American Motoring Volume 42, Issue 2 Mar./Apr., 2018
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http://www.amonational.com Volume 42, Issue 2
Mar./Apr., 2018
American Motoring
Contents
Features Columns
AMO President’s Colum _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Page 3
Editor’s Notes _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ____ _ _ _ _ _ _ Page 4
Tech Questions with Jeff Reeves _ _ _ _ _Page 8
AMO MemBErSHIP _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Page 32
History Pick _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Page 14
Events Calendar_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Page 22
2017 Autorama_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Page 6 Classified American _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Page 45
Halverson Racing Season_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ pAGE 10
HAulin History _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _Page 23
For the Long Haul _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ Page 28
Moving? Derek Dorroh Name:_______________________________
Send Your information to: 12229 Freemont Ln.
Raleigh, NC 27613 AMO#_________
amomembership@gmail.com
Old Address: New Address
_______________________________________ _______________________________________
Street or P.O. Box Street or P.O. Box
City:___________________________________ City:___________________________________
State:_____________ZIP__________________ State:_______________ZIP_________________
Page 2 American Motoring Mar/Apr., 2018
AMO President’s Column
Convention information – meaning chapters won’t have to build
a new website from scratch when they host a Convention.
The reason judging sheets will be available is because the
new system will allow us to begin digitally scoring cars at the
convention. This will allow the judging teams to look at past
Ian Webb scores for a car, and allow the Club to know that all cars
AMO President registered have been scored before the end of the banquet.
ijwebb@me.com These scores will then be saved in the database, and shortly
after the show will be available to members to view online. I’ll
go into more detail about how the judging works in the next
The Board of Directors green lit a project recently that has been newsletter because it is pretty robust, and going to be a very
under discussion for some time, and it is something we are all powerful tool for us.
pretty excited about it! It is something that I firmly believe will
change AMO for the better, and allow us to better adapt to the So, to pull all this together, imagine this: you log into the AMO
way our members communicate and live the hobby. website in January and enter your cars into your profile. Then,
in February, you log back in and register your 1966 American
The project is, at its core, a database. It is a software solution for the national event. When you show up at the event, you give
that allows us to better store all of our data in the cloud in one, your membership number, the person asks if you are showing
accessible form. This is the most crucial thing we needed to do, the 1966 American, you say “yes”, and you are all set! Then
as doing so will allow us to operate the Club – and our shows a week or so after the event, you receive an email notifying
– in more efficient manner. Over the past few months step 1 you that your judging sheet is available for viewing. You can
has been underway and, as of this writing, nearly complete. also view the convention at AMONational.com and see all the
This means that AMO membership is now operating under this awards from the show, complete with photos of each car!
system.
If your car advanced to Senior Class, the system will know that
So I’m sure this sounds like a lead in to a lot of technical talk, when you register, and the judges will too. When judging the
and I won’t really bore everyone with that. I’d rather explain car, they will be able to see what you scored the previous year,
what this means for the Club as we move forward. so if you were marked off for pitted chrome bumpers, the judge
will be able to see and verify if that has been fixed. This will lead
First – a new mobile responsive website will be built along to further consistency in judging.
with this database, which will still allow you to login in and
view American Motoring, but will also allow you to manage In the future, we will be opening up the database to allow
your membership, view exclusive club documents, register chapters to manage their membership using the system.
for events online, and even look at your past judging sheets. Website hosting, membership management and even judging
This site will also act as the portal for registering at the show, at regional shows could be used through this system. This
which should help speed up the lines, and will be the hub for all investment by National will allow AMO to offer more value to the
Chapters in the future.
There are a lot of dimensions to the new system, and we
won’t be rolling all of them out at the same time. The new
website should be up by summer, and we plan to test the
digital judging with a few classes at Auburn. If all goes well,
St Louis will be the first Convention that is run entirely on
the new system. It will be a long road to get all the wishes
implemented, but it will happen in time. We need to fix the
important things first so we can cover the basics, then add
more features. And for those of you who aren’t online or
overly comfortable with things like this, we can still handle
everything the way we have in the past and mail judging
sheets and renewal cards.
I also want to express a sincere thank you to everyone on
the Board who have supported this project. Also to Joe
Fougerousse and Derek Dorroh who have been involved for
the past year in looking at different vendors for this project.
Derek has also been instrumental in getting the new system
up and running for phase 1 and has gone above and beyond
the call of duty!
As we move forward, there will be more updates and more
information on this project – so stay tuned!
American Motoring Mar./Apr., 2018 Page 3
Club Information
Editors Notes American Motors Owners Associa-
tion (AMO) is a Wisconsin chartered,
nonprofit organization, which exists ex-
pressly for the purpose of aiding and
encouraging the use, enjoyment, pres-
ervation and restoration of vehicles
Cheryl Samuel Mike Spangler built by AMC between 1958 and 1988.
sambo@ jefnet.com mspangler@ jefnet.com American Motoring is the official news
publication of AMO, with its principal
offices at 2136 Wawonaissa Tr., Fort
Wayne, IN 46809. American Motoring
Welcome to the world of the editors. Here we sit and look upon an empty page. What is published on a bi-monthly basis with
should I write about today? I have been listening to people talk about the cars from the past a total of six issues per year. Issues
and how much fun they had growing up. Let us take this a step farther. You liked the cars are due to the members within the first
you rode in the back seat of. Does that also mean you enjoyed the families you were raised two (2) weeks of each odd numbered
by? Did you appreciate the hard work your father put in every day so you could sit in the month. Subscription is free to all paid
members of AMO. Permission must
backseat of those cars? Do you now understand why your parent or parents were never
be obtained in writing from the editor to
home and asked you to do chores? When we look backwards we also have to understand copy, reproduce, or copy through any
what made our lives what they are. Some may have grown up in some really hard times. media the materials contained herein.
The Rambler you adore now may have been at the highest point of payment for some. Membership in AMO is open to all AMC
Not everyone back then was able to pull 800 to a 1000 dollars out and buy new. You were enthusiasts worldwide at $35.00 U.S.,
Canada & Mexico $ 40.00 U.S., Foreign
taught if you wanted a bike you needed to work to pay for it yourself. The best I was told
$ 45.00 U.S per annum. Ownership of
if you work hard enough we will pay half. By the time you saved your share the interest in an AMC vehicle is not required. Send
that bike was gone. membership requests to the Member-
ship Director. Contributions to American
I was never afraid to work. As Mike tells me, I am my own worst enemy. I keep creating Motoring are highly encouraged. Mate-
work for myself. I create charts on what needs to be done. By the time I start something rial accepted is subject to editing and / or
revision. The act of submitting articles,
I already know what the cost is going to be. This is a habit I learned from being a kid. So information, or any other materials shall
when you look backwards at the cars you also need to look backwards at how life was for constitute an expressed warranty by
you and your family. As the story always begins, farms kids see things different than city the contributor, to this publication, that
kids. Not all had the best items made. Some had what they could afford. When you take such material is original and in no way
your car to a car show you still hear how this car was number one, your car was made for an infringement on the rights of others.
