We just can’t have a CC AMC Week without the Pacer making an appearance, even if it is more honorary than in-depth. We’ve got two Pacer stories in the archives; my usual dry approach in the Pacer X CC, and Ric Wayman’s light-hearted reminiscence of his former Pacer. But when A. Bear posted these shots of a Pacer dressed up as a racer, we couldn’t resist. We’ll just keep it short (and sweet and wide).
Mr. Bear says this Pacer was found in East LA, and he was particularly smitten by its hood decor. Since this is obviously an early Pacer (’75-’76), that dragon is guarding either the standard 232 CID six (3.8L) or the optional 258 six (4.2 L). A 304 V8 came along in 1977, along with a lip-lifted front grille.
By now, you know the Pacer story as well as I do, and I’m starting to experience a bit of AMC overload back here, so I’m going to just get out of the way. Have at it.
The inspiration for the Porsche 928.
Hmm, rear drive, 2+2 seating, V8. It’s kind of like seeing a film star in their awkward teenage period- the bits are all there, but just not right!
With 304 V8 and a suspension tune I dont see why it wouldnt do ok on a track it has width short wheelbase not overly heavy, ditch the roofrack fit perspex windows and voila a lemons special, Then again maybe not.
Pacers were raced in the IMSA RS series with some success. Also Gremlins and Spirits.
Now I’m picturing in my head a Pacer police car. That would be ironically cool.
Like this?
A token two-door car in a police fleet is usually the high-speed-pursuit vehicle, to nab the most egregious of speeders, or in case the Cannonball Run comes through town.
If that’s this Pacer’s role in this fleet, feel free to speed in Freetown. You really wanna clock some triple digits, or double the double-nickel, or set a new personal best as a velocity criminal on public roads? Freetown’s where it’s at. As long as what you’re driving has at least 120 hp, the FPD’s Pursuit Mirthmobile will NEVER catch you!
That is just precious!
Oh, the things people have done with their pacers…
Here’s the “Elvis sneer” ’78 facelift, in case you missed it:
I know it was done to accept the V8, but this is about the last car that should have gotten a faux Mercedes grille.
Oh, and a race-themed Pacer? Har!
I’ve seen worse: A race-themed second generation Prius. Including spoilers, flared fenders and big wheels.
Where did you see this, on a Playstation?
Damn, apparently there’s a real one racing in Japan’s Super GT series along with a Honda CR-Z
Toyota Prius GT300:
With the V8 the Pacer could do 0-60 in ten seconds, pretty heady stuff for a Pacer
I think the Venetian Blinds really say, “Don’t mess with me”
Then what does the completely vertical spoiler on the roof say? I’m thinking it would say something like, “I really don’t understand aerodynamics.”
I was wondering why it had a tiara…
Hmm….somehow rear window louvers look better on a late sixties Mustang fastback.
Spoke to a Pacer owner at a classic US car show. He opened the hood and said:
“This here is, by far, the best way to convert gasoline into noise”.
Thank you Paul. Mr. Wayman’s article was a blast to read but this week seemed “empty” without a fresh acknowledgment one of these critters.
and I’m starting to experience a bit of AMC overload back here,
Well….if someone declared “early 70s Buick Skylark” week, the only thing I could contribute was seeing one on I-94 in Dearborn in 72, with a broken rear axle laying by the side of the road, while the driver retreived the wheel, with broken half shaft still attached.
Never had one. Never wanted one. Didn’t know anyone who had one. Don’t think I ever even took the time to read about one.
“Skylark” week would be quiet, at least in this corner.
I wonder where the Bugermobile from Goodburger has gotten to?
In Green Bay they could have called these Packers. In northern California, Placers. (That is with the short a, not long, as in Placerville.) In Huntsville, Spacers.
Placerville could have sold a lot of Placers 🙂
It’s too bad the owner went a little overboard with the dragon/fireball stickers because I think the blue/white two-tone with black steelies looks SWEET! Given the Mexican-American bumper stickers, I take it this car is clearly a Carrera Panamericana entrant. Maybe it even has the VAM 282ci straight six under the hood!!
Ahh the Pacer! Have to give AMC a hand for trying something different. A great concept really – a short car for easy maneuvering and parking, but wide enough for three across. Didn’t even look that bad, in a certain non-conformist way. Of course the execution was botched and it would up with all the liabilities of a large car with none of the virtues of a small one. It surely deserved its fate.
I thought that maybe with FWD or independent rear and a slick, OHC, FI 4 cylinder, this may have been a winner. But on second thought, I doubt it. It just looked too different. Americans have always shied away from different vehicles, as the Pacer, Corvair, Airflow, Edsel and 2nd Gen Taurus can attest. It’s experiences like this that made the auto companies risk adverse, with little differences now among brands.