AMC (American Motors) Spirit History

The Spirit replaced the Gremlin for 1979 as a smoother, more modern subcompact, but budget limits meant it carried over the Gremlin's floorpan, powertrains, and much of its hardware. It came as a fastback-style liftback coupe and a squared-off 'Kammback' sedan.

A sporty AMX package was offered on the liftback for 1979–1980, with rally-tuned suspension, fender flares, alloy wheels, a rear spoiler, and special striping. The 1979 Spirit AMX could be ordered with AMC's 304-cubic-inch V8 — the last AMC passenger car to offer a factory-installed V8. A Spirit also famously placed first and second in class at the 1979 Nürburgring 24-hour race on street tires. Production totaled 192,018 before AMC shifted to front-drive Renault-based models.