1981 Sedan Checks In

[El Matador]

This story began in November 2010, when I received an e-mail from AMCKen.  He had just been notified by Edmonton Pick-n-Pull that a 1981 Eagle had arrived (he's on a first name basis with them and gets first dibs on any AMC that comes in), and he was wondering if I was interested in it since he was in no position to take it.

I was hesitant at first, but then he sent me a bunch of pictures including these:





I thought about it awhile longer, and in the meantime Ken did some work on it to determine whether it ran and how well.  He discovered that it had thrown three pushrods out from under the rockers, which apparently is a common problem with 1981 vintage 258s.  He popped those into place and got it to start and run.

[El Matador]

Given that it was complete and now running, and that Ken had some time invested in it, I ultimately decided I couldn't let it get crushed.  I said "I'll take it" and Ken made the arrangements from there.  For $600.00 plus tax and tow (to Ken's storage) it was mine, but it was still 300 km (186 miles) away.  What to do?

Over the course of the next 10 months, Ken tinkered with it here and there to get it more finely tuned.  I must say he did a great job, because this past Saturday I caught a ride with Jared (Whuntmore) to Edmonton, and drove the car 300 km back to Calgary.  All I had to do was install a battery and top up the coolant, and it was good to go.  I also had to do a few non-mechanical things like replace a headlight, seat belt, and wiper blades.

It performed very well on the highway, especially for a car that was sent to the yard and left for dead. 

Here it is in its new habitat, behind my garage.  No, I didn't lose the wheel covers on the highway - they're in the back seat area.

[A-A EAGLE]

Great you saved it and nice it turns out to be a good one!

Anjo
Holland

[El Matador]

Obviously it was raining when those pictures were taken, and it's not nearly as shiny as it appears there.  Although, when we stopped in Red Deer on Saturday for our local AMC club's gathering, one of our members showed me just how good that paint could potentially look.

I was trying to remove the Pick-n-Pull markings from the rear quarters, and he used an amazing product on it (the name currently escapes me).  It not only removed the writing, it also non-abrasively restored the faded and neglected 30 year old paint to a nearly new shine.  I'm definitely going to get some of that stuff and do the rest of the car with it.

As far as rust, it's not too bad overall.  The rearmost portions of the rockers are rusted pretty badly, but not to the point of structural compromise.  The area below the C pillar windows is rusting under the vinyl, of course.  That's all I've found so far.

So there it is, the latest patient in the Eagle Rehabilitation Centre.  I'll update this thread as progress is made.

[rohnk]

Nice save!

[AMCKen]

I thought about it awhile longer, and in the meantime Ken did some work on it to determine whether it ran and how well.  He discovered that it had thrown three pushrods out from under the rockers, which apparently is a common problem with 1981 vintage 258s.  He popped those into place and got it to start and run.

Here's what I found when I first took the rocker cover off.



It did actually (sorta) run on only 3 cylinders. The valve train still has ticks but at least all 6 cylinders are working.

It should shine up well.

[maximus7001]

X2 on the save and an egg for you. I have the little sister of your new 81. Concord(81) and it is exactly the same except for having power windows.

[Whuntmore]

I looked at it first hand and it looks way too good for the wrecker.  The motor needs a bit of work, and there's a bit of surface rust (I didn't look under it) but the very fact that Dean could drive it that distance on the highway, says something.

It's far from being a write-off.

Another great save by Ken and Dean.

[shanebo]

Holy cow!! I love that car!! And do my eyes decieve me or are those "St Lauren deep plush fabric" seats!?!? what trim level does this car have? Ive heard limiteds in small numbers came with the plush seat vs the leather...that could be a rather rare car.

[El Matador]

Holy cow!! I love that car!! And do my eyes decieve me or are those "St Lauren deep plush fabric" seats!?!? what trim level does this car have? Ive heard limiteds in small numbers came with the plush seat vs the leather...that could be a rather rare car.

So that's what you meant by St. Lauren plush fabric.  When you first posted that awhile back, I had something else in mind that I had seen.  I think this fabric was way more common in Concords than Eagles, and it's nice and soft to the touch.  I hope they're in good condition under those covers, as I haven't yet had a chance to peel them off and check.  This car is a DL, and is very light on options other than the plush seats.

This is a rare car no matter how you look at it.  The introduction of the Kammback and SX/4 absolutely hammered sedan sales in 1981.  This is one of only 1737 sedans produced that year.

[eaglefreek]

My 81 wagon had the same kind of material on the seat but a different color. I didn't know it was "fancy".

[shanebo]

Im really not sure if thats the "St Lauren" fabric or not...Ill be honest, Ive never actually seen one in person that had it. Those seats certainly look a lot plusher than that coarse plaid fabric most had. There is an 82 coupe in the same color and with the same interior for sale in Milbank SD...They only want a hair over 10 grand for it

[Prafeston]

I don't really like the sedans, but I swear everytime I see one I feel better and better about it! Good find. Way to save another Eagle from the crusher! Eggtastic!

[Bird-o-Prey]

Your wife is so going to kill you one of these days!!

[Whuntmore]

Your wife is so going to kill you one of these days!!

I'll second that Chris!  I'm surprised he's still alive now...  That's some slight of hand (more like hide the eagle) he's got going on.  

Ya know, one of these days (sounds like a Pink Floyd song) she's gonna catch on, and check these forums, and then his number is gonna be up!

don't worry, I'll come to your funeral Dean.