Spirit buyers in 1979 got a four-cylinder built by Audi, swapped a year later for one built by Pontiac.
Lead trim: Spirit 2.5 L I4 · up to 125 hp
American Motors Corporation Spirit1979–1983
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Nobody in Burbles has spotted a American Motors Corporation Spirit yet. See one on the street, point the app at it, and the first card is yours — with your @handle permanently credited on this page.
FactSpirit buyers in 1979 got a four-cylinder built by Audi, swapped a year later for one built by Pontiac.
The AMC Spirit is a subcompact built by American Motors from 1978 (model years 1979–1983) at Kenosha, Wisconsin and Brampton, Ontario (designer Dick Teague; the VAM Gremlin and VAM Rally in Mexico), the successor to the Gremlin, as a 2-door sedan and 3-door liftback (Spirit GT) related to the Hornet, Concord and Eagle. Engines: the 121 cu in (2.0 L) Audi-supplied four (standard on all but the AMX in 1979; replaced for 1980 by a Pontiac-built 2.5 L four, which was deleted again for 1983), the 3.8 L 232 and 4.2 L 258 sixes (the 3.8 L dropped for 1980), the 4.6 L 282 six (Mexico) and, for 1979 only on the liftback, the 5.0 L 304 V8, with a 3-speed TorqueFlite or 4- and 5-speed manuals. Wheelbase 96 in, length 167 in, width 72 in, height 51 in, curb weight 2,521 lb (base).
Collectors Spotted in the American Motors Corporation Spirit Lineage
No member has published a public street spot of the American Motors Corporation Spirit yet — the First · Worldwide stamp is wide open.
Trims & Figures
3 published trims in the catalogue. A blank is a figure not recorded, not zero.
| Trim | Years | Engine | Power | Torque | 0–60 | Drive | Gearbox | MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spirit 2.5 L I4 | 1980–1982 | 2.5 L Inline-4 | 82 hp | — | — | RWD | — | — |
| Spirit 4.2 L AMC 258 I6 | 1979–1983 | 4.2 L Inline-6 | — | — | — | RWD | — | — |
| Spirit 5.0 L AMC 304 V8 (1979) | 1979–1979 | 5.0 L V8 | 125 hp | 220 lb-ft | — | RWD | — | — |
Owning one
We don’t estimate running costs for a car like this. What it costs depends on its condition, its specialist and how it is driven, and an average would mislead.
Owners’ builds
Nobody has claimed one yet.
Photographs
Rivals
Same body, same money, other badges — tap any card to flip.
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