Contributions should be sent
the poor man to have. Okay, so now stop and think. Both of these vehicles are sitting here
to the Newsletter Editor only.
today. So what difference did it make on which one was number one and which one wasn’t? While it is a service of AMO to provide
technical information to its membership,
Down the road from us we have a guy that collects Mustangs. He gets jealous every any maintenance techniques, technical
time someone comes to take pictures of our cars. One day he came over when the information or possible modifications
published in American Motoring should
magazine guys were here. He had his mustang and wanted to know why they didn’t want
be weighed against conventional, tra-
to take pictures and do a write up about his car? They looked at him and smiled, you can ditional and generally accepted tech-
find mustangs in every car magazine out there. What we are taking pictures of you will not niques and modifications. The views
see in every magazine. Mr. Mustang lost his anger real fast. Our goal is to show the public expressed in American Motoring are
the poor man’s car from the past is coming back to be seen and to be owned. Look at all those of the author of the article or the
the car magazines out there, the cars we collect are showing up between the pages. It may person quoted. Owners should consider
possible techniques or modifications in
have taken awhile, but we are now achieving a wonderful goal. light of common sense compromises
among safety, economy, longevity, per-
The newsletters have caught up. We made a lot of people work real hard. The weather formance, reliability, driveability, legal-
is changing. Everyone is sending us their car show flyers and Cruise In dates. People are ity and resale value. AMO, American
calling us looking for parts for their cars. In no time the National Event will be here. This Motoring and this organization will not
assume or accept any liability result-
is 2018 the next Kenosha will be 2020. Time will start flowing. There is only 13 weekends
ing from the information contained
to celebrate Car Show Summer. What is important saving money to buy parts or buying herein. Any modifications possibly af-
summer clothes? fecting safety, economy, longevity, per-
formance, reliability, driveability, legality,
Have fun going through the newsletter. We try to put a little of everything in it. Send emissions and resale value are the sole
responsibility of the person performing
us stories of your shows, Cruise Ins, and events. Otherwise, you will be reading about the
the modifications. When such modifi-
lives of Mike and Cheryl. We have a lot to write about, but is it interesting? Let me think cations are presented in American Mo-
about that one for a few weeks. toring they are done so with the under-
standing that the individual will use those
modifications within the framework of all
applicable federal, state and local laws.
All rights reserved, no part of this
publication may be reproduced without
prior written permission of the editor.
© Copyright American Motors Owners
Association
Page 4 American Motoring Mar./Apr., 2018
Letters to the Editor
Subject: Hot Rod Super Nationals June 22-24, 2018 . How cool is this? Dealer principal: Jule Nusbaum; Grand
Hope all is well, we are busy planning this year’s event and Rambler Limited, Toronto, 1380 Eglinton Ave.
looking forward to spring! Last year we allowed reserved spaces W., Toronto, Ontario, Canada. From Steve Nusbaum: “Just
for individual cars (cars not in a club) but have eliminated that came across this vinyl LP. My Dad promoted his dealership
this year. in 1962 by establishing his own record label and giving his
Only cars in groups of 15 or more will have reserved spaces. customers copies. His logo appears in the top right corner as
We believe this will eliminate some problems we had last year it did on his dealer sticker and the car on the cover was my
with the reserved parking.
mother’s new Classic demo.” Needless to say it is now in my big
Can you let me know approximately how many cars you think
would be coming from your club? It will help in my real estate AMC DEALERSHIPS file at Planet Houston AMX!
planning. http://www.planethoustonamx.com/amc-dealerships/grand-
If you have any questions, please feel free to call me. Have rambler-toronto.JPG
a great weekend! Eddie Stakes 713-464-8825 days www.planethoustonamx.
Rachel Kreager Event Manager mailto:Rachel@supernats. com
com Cell 330.883.2644 Hot Rod Super NationalsCanfield
Fairgrounds, Canfield Ohio June 22, 23 and 24th www. Hello. My name is Joy Rhodes. I live in Omaha NE. I recently
hotrodsupernats.com inherited my dad’s 1964 Rambler. I believe he was a member
of the AMO; Earl Rhodes from Gainesville Georgia.
Subject: Car in the Lone Star Throwdown Show in Texas Are there any AMO chapters in the Midwest area?
We just transported the Rambler to Omaha in fall of 2017.
Hoping to share our Rambler in car shows this year. I’m
interested in shows as well as information for buying parts.
Thank you, Joy Rhodes
Subject: A retired 1972 Alabama state trooper Javelin
Mr Spangler, Just wondering if you might know anyone that
has one. I’m located in Alabama.
Thank you, Larry Tucker jltucker@charter.net
Subject: Sno-way plows
Hi Mike, In the Jan./Feb., 2018 Issue on the back cover you
“Gunner” asked about Snow Way Snow plows for Eagles. I was involved
John Gunnell, PO Box 87, Iola, WI 54945, Ph: 715-445-4262, with making the wiring harnesses for Snow-way, but I didn’t
Cell: 715-281-5925, EM: Gunnellj@TDS.net know what vehicles they were for and I have no brochures. I
LIVIN’ THE DREAM believe they are still in business. The blade was made of Lexan,
Please visit Gunner’s Great Garage, Restoration Shop - thus they were really light and a vehicle like the Eagle could
Automotive Book Shop - Art Gallery handle the weight.
E6110 Fuhs Rd, Manawa, WI 54949, WEBSITE: www. Sorry, I couldn’t be of more help. Jack Gasser
gunnersgreatgarage.com
Subject: Grand Rambler ‘band’ Toronto Canada
American Motoring Mar./Apr., 2018 Page 5
The AMCoH had, in my opinion, a great AutoRama display this year. Joe Conte displayed
his awesome restored 1968 Javelin TransAm race car which was the number 4 car driven in
1968 by George Follmer. Joe had a continuously running video that played an AMC
promotional video from 1968 that promoted the AMC Trans Am effort. Joe also had a video
of him racing the car at Watkins Glen, NY in 2017 where he was hitting 150 mph in the
straights. Joe won best in class. Also, Dan Startin had his beautiful big bad blue 1969 AMX
that we have not seen for a few years. The three generations of Osborne family had their
very nice 1968 AMX on display. Allan Baker had his beautiful (original owner) 1970 Mark
Donohue Javelin SST which was a good fit to go along with the TransAm race car. Our new
member Anna Skinner displayer her awesome 1978 Gremlin. Anna won second in class and
was invited to show her car in the 2018 ‘Houston Auto Show”, which she did.
Allan Baker Anna Skinner
Dan Startin The Osborne Family
S W E E T!
Page 6 American Motoring Mar./Apr, 2087
The AMCoH
AutoRama p.2 had, in my opinion, a great AutoRama display this year. Joe Conte displayed
his awesome restored 1968 Javelin TransAm race car which was the number 4 car driven in
1968 by George Follmer. Joe had a continuously running video that played an AMC
promotional video from 1968 that promoted the AMC Trans Am effort. Joe also had a video
of him racing the car at Watkins Glen, NY in 2017 where he was hitting 150 mph in the
straights. Joe won best in class. Also, Dan Startin had his beautiful big bad blue 1969 AMX
that we have not seen for a few years. The three generations of Osborne family had their
very nice 1968 AMX on display. Allan Baker had his beautiful (original owner) 1970 Mark
Donohue Javelin SST which was a good fit to go along with the TransAm race car. Our new
member Anna Skinner displayer her awesome 1978 Gremlin. Anna won second in class and
was invited to show her car in the 2018 ‘Houston Auto Show”, which she did.
