This was my first car. I turned 16 in 1979 and it was a hand me down from my mom who bought a Chevy citation. That pacer was like a Sherman tank compared to the plastic cars of today. It had a 20 gallon gas tank and a straight 6 258 2 barrel carburetor. I stuffed a blanket between the captain bucket seats so my date could sit next to me. There was ALOT of Windows to scrape off in the winter. It was a very comfy car to drive. With all of that steel I always felt very safe driving it.
+VinnyDaQ I had a 1978 Pacer Wagon DL. Should have kept it, but I don't recall the car having a cb radio. I do remember a "state of the art" eight track player radio. I think I'd replace that today with a navigational system with a backup camera. Just to bring part of the car into the 21st century.
I'm pretty sure there were a lot of people who didn't like the Pacer, but I would like to have one just to say that I had one! and you never see them either
This vehicle can't be blamed for that, the Large Cars of the Early 70's, Toronados, Fury, Monte Carlo, which were gas hogs are the real reason. Japanese sales began increasing significantly in the late 60's. Detroit wasn't positioned well once the Gas Embargo occurred in 1973. This car represented a change for Detroit in the right direction (although flawed in concept). All New USA economy cars were poor competitors to the Japanese, Pinto, Bobcat, Vega, Astra, Maverick etc etc.
Too bad there wasn't enough budget to give the Pacer wagon four doors and maybe a bit of wheelbase stretch. At least they put an opening section into the rear side windows.
This car was a big piece of CRAP! I used to work at an AMC dealership in the parts dept. & I can tell you there was hardly a day went by after the Pacer came on the scene that they were usually replacing windows that would either shatter or pop out on a bumpy road or a very minor collision....a terrible designed car.
AMC was always way ahead of their time. Great cars from a small company
This was my first car. I turned 16 in 1979 and it was a hand me down from my mom who bought a Chevy citation. That pacer was like a Sherman tank compared to the plastic cars of today. It had a 20 gallon gas tank and a straight 6 258 2 barrel carburetor. I stuffed a blanket between the captain bucket seats so my date could sit next to me. There was ALOT of Windows to scrape off in the winter. It was a very comfy car to drive. With all of that steel I always felt very safe driving it.
I remember as a kid thinking that I wouldn't take one if someone gave one to me they were so hideous. Now I think they are cool as hell.
I had a '75 Pacer. Best winter car ever. Great in snow and ice. I loved my Pacer.
I love my PACER !! BEST car I ever owned !!
I had this exact wagon with the factory V-8 Loved it!!
Filmed aboard the international water crossing between Sombra Ontario and Marine City Michigan....that ferry is still in operation!
I owned this exact wagon with a V-8 304 I Loved It!!! Same color too
I like the AMC Pacer I would drive one
Check out the sweet CB radio at 2:38 !
+VinnyDaQ I had a 1978 Pacer Wagon DL. Should have kept it, but I don't recall the car having a cb radio. I do remember a "state of the art" eight track player radio. I think I'd replace that today with a navigational system with a backup camera. Just to bring part of the car into the 21st century.
There's one of these in the building 2 doors over from my hobby store. Silver with black stripes and a red interior.
I'm pretty sure there were a lot of people who didn't like the Pacer, but I would like to have one just to say that I had one! and you never see them either
There's a red early model jn my neighborhood that someone welded over the rear windows so it's a van. I also have a blue 78 with the I6
I actually knew someone who took a page from this commercial, and used the back of their Pacer Wagon for sleeping in during camping trips...
I'm a big Pacer fan. I like the quirky.
This generation of American automobiles helped the Japanese automakers establish a foothold in the U.S. that stands to this day.
Is that a good or bad thing
The WORST cares by AMC were vastly superior to the BEST Fords.
2:20 and cut to close-up of exposed philips head screws.
They designed it so it would sleep three back there, huh? Kinky.
Who really thought it'd be a good ideaTo showcase the car in a rainy scenery
Probably had a deadline. It was raining but they had to shoot. Welcome to low budget corporate media.
Why is it that all the windows are a problem with this vehicle getting hot but you don't hear about that with VW buses? They have tons of windows too.
+MisterFuturtastic The problem is that those huge rear windows on the Pacer cannot be opened; all that glass makes for one gigantic heat magnet!
This vehicle can't be blamed for that, the Large Cars of the Early 70's, Toronados, Fury, Monte Carlo, which were gas hogs are the real reason. Japanese sales began increasing significantly in the late 60's. Detroit wasn't positioned well once the Gas Embargo occurred in 1973. This car represented a change for Detroit in the right direction (although flawed in concept). All New USA economy cars were poor competitors to the Japanese, Pinto, Bobcat, Vega, Astra, Maverick etc etc.
Gremlin had a V8 option too
I have a blue one with the 6 cyl
Too bad there wasn't enough budget to give the Pacer wagon four doors and maybe a bit of wheelbase stretch. At least they put an opening section into the rear side windows.
What did D/L stand for?
Deluxe
Only if it sleeps four...
It looks like a japanese car
hey !!!! how about a little help !!!!! and the wife and kids leave oh how so typical....sounds like today women....what ????!!!!!!!!!!
It’s still an ugly car and always will be.
This car was a big piece of CRAP! I used to work at an AMC dealership in the parts dept. & I can tell you there was hardly a day went by after the Pacer came on the scene that they were usually replacing windows that would either shatter or pop out on a bumpy road or a very minor collision....a terrible designed car.
+GTM59 we loved ours and never had an ounce of trouble.
Would drive this over 99 percent of today's cars.