 1978 AMC Concord D/L sedan |
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| Manufacturer | American Motors Corporation |
|---|---|
| Production | 1978 – 1983 |
| Assembly | Kenosha, Wisconsin USA Brampton, Ontario, Canada Mexico City, Mexico (VAM) |
| Predecessor | AMC Hornet |
| Class | Compact |
| Body style(s) | 4-door sedan 2-door coupé 3-door hatchback 4-door station wagon 2-door convertible |
| Layout | FR layout |
| Platform | AMC’s “junior cars” |
| Engine(s) | 122 cu in (2 L) Audi/VW EA827 I4 151 cu in (2.5 L) GM Iron Duke I4 232 cu in (3.8 L) I6 258 cu in (4.2 L) I6 304 cu in (5 L) V8 |
| Transmission(s) | 3-speed TorqueFlite automatic 4-speed manual 5-speed manual |
| Wheelbase | 108 in (2,743 mm) |
| Length | 183.6 in (4,663 mm) |
| Width | 71 in (1,803 mm) |
| Height | 51.7 in (1,313 mm) |
| Curb weight | 2,851 lb (1,293 kg) (base) |
| Fuel capacity | 22 US gal (83 L; 18 imp gal) |
| Related | AMC Eagle AMC Gremlin AMC Spirit |
| Designer | Richard A. Teague |
The AMC Concord was a compact car made by the American Motors Corporation (AMC) starting with Model year 1978 and continuing to 1983. The Concord was intended to replace not only the similar AMC Hornet, but to some extent the aging mid-size AMC Matador that would be discontinued after 1978 in a market moving to downsized automobiles. Offered in four-door sedan, two-door coupé (through 1982), three-door hatchback (through 1979) and four-door station wagon forms, AMC sought to give its, by this time venerable, compact car an image of luxury, class, and value.[1] The Concord was AMC's volume seller from the time it appeared.
Contents |
Development
American Motors was unable to develop a completely new car to replace its successful, but aging, Hornet. Competition was expected from the new Ford Fox platform (also introduced for 1978) and the RWD GM X platform was still-popular, so the financially strapped fourth American automaker needed something fresh to continue competing in a class that had long been their core market segment. The 1978 Concord was not much different structurally or mechanically from its predecessor, but with a new appearance and a higher level of appointments and features, it looked more "important" and, like the other AMC models, benefited from an urgent stress on workmanship and quality that was prompted by the growing success of cars imported from Japan.[2]
Richard A. Teague, AMC's top car designer, took AMC's compact platform and gave it noticeable changes starting with a new front end with a slope that gave it a sporty, yet formal appearance. American Motor's design studio under Teague mastered of the art of getting attractive new cars from a minimal investment. The "new" car utilized the facelifted 1977 Gremlin's front fenders with a new hood over a chrome six-section eggcrate grille incorporating white rectangular parking lights, as well as new rectangular headlights, bumpers, fiberglass rear fender end caps, rectangular tri-color taillights, and a stand-up hood ornament with a new Concord emblem. The roof featured an outlined quarter-vinyl cover that was available in matching or contrasting color.
The new model featured increased sound insulation and suspension upgrades to isolate the interior from vibration. It was also loaded with numerous standard comfort and upscale features. American Motors equipped the "easy-to-handle size" car with a "roomy sumptuous interior that was stuffed, folded and carpeted to within an inch of its life".[3] The Concord also gained an extra inch (25.4 mm) of rear seat headroom, as well as two additional inches (50.8 mm) of legroom for rear seat passengers.[4] The transformation of the old Hornet into the new 1978 Concord included promoting the new model as an upscale luxury compact with competitive starting price in the mid-US$4,000 range.
1978
Three models were available: Base, Sport, and the top-line D/L. The AMX version was available only on the liftback. The D/L featured many of the luxury cues that were popular on cars in the 1970s; a landau vinyl roof with opera windows (coupé only), color-keyed wheel covers, reclining seats covered in velveteen cloth, and woodgrain instrument panel overlays. The D/L wagon featured exterior woodgrain trim and reclining seats in a leather-like perforated vinyl. The Sport package included slot-style road wheels and bodyside tape stripes on the lower half of the vehicle, running up around the wheel flares. Options included cruise control and air conditioning; however, power windows and power door locks were unavailable.
A 232 cu in (3.8 L) six-cylinder engine was standard, with a 258 cu in (4.2 L) six-cylinder and a 304 cu in (5 L) V8 being optional on the D/L models. A Concord with the V8 engine accelerated from 0 to 60 mph (0 to 97 km/h) in 10.4 seconds, and had a top speed of 100 miles per hour (160 km/h).[5]
American Motors also introduced an optional Volkswagen/Audi-designed 2.0 L (122 CID) I4 engine, which was also available in the Gremlin and later the Spirit. The engine was the same as used in the Porsche 924, although the Porsche was fitted with Bosch fuel injection instead of carburetors on the AMC models. This engine provided improved economy, but was not as powerful as the standard six-cylinder engine. Because of the expense of acquiring the rights to the new 2.0 L engine, AMC could not afford to make it standard equipment.
American Motors marketed the Concord as a more economical alternative to larger luxury cars. The tag line in the ads at the time of Concord's introduction touted it as the car with "The luxury America wants, the size America needs." The Concord outsold the Pacer, Matador, and Gremlin combined for its first