Hard to believe, looking at the AMC Spirit, that it’s roots trace back to the 1970 AMC Hornet. One can’t be blamed for AMC reusing the platform…the company had survived on a shoestring budget and the design talent of Richard Teague for so long that mild change ups were the normal. And you can’t knock the Spirit for it’s looks…compared to some of AMC’s other offerings, the Spirit was actually a pretty handsome car in it’s regular hatchback form. Don’t ask about the Spirit Kammback…it was a warmed-over Gremlin trying to hide and not doing a very good job. We’ve always had a thing for these Spirits and their AMX cousin, because this was really AMC’s last shot at a factory hot-rod…after this they focused on the before-it’s-time Eagle wagon and Jeeps.
Finding a Spirit that’s ready to rock isn’t too difficult. Finding a nice one, that is still AMC powered and still street-legal, on the other hand, is a bit more difficult, especially concerning the engine choice. But it’s there, a worked-over AMC 360 backed by a modified 727 automatic. With the 4.10 rear axle currently in the car, the Spirit is good for a 13-flat quarter-mile. Something tells us that the 360 is either perfect for the street or open game to some tweaking…
eBay Link: 1980 American Motors Spirit
Pure AMC. Much appreciated, Bryan.
Quick – somebody buy it before a mouth-breathing asshole sticks an LS in it..
Geordie, let it go before you have a conniption! Oh wait, too late…..
I’m with Geordie, **** LS motors. That Spirit is so much sweeter with Nash power!
Love it – I’d take – no question!!
Geordie, you really aught to have that LS diarrhea checked out. Even a post that DOESN’T have an LS in it brings an LS comment.