AMC Pacer
| AMC Pacer | |
|---|---|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | American Motors Corporation (AMC) |
| Also called | VAM Pacer (Mexico) |
| Production | 1975 – 3 December 1979 |
| Model years | 1975–1980 |
| Assembly | Kenosha, Wisconsin, United States Mexico City, Mexico (VAM) |
| Designer | Dick Teague |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Compact car |
| Body style | 2-door hatchback coupe 2-door station wagon |
| Layout | FR layout |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 232 cu in (3.8 L) I6 258 cu in (4.2 L) I6 282 cu in (4.6 L) I6 (Mexico only) 304 cu in (5.0 L) V8 |
| Transmission | 3-speed manual 3-speed with overdrive 4-speed manual 3-speed automatic |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 100.0 in (2,540 mm) |
| Length | 171.8 in (4,364 mm) (coupe) 176.8 in (4,491 mm) (wagon) |
| Width | 77.3 in (1,963 mm) |
| Height | 52.8 in (1,341 mm) (coupe) |
| Curb weight | 3,000 lb (1,361 kg) |
The AMC Pacer is a two-door compact car produced in the United States by American Motors Corporation (AMC) from 1975 through the 1980 model year. The Pacer was also made in Mexico by Vehículos Automotores Mexicanos (VAM) from 1976 until 1979 and positioned as a premium-priced luxury car.
Design work began in 1971. The rounded shape and large glass area were unusual compared with the three-box designs of the era. The Pacer's width is equal to full-sized domestic vehicles at the time, and AMC promoted this unique design feature as "the first wide small car". The Pacer was the first modern, mass-produced, U.S. automobile design using the cab forward concept.
Upon its introduction, reviews used descriptions such as "futuristic, bold, and unique". The Pacer featured an aerodynamic "jellybean" styling, numerous innovations such as different door lengths. This was noted "as a space-efficient car, seemingly from the future". The Pacer stood out at a time when "Detroit was still rolling out boat-sized gas guzzlers."