AMC (American Motors) Model History

United States · founded 1954

America's scrappy fourth automaker (1954–1988) — born of the Nash–Hudson merger, home of the Javelin, AMX, Gremlin, Pacer, and the crossover-pioneering Eagle.

Models

Javelin

AMC's answer to the Mustang — a sleek semi-fastback pony car (1968–1974) that won three SCCA Trans-Am titles.

Pony car · 1968–1974
AMX

America's only two-seat muscle car of its era — a short-wheelbase V8 coupe (1968–1970) that set 106 speed records out of the gate.

Muscle car · 1968–1970
Rebel

AMC's mid-size of the late 1960s (1967–1970) — successor to the Rambler Classic and home of the patriotic 1970 'Rebel Machine' muscle car.

Mid-size car · 1967–1970
Gremlin

America's first homegrown subcompact (1970–1978) — a chopped-tail Hornet, marketed as 'the first American-built import,' famed for its Levi's edition.

Subcompact car · 1970–1978
Spirit

The restyled Gremlin successor (1979–1983) — offered a sporty AMX package and AMC's last factory V8 passenger car.

Subcompact car · 1979–1983
Pacer

The 'fishbowl' compact (1975–1980) — radically wide and glassy, with asymmetric doors; a 1970s icon and Wayne's World cult star.

Compact car · 1975–1980
Hornet

AMC's long-serving compact (1970–1977) — replaced the Rambler American, spawned the Gremlin and Concord, and did a 360° corkscrew jump in a James Bond film.

Compact car · 1970–1977
Concord

An upmarket reworking of the Hornet (1978–1983) — 'the luxury America wants, the size America needs,' and the platform under the Eagle.

Compact car · 1978–1983
Eagle

Widely called the first modern crossover (1980–1988) — a Concord-based passenger car with full-time four-wheel drive and raised ride height.

Crossover SUV · 1980–1988
Matador

AMC's intermediate (1971–1978) — a NASCAR and police-fleet favorite, with a radically styled 1974+ fastback coupe.

Mid-size car · 1971–1978
Ambassador

AMC's flagship (1958–1974) — wearing one of the longest-running US car nameplates, and the first volume car with standard air conditioning.

Full-size car · 1958–1974
Rambler American

AMC's frugal compact (1958–1969) — among the lowest-priced US cars, and basis of the wild 1969 SC/Rambler Hurst drag special.

Compact car · 1958–1969
Metropolitan

A British-built mini economy car (1954–1962) sold under Nash, Hudson, and AMC/Rambler badges — an early American 'captive import.'

Subcompact car · 1954–1962

Other makes