellow Hornet still looks really sedate, the good stuff is buried underneath.
After salvaging the Hornet from some kind of dark fate, the builder/seller of this car went straight into a restomod build that’s actually pretty brilliant: a 1991 Jeep Cherokee basically was mashed into the two-door. From the listing:
“The Drivetrain: 1991 Jeep 4.0 that was completely rebuilt from top to bottom. .030 overbore, new pistons, polished crank, new cam and lifters, redone head, valves, springs, seals etc… professionally built by a local shop. Mated to a Jeep 2WD 5 speed manual with new flywheel, clutch, throwout bearing, etc and driveshaft. New radiator, water pump, electric fan, Walbro electric pump, new fuel lines front to back, new hydraulic clutch set up, exhaust, sensors and more! Driven less than 800 miles so far.
The Body: all rust repaired, sanded, primed with epoxy and urethane primer, 5 coats of color (Daytona Yellow) and 7 coats of clear. (I have extra paint and clear left over that goes with the car for any future repairs)
The Interior: New carpeting, interior is good, front seat needs some work as a seam has begun to unravel. Tilt steering column from a Jeep. 
Features: The entire wiring harness was transplanted from a 1992 Jeep Grand Cherokee – the dash is retrofitted to the original space. You get delayed headlights, intermittent wipers, full gauge cluster, etc…
Still needs a few things to be perfect – like a stereo (you can choose your system), passenger side mirror (I have one but it is not period correct to this year) and a trunk lock (I have the truck lock but the actuator arm is missing)”
The Rough Start budget of $5,000 is normally the top limit, but every once in a while we can agree to break the budget when the result is worth it, and for this Hornet, I’d easily say it’s a good call. You won’t have a radio and the current rolling stock needs an update, but that’s nit-picking. The foundation of the car is solid and the custom work has tons of thought put into it. Plus, it’s functional and daily-driver ready. Someone needs to jump on this car and finish it off right!
Craigslist Link: 1976 American Motors Hornet
I like it! Even though it’s only a L6, the conversion seems well planned and would only change to ralley wheels. The price is right too!
I like everything about it except the color. Great build, good innovation on the drive train. I would not have thought of the Jeep system, probably would have used a small v8. Even us old dogs can learn some new tricks .
Give it some Moon discs, tint the windows, and call it good.
i think that is a great transplant. should be very fun to drive with the engine in a vehicle that is almost 1500# lighter than the jeep. i would take this as is. What a great looking ride.
Smart built , you get the driveability of fuel injection and you keep the stock original 6 cyl sound with a bonus in engine size , way enough for street fun .
Mmm, nope.