4X4 Survivor: 1987 AMC Eagle
Always operating in the shadows of the Big 3 U.S. automakers, American Motors was willing to try things new and different. Case-in-point is the AMC Eagle, which was a four-wheel-drive vehicle built by the company from 1980 to 88 (1987 was the last year before AMC was acquired by Chrysler Corp.). The Eagle essentially was a compact Concord sitting atop a Jeep 4WD platform. By AMC standards, it was fairly successful and led to a subcompact version called the Eagle SX/4. This ‘87 wagon version from Hickory, North Carolina looks to be in great shape and is available here on eBay where the bidding has reached $5,000.
AMC management gambled that buyers would take to a vehicle like the Eagle which offered the comfort of an automobile but with the ride height and bad-weather capabilities of a utility vehicle. They proved to be right, and coupes, sedans, and wagons were part of the mix during the automobile’s eight-year run. They would be the only 4WD passenger cars produced in the U.S. in the 1980s. Decades after the Eagle had run its course, a better-defined market for vehicles like this was created and referred to as “crossovers”. The cars would change little from year to year and sold between 5-6,000 copies in 1987, with most of those being wagons like the seller’s vehicle.
As is all too frequent on eBay, the seller has relisted this car due to a deadbeat buyer. That’s good news for the next buyer because the Eagle looks to be in attractive shape overall. The body and paint present well with just a hint of rust on the driver’s door. The woodgrain decals don’t look bad either. It has recently been detailed and the interior cleaned up, as well. The cars were powered by inline-six engines like the 258 cubic inch edition in the seller’s car, which has received a new carburetor and tuned-up.
While the tires are nearly new, there are a few things that the buyer will need to attend to, such as the hood release cable, the cables that adjust the mirrors from the inside, and the cruise control switch. Nothing that you’re must deal with on the way home from the deal. The odometer reads 18,500 miles but the seller suspects there should be another “1” in front of that number. An Experion AutoCheck Vehicle History Report is provided that gives the Eagle a solid report card. These oddities in the auto world (at the time) are considered collectible in some circles today.
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Comments
Actually the Eagle was a kind of skunk works project that was not initiated by company brass. The story goes that when AMC management found out about it the reaction was “What the hell is this?” However the company was desperate for new product that could be produced on a shoestring and the Eagle was approved for production.
https://www.curbsideclassic.com/curbside-classics-american/curbside-classics-amc-eagle-wagon-and-sedan-what-the-hell-is-this/
I’ve owned Eagles and there is provision for a sixth digit on the odometer, so I’d say there’s something screwy going on with the mileage indication on this one if it reads only 18,500 miles. (The sixth digit is thinner than the others, maybe it just wasn’t noticed?)
That’s not the original air cleaner of course and there was a fair amount of emissions plumbing connected to the original. There’s a good chance a lot of the emissions gear was bypassed which was done frequently on these cars due to the complexity of the system. Obviously that could be an issue in places that check emissions on cars this old, especially if they look under the hood for “tampering”.
A small bit of trivia is that the optional factory wire wheel covers on Eagles were sourced from GM – if the AMC logo sticker in the center comes off you’ll see the Buick tri-shield!
Check carefully for rust, this one looks great but that plastic cladding has been known to conceal horrors!
Everybody sees the 118,500 odometer, except the Sammer selling it.
Lucky him has already doubled his expenses and done no repairs.
Great car at the wrong time. They were awesome in the snow and had a strong following for anyone who lived in snow country. I’m beginning to wonder if Audi hadn’t stolen the idea for their Allroad model. This looks nice a nice example but if you live in areas which require emissions testing you are out of luck. Personally I would install a Holley efi system which gives you provisions to run evap emissions and with a Wideband A/F sensor you could hang a cat on it and get it to pass.
I wanted the compact version, Eagle SX/4, but I was in the Army then and they didn’t pay that much at the time. Now I drive an AWD Ford Escape and a 4×4 Dodge Ram.
If I recall, Ford produced FWD Tempo and Topaz in the 80s.
