Vehicle Description
While American Motors usually operated with limited capital for
new-model development, the company consistently delivered some of
America's most innovative and distinctive automobiles of the 1960s
and 1970s. By 1974, most of AMC's existing model lines were simply
massaged and updated, yet seemingly out of nowhere came the
fascinating Pacer. Built upon a trim 100-inch wheelbase and 77-inch
width, the Pacer delivered big-car interior space with an amazing
30 cubic feet of cargo space available with the rear seat down.
Amazingly versatile and quite advanced for the time, the Pacer was
correctly advertised by AMC as "the first wide small car." Other
Pacer highlights included exceptional visibility with a huge but
heat-attracting glass area, a longer passenger-side door yielding
easy rear-seat access, and a hatchback rear liftgate with
gas-filled struts for convenient cargo loading. The Pacer was yet
another "rabbit out of a hat" styling and engineering coup for AMC,
with design led by the Richard "Dick" Teague. After the comical
big-screen use of a certain Powder Blue-and-flamed 1976 Pacer as
the "Mirth Mobile" in 1991's "Wayne's World" movie, few auto
enthusiasts will recall that part of the Pacer's dimensions and
packaging were in great part dictated by the car's
originally-intended powertrain - a front-wheel drive Wankel rotary
system to be sourced by GM that was suddenly cancelled, causing AMC
engineers into a last-minute scramble to retool the car for the
company's venerable inline 6-cylinder powertrains. Production
continued through 1979 and, in addition to several trim levels and
a wide array of options, the Pacer was also offered with a station
wagon model after the car's debut for 1975. By 1976, the Pacer's
first full model year, it silenced the doubters as AMC's
best-selling car line. Featuring smart two-tone red and black
paint, accented by "Pacer X" graphics and trim, this 1976 AMC Pacer
is a captivating example of the diverse classics offered from the
Mile-High Collection. In addition to its very well-preserved
overall condition, this Pacer X features high-back bucket seats and
a gold dash motif, plus a center console, three-spoke steering
wheel, air conditioning, power brakes and power steering. The 258ci
AMC straight-6 engine was reportedly tuned prior to acquisition and
sends the power through an automatic transmission. Rides on Rally
wheels and BFGoodrich radial T/A tires. From the Mile-High
Collection.
