AMC Eagle Den Forum

AMC Eagle Archives => Model Years => Topic started by: Gil-SX4 on October 11, 2004, 12:42:14 AM

Title: Our 1980-1988 AMC Eagles 1981 Model
Post by: Gil-SX4 on October 11, 2004, 12:42:14 AM
1981 AMC Eagle's
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  Two new models were introduced this year.  The sporty SX/4 based on the Spirit and the low priced Kammback based on the old Spirit/Gremlin.  All Eagles this year received new bumper end caps that improved the overall looks of the cars and a new trim level "Sport" was introduced.  Other  new features were a restyled grill and the optional alloy wheels. The Sport trim option included blacked out ground effects, blacked out chrome and grill.   Under the hood a  four cylinder engine (2.5 L) was standard making the 258 engine an option and a manual transmission became standard equipment as well. Three trim levels were offered in 1981; Base, DL/Sport and Limited.  During the mid year all Eagles were fitted with select drive.  This meant the driver could now choose between 2 wheel or 4 wheel drive.

(http://www.arcticboy.com/media/eagle/SelectDrivetrain.jpg)
Select Drive -- introduced mid year.




(http://img67.photobucket.com/albums/v203/scottss/sedan_2.jpg)
1981 AMC Eagle two door sedan with optional sun roof.    No longer the only 2-door offered and no longer the entry level Eagle, with the entry of the Eagle Kammback, two door sedan sales dropped to only 2,378 units.(Owner member: EagleFreak).

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v198/Gilspix/1980%201988%20AMC%20Eagles/1981AMCEaglefour-door.jpg)
1981 AMC Eagle four door sedan.  The four door sedan also had lackluster sales this years with only 1,737 units produced.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v198/Gilspix/1980%201988%20AMC%20Eagles/1981AMCEagleWagon.jpg)
1981 AMC Eagle Wagon.  The wagon too was hurt by the introduction of the two new models with only 10,371 units produced.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v198/Gilspix/1980%201988%20AMC%20Eagles/1981AMCEagleKammback.jpg)
1981 AMC Eagle Kammback.  The AMC Eagle Kammback had a real low price at $5995.00 and was marketed in the hopes of luring in first time buyers.  It was a modest success with 5,603 units produced -- putting it well ahead of the 2 and 4 door sedans.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v198/Gilspix/1980%201988%20AMC%20Eagles/1981amceaglesx4promotionalpic.jpg)
1981 AMC Eagle SX/4. with fog lights and alloy wheels.  The SX/4 was an immediate success with its sporty looks it attracted the most Eagle buyers in 1981 with 17,340 units produced.

Total 1981 Eagle Production:  37,429
Title: Re: Our 1980-1988 AMC Eagles 1981 Model
Post by: 3 Eagle Feathers on October 09, 2010, 01:02:48 PM
Would anyone know how many of the 10,371 wagons produced in "81" were Sport models?  Standards vs Automatics? and full-time 4 wheel vs select drives?
Being able to drill down to this level of info would be nice to have as they age from a collectability standpoint.
Title: Re: Our 1980-1988 AMC Eagles 1981 Model
Post by: IowaEagle on October 09, 2010, 01:34:22 PM
AMC did not keep those records.  At least none that anybody in the AMC community knows of.
Title: Re: Our 1980-1988 AMC Eagles 1981 Model
Post by: milliard431 on October 10, 2010, 10:05:12 PM
If there were only 2378 2 door sedans made in 81 then I wonder which one of my 2 doors is the most valuable assuming they were in the same condition. My 80 or my 81?
Title: Re: Our 1980-1988 AMC Eagles 1981 Model
Post by: jim on October 11, 2010, 12:12:08 AM
My guess is that a collector interested in originality would prefer the 80.
If you decide to part with one I would take either.
Title: Re: Our 1980-1988 AMC Eagles 1981 Model
Post by: IowaEagle on October 11, 2010, 06:46:00 AM
For a General Collector its hard to say between the two years.   To an AMC'er I believe Jim would be correct and there also mechanical differences that would make the '80 of greater interest to an AMC'er or a knowledgeable general collector.
Title: Re: Our 1980-1988 AMC Eagles 1981 Model
Post by: milliard431 on October 11, 2010, 08:56:38 PM
I have always planned on offering you, Jim, first dibs if I sell one. I know you have been spending some coin on your wagon and have mentioned not being ready to buy a 2 door but I'll keep you in mind when your ready.
Title: Re: Our 1980-1988 AMC Eagles 1981 Model
Post by: jim on October 11, 2010, 11:34:44 PM
Thanks.  I still have a lot of coin to spend on them, too, but maybe someday - - --
A road trip from Florida to Arkansas in a 2 door sedan would be great.