AMC Eagle
In last week's Jeep Wagoneer Car Lust, several commenters mentioned the AMC Eagle as another completely honest, totally rugged, wonderfully faithful vehicle. People, if you're looking for some appreciation for the Eagle, you've come to the right place.
Today, the AMC Eagle looks like an ungainly, unlovely, rolling anachronism, with indifferent build quality and a paucity of style and elegance. But what you have to remember is that, back when it was introduced in the early 1980s, the Eagle was an ungainly, unlovely, rolling anachronism with indifferent build quality and a paucity of style and elegance.
Well, okay, so it's always been a bit ugly, and it wasn't assembled by loving white-coated technicians in a hushed, spotless workshop. But I love the Eagle, and when it debuted, it was something of a revolutionary car. A tall wagon with plenty of storage space and all-wheel-drive traction, the Eagle was kind of a proto-crossover, or an Ur-Forester.
The Eagle's distinctive high ground clearance and all-wheel-drive traction meant it could go anywhere, and its tall wagon body could fit six adults and a ton of cargo. It was the original go-anywhere, do anything family car. It was one of the earliest cars to offer all-wheel-drive, well before Subaru made AWD de rigueur in its line. AWD didn't make the Eagle into anything remotely resembling a pocket Audi Quattro, but the Eagle was a cheerful, sturdy, utilitarian pal who would stick by you and do you right--even if it did throw an electrical problem at you from time to time.
One aunt and uncle of mine had an Eagle after previously owning several other AMC products (a Pacer, a Wagoneer, and at least one Renault/AMC Alliance). They and my three cousins were always a dizzying blur of activity, and they just beat on that car relentlessly. Big toothy chrome grin, fake woodgrain siding and all, it took them camping, carried cargo, and hauled more small children at a time than a clown car. In well over a decade of service, I doubt that poor Eagle ever had a day when it wasn't serving as a commuter car, a pickup truck, a minivan, a Bobcat tractor, and a Sherman tank. The Eagle took it in stride and was always ready for more.
Once, when I was a kid, our families went sledding on a steep hill in the mountains. This was a steep hill, more like a mountain, with at least a foot of loose snow powder on a base of ice. My uncle would sit at the bottom of the hill in the Eagle, idling and drinking his coffee. When we'd successfully sled down to the bottom of the hill, we'd pile in, cold, red, and gasping, and he'd drive us calmly up the hill. Not switchbacking up the hill, mind you--he'd drive straight up the powdery slope to the top of the hill. The Eagle never even stumbled.
I'm reminded of the Pat McManus short story where he describes his first mountain car--it was devoid of such frills as doors, floorboards, seats, brakes, and emissions equipment, but it happily growled its way into landscape that would've made a mountain goat nauseus. In spirit, at least, McManus' mountain car was undoubtedly an Eagle. (By the way, I'm inordinately proud of the little AMC pun in the previous sentence.)
In the summer, to keep sweaty children cool and to prevent them from sticking permanently to the standard vinyl seats, my aunt and uncle would duct-tape vacuum cleaner hoses to the Eagle's dashboard air vents. They'd then stretch the nozzles back to us kids in the back seat so we could "shower" in the cool air. Ever since then, I've thought that was a fantastic idea.
I've always been extremely fond of Eagles, not least because just seeing one gives me the instinctive expectation that fun would follow soon after. I'd love to have an Eagle as a beater. It's extraordinarily useful, goes anywhere, and takes a beating without flinching, which makes it a valuable automotive buddy to have around.The Eagle was AMC's last major sales success, so it's not impossible to find one used. The tricky part is finding one in halfway decent shape.
The video below is actually two classic AMC ads stuck together; the first is for the Eagle wagon profiled here, and the second is for the sporty two-door Eagle SX/4. A few notes:
- Hooray! Another moonscape!
- "Two-wheel drive luxury ..." What is that? The luxury of low traction?
- I love that both ads are built around a set of fingers moving the cheesy chrome 2WD/4WD switch back and forth. I get what they're going for, but it's not exactly your typical commercial approach.