Joe Conte
Allan Baker Anna Skinner
AMO Department of Corrections
In the Jan./Feb. issue with the Three Jeff’s tribute to George Doughty.
One problem—the bylines do not match up. Dan Startin The Osborne Family
We’ve have Jeff Puras article on the jump page with no byline, We have Jeff Barfield’s under Puras byline, and
Jeff Reeve’s in the middle (with the article) , but it’s not totally clear where some of the breaks are.
Anyway, it’s a bit of a mess. S W E E T!
Sorry !!!
American Motoring Mar./Apr., 2018 Page 7
Tech Questions with Jeff Reeves
Jeff Reeves, AMO Tech Editor
amotecheditor@hotmail.com
Question: Hi Jeff,
I am trying to help someone find parts for the restoration of a Question: I recently smudged this sticker that is on the plastic
1968 Rebel. Two of the items seem to be made of Unobtanium air plenium of my 1980 Pacer dl. Wagon when I was detailing
(and I’ve been told there are no re-pops)... those would be the engine compartment. Do you know if it is being reproduced
trim clips and the knobs that permit the backs of the front seats and also what would be written in the spots by Date and
SGRV. I don’t know if it is a factory inspection sticker or dealer
to move forward. Do you have any idea where these may be
sticker. Thanks Bruce Ritchie
found? (In the case of the trim clips, if they are impossible to
find and NOS parts are scarce if not nonexistent... has anyone Answer: Bruce—this decal is reproduced and is sold by pretty
found a suitable substitute?) much any of the AMC vendors like Galvin, Kennedy, etc. The
Thanks for your help! Jeanette info written on the decal is the date and specific gravity of the
battery when it was checked. It was done as part of the quality
Answer: Hello, Jeanette check when the car was being built and prepped to ship out.
As far as the seatback adjuster knobs go, those should be You can pretty much make up your own numbers to put on it—
the same on any two-door front seat. Those aren’t convertible there wasn’t really a standard for it. Be sure, though, to date it
specific. And they wouldn’t be Rebel specific, either. Any similar sometime after the vehicle build date, but within a reasonable
year AMC two door should have those. time. Jeff
Regarding trim clips, I’m sorry to say that’s going to be a
treasure hunt. I don’t think anyone reproduces those, but I
would recommend checking with the various AMC specific parts
vendors to see what they may be able to offer. Worst case,
you may have to search for a similar clip that would do the job.
AU-VE-CO is a known name for that sort of stuff and you might
have to find a local source for their product and go look through
their catalog for something that will work.
Good luck, Jeff
Page 8 American Motoring Mar./Apr., 2018
American Racing Headers
My name is Sal Sinsun and I am the National Sales Manager
here at American Racing Headers. I just wanted to share
something with you and your club. We just finished up our
AMC Headers;
Here are some specifics on what we did:
Will Fit the 1970 – 1991 Dogged Legged Flange: 304, 360 390
and 401 Javelin, AMX, Matador, Ambassador and the Rebel
Machine; 3/8 Inch Stain Steel Flange Machined at the plugs
for those thicker spark plugs 1-3/4 and a 1-7/8 in primaries
Stainless Steel with a 3 inch collector 1-7/8 in Primaries with a
3.5 collector for those higher horsepower cars.
All collectors will come with a ball and socket style connection
pipes that clamps with a euro style clamp for great
adjustability.
We are a Made in
America company
and we only American
Made T304 Stainless
Steel throughout the
system.
I also am attaching
a Picture of the
Headers.
Sincerely,
Sal Sinsun
National Sales
Manager
American Racing
Headers
631-608-1986 Office
805-844-1622 Mobile
Continued on Page 23
American Motoring Mar./Apr., 2018 Page 9
Halverson AMC Racing Season
By Shannon Halverson
the line taking off. Stephan driving “Trouble Maker” was able to
It started in the spring on 2017, we headed down to Brainerd make it several rounds in the Strip Eliminator race class that we
International Raceway for our first trip to the drag strip for run in as well. He stayed in 6 rounds to the final four when rain
the season. The weather was great, I had been planning to cancelled the racing- a good feat since there is around 150 cars in
do a little tuning on the 304 in my 79’ AMX. This AMX is the the class, and the competition is tight.
one I borrow known good parts from while tuning other cars,
so it’s always being readjusted. I changed adjustments-
cleaned, gapped, & indexed plugs, the distributor to one I
had rebuilt with an Accel points eliminator kit, on Friday with
good results.
On July 4th weekend at BIR, we loaded up & traveled
down again with three race cars & Stephan’s 78’ Jeep Golden
Eagle truck again. Stephan put this truck in the car show, & won
I went into Saturday with a few more ideas. I made 2 a first place in the truck class. He also ran his Gremlin, Bobbi ran
runs for a base line & then began the changes- a little more her Spirit, & I ran Bobbi’s 78’ AMX. The racing was good in the S/E
timing was encouraging, so I brought it in a little faster-that (Strip Eliminator) class, Stephan went 3 rounds, I went 4 rounds till
was the ticket. I had a good solid 13:45 before I pulled the Bobbi put me on the trailer with a better reaction time. Bobbi made
fresh 600 double pumper & put on the 750 double pumper. it 6 rounds to get it into the final four before she was done. The
Stephan had reworked it for me. The 304 responded well to ICE heads up class was good for Stephan, he made it 3 rounds it
more gas! Shifting at 5800, I pulled down a 13:32, bringing it that at well.
up to 6000 in each gear, brought out a 13:30 @ 102.5. The
tuning was a great success! I went from a fastest of 13:50
@ 101 mph to a 13:30. I run in a heads up class with this
car for 13:50. So now, all I had to do was to cut a good light,
shift at 5500, and bang off all the gears to run 13:50 on the
number. I did this several times to take runner up of my 13:50
ICE class! Bobbi was driving “Wild Thing” & was having great
success as well with her 12:50 ICE class & came in runner
up! The trick to the class is to run as close to the index time
as possible, not any faster, & still beat your opponent from
The end of July brought us to Union Grove for the Wed
night AMC Homecoming drag races before the big huge Kenosha
2017 event. We brought down Stephan’s 79’ AMX & Bobbi’s 78’
AMX for that, so they could race them & still have cars for cruising
Page 10 American Motoring Mar./Apr., 2018 Continued on page 11Halverson AMC Racing Season
Continued from page 10
in Kenosha. They both ran their cars to have a fun evening with through the 13:50 ICE class to win. Bobbi worked her way
the other bunch of AMC’s. through the 12:50 ICE class to make runner up, & Stephan
worked his way through the 12.0 ICE class to make runner up.
