Rare 5-Speed: 1985 AMC Eagle Limited Wagon

This 1985 AMC Eagle Limited is an exceptionally tidy Wagon. It doesn’t merely look good, because it is in excellent mechanical health, and the first owner loaded it with desirable factory options. It has been the seller’s pride and joy, but with a pending relocation and no space for the Eagle, the time has come for it to find a new home. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Brian H for spotting this wonderful classic.

AMC released the Eagle in late 1979, basing its latest model on its Concord compact. Buyers could initially select from Coupe, Sedan, and Station Wagon variants, with a Hatchback and Convertible arriving later. This Eagle is a Limited Wagon, and it makes a positive first impression, courtesy of its paint combination of Almond Beige and Autumn Brown. Scrutinizing the photos reveals relatively few paint imperfections, although there are a couple of minor dings that might respond positively to attention from a paintless dent removal company. Although most manufacturers had begun paying attention to rust-prevention strategies by the time this Wagon rolled off the line, AMC remained ahead of the game. It utilized a significant amount of galvanized steel in bodyshells, with every car also receiving a Ziebart treatment before leaving the factory. The company’s confidence was sky-high on the subject, offering buyers a five-year “No Rust Thru” Warranty on every Eagle. That means that while it is fairly common to see these cars looking battered and bruised, it is rare to find them riddled with rust. This Limited is as solid as a rock, while the trim and glass are excellent. The wheels retain their original hubcaps, and another set is among the selection of spares included in the sale.

Buyers ordering a 1985 Eagle received the company’s venerable 258ci six that generated 112hp and 210 ft/lbs of torque. Its Select Drive four-wheel drive system received the “Shift On The Fly” function as a standard feature from this model year. A five-speed manual transmission was the default, although the seller claims that it is actually rare. We’ve seen many of these vehicles cross our desks at Barn Finds over the years, and since most feature the optional three-speed automatic, the claim may have merit. The seller recently performed a service, replaced the valve cover gasket, and fitted new tires. One change that I don’t oppose was their decision to ditch the original carburetor in favor of a Weber 32/36. This should improve the engine’s response, and will almost certainly have unlocked measurable performance improvements. Potential buyers could fly in and drive this beauty home because it is in excellent health.

The seller supplies limited interior photos that don’t provide an overview. However, piecing the images together paints a positive picture that combines excellent presentation with a wide selection of desirable factory options. These include air conditioning, leather trim, a factory AM/FM radio/cassette player with four speakers, a rear cargo shade, the center gauge cluster, and remote exterior mirrors. The only items missing to achieve a perfect score are power windows and a power driver’s seat. The seller recently converted the A/C to R134a refrigerant, confirming that it blows ice cold. There is no visible seat wear, the dash and pad are excellent, and the rear cargo area is remarkably clean. There are no visible aftermarket additions, and no flaws requiring urgent attention.

I have been fortunate enough to drive some very desirable classics, but one that remains on my Bucket List is the AMC Eagle. The appeal of some cars is immediately apparent, but there is an indefinable something about this 1985 Limited Wagon that I find attractive. However, that isn’t unusual in the classic world, with most owners parking a car in their garage based on emotion rather than logic or investment potential. The seller has listed the Eagle here on Facebook Marketplace in St. Petersburg, Florida. They initially stated that their asking price of $9,000 is fairly firm, although it appears there might be room to move if interested parties make a respectful offer. What would you be prepared to pay for this fantastic survivor?