AMC's car/truck prototype

[shanebo]

Lookin around on the net tonight and I found this cool little car. It was a prototype AMC toyed around with as a potential car to compete with fords falcon ranchero and Chevys ElCamino. It was named the Cowboy. Oddly enough although its undeniably a gremlin truck it sported the Jeep name.

[83Eagle!]

I know I have seen a topic on that here somewhere in the past.  I like it.  IIRC they decided to not do the truck (partly) because it would have been the only 2 wheel drive Jeep-badged vehicle at the time. 

Can't say for sure, but I think the Rambler Ranch has a home-built version of this car.  Can't remember where the prototype ended up.

[vangremlin]

Can't say for sure, but I think the Rambler Ranch has a home-built version of this car.  Can't remember where the prototype ended up.

There is a Rambler that had a homemade conversion at the Rambler Ranch.  Here is a picture:

[AMC of Houston]

The Hornet-based Cowboy pickup still survives, and makes a lot of the big AMC shows.   Google "Hornet Cowboy" for some pics.   Cool-looking vehicle.

[Sunny]

It's actually pretty neat looking.

[83Eagle!]

I would love to have one.  I like the Rambler-based one.  I have always been a fan of the small car-based pickups.

[AMC of Houston]

Ditto.  During some of my years spent in Cincinnati, I drove a 1984 Dodge Rampage mini-truck.   Got lots of abuse about it here in Texas since it was just a baby truck, and not macho enough for Texas.   Sold it to a Houston Mopar Club member after it got too rusty from the years up north in the salt.

[83Eagle!]

Ditto.  During some of my years spent in Cincinnati, I drove a 1984 Dodge Rampage mini-truck.   Got lots of abuse about it here in Texas since it was just a baby truck, and not macho enough for Texas.   Sold it to a Houston Mopar Club member after it got too rusty from the years up north in the salt.

Been looking for a solid Rampage with black interior ever since I had to sell mine in 8th grade (grandpa's last car).  Always seem available when I am broke, and never available when I have money.

[WoodenBirdOfPrey]

I love the way the Rampages look, always liked that design.  My dad had one of the 80's Chargers up until 1992, I think that's why I'm drawn to them.  I just hate that they're front wheel drive.  Sort of ruins it for me!

[vangremlin]

Somebody even got into the pickup mode with a Pacer.  Here is a picture and a link:

http://www.amcpacer.com/archives/archives.asp?num=25&s=101

look at posting #104

[carnuck]

Ditto.  During some of my years spent in Cincinnati, I drove a 1984 Dodge Rampage mini-truck.   Got lots of abuse about it here in Texas since it was just a baby truck, and not macho enough for Texas.   Sold it to a Houston Mopar Club member after it got too rusty from the years up north in the salt.

Been looking for a solid Rampage with black interior ever since I had to sell mine in 8th grade (grandpa's last car).  Always seem available when I am broke, and never available when I have money.

One of our customers just sold one for $700 with only 70,000 miles on it. 2.2L 4 speed

[83Eagle!]

Ditto.  During some of my years spent in Cincinnati, I drove a 1984 Dodge Rampage mini-truck.   Got lots of abuse about it here in Texas since it was just a baby truck, and not macho enough for Texas.   Sold it to a Houston Mopar Club member after it got too rusty from the years up north in the salt.

Been looking for a solid Rampage with black interior ever since I had to sell mine in 8th grade (grandpa's last car).  Always seem available when I am broke, and never available when I have money.

One of our customers just sold one for $700 with only 70,000 miles on it. 2.2L 4 speed

Even though my wife said I would have to sleep in any other vehicle I bring home I would have been all over a Rampage for $700.  Part of me doesn't like that the rampages are front wheel drive, but most of me doesn't really care.  I would love to have one.  Been close to buying one a half dozen times since 1995, but never had the money, storage and opportunity all at once.

[shanebo]

Granted they were front wheel drive but it was a sign of the times. The once proud muscle cars of the sixties and seventies were little more than 4 cylinder economy versions of their former selves in the 80's...Doesn't bother me a bit though...I'm more fascinated with cars of that era than any other...I think cuz I'm a big fan of the under dog and the 80's were probably the least respected decade of cars, making them all the more appealing to me.

[83Eagle!]

I understand. It is funny to some that many of my favorite cars are products of the 80s.

[Prafeston]

Somebody even got into the pickup mode with a Pacer.  Here is a picture and a link:

http://www.amcpacer.com/archives/archives.asp?num=25&s=101

look at posting #104

Check out post #118!