In the S/E class, Stephan stayed in it for 7 rounds & made it
to the semifinals! I stayed in for 4 rounds before going out. A
good trip to the track!
Stephan placed 4th overall in points for SE, I placed
7 overall, & Bobbi placed 10th overall in the SE class for the 3
th
race series we compete in at BIR, the Muscle Car series.
We made one last trip to the track for the year to
Cordova International Raceway, bringing only Stephan’s
Gremlin for some test & tuning. He got a chance to run a
couple passes, make changes, & run some more. Just good
old fine tuning. This was a good success for him, putting down
several 11:53 passes @ 116 mph back to back.
You can say our year of racing went pretty well. We
had lots of family fun time, made a lot of passes, tuned up
The Labor Day weekend event at BIR went very well. for some faster time slips, & put AMC’s in the winner’s circle
We brought down Stephan’s Gremlin (Troublemaker), Bobbi’s several times over the season. We look forward to summer
Spirit (Wild Thing), & I raced Bobbi’s old race car- 78’ AMX. again & seeing many of you out at the great bunch of AMC
Stephan again hauled the 78’ AMX- It was like a flash back with events planned for this year!
his Golden Eagle & the AMX being both 78’s. I worked my way
Kenosha Homecoming - To the Rescue
By Dan Vogel
We left Indianapolis in the Hornet on Monday afternoon to go to started immediately working on it Amazing. I went in and
Kenosha. We spent the night in the Chicago area. Got up on watched the man working on it and could tell he knew what he
Tuesday and went to Volo Museum. If you have not ever been was doing. It was determined that the brain box had gone bad.
there it is worth the trip to go see the place. He made some calls and could not find one and I made a call
to Summit to order a new one to be delivered the next day to
Tuesday night at the Wendy’s drive in great time. Next morning that shop. Linda was on the phone to try and find us a rental
got up and spent time in downtown Kenosha going to museums car with no luck at that point. The Guy that had been working
and got some food at an old bar great food. Went to the park on my car left to drop another vehicle of to get an alignment.
where the show is to be held then on our way to the Chrysler Someone drops him back off and he gets out of the car with a
plant where a cruise in to be held. Mallory brain box in his hand I said I thought you couldn’t find
one. He said they tinker on cars there and had one setting on
Driving down the street and the Hornet quits running. We came the bench and said it is a used one and would take a hundred
to a stop on the street. A little investigating and figured out we dollars for it. I said if it works I will buy it and keep the new
had no spark. Next thing a van passes us then turns around one as a spare. He did a quick hook up and we had spark so
and came back and pulled behind us with his flashers on and a I had him to make a permanent hook up and then we fired up
nice young man gets out trying to help us out. His name is Ray the Hornet. The time that the car died was about 2:00 in the
Marescalco. Years ago I installed a Mallory electronic ignition afternoon the time we were pulling out of the shop was 5:30,
system consisting of a brain box, distributor, and coil not typical Amazing.
items you can get at your local auto parts store. At this time
another person had pulled over to try and help out. We came to The name of the shop is Firehouse Performance they treated
the conclusion that the brain box had gone bad. Ray had gotten us like we were Celebrity VIP. The total cost for tow, part, and
on his phone and said he could have a tow truck pick us up and repair was very reasonable. I would highly recommend this
I told him to send him. When he arrive with the proper type of shop to anyone that would ever need their services. We then
tow truck he loaded us up and ask if we would like to go by a drove over to Andy’s for a great time. With no other problems
shop that might be able to help us out, well Yes please. and great weather we had a great time in Kenosha. What
great people that live there.
The first place he took us was too busy and it would be a couple
of days before they could look at it. The next place he stopped Dan Vogel
at he went up and talked to them and the next thing he was
taking my car off the truck and they pushed it into a bay and
American Motoring Mar./Apr., 2018 Page 11Memmories of Gary Timmerman
By Shannon Halverson
With great sadness I pass along this information:
Our friend, Gary Timmerman, died on December 13th, 2017.
Gary has been a long standing AMC guy that attended many AMO National meets, many trips to Kenosha & other AMC events
over the years.
You may not know his name, so I’ll jog your memory: Mr. C from Happy Days is who many said he reminded them of. Gary has
been a friend of our family so long, I’m not sure when I met him. I met Gary because of AMC’s, however, we spent so much time
visiting. It is like I grew up next door to him. We shared a lot of laughs as well as sad times. Being Gary’s friend was like having
a magazine subscription, he called to visit about once a month. We would go over car show, ideas, racing plans, info on how he
could make his car go faster. Many times he would call & say “I see it is cold out & I called because you need a warm conversation
from St. Louis”. Each phone call was at least 2 hours, due to both of us being long winded. Many times we talked about life & how
things were going in general. The day he called to tell me he was sick, we both cried a bit, but as we talked, he spoke about how
great it was to have done all the things he had & how he looked forward to the next season of good times & getting a chance to
take his race car out to test the new engine on the track.
Gary was like an uncle to our family. Always encouraging, always happy to see you & always supportive. He had several very nice
Spirits, Javelins, & AMX’s throughout his hobby.
He was always active in the Gateway chapter of AMO. Serving as president of it & wearing many other hats along the way. Over
the years at the events, he brought people together to eat, helped put the shows on, helped clean up, helped to organize things.
Always had time to socialize with many AMC folks.
He was a great participant in the AMC family. Gary planned a Celebration of life for his family & friends on Saturday, March 31st,
2018. For information on attending, contact myself or other Gateway members
The AMC shows will not be the same without his big smile, a warm handshake, & “The voice of Gary”.
Page 12 American Motoring Mar./Apr., 2018In Memory - Jock Jocewicz
James Joseph “Jock” Jocewicz
passed away on February 10, 2018 after
a long illness. He was born August 29,
1940 the son of Joseph and Eleonore
Jocewicz. He attended Saint Agnes
Grade School in Ashland, Wisconsin
from 1946 to 1954 and DePadua High
School from 1954 to 1958. On March 7,
1964 he married Peggy Jean Jocewicz
(Siebert) in Waterloo, Illinois.
James Jocewicz was enlisted in
the U.S. Army from October 1958 to
October 1964 as communications
chief in a combat engineering unit
and served in Viet Nam. He was later
employed as a chemical operator at
the Institute of Gas Technology in
Chicago, Illinois .He was president of
NAMDRA (National American Drivers
and Racers Association) Car Club from
1982 to 2018. He came by his love of
the Independent automobile marques
naturally as his Father had been a
Studebaker dealer. He drove almost
nothing but American Motors vehicles
or Jeeps until the end. He was member
#19 in American Motors Owners Association (AMO) from the original club founded in 1974.
He is survived by his wife, Peggy, two step sons, two daughters and one son, 21 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren and
one great great grandchild .Preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Eleonore Jocewicz. Memorials can be sent to Peggy
Jocewicz, 493 Orchard Street, Antioch, Illinois 60002
By Larry Daum AMO #279
American Motoring Mar./Apr., 2018 Page 13Mike’s History Picks
Tie Rod to Tire Clearance on 1960 through 1968 AMCs - - All Models
By Gary Evans Vol 4.No. 3, May June 1980
An AMC Automotive Technical Service Bulletin (no. TB8), dated July 27, 1966 deals with “Clearance
between tie rod end ball joint and tires 1960-1966 all series.” According to the bulletin, “the
installation of oversize tires with various types of construction as supplied by tire manufacturers
may result in contact of the tie rod end and ball joint with the tire at time of a fast, full turn.