Yes, you are correct however AMC had it first with their set-up.
My Mother-in-law and her sister both had these when they were new. They made a lot of Vermonters comfortable with winter driving much as Subaru’s do today.
Used to see alot of these on the drive to Whiteface Mountain which is a great spot, beautiful part of the country.
So true
My sister had a condo in the whiteface mountain area and the drive there in 1995 was amc/eagle heaven
They were everywhere
All replaced by suv ´s now !
If you look closely at the front seat covers, they seem to be new seat covers.
I.m not sure about this but they do look nice.
I.d wanna see the underside for rust.
I’m an owner of a 1987 Eagle wagon with 65000 miles. The faux woodgrain panels have become a bit faded and wondering if anyone out there might be able to recommend where I might be able to find decent replacements. Thanks for a great sight.
AMC, you are missed.
Nice Eagle, but I’d lose those ugly wire wheel covers and put on some stamped steel wheels.
Everybody sees the 118,500 odometer, except the Sammer selling it.
Lucky him has already doubled his expenses and done no repairs.
I’d lose the rather substantial luggage rack sitting on top as well .
It ruins the lines of a very good looking car.
I inherited a 1986 eagle wagon from my father about 10 years ago. He had since new. He loved that car. I drove it for awhile then gave it my friend who gave to his daughter. She drove for awhile then he gave it back to me. I then gave it to my son for his first car for his first year of college 4 years ago. He drove for 2 years. He learned a lot about a car and its problems. People on the street would always come up and talk to him about it. It was still running with 280,000 miles but the motor was wore out. It needed a rebuilt or new moter at that point. Regretfully I decided to sell it. the other year. It was inspected at time sale. Sold for it for $1500.00
eBay always hides the bidders identity by using a system shortening bidders ID such as:
n***0Feedback Score (209),
0***2Feedback Score (74),
a***5Feedback Score (1)
Not on this sale! What is the seller hiding?
All his eBay bidders are called:
Bidderprivate listing – bidders’ identities protected
What does that mean?
Seller shill bidding & doesn’t want bidders to see rating number & if other bidder isn’t pushed as high as seller wants, car re-listed & the non-paying “winner” shill bidder is back bidding again! Also if it works for these repeating car flip crooks, they list another car & shill bid again!
The Eagle was NOT a Concord body on a Jeep chassis/drivetrain at all.
It had coil springs in front with halfshafts from the front diff which was mounted to the engine block. Leaf springs in rear.
I have owned them and was Service Manager at an AMC/Jeep/Renault dealer from 1980 through 1992.
Someone turned seller into eBay for shill bidding .
Add now reads: “This listing was ended by the seller because there was an error in the listing”
Watch for that car to reappear from a new seller~!
And how do you know this?
Let’s try this again , relisting due to a non paying bidder , Curious why Ebay allows that :/
This is a nice example of a 1987 AMC EAGLE Wagon . Someone loved this Eagle !!
Paint is in good condition , interior looks great , Goodyear tires are about 90% , odometer is showing 18,500 miles , I would bet that is 118k but no way to be certain . The air conditioning works as it should !!! A 4×4 Station Wagon !!! This Eagle was way ahead of its time for sure !!!
New carburetor , full tune up , car has been professionally detailed , waxed , etc
Interior has been cleaned , looks great
Vehicle needs these items
1. Better Hood release cable ( the one located below the dash
2. New cables to adjust mirrors from inside ( adjustment can be made manually )
3. Small rust area addressed on the drivers door
4. Cruise control / dip switch handle on column mounted turn signal lever
Set of extra hubcaps included with purchase
Extra parts , carburetor and other odds and ends
Very cool vehicle , Folks are always asking about it !!!
Bid with confidence , this is a solid vehicle !!
April 13, 2022
Let’s try this again , relisting due to a non paying bidder , Curious why Ebay allows that :/
odometer is showing 18,500 miles
Bid with confidence , this is a solid vehicle !!
SAME ADD, SAME SHILL BIDDERS running the price to $5050
“Curious why Ebay allows that :/ “