- "You are about to leave the world of ordinary sports cars ..." Well, if you're talking about the Eagle SX/4, that's certainly true. I love the Eagle, but I think it's safe to say it in no way resembles a sports car.
- Along those lines, I think it's really amusing that in the SX/4 "sports machine" ad, the switch-flipper (ostensibly the driver) is wearing what I think is supposed to be stringback driving gloves. I can just imagine a sports car purist dumping their Bugeye Sprite for an AMC Eagle and pulling on the stringback driving gloves in anticipation of a sporting romp.
All of the photos here come from Flickr users; the woodie wagon is from user Triborough, and gorgeous winter photos are from user pierre m. Those interested in learning more about the Eagle, or chatting with Eagle die-hards, should check out AMC Eagle Nest.
--Chris H.
Jon on December 30, 2008 at 12:20 PM
My first car at the age of 16 was a used maroon 1981 two door Eagle with a sunroof and the 258 straight six. After 22 years of driving, it's still my favorite car, even though it got retired to the junkyard about 18 years ago. It still ran great and had over 150,000 miles on it, but the drivetrain and suspension problems were too expensive to fix. I loved the car, but it did have a lot of problems. Both rear axles broke and those didn't exactly cost a few bucks to replace. One of the rear springs busted too. And those front transaxle boots had to be replaced more than once. But being my first car, and at that age it's primary function was picking up girls, that car could tell many interesting stories.
MIchael on January 22, 2009 at 10:52 PM
Just bought a 87 limited good condition inside almost perfect 800 bucks, im stoked. The best toy ever
chad on January 25, 2009 at 11:04 AM
i will sell my eagle to anyone who really wants one it has 93000 miles new tranny rebuilt carb but need distributor button only 3 bucks bpdy is in neaer mint condition new valve cover too
Sean on April 18, 2009 at 10:38 AM
I still have my Grandpa's 1985 Eagle Limited and it still runs great. It has been here in Colorado all of it's life and has been over many rough roads and snowstorms. It has been a very reliable car with and occasional need for a new valve cover gasket or wheel bearing. I am reluctantly selling it today where I live in Eagle, CO because of financial circumstances. With just over 100,000 miles, I think it will sell quickly for $800. Thank you Eagle and may you live to see another 100,000!
Justin on June 28, 2009 at 10:51 PM
I live with a couple of good friends, and one of them happens to be an ASE certified mechanic. My better half and I had been looking for and thinking about a vehicle for the past two years, but never could get around to affording one until a few months ago. That friend of ours suggested that we purchase an Eagle. He used to have an SX4, and loved it, and suggested that we find a wagon. We did, for 1300 dollars, with nearly perfect paint (considering it's an 83), a rebuilt motor and nearly pristine interior. It ran rough, and couldn't pass emissions, but for the sweet two weeks we were able to drive it before the temp tag expired and it was time to go under the knife, we fell in love with it, especially me. I remember remarking to a friend of mine in high school a few years ago who had one about how ugly they are, and now I find I'm kicking myself for even saying that. Even though my car hasn't run for over a month, I'm determined to fix it up and make it better, and a little modernized, because if there was ever one classic American 80's car I'd ever own, and ever will own, it's this one. It's grown on me so much, and now I find myself ancy to get it going again in time for another harsh Colorado winter, its true habitat. It has everything we need and everything I want... 4x4, space, some towing capability, amazing offroad capability, reliability (due to the following), thanks to a very surprisingly massive amount of parts interchangeability between it and jeeps of the same and newer generations, especially with the powerplant, practicality, and of course, it's one of the most unique cars out there, thanks to all of that. Zombyboy, check craigslist, they're around every now and then :)
terry dury on July 16, 2009 at 01:53 PM
I just stumbled on this post. What a great tribute to my favorite car. I loved taking it out in snow and simply flooring the pedal. Nothing could stop it.
This year I'll see if my wife's new X3 can do the same.