A 1/8” spacer, part number 316 6546 is to be installed (on each side) between the steering
knuckle pin and the wheel spindle to provide additional clearance where required.
Mike Spangler This same spacer is listed in the parts books for all ’67 and ’68 models. Beginning on 1969 this
mspangler@ jefnet.com spacer has been “built into” either the caliper mounting bracket or the spindle (on cars without
disc brakes). The bulletin makes no mention of needing longer spindle attaching bolts, but at
least on some models, much longer (by about 1/8’) attaching bolts are necessary. Because
of numerous combinations of spindle attaching bolts used over the years on various models, I’ve made no attempt to list part
numbers for slightly longer mounting bolts. A dealer’s parts catalog lists the bolts and their lengths under the heading: 10.004-2
attaching parts, spindle to steering knuckle pin.
Incidentally, the ’67-’71 parts catalog indicates that four spacers are required per car, which is a miss-print. All cars ’60 through
’68 require two.
After installing the spacers, it is a good idea to have the front end alignment checked.
Continued on page 15
Page 14 American Motoring Mar./Apr., 2018Mike’s History Picks
Continued from page 14
The Empire Strikes Back
Found in Vol. 5 No. 3 May June 1981
The drawing by AMC club member Theodore Alexander
is a composite drawing of the 1983 AMC /Renault car
compiled from spy photos and advanced information and
rumors about the car, code named Empire. The car will be
a front wheel drive model powered by a new four cylinder
version of the AMC Six. Rumor has it that a full series of
this design of cars will be built in Kenosha in both four door
sedan and wagon versions even including a 2 door sport
coupe perhaps along the lines of Fords new EXP and LN7,
possibly as a new version of the AMX. A turbo charged four
cylinder diesel engine is also to be available as an option, in
the series. You can look for more of Theodore Alexander’s
work in an upcoming article on the AMX in Cars & Parts.
Cadillac and again in 1934-40. The name would be a good choice
The rumored name for the new Renault car to be built considering the cars heritage. The car is to be a Renault/AMC
in Kenosha is Lafayette. A model name used by Nash version of Chrysler’s K –car according to reports from people who
Motors twice before in 1920 – 24 for a luxury competitor to have driven prototypes.
Restoration Shop By Marv Fisher
Found in Vol. 5, No. 1 Jan./Feb. 1981
For anyone with a ’68-’70 AMX with small kids who would like to take it for a ride, but just don’t have room for the kids. A ’68-’70
AMX can be converted to a 4-passenger car very easily without altering or ruining the original interior. Its very easy by using ’70
to date Gremlin folding rear seats which can be obtained readily and at a reasonable price . If you look hard enough you can find
the original fabric patterns and texture which will come very close to the original interior. Color doesn’t really matter, though Ditzler
Automotive Paints make an excellent vinyl dye that will match your interior for you at a minimal charge. The dye if properly applied
will endure as well as the original interior.
Parts List:
Rear seats, attaching hinges and brackets, side carpet wheel covers.
Here’s how to do it:
1. Very carefully remove the original carpet side panels. They are glued on and will come off easily with a little care.
(These can be reinstalled if and when you are ready to put the car back to original.)
2. Place the carpet panels from the Gremlin on the wheelhouses. Careful as to right and left sides Through the hinge and
bracket slits mark the position with crayon or chalk.
3. Remove carpet panels and attach hinges and brackets with 1/8 pop rivets as they can be easily drilled out and moved if
you make a mistake. When you have them attached, try the carpets again for fit.
4. Assuming everything fits, reglue the carpet panels with 3-M brand general spray adhesive part no. 08090. This spray
works nicely if instructions are followed.
5. Install the seats and you now have a 4 or 5 passenger AMX in which you can haul those kids !
6. If and when you are ready for that 2-seater again, just simply reverse the operation. When you drill out the rivets, just
snap new ones into the holes and undercoat. Good as new.
Marv Fisher
Heart of Illinois AMO Chapter
American Motoring Mar./Apr., 2018 Page 15Memorabilia Corner
Mike Spangler
mspangler@ jefnet.com
Last month in this column we showed you the
AMC/ Labelle Video System for product training
and service training films . This month we moved
ahead in time to the early 1980s. Though we do
have some American Motors training film on VHS
Tapes, American Motors training evolved into the
Laser Videodisc. I believe the first one that I have
in our collection is dated in 1982.
This system called the American Motors Video
Information Network consists of Laser Video Discs.
According to Wikipedia, the standard home video LaserDisc was 30 cm
(12 in) in diameter and made up of two single-sided aluminum discs
layered in plastic. Although appearing similar to compact discs or DVDs,
LaserDiscs used analog video stored in the composite domain (having a
video bandwidth approximately equivalent to the 1-inch (25 mm) C-Type
VTR format) with analog FM stereo sound and PCM digital audio. The
LaserDisc at its most fundamental level was still recorded as a series
of pits and lands much like CDs, DVDs, and even Blu-ray Discs are
today. However, while the encoding is of a binary nature, the information
Some of our Laser Videodiscs
Page 16 American Motoring Mar./Apr., 2018
Continued on page 17Memorabilia Corner
Continued from Page 16
is encoded as analog pulse-width modulation with a 50% duty
cycle, where the information is contained in the lengths and
spacing of the pits. In true digital media the pits, or their edges,
directly represent 1s and 0s of a binary digital information
stream.
This format could support in-dealership product sales training
program. It was not only capable of showing video it also
featured interactive feature allowing for quizzes and games. The
videodiscs also featured product commercials. The machine
could be set up to repeat the product info, or commercials
for use in the showroom for the customers to view but could
also be set up for the service department personnel to train on
product service procedures. Overall is was a very up to date
technology. A box full of unopened discs
While the discs could play on a number of different brand
players, the Pioneer machine was the one with the interactive
features. Other auto makers used this format also, so the
system could be used by “Dual Dealerships” for their other
brands too.
The AMC Dealer in my hometown of Jefferson, WI (Probst Auto
Co.) never did get a Laser Videodisc system, though through
dealership programs, the dealership was forced to purchase
the videodiscs. When the dealership closed I acquired his
inventory of Laserdiscs N.O.S. unopened in the boxes along
with the invoices for the discs that he did not want. There may
have been other dealerships out there like this one, so keep
your eyes open for N.O.S. discs, they are out there.
American Motoring Mar./Apr., 2018 Page 1720172017
Fall Fall
Run Run to Providence,
to Providence RhodeRhode
IslandIsland
By Joe Howard By Joe Howard
This year the Fall Run took us to explore sights around and in Providence, RI. The Run started Friday morning
September 29th when we met up at 9am at the Econo Lodge in South, Sutton, MA. We then convoyed to the
newly opened Newport Car Museum in Portsmouth, RI to see a private collection of over 50 Shelby’s,
Corvette’s, Mopar’s, and cars of the 50’s plus more (newportcarmuseum.org).
