Did you know that the Eagles started out as one of Linda Ronstadt's back-up bands? If you don't know who Linda Ronstadt is then maybe today's Nice Price or Crack Pipe Eagle will additionally have you asking AMC what? That doesn't mean you still can't get familiar with this '80s flier.
Terrible then, terrible-ier now. That was the general consensus on yesterday's 1984 Hurst/Olds as even though it was a pretty loaded car, it didn't come with Linda Vaughn or as consolation, modern handling. That fact, and its price, conspired to ensure the car dropped in an 82% Crack Pipe loss.
Today we're going with another refugee from the '80s, although one with more bonafides, and fewer delusions of grandeur. Well, I guess that's not quite right as it does want to fly like an Eagle.
This 1981 AMC Eagle SX/4 can trace its lineage all the way back to the '69 Hornet and the compact Gremlin introduced a year later. American Motors Corporation milked the platform for all it was worth, and throughout the '70s and '80s managed on a minuscule budget to make it seem like an almost all-new car every few years.
One of the best decisions AMC ever made was to strap the 4WD technology from the company's Jeep division under the Hornet/Concord body, for all intents and purposes creating the American cross-over.
This one is the littlest Eagle, sharing its handsome fastback body with the Spirit Liftback. These, and the wagon-ier Kamback were both closely related to the Gremlin. The only gremlin in this one however may be its motivating factor, a four-pot that was sourced from GM, and that's the 2.5-litre Iron Duke.
Now, that's an engine with a rep for being so rough it vies with Danny Trejo for movie roles - Are you machete? No, I am the IRON DUUUUUUUUKE, and I'm here to rough you up, very, very, very slowly.
Yeah, I'd rather this Eagle have the optional 4.2 straight six, but then if wishes were fishes, we'd all be surrounded by fishes, amiright? At least it comes with a four speed stick to make the most of what the Duke has to offer.
The ad notes a new clutch and pressure plate between the two driveline components, as well as some engine parts and new meats underneath it all. Then there's the paint - Ford Sunset metallic over Toyota Sonora Gold for that mixed brand medley - which looks pretty sweet on this lifted liftback.
It does look as those the hatch lock was missed by the masker so I would want to have a closer look at the whole job. On a more positive note, the Ford Bronco II wheels look like they're at home under the flared arches.
The black interior looks to be in great shape for its age, although it should be noted that those are vinyl seats, and that this car has no A/C. Add to that all this talk about global warming and all, and you'll need to prepare for sticky thighs if you drive this baby over the summer.
The odometer says it's done 122,000 miles over the past 34 summers, and winters and whatever other season you might like. That's plenty of starts, stops and driving which the seller notes the car does without issue.
What might be an issue is getting to the bottom of the car's ownership. The seller does not hold the title, as it is apparently in the previous owner's name. He's selling it with a bill of sale only so caveat emptor.
You may or may not want to caveat the price too, which is $4,900. What do you think about that price for this 4WD Eagle, is that deal for a ticket to fly? Or, is that too much for a an Iron Duke and a bill of sale?
You decide!
Atlanta Craigslist, or go here if the ad disappears.
H/T to srmackin for the hookup!
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