Carl in New Mexico on July 18, 2009 at 09:28 AM
I was just sent a link to this article, and I love it!! Being an Eagle owner, it is refreshing to see a positive review of the cars. So frequently our cars get bashed and ridiculed by people who have never owned one, or just never understood AMC products in general. I have owned my '86 wagon for three years now. She is my daily driver, and has never left me stranded. My commute is a 70 mile a day round trip, plus wherever else I may choose to go. I have taken my car on road trips, the most recent one being 1,500 miles, driven in two days, one day of which was a heavy snowfall that caused the roads to be snowpacked. The Eagle never faltered. It runs well at highway speeds, and gets good gas mileage to boot. (I average a bit over 20 mpg on my daily commute, though I have gotten as high as 25 mpg) When the car does need the occasional repair, it is easy enough to do myself. I will not sell my Eagle, though I have had a number of offers over the years. I always wanted one since I was a kid. Unlike many people, I love the looks of my car. Whether or not you like the looks, it is always easy to spot your Eagle in a crowded parking lot. I too, am a member of the Eagles Nest, and we have a great online community. If anyone out there is thinkling of buying an Eagle, I very much recommend they get inolved with the 'Nest. The support is great. Have the Best Day everyone.
Yours in Eagle Solidarity, CaptCarl
Jason Carpp on September 06, 2009 at 08:01 PM
It's too bad when Chrysler took over the Eagle name, it didn't include the Eagle 4x4 car. That migt've been good for the company. I've always liked AMC cars. My favourites are Matador, later Hornet, Concord and the Eagle.
Amanda on October 30, 2009 at 11:31 AM
Hello,
I just stumbled upon this blog looking for some eagle parts. My husband's father gave us an amc eagle and when i first saw it...well, let's just say it wasn't what i expected. My husband was really excited about this car when he brought it to our shop. It had been sitting for around 8 years and my husband put some new gas in it and it fired right up. Well, so far so good. So i took it for a spin around the parking lot.....Now I have to say that I am a sewing machine fanatic...AND when I drove this car it purred like a good old fashioned Bernina sewing machine or A nice Elna.
It has such nice features, like the retractable cover for the cargo area. Wow! I fell in love, I can now say I have 4 loves, My husband, Bernina, Elna and of course Amc Eagle! With everyone talking about how eagle handles in the snow I'm put to ease because we are moving up to Oregon and I was scared about having a reliable car in the mountains. And with only 39K original miles with one owner, looks like I found a keeper!
Randy in Bartlett, Tn on May 17, 2010 at 08:17 AM
I just got my first Eagle. Its a 1982 4 door sudan, very clean and
complete little car. Not the wagon type, not many left that i can find. Runs and drives great with very cold air. Whats it worth?
Thanks
Randy in Tennessee
seguin on December 02, 2010 at 04:39 PM
I have fevered dreams of lowering one, dropping a Jeep 4.0, stroked out to 4.7L, in it, and doing the Lancia Delta Integrale treatment to it.
mmmmmmmm
Ryan Seiler on April 19, 2011 at 07:17 PM
ive recently come across one of these its an sx-4 with the towing package so i believe it has 3.08 gears in the rear diff. ive put over 2 grand into it so far and it still hasnt irked me enough to get rid of it. all of the emmissions were shot and the catalytic converter was clogged so i had to do away with it all and get a non electric carb. by reverting the engine back to the original 1971 specifications, it is incredible how much extra power can be achieved from such a small car. sadly the 4wd vacuum nightmare fell apart before i got the car and it is completely Useless in any rough weather in 2wd keep it in mind
Jason Carpp on September 11, 2011 at 07:20 PM
Awesome story! I've never owned an AMC Eagle, nor do I know anyone who has. But I've always been interested in the car, particularly the 4wd station wagon. Beautiful car.
Jeremy on November 04, 2011 at 01:54 PM
The Eagle was the ORIGINAL CROSSOVER in the purest form,atleast in my opinion,it had all wheel drive plenty of room,for it's time was well equipped,eventually even equipped with keyless entry,something everyone considers commonplace these.had a 5,000 lb. towing capacity would go pretty much anywhere and in some cases got extremely good gas mileage especially for it's era and being all wheel drive,chrysler should've updated it and kept going,but a k car version would've killed it's image like chrysler seems to have done so well with jeep.The only thing even remotely like a jeep was always meant to be is the wrangler and even that's getting too soccermom'ish for me.