After touring the car museum, we went for lunch at the Newport Creamery. After a late and filling lunch, we
drove to the Pawtucket, RI and checked into the Hampton Inn which was our base for the rest of the weekend.
After checking into our rooms and relaxing, we carpooled a short distance to have Dinner at Costantino’s
Venda Bar & Ristorante, a popular restaurant on Federal Hill in Providence.
Continued on Page 19
Page 18 American Motoring Mar./Apr., 20182017 Fall Run to Providence, Rhode Island
Continued from Page 18
At Constantino’s we had tables located in the Market area (which was closed) and a special menu to select
from. The meal was amazing. Everyone said they would go to eat there again.
On Saturday, we all had breakfast at the hotel and then carpooled to Providence to have lunch at the Union
Station Brewery and then see a matinee performance of Les Misérables at the Providence Performing Arts
Theater.
Continued on Page 20
American Motoring Mar./Apr., 2018 Page 192017 Fall Run to Providence, Rhode Island Continued from Page 19 The performance had a full house with every seat filled. Our group had great seats to the right of the orchestra. This was the last performance in Providence as the group that put on the show was leaving on a National tour the next day. After the amazing performance, we walked a short distance to Murphy’s Restaurant for a great Irish dinner. When we finished eating Dinner it was almost dark and we walked a few blocks to the Providence River to view the Water Fire performance. At dark, we’ll see the Providence WaterFire, an experience not to be missed. This WaterFire event was part of a weekend-long celebration of the hope, strength, determination, and courage all of those battling breast cancer and their friends and family show each and every day. Taking part on the three rivers of downtown Providence, Water Fire has been praised by Rhode Island residents and international visitors alike as a powerful work of art and a moving symbol of Providence’s American Spirit, Vol 22, Issue 4 Continued on Page 21 Page 20 American Motoring Mar./Apr., 2018 Page 3
2017 Fall Run to Providence, Rhode Island
Continued from Page 20
renaissance. WaterFire’s over eighty sparkling bonfires, the fragrant scent of aromatic wood smoke, the
flickering firelight on the arched bridges, the silhouettes of the firetenders passing by the flames, the torch-lit
vessels traveling down the river, and the enchanting music from around the world engage all the senses and
emotions of those who stroll the paths of Waterplace Park. As part of this event there was a 150-person torch
procession will arrive in the basin from Station Park leading into a Ring of Fire
On Sunday morning, we took a free tour of RISD, the RI School of Design Museum to see the museum’s
collection of 100,000 objects from ancient times to current.
Some information about the Museum from their web site. The Rhode
Island School of Design (RISD Museum) is an art museum affiliated with
the Rhode Island School of Design. The museum was founded in 1877
and is the 20th largest art museum in the United States. The RISD
Museum's collection of about 100,000 objects contains a broad range of
works from around the world, including ancient Egypt, Asia, Africa,
ancient Greece and Rome, Europe, and the Americas. Among the
prominent international and American artists represented are Picasso,
Monet, Manet, Paul Revere, Chanel, Andy Warhol, and Kara Walker.
The collection also features notable works by Rhode Island artists and
designers, including 18th-century Newport furniture makers Goddard
and Townsend and 19th-century Rhode Island painters
Following the museum visit we drove from Providence to Warwick for
Sunday lunch at Iggy’s Boardwalk Restaurant, -- located on the
waterfront.
Our thanks to Frank and Corrine Craverio and George and Donna Berube for arranging everything and guiding
us through an amazing Fall Run.
American Spirit, Vol 22, Issue 4
Page 4
American Motoring Mar./Apr., 2018 Page 21Events Calendar May 10-13,2018 - Auburn, IN – Rambler Meets Duryea – NCCA & AACA Regional Meet at Auctions America, Auburn IN – for more info contact: Bob Grutza at 847-370-4352 or bob.grutza@yahoo.com May 12, 2018 - Independence, OH - NCAMC Spring Dust Off - For more info contact: Joe Schaller 330-723-1659 schaller1@frontier.com May 25, 2018 - Hebron, OH - Great AMC Day 2018 - For more info contact: Mike Luke, 740-929-1300 or mluke@yahoo.com May 27, 2018 - Greenville, MI – American Motors Cruisers 2018 Regional Meet In conjunction with Spring Fling Auto Show - For more info contact: Dan Sweetland 616-984-5963 amxdream@charter.net June 3, 2018 - Jefferson, WI - 20th Annual Graduation Car Show – For more information contact: Mike Spangler, mspangler@jefnet.com 920-988-3256 June 9, 2018 – Independence, OH - School’s Out 2018 - For more info contact: Dale Veverka 216-524-5977 squirrel70amx@sbcglobal.net June 9, 2018 - Lufkin, TX - 2018 American Motors East Texas Cruise-In – For more info contact: Reagan Ratliff 1-936- 225-0569 ratliffr@icloud.com June 9, 2018 - Reno, NV – 6th AMCRC – HDAMC Western Regional Car Show at Boomtown Casino – For more info contact: Michael Lakin (775) 427-2695 or hdamc@cccomm.net June 9, 2018 – Manchester, (Port Perry) Ontario - Rambler Rama 2018, Sponsored by Northern Ramblers for more info contact: Steve Johnston at 905-939-8050 nutimes.steve@gmail.com June 27-30, 2018 - Auburn, IN – 2018 AMO International Convention – For more info contact: Todd Harrington 4114 Amesbury Dr., West Lafayette, IN 47906 http://www.amonational.com/2018-convention June 29, 2018 – Auburn, IN – Marlin Auto Club Convention – For more info visit www.marlinautoclub.com July 6 – 7, 2018 - Dublin, OH – 37th Richard Teague Midwest AMC Regional Meet – For more information contact: Jeff Kennedy at 614-879-7283 or info@kennedyamerican.com Aug. 11, 2018 - Rising Sun, MD - “All-AMC Day” 2018 at Cecil Co. Dragway – For More info contact: (215) 990-4628 or db4ent@gmail.com Aug. 11, 2018 - OH – 17th Annual Bill Reddig AMC Show – For more info contact: Todd Harrington (765) 404-7657 toddamx@gmail.com Aug. 19, 2018 - Livonia, MI – GLCAC All Family AMC Show – For more info contact: Richard Estermyer (734) 417-9456 javelinman74@hotmail.com Aug. 24-25, 2018 - Farmington, CT – AMCs Scream in 2018 – CAMO’s 23rd Annual Regional Meet- For more info contact: Joe Howard, 603-548-0069 jphwrd@gmail.com Aug. 26, 2018 - Genoa, OH – 32nd Annual Glass City All AMC Show at Veterans Memorial Park - For more info contact: Mitch Biller (419) 836-9496 mitchel13@frontier.com Sept. 6-8, 2018 - Cordova, IL – AMC RACES at Cordova – For more info contact: Shannon Halverson 218–282-6625 amx78@hotmail.com July 18-20, 2019 – Collinsville, IL - 2019 AMO International Convention Attention all chapters: To get your show listed here you MUST contact Cheryl Samuel, AMO Sanctioned Events Manager, 892 N. Jackson Ave., Jefferson, WI 53549. Please remember to do it early as American Mo- toring has production deadlines to follow, we would hate to miss listing your show because it was sent late! Page 22 American Motoring Mar./Apr., 2018
Haulin History By Eric Josephson
My name is Eric Josephson, and I am the Historian of the International Station Wagon Club. Our clubs have a member in common,
Bill Strobel, who passed your contact info along to me.
