Vehicle Description
1978 AMC Concord DL 2 Door Sedan
The AMC Concord is a compact car produced by the American Motors
Corporation for the 1978 through 1983 model years. The Concord
replaced the AMC Hornet and to some extent the midsize AMC Matador,
discontinued after 1978 in a market moving to downsized
automobiles. Offered in 4 door sedan, 2 door coupe, (through 1982),
3 door hatchback, (through 1979), and 4 door station wagon forms,
AMC sought to give its, by this time venerable, compact car an
image of luxury, class, and value. The Concord was AMC's volume
seller from the time it appeared.
The U.S. automobile industry has had a place "for a small company
deft enough to exploit special market segments left untended by the
giants" and under the leadership of Gerald C. Meyers, AMC
transformed the austere old Hornet into the handsomer Concord.
Richard A. Teague, AMC's top car designer, took AMC's compact
platform and gave it noticeable changes starting with a new front
end with a slope that gave it a sporty, yet formal appearance.
American Motor's design studio under Teague mastered the art of
getting attractive new cars from a minimal investment. For
consignment, one of Dick Teague's masterpieces in the form of a
1978 AMC Concord DL 2 door sedan displaying a mere 9,318 title
verified actual miles...talk about showroom fresh. It's wearing its
original paint, original drivetrain and original interior plus
having its original window sticker, this is definitely one for the
hardcore AMC collector. Turn the key and hit the show circuit with
this survivor right out of Kenosha.
Exterior
This "new" car, (in both design and appearance), utilizes the
facelifted 1977 Gremlin's front fenders with a new hood over a
chrome six section eggcrate grille incorporating white rectangular
parking lights, as well as new rectangular headlights, bumpers,
fiberglass rear fender end caps, rectangular tri-color tail lights,
and a stand up hood ornament with a new Concord emblem. The roof
features an outlined quarter vinyl cover that was available in
matching or contrasting color. New style or not, with it's long
hood and short deck this car still follows the guidelines for a
pony car in the normal sense, but the side profile leads more to
that of a mundane pedestrian sedan. Straight steel panels show as
factory fresh and Quicksilver drenched steel sandwiches the Classic
Black paint making its way down the slab sides and accentuating the
wheel arches along with thin stainless trim. Up front is the full
length eggcrate grille with deeply inset headlights and chrome
trimmed marker lights hovering above the thick and shiny chrome
bumper below. Out back, another bumper hovers below the chrome
trimmed tail lights and AMC even stepped it up with more chrome
around the licence plate mount. Overall the chrome, brightwork and
badging is used sparingly around the body but does a perfect job of
highlighting the glass, wheel wells and rockers. 14-inch factory
installed aluminum slot style wheels keep this Wisconsinite on the
ground and are wrapped in deeply treaded 195/75R14 whitewall
rubber.
Interior
Black embossed vinyl panels adorn the doors with a wood applique
panel dead center and is sprinkled with a chrome delineation
dressing the applique along with more chrome for the cranks,
actuators and mirror joystick. Inside, medium high back puffy
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. These seats swim in a sea of lightly faded
deep pile black carpeting. The original black molded vinyl dash is
upfront, and sports a central blackface chrome bezel gauge cluster
deeply inset keeping the simplified look. Some deeply lacquered
faux wood dressed the wiper and headlight knob and makes an
appearance again in dash central which holds the factory AM/FM
radio and AC/heater controls. A black plastic rimmed steering wheel
with 2 center spokes and a red, white and blue AMC badge fronts the
black clean dash. Peering upward allows us to greet the like new
black cloth headliner hanging above.
Drivetrain
The original and unrestored engine bay awaits us under the hood.
Between the inner fenders is the original 258ci inline 6 cylinder
with its black air cleaner and turquoise valve coverings. There is
a single 2-barrel carburetor atop and an A904 Torqueflite 3-speed
automatic transmission is behind the 258 cubes. The rear axle comes
to us with a 2.53 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 power disc brakes up
front and power drum brakes in the back.
Drive-Ability
I had to drive this one as it was a lost dream. Fortunately, it was
not a nightmare to handle, and it ran beautifully. Smooth shifting,
bias free braking, and a fully functionalride with all items
working as intended. This car really is like a trip back in time
with its simplicity and originality. While Classic Auto Mall
represents that these functions were working at the time of our
test drive, we cannot guarantee these functions will be working at
the time of your purchase.
An interesting design right out of the late 1970's and a nice job
on the preservation. Low miles, showroom appearance and even the
window sticker make this car a sure fire collectible. What was once
ubiquitous is now a classic where few have survived, and even fewer
in this condition.....Oh Santa, I'd like to amend my list
A8A067C418650
A-AMC
8-1978
A-3 Speed Automatic, Column Shift
0-Concord
6-2 Door Sedan
7-Concord DL
C-258ci 2bbl I6
4-Kenosha, WI Assy Plant
18650-Sequential Unit Number
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and
collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate
controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8
acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic
and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the
I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit
www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us
anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.
There is no guarantee of mileage. A $299 Dealer Administrative fee
is not included in the advertised price.
With so many great cars, you know we have a lot to talk about, and
we do that each week on the Classic Auto Mall Podcast with host
Stewart Howden. Stewart discusses new inventory as well as trends
in consignments and car prices, while interviewing celebrities and
automotive professionals about amazing cars and their history. Tune
in each week to the Classic Auto Mall Podcast wherever you enjoy
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