There’s not many vehicles that we automatically suggest anything other than a V8 swap for. The AMC Hornet line, from the original 1970 Hornet through the last of the Eagle wagons made before Chrysler took over, are an exception to the rule. We often suggest the 4.0L Jeep stroker build, because sometimes a torque-monster inline-six is the right way to go. Not having a V8 soundtrack is also a bonus, because few know or remember the days when an inline six would whip ass like it was wholesale, and if it didn’t come from Japan in the last thirty years, it couldn’t possibly be good…right? Well…yes, and no. We will always offer up the Jeep stroker as a suggestion, but truth be told, there are other, even more impressive mills out there that will fit into AMC’s junior supercar/compact platform.

If the wheels didn’t give away the program, allow me to: you are looking at a combination of Hornet and the running gear, interior and wheels of a 1990s BMW Z3 M Roadster. We don’t know which exact engine is in here, but there were two options for USDM Z3Ms: The 240-horsepower S52B32 that was sold between 1997 and 2000, and the 315-horsepower S54B32 that was fitted to 2001-2002 cars. Tomato, toe-mah-toe. If you can’t see a Hornet that has to be a comfortable and swift little hot rod, then we have to ask: did you get lost looking for another site?

Facebook Marketplace link: 1975 American Motors Hornet