I write a column that I call “Haulin’ History” for the ISWC’s newsletter, the Talegate, and my most recently printed article is on AMC’s
compact wagons of the 1970s and 1980s: the Hornet, Concord and Eagle wagons. Bill was impressed enough with the article that
he thought I might be willing to share it with your membership and have it printed in your club’s newsletter. Here it is:
Sincerely, Eric Josephson,
Historian, International Station Wagon Club
Leading Three Lives: 1971-1988 AMC Hornet, Concord and Eagle Station Wagons
American Motors built its reputation as the authority on small Enter the AMC Hornet, a new compact whose name had
cars. For two decades, the Rambler—especially its smallest originally been used from 1951 to 1957 by one of AMC’s
models, the American series—had been the epitome of sensible ancestors, Hudson. First-year AMC Hornets came only as
and economical transportation, American style. Its success, two- and four-door sedans, but for 1971 came an important
founded on the practical principles championed by CEO George addition, a station wagon with a rather playful-sounding name:
Romney and his predecessor George Mason, convinced its Sportabout.
larger competitors in Detroit that some folks actually would
rather have a car that was small and simple instead of big and
flashy. But with the rise of the ponycar and the muscle car in
the Sixties, plus the company’s foray into markets for larger
cars under Romney’s successor Roy Abernethy, the image of
Rambler and AMC alike had become rather confused, and the
Rambler name vanished in 1969.
Roy Chapin, Jr., who took the CEO post in 1967 after Abernethy
took retirement as a result of Kenosha’s declining sales and
financial fortunes during his tenure, knew what had to be done.
The introduction of the Javelin ponycar and derivative two-seater
AMX for 1968 helped inject some youthfulness into AMC’s image.
Then in 1970, Chapin purchased Jeep from Kaiser Industries,
a move that would take the company into uncharted territory
and eventually influence future AMC automobiles (more on that
later). That same year, he also presided over the introduction
Canadian comedian Red Green had a philosophy he often
expressed on his TV show: “If the women don’t find you
handsome, they should at least find you handy.” Well, many
women found the new Hornet Sportabout both handsome and
handy, particularly those who considered most wagons of the
of a creditable modern replacement for the Rambler that would day too cumbersome to handle. In fact, as AMC posed the
meet the demands of the Seventies.
Continued on Page 24
American Motoring Mar./Apr., 2018 Page 23Haulin History
Continued from Page 23
question, “If you had to compete with GM, Ford and Chrysler, detail changes being smaller taillight lenses with integral
what would you do?”, it answered in one particular ad, “You’d backup lamps and the removal of the insect emblems from the
design the Sportabout. A car that could do more for the American front fenders, but there was plenty of news to report for Hornet
housewife than all the hair coloring, lip gloss and false eyelashes Sportabout buyers. All existing engines were downgraded in
put together.” The ad further stated: “The Sportabout will make horsepower to 100 for the base six, 110 for the 258-cube six
the American housewife feel more like a woman and less like and 150 for the 304 V-8, ratings now reported in net rather than
a teamster. It’s styled along the lines of a sports car instead of gross figures, but a 175-horse 360-cid V-8 was newly available.
a station wagon. And with a turning circle identical to VW’s, it’s Equipment updates for second-year Sportabouts included
easy to handle. Now ladies, you can park without the danger of a new color-keyed dashboard, a switch from Borg-Warner to
developing your biceps. And let’s face it, girls, the 58.3 cubic “Torque-Command” automatic (actually Chrysler’s TorqueFlite),
feet of load space is plenty for most of the things you do. So the addition of electric windshield wipers as standard
you can see why we like to think of the Sportabout as our little (previously optional on six-cylinder models), and optional AM/
contribution to Woman’s Liberation.” FM radio, Adjust-O-Tilt steering wheel and removable storage/
litter containers in the front doors. Also, the woodgrain applique
Another ad pointed out that the Sportabout was in a class was of the new type that blended in with the paint color, and you
by itself, the only wagon its size on the market. While it was could now order it without getting the D/L package, which was
bigger than Chevy’s Vega Kammback, it was smaller than updated with available new “Scorpio” striped fabric. Next, there
every other wagon from the Big Three. Designed by Richard were two rather interesting new trim variations. For a sporty
Teague, AMC’s highly talented head of styling, and predicted touch, the new “X” package included sport striping that ran along
by his AMX III concept car of 1967, the Sportabout rode a 108- the lower window outlines and the D-pillar, plus a slotted-spoke
inch wheelbase and was 179.3 inches long (just a fraction shy sport steering wheel and slotted steel wheels. And for followers
of 15 feet) and 70.6 inches wide. It sported single headlamps of fashion, there was the limited-production Gucci edition.
within a delicate horizontal bar grille, along with horizontally Sounds rather ostentatious for a workaday compact hauler, but
bisected taillights, flush-fitting flap-style door handles, and a in fact Aldo Gucci himself gave some personal touches to his
liftgate that revealed a space-saver spare tire and 3.8 cubic own Sportabout, including glass-covered headlamps and signal
feet of underfloor storage space. The Sportabout was identified lenses, a custom grille, custom upholstery with Gucci logos,
by Hornet nameplates above the grille, near the right taillight fold-down trays in the front seat backs with same, and his own
and on each front fender, plus Sportabout script on each rear designer handbags. AMC gave buyers a chance to experience
fender and insect emblems on the front fenders, the center of it for themselves, albeit in a more temperate manner. Externally,
the rear beauty panel and the inner door panels. AMC’s 232-cid there was little distinction from other Sportabouts aside from a
135-hp inline six was the standard engine, with a 150-horse Gucci shield emblem behind each front wheel cutout, but inside
258-cid two-barrel six and 210-horse 304 V-8 optional. A three- you got Gucci logos covering the headliner and sun visors,
speed column-shift manual was standard, as were bench along with ivory upholstery and door panels with signature
seats with vinyl upholstery, a step-on parking brake, anti-theft green-red-green striping, with another Gucci shield emblem
ignition and steering column with warning buzzer, carpeting in beside each armrest. This special edition came in a choice of
the passenger and cargo compartments, “Weather-Eye” heater, four exterior colors—Snow White, Hunter Green, Grasshopper
and high-level ventilation. “Shift-Command” Borg-Warner three- Green and Yucca Tan—and accounted for 2,583 of the 34,065
speed automatic was available, and so were power steering, Sportabouts built for 1972. And last, but most definitely not
power brakes (drum or front disc), air conditioning, reclining least, the most important announcement for all AMC products
bench or individual seat, pushbutton AM radio, roof rack, tinted was the new Buyer Protection Plan, which not only guaranteed
glass, clock, inside hood release, remote left hand mirror, every component of the car (except for tires) for 12 months or
visor vanity mirrors and a wagonload of other niceties. Inside, 12,000 miles, whichever came first, but promised owners that if
the instrument panel displayed three round gauge faces, the anything went wrong with the car that AMC was responsible for,
speedometer flanked by fuel and temperature gauges to the left AMC would fix it free, and also provided them a toll-free number
and optional tachometer or clock to the right. to call for assistance.
