Vehicle Description
1971 AMC Hornet SC360
The AMC Hornet wore many hats during its heyday back in the 1970s.
Unfortunately, a number of those were quite boring to look at,
resulting in a diluted memory of this work horse. Some people
referred to the Hornet as grandma and grandpa's car. That pretty
much sums it up. Who is going to remember and cherish the car that
the grandparents drove? Yes, there were several styles to choose
from and the Hornet S/C 360 was considered a true muscle car.
Still, it was not too difficult to confuse the Hornet with the AMC
Gremlin, which was also produced at the same time. Both cars shared
platforms, adding to the confusion. Perhaps it was due to AMC's
effort to do too much with just one vehicle that made the Hornet a
less than memorable vehicle. With so many faces to one car, how
would it be possible to remember the vehicle when it had several
different looks? If you factor in that the Hornet has not been
manufactured since 1977 - 43 years ago - it is not too much of a
stretch to understand why this particular vehicle is not on the
radar of the masses. Throw in the fact that AMC has been out of
business since 1988 and there you have it.
For consignment, one of AMC's answers to the muscle car onslaught
from the big three, the 1971 Hornet SC360. A barn find if you will,
as the last inspection sticker was put on in 1984. Originally sold
at Scott Youse AMC in New Jerusalem, PA and one of only 207 Hornets
SC360's ordered for the '71 model year. If that doesn't grab your
rarity bone then how about this, only 17 cars were built with the
360ci 2bbl and 3-speed manual, and out of those 17 only 5 are
believed to still exist. Wearing it's consignor stated original
paint, original drivetrain and original interior plus having its
original window sticker and bill of lading, this is definitly one
for the hardcore AMC collector. Go over the mechanicals and hit the
show circuit with this survivor right out of Kenosha.
ExteriorWith it's long hood and short deck the Hornet followed the
guidelines for a pony car in the normal sense,but the side profile
leads more to that of a mundane pedestrian sedan, and nothing could
be further from the truth with this example. Straight steel panels
have their fair share of dings and scratches along with some
invasive rust around the passenger's rear wheel well lip, but
overall the body remains solid. Electric Blue Metallic drenches the
slab steel sides of this ride and ourconsignor states this is the
original paint. We note a different shade to the finish on the
driver's door, which could be from damage pre-delivery or even a
factory error but that story is lost to time. White decal stripes,
with slight cracking, start as a point at the front of each fender
and race rearward along the beltline with a SC360 call out at the
rear of the front fenders and then continues along just under the
side glass before wrapping over the front of the trunk giving a
nice racy and muscular look to the overall presentation. Up front
is the full length horizontal barred grille with deeply inset
headlights and gunsight trimmed marker lights hovering above the
mustache style thinbumper below. Out back, another bumper is
sandwiched between the blue lower valance and the wrap-around tail
lights with red filler panel above. We note the fuel filler cap
with the stinging namesake of the car for all to see. Overall the
chrome is good but does have hints of delamination along with a few
dings. Brightwork and badging is used sparingly around the body but
does a perfect job of highlighting the glass, wheel wells and
rockers. 14" Magnum 500 style wheels keep this Wisconsinite on the
ground and are wrapped in older E70-14 rubber.
Interior
Black embossed vinyl panels adorn the doors with a wood applique
panel dead center and is sprinkled with a chrome delineation spear
between the vinyl and the black steel upper sill along with more
chrome for the cranks, actuators and mirror joystick. This applique
has thebuzzing Hornet logo within its field. Inside, medium high
back buckets with tuck and roll black vinyl inserts, and smooth
black vinyl surrounding bolsters are dressed with ergonomic
headrests perched atop. The rear bench takes on this pattern and is
looking in very nice condition. A long shift lever reaches from the
carpeted hump for the driver and is topped with a wood knob. The
original black molded vinyl dash is upfront, and sports round
blackface chrome bezel gauges deeply inset keeping the simplified
look. This inset appears for the glovebox in front of the passenger
and the black padded topper has a center eyebrow hovering above the
Command Air heater controls and the AM radio. A black plastic
rimmed steering wheel with 2 center spokes and a red, white and
blue Hornet fronts the black clean dash. Lightly faded deep pile
black carpeting for the floors and a textured black vinyl headliner
hangs above.
Drivetrain
The original and unrestored engine bay awaits us under the hood.
Between the inner fenders is the original 360ci V8 with its black
air cleaner and turquoise valve coverings. There is a single
2-barrel carburetor atop and a Borg Warner 3-speed manual
transmission is behind the 360 cubes. The rear axle comes to us
with a Twin Grip and a 3.15 gear ratio. All looking very original
and unmolested under the hood.
Undercarriage
Some minor surface rust is seen on the suspension and drivetrain
parts, but these remain solid. Floor pans have patina black factory
paint, and the rockers have some overspray. The unibody frame
remains structurally sound. Front suspension is independent coil
springs and leaf springs for the rear with drum brakes all
around.
Drive-Ability
While complete, ourconsignor states that thepressure plate is
seized as well as the fuel system needing to be cleaned and the
brakes gone over before any driving happens. Some TLC is in order
here.
A barn find that is only a few steps away from being a drivable
survivor. AMC vehicles are rare to begin with, coupled in with the
low production numbers for the '71 SC360 models and you have darn
near one of a kind. A known history and papertrail make this one of
possibly 5 remaining hard to pass up.....Oh Santa, I'd like to
amend my list
A1F0612N234661
A-AMC
1-1971
F-3 Speed Manual Floor Shift
0-Hornet
6-2 Door Sedan
1-SC360
N-360ci V8 2bbl 245hp
234661-Sequential Unit Number
DOOR TAG
BODY 065642-Production Sequence Number
MODEL 7106 1-1971 Hornet SC360 2 Door Sedan
TRIM 141D-Black Vinyl Buckets
PAINT 86-Electric Blue Metallic
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 300 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia
on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is
www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914.
Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the
vehicle in person.
