Why an Eagle?

[89 MJ]

How did you end up with your Eagle(s)? Was it a car you sought out, or was it more something that fell into your lap? Mine kinda fell into my lap, and I couldn't be happier about it.

[Still Pat]

Where to start? 1981, in the army, just back from Korea. Back "home" (where I grew up) on leave. Kinda wanting something new but not actually shopping. Went to the AMC dealer just to see what they had & what I could afford. Ended up leaving the next day w/a new '81 Kammback. Fast forward to next year, Kammback isn't quite what I was expecting, go to an AMC dealer (in New México by this time), sat down w/the salesman, ordered a new wagon (Eagle) speced out pretty much the way I wanted. Couple months later, it comes in. I drove it a few years, got married, got out of the army, settled in New Mexico. Wife started a small business & we need a pickup, so the Eagle left. 25 years later, my wife died, I missed my Eagle. Bought one from somebody in Okla.. By now, I'm living in Misery. Had been driving truck over the road & gotten my clutch leg busted so I can't push a clutch anymore. Drove that Eagle for a while, had it parked at a friend's house waiting for his "mechanic" to fix the horn so I can pass inspection. It got rear-ended, ins. co. totaled it (SHOCK). Bought one off "The List" over in Ill.. about 100 miles away. Took it in for inspection, ENTIRE front subframe was gone! Completely rotted away. Sold that one for parts & bought Brandon's (83Eagle). Year or two(?) later, spring & a young man's thoughts turn to love. Me? I'm far from a young man. My thoughts turned to ANOTHER car. Not serious, just looking at what's out there & how much. Guess what pops up on spacebook market? Another Eagle, the SAME colors as the one I got from Brandon except this one's a 4 door sedan instead of a wagon. Start talking to the guy, not really planning on buying it. Just a few questions & ideas for him to help sell it. Next thing I know, I'm getting a friend to help me & going up to Wisc., renting a tow dolly & hauling it back here. So I now own TWO Eagles (#5 & 6 since I bought my first one). Anyway, that's my Eagle story.

[89 MJ]

Where to start? 1981, in the army, just back from Korea. Back "home" (where I grew up) on leave. Kinda wanting something new but not actually shopping. Went to the AMC dealer just to see what they had & what I could afford. Ended up leaving the next day w/a new '81 Kammback. Fast forward to next year, Kammback isn't quite what I was expecting, go to an AMC dealer (in New México by this time), sat down w/the salesman, ordered a new wagon (Eagle) speced out pretty much the way I wanted. Couple months later, it comes in. I drove it a few years, got married, got out of the army, settled in New Mexico. Wife started a small business & we need a pickup, so the Eagle left. 25 years later, my wife died, I missed my Eagle. Bought one from somebody in Okla.. By now, I'm living in Misery. Had been driving truck over the road & gotten my clutch leg busted so I can't push a clutch anymore. Drove that Eagle for a while, had it parked at a friend's house waiting for his "mechanic" to fix the horn so I can pass inspection. It got rear-ended, ins. co. totaled it (SHOCK). Bought one off "The List" over in Ill.. about 100 miles away. Took it in for inspection, ENTIRE front subframe was gone! Completely rotted away. Sold that one for parts & bought Brandon's (83Eagle). Year or two(?) later, spring & a young man's thoughts turn to love. Me? I'm far from a young man. My thoughts turned to ANOTHER car. Not serious, just looking at what's out there & how much. Guess what pops up on spacebook market? Another Eagle, the SAME colors as the one I got from Brandon except this one's a 4 door sedan instead of a wagon. Start talking to the guy, not really planning on buying it. Just a few questions & ideas for him to help sell it. Next thing I know, I'm getting a friend to help me & going up to Wisc., renting a tow dolly & hauling it back here. So I now own TWO Eagles (#5 & 6 since I bought my first one). Anyway, that's my Eagle story.

That’s a pretty cool story! Thank you for your service!

[MIPS]

Someone either at work or online linked me to the craigslist ad, I needed a new car and loved my parents then Subaru outback wagon, but it sat too low and the rest is history.

[89 MJ]

Someone either at work or online linked me to the craigslist ad, I needed a new car and loved my parents then Subaru outback wagon, but it sat too low and the rest is history.

Sounds like the Eagle was the perfect choice then

[MIPS]

Not if you take into account I've put over $20000 in parts, shop labor, rebuilds and other misc. maintenance expenses into it over five years..... x_x

[89 MJ]

Not if you take into account I've put over $20000 in parts, shop labor, rebuilds and other misc. maintenance expenses into it over five years..... x_x

Haha, well there’s that. But now that you’ve got it sorted, I’m sure it will last longer than a new car.

[vangremlin]

Always had a soft spot for AMCs since my first real car was a 74 Gremlin that had been in the family.  Sold that in 82 after moving to Colorado and decided I "needed" a new car.

Fast forward to 2001, I had started to get into older cars and decided I wanted to find a Gremlin.  Was able to find a 1972 V8 Gremlin X nearby in Wyoming and I became the second owner.

Jump to 2008, I was browsing Craigslist and found a 1978 Gremlin with the 2.0 litre Audi engine for sale, had been parked for 6 years, thought it would be a fun project to work on with my son, so brought that home. 

Finally getting to the Eagle part of the story lol.  I started visiting the nearby junkyards to look for parts for the Gremlins, and one month after picking up the 78 I happened to spy a 1981 Kammback.  The junkyard was very cool to work with and sold me the whole car, which they don't often do.  It must have just arrived at the junkyard since it was complete.  It had not been tagged since 1982.  I brought it home and managed to get it running without much trouble.

I don't know if I had ever even seen a Kammback before but love it's Gremlin heritage and it is so fun to drive!

[89 MJ]

Always had a soft spot for AMCs since my first real car was a 74 Gremlin that had been in the family.  Sold that in 82 after moving to Colorado and decided I "needed" a new car.

Fast forward to 2001, I had started to get into older cars and decided I wanted to find a Gremlin.  Was able to find a 1972 V8 Gremlin X nearby in Wyoming and I became the second owner.

Jump to 2008, I was browsing Craigslist and found a 1978 Gremlin with the 2.0 litre Audi engine for sale, had been parked for 6 years, thought it would be a fun project to work on with my son, so brought that home. 

Finally getting to the Eagle part of the story lol.  I started visiting the nearby junkyards to look for parts for the Gremlins, and one month after picking up the 78 I happened to spy a 1981 Kammback.  The junkyard was very cool to work with and sold me the whole car, which they don't often do.  It must have just arrived at the junkyard since it was complete.  It had not been tagged since 1982.  I brought it home and managed to get it running without much trouble.

I don't know if I had ever even seen a Kammback before but love it's Gremlin heritage and it is so fun to drive!

You’ve been surrounded by AMCs for a while then. I’m surprised the junkyard sold the whole car.

[vangremlin]

I’m surprised the junkyard sold the whole car.

Me too.  They really did me a favor.