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| AMC Spirit | |
|---|---|
 1979 AMC Spirit GT | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | American Motors Corporation (AMC) |
| Also called | VAM Gremlin (Mexico, sedan)[1] VAM Rally (Mexico, liftback) |
| Production | 1978–1983 |
| Model years | 1979–1983 |
| Assembly | Kenosha, Wisconsin, United States Brampton, Ontario, Canada Mexico City, Mexico (VAM) |
| Designer | Dick Teague |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Subcompact |
| Body style | 2-door sedan 3-door liftback |
| Layout | FR layout |
| Platform | AMC's "junior cars" |
| Related | AMC Hornet AMC Gremlin AMC Concord AMC Eagle |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | |
| Transmission | 3-speed TorqueFlite automatic 4-speed manual 5-speed manual |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 96 in (2,438 mm) |
| Length | 167 in (4,242 mm) |
| Width | 72 in (1,829 mm) |
| Height | 51 in (1,295 mm) |
| Curb weight | 2,521 lb (1,144 kg) base sedan |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | AMC Gremlin |
| Successor | Renault Alliance/Encore Renault Fuego (Spirit AMX) |
The AMC Spirit is a subcompact car sold by American Motors Corporation (AMC) from 1979 through 1983. Replacing the AMC Gremlin, the Spirit was available in two different body styles, both of which were two-door hatchbacks – but neither was marketed as such. Instead, AMC offered a restyled Gremlin either as a "Spirit Kammback" or "sedan", while an additional model with a more gently sloping rear was introduced as the "Spirit Liftback" or "coupe". Due to budget constraints, the Spirit shared the Gremlin's platform – its floorpan, powertrains, and many other parts were carried over. AMC also offered a four-wheel drive cross-over version using the Spirit's bodywork, marketed from 1981 through 1983 model years as the AMC Eagle SX/4 and Eagle Kammback (1981-1982 only). Spirits were manufactured by AMC in both Wisconsin and Ontario, as well as under license by V.A.M. in Mexico where they retained the Gremlin name on the restyled models.
Performance versions of the AMC Spirit competed in road racing. In 1979, B.F. Goodrich sponsored a two-car team of Spirit AMXs in the Nürburgring 24 Hours.[2] The AMXs were the first American entries[citation needed] and they finished first and second in their class out of a 120-car[clarification needed] field.[3] Spirits were also privately campaigned in International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) Champion Spark Plug Challenge and Racing Stock Class events, as well as in drag racing.