Springtime brought a D/L package that included woodgrain In 1973 most of the attention on the Hornet line was on the
exterior trim on the sides and rear panel, plus a rooftop luggage rakish new hatchback, but there was also a significant facelift
rack with integral wind deflector, a woodgrained rim-blow sport for all Hornets that rendered a more rounded appearance to
steering wheel, individual reclining seats and door panels in the front end and fenders. The new grille was now made up
Serape fabric, and even a free folding cloth sunroof. In addition, of vertical bars above and below a narrow horizontal slot that
you could order a Sports Décor group, with which you got also formed a border around the enlarged parking/signal lamps,
Turbo-Cast wheel covers, white-line tires, pinstriping and those the Hornet nameplate was moved to the edge of the hood on
same seats and doors. All in all, sales for the Sportabout got off the driver’s side, and a Hornet emblem now appeared within a
to a fine start as a total of 73,471 were built—taking a majority circle on the center edge of the hood. Also new were soft-feel
of Hornet sales for the year—at an attractive starting price of knobs with international symbols for the headlamp switch, wiper
$2,594. control, etc., a sturdier new front bumper with rubber strips that
met federal requirements to stand up to a 5-mph impact, and
The basic styling was little altered for 1972, the most notable Continued on Page 25
Page 24 American Motoring Mar./Apr., 2018Haulin History
Continued from Page 24
bumper guards at the rear, along with available intermittent and 24,000 miles, and was even available for any 1976 AMC
wipers and “Striped Uganda” upholstery for the individual product purchased on or after September 1, 1976. Hornet
reclining seats. The Gucci edition returned for one more year, wagon production for ’77 amounted to 28,891.
and another 2,251 copies were produced out of a total of
44,719. (This year also brought a Pierre Cardin edition Javelin, As the 1978 selling season got underway, Gerald Meyers
and a Cassini Matador coupe would arrive in ’74; Lincoln would succeeded Roy Chapin as company chairman and CEO, and
have designer-inspired Marks later in the decade.) In addition, AMC needed a new product that would sell. Its limited financial
the Buyer Protection Plan was enhanced with Special Trip resources would not permit a completely new design, but
Interruption Protection to cover lodging expenses in the event Kenosha figured out a way to make lemonade. AMC took the
that overnight repairs were needed during the owner’s travels. Hornet, cast it in more of a luxury vein, and gave it a new name,
For $149, Buyers could even get an Extended Buyer Protection transforming it into the new Concord. The front-end styling got
Plan that doubled the standard coverage to 24 months/24,000 a more contemporary look, featuring rectangular headlamps, a
miles. classy-looking grille consisting of six sections each enclosing
The 1974 Sportabout looked little different from the front aside
from the addition of vertical rubber bumper guards, but the rear
was changed some thanks to a new 5-mph bumper that was
now required at that end, with the license plate slot relocated
above it, directly in line with the taillights. Hornet nameplates
were in a new font and moved back to the front fenders. Interior
trim for the D/L package was now “Venetian” fabric or “Tru-Knit”
vinyl. The Gucci edition was gone, prices had now risen above
$3,000, and owners had to endure the federally mandated
seat belt interlock system that prevented the car from starting
without seat belt usage, but with demand for compacts shooting
upward in the wake of the OPEC oil embargo, AMC was able to a five-by-five grid and square parking/turn signal lamps in the
move 71,413 Sportabouts for the model year. outermost portions, along with a stand-up hood ornament. New
amber-red-white oblong taillights highlighted the updated rear
A facelift for 1975 brought a new vertically divided six-section styling. The new inside story began with a thoroughly updated
grille with rectangular parking lamps in the outermost sections. instrument panel featuring rectangular gauges. At $4,049 basic
A catalytic converter was installed, meaning “unleaded fuel (a $350 premium over the last base Hornet wagon), the Concord
only”, with those very words imprinted on the fuel gauge and was offered in base and D/L models, the latter of which included
above the filler cap. With many buyers now suddenly mindful framed woodgrain exterior paneling on the lower bodysides
of gas mileage, the 360 V-8 was dropped, while overdrive (with (but not on the rear panel), along with individually reclining front
six-cylinder and manual), steel-belted radial tires and a fuel seats in soft-feel vinyl upholstery, fully woodgrained dash with
economy gauge became available, as did cruise control and quartz digital clock, body-color wheel covers, a foot-long day/
an electric rear window defogger (required in the state of New night mirror, an extra-quiet insulation package, and lots of other
York). A new Rallye Package included a black instrument panel good stuff. A Sport trim package was also available, featuring
with tachometer, oil pressure and ammeter gauges, a front wide tape stripes along the lower body, bucket seats in soft-
sway bar for six-cylinder models, and a leather-wrapped sports feel vinyl—or individually reclining seats in vinyl or velveteen
steering wheel, while a new Touring Interior option furnished the if you preferred—sport steering wheel, steel-belted radial tires,
Sportabout with individually reclining front seats in soft tan vinyl. brushed aluminum accents on the instrument panel, and a four-
But with the sensational new Pacer diverting a lot of attention speed manual transmission. Electronic ignition and an inside
from existing AMC products, Sportabout production fell sharply hood release were now standard, and a CB radio was optional
to 39,563. with the AM and AM/FM stereo radios. “The luxury America
wants…the size America needs” was how AMC summed up the
The Hornet Sportabout didn’t change much for 1976, but new series, whose sales improved nicely over the last Hornet,
now it was no longer the only wagon of its type, as Chrysler although those of the wagons didn’t, coming to 23,573 units.
brought out its first domestic compact wagons in a decade, the
Plymouth Volare and Dodge Aspen. The “X” trim underwent For 1979, AMC retired its intermediate Matador series, making
a slight adjustment, the stripes now running only along the the Concord its largest wagon, and permitting the company
lower window outlines, and a vinyl roof was newly available. to once again concentrate on its specialty as a producer
Production dropped again, to 29,763 units. of small cars. The year’s facelift brought a new vertical bar
grille with Concord script in the header, along with quad
1977 brought the final Hornet wagon, which was now called rectangular headlamps above long rectangular parking lamps,
simply that, as the Sportabout name was dropped. The D/L new aluminum bumpers, and even two-tone paint, if desired.
package now came with individual reclining seats in new The Sport package was no longer available, but a new top-
perforated Rallye vinyl, while the new Buyer Protection Plan line model called the Limited was introduced. With it you got
II doubled the coverage of the original Plan to 24 months Continued on Page 26
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