OWNER: Tony Cook, Joyce
OCCUPATION: Retired postal worker
CAR'S YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL: 1985 AMC Eagle station wagon
"I LOVE MY CAR BECAUSE... it's American-made and can be either 2x4 or 4x4 with the flip of a switch. American Motors Corporation starting selling 4x4 Eagles in 1980, which beat Subaru to the U.S. market."
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13 Comments
By Joe on July 11, 2009 11:29 AM
Subaru started selling 4x4 sedans and wagons in the US beginning with the 1975 model, before the Eagle. Subaru does claim their 1996 Outback with 7.3" ground clearance is the first Sport Utility Wagon, but certainly the AMC Eagle deserves that honor, though there may be 4x4s or all wheel drives before the Eagle too.
By john on July 13, 2009 6:57 AM
I had one is was great when i live in upstate NY flip of the switch and you were in 4 wheel drive.
I LOVE THAT CAR!!
By JimmyLSeattle on July 13, 2009 1:59 PM
Copied form Wikipedia site "Subaru" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subaru
From 1995 to 2000, Subaru ran a series of advertisements for the newly developed Subaru Outback which starred Paul Hogan. The advertisements were intended to highlight Subaru's all wheel drive, and depicted the Outback in a number of rugged Australian locations. The tagline "the world's first sport utility wagon" was successfully used by Subaru, though the AMC Eagle had tried much the same idea, with less success in the 1980s.
By Rick on July 14, 2009 6:18 PM
I was a little annoyed at the "beating Subaru to the US (4x4) market" I remember the 74 Leone 4x4 selling as a 75. I also remember that Malcom Bricklin founded Subaru of America in the late 60's and that our new 86 Subaru GL 4x4 wagon had a "Made in Indiana" sticker on the drivers side back window.
Our 86 was fairly gut less, but in 14 years and a LOT of miles, we never had a problem in ice and snow and never needed tire chains...
Bricklin sold out to build his own car in the 70's (not his best move, Bricklin SV-1, nice car but wierd) and is currently sueing Chery automotive of China for $14 bbbbbillion for breach of contract on another automotive importing project.
By omegared812 on July 15, 2009 9:58 AM
I had an '84. I had to drive it to high school, called it the "Mountain Grocery Go-Getter". Even though it did get us to the ski resorts many times, I was not a big fan.
By Damian on July 15, 2009 5:13 PM
We had a 1980 AMC Eagle when I was a kid in Wyoming. It was the car I learned to drive in. It had its pluses and minuses... The only big downside was the tendency to overheat going over the Big Horn mountains.
I have to say the thing I liked the most about this car is that is a TANK. Cumulatively over the course of 20 years of service, that car hit 8 deer, 3 elk, 2 horses, and 1 cow and always was able to drive away from the accident. It also was backed up off a 12 foot ledge into an empty irrigation canal, and was in three fender benders with other vehicles. It looked like hell by the end but it kept going and I always felt confident my Mom and sisters would be safe driving it around the countryside.
By TragicWagon on July 17, 2009 2:49 PM
I drove one of those things in college. It was lovingly nicknamed "Puff the Tragic Wagon". It was ugly as sin, but it got me where I needed to go - most of the time.
By awarthurhu on July 20, 2009 4:08 PM
I wrote that Eagle mention in the Wikipedia. Too bad Chrysler killed it at as soon as they took over AMC along with the Grand Wagoneer, the only car sold at the time that was even older than the 1970 Hornet body. I remember renting a Hornet wagon that drove pretty well, the Eagle is the closest thing to a collectable AMC or anything from the 80s.
By Miguel on August 1, 2009 8:27 PM
Beat Subaru. Nope. Only thing that hidious hillbilly-mobile could beat Subaru at is an ugly car contest.
By Jason on September 4, 2009 6:23 PM
Nice car. I've always liked American cars, particularly AMC cars like the Eagle.
By Tony on September 15, 2009 8:04 PM
"Beat Subaru. Nope. Only thing that hidious [sic] hillbilly-mobile could beat Subaru at is an ugly car contest."
AMC's all-wheel drive system was much more sophisticated and reliable than the contemporary Subaru. Maybe now it's 'uglier' than current cars, but early-80s Subarus were truly ugly cars, not to mention the fact that the looked like they were made of tinfoil. I see Eagles all the time, but I can't remember the last Subaru DL 4WD I've seen on the road.
By 84 eagle on October 4, 2009 8:09 AM
I own a 1984 Amc eagle 194,000 mikes it runs great better thn any car I own. I deer hubt and the places I took this car any 4wheel drive would not attempt to go. I have owned this for 2 yrs now and I only drive my eagle(I own a 99 blazer-4whl dr) in the winter, I live in Iowa. My blazer does not the traction my eagle gets. I take it out in the contry and never get stock or spin the tires
By Tracy Datemasch on December 25, 2009 11:50 AM
"Beat Subaru. Nope. Only thing that hidious [sic] hillbilly-mobile could beat Subaru at is an ugly car contest."
"Beat Subaru. YEAH!!. Only thing hidious is the hillbilly-mobile Butt ugly Subaru. That is an ugly car
Sorry but AMC was the first. Subaru was only for some off roading & not for use on the road unless it was somewhat slick out. AMC could be used on both whenever the owner wanted to use them. How ever Subaru's were great if you wanted a car that could turn into a pile of rust before your very eyes & break down as much as possible. Outback? Yes behind the barn where no one could see it