These pages describe the story of a special 1975 Pacer, as well as additional information about these cars built by AMC for six model years. One particular '75 was special because my parents selected it -- with my help as a very young "influencer" -- to replace the 1972 AMC Hornet two-door sedan. There was nothing wrong with the Hornet, but there was a buyer that wanted it very much. Therefore, my parents had Courtesy AMC/Jeep order a new car to their specifications, long before its public debut.

There was a considerable amount of publicity about the newest and technologically advanced small car from AMC. An example is the Science & Mechanics monthly magazine -- read it first in S&M! So-called "Spy" reports included the cover feature on the "new American Motors' mini car designed specially for Wankel power". The new Pacer was to also have front wheel drive. The rotary engine was under development by General Motors in the early 1970s. However, reliability and emissions problems during development caused GM to cancel its release. As a consequence, AMC built the Pacer with a conventional front engine with rear wheel drive. The Pacer also made use of GM's new rack and pinion steering rack -- among the car's numerous engineering firsts.

One of the featured models in the revised 1975 catalog included a Pacer X in Mellow Yellow on a double page with fold out -- shown on the left.

AMC was the last "independent" American automobile manufacturer at that time and was looking for a breakthrough automobile. This was during the time when square was in for cars! Richard Teague, AMC's legendary Vice President for Styling, jettisoned conventional guidelines. Starting from Teague's rough sketch in 1971, AMC developed a new type of car that revolutionized automotive design.

Teague's design was criticized for being nonstandard. It did not have any tired stereotypes. It was not a boxy car with a blunt pseudo-classic grille, a long hood, a high belt line, or the typical cramped interior found in small cars. The Pacer was way ahead of its time. Many of the breakthrough did not enter mainstream automobiles until the early 1990s. However, the new Pacer was praised at its introduction for its revolutionary concepts of passenger comfort, convenience, and economy.

One example was the subtitle to a Pacer road test:

"Suddenly it's 1980" American Motor's new Pacer is the freshest , most creative, most people-oriented auto to be born in the U.S. in 15 years -- by Karl Ludvigsen.

Motor Trend, February 1975, page 35.

Examples of AMC's "independent" thinking for the Pacer included their approach: we started with an idea ... people. All too often, the perception of cars is that they must be an extension of some emotional human need. Some people can't get over the concept that the car they have must express or compensate for their emotional desires or shortages. The Pacer was unique in that it bucked this and aimed for giving consumers the wide expanse and comfort of a big car in a vehicle that was subcompact in length. The Pacer could be everything from a basic and economical commuter car or equipped with with a range of options and interior trims to high deluxe standards.

All of American Motors' models in 1975 came equipped with electronic ignition systems.

One reason for the controversy over the Pacer was that to be "cool" in the 1970's, a car had to be powerful and sexy.
Perhaps to make up for what the owner lacked?
On the other hand, Pacer owners appreciate the forward thinking that made the car so far ahead of it's time. AMC built and marketed a concept car that was too advanced for its day.
The cover art on the book on the right was obviously an example of of insufficient knowledge.

Moreover, belittlers of the AMC Pacer have selective memory. The other auto makers were selling vehicles in the subcompact class that are long forgotten today. A Motor Trend magazine article in the June 1975 issue best illustrates this. Shown here is the article by Jim Brokaw titled: "Road Test: Capri II, Bobcat, Astre, & Pacer." Are any of these competing models as well known as the Pacer? I don't think so! The Ford Capri II was imported from Germany and did not do very well in this country. The Mercury Bobcat was a fancier, but forgettable version of Ford's very regrettable Pinto with its exploding gas tank when rear-ended. An even worse example was Pontiac's Astre, a clone of the Chevrolet Vega. This GM car was most known for its ability to spontaneously self-destruct because of its all aluminum engine and rusting bodies. In other words, while AMC was breaking new ground with the Pacer, the competition was offering very ordinary and dubious quality cars. Therefore, the Pacer is the only well known and collectable sub-compact car from this era. Enthusiasts of the other auto makes are envious, since none of their favorite brands can measure up to the Pacer!

Click to see larger images: Page 94, Page 95, Page 96, Page 97, Page 98, Page 100.

The Pacer's revolutionary design sparked controversy. It was not a standard box-like vehicle -- exemplified by utterly forgettable models from the Big Three such as the Ford Granada, Plymouth Volare, and Chevrolet Monza Towne Coupe. In contrast, the Pacer was a small car with many groundbreaking features. It exemplified AMC's philosophy of difference. The Pacer was a design centered on passenger comfort and convenience in a small vehicle. Initially, the Pacer sold so well that production could not cope with the demand. It was also one of AMC's most expensive new product investments. The Pacer established new benchmarks that were later adopted by the auto industry worldwide. These included a rounded aerodynamic body, space-efficient interiors, aircraft style doors, and a large greenhouse style for visibility. Even the designers at Porsche gained inspiration from the Pacer for their high-performance 928 line of sports cars.

"In the tradition of Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon, which traces all film relationships back to that actor, we present the Six Degrees of AMC Pacer, which clearly charts how all vehicles can ultimately be tied, in six steps or less, to that mid-'70s icon, the AMC Pacer.

We've tried some current and a few recently departed manufacturers together in this Pacer web. The furthest tentacle stretches to Hindustan of India. Given enough time, we could connect every manufacturer of cars ever through the Pacer; among the connections we made but didn't have room to print were Daewoo, Honda, Isuzu, Maserati, Mitsubishi, Packard, Porsche, Steyer-Diamler-Puch, Studebaker, Suzuki, and even Yugo."