Vehicle Description
It's a distinctive car in the true AMC tradition that takes its
name from its early '50s Hudson relative that raced to victory with
frequency back in the early '50s and when introduced, shared no
body panels with any other vehicle in its family. This 1974 AMC
Hornet is a great example of its manufacturer's unique styling
sensibilities and, with its seldom-seen status combined with light
usage - only 45,000 miles in its 30+ year life span - it represents
a great opportunity to score a rare classic at a good price.
While you certainly don't see many Hornets on the road these days,
this model lived quite a life back in its day. It not only graced
domestic roads, but also ventured to Mexico, Australia and South
Africa, as well, and it became a big part of AMC's development
efforts, serving at one point as a rolling foundation for their
alternative fuel experimentation. It even had the distinction of
appearing in a James Bond film ("The Man with the Golden Gun"),
which puts it in pretty select automotive company. The hatchback
form on display here represents the look the model is best known
for and the white hue this '74 wears is not only its original
shade, but likely the same paint it rolled off the line with
decades ago - even after all this time, it still produces an
impressive shine. It also remains a well-aligned car -there are
nice, even gaps around its doors and hood and the deluxe-sized
hatchback sits very level with the rear fenders in back. Unlike so
many of its '74 classmates, all of its badging and trim is also
presented and accounted for and looks to be in pretty solid
shape.
The blue interior - a mix of cloth and vinyl - has come through the
years in strong fashion, and a little bit of cleaning will have it
looking its best. You won't find any tears on either the front or
back bench seats, and both appear to have plenty of life left in
them. An expanse of blue carpeting also showing no serious
blemishes runs underneath. The original steering wheel still sits
in place, and just beyond it, you'll find a very clean dash area,
with a set of gauges in the textured instrument cluster that are
still very readable behind their clear lenses. The original AM
radio occupies center position and a pad free of any tearing sits
on top. In back, a pair of struts secure what has to be one of the
larger rear hatches you'll come across, and with it raised, you'll
see that the generously sized storage area in back is in good shape
and lined with fresh-looking blue carpeting. Unlike many of the
cars of this era, the headliner on this Hornet still fits snugly in
its intended position. This '70s compact is equipped with air
conditioning that, with some well-focused attention, will have it
up to speed to keep you and your passengers comfortable on your
journeys.
Underneath the hood you'll find a 258 cubic inch inline six
cylinder sitting in a clean engine compartment. It teams with a
3-speed automatic transmission and impressively responsive power
steering to make driving this Hornet a low-effort affair. It's a
one of a kind, nostalgia inducing classic that's sure to turn heads
and conjure up images of a simpler but pivotal time as it cruises
on its set of 14" stock wheels that feature distinctive,
spoon-shaped contours and are wrapped with Hankook tires up front
and Goodyears in back.
This 1974 AMC Hornet offers genuine collectability and unique
vintage styling at a good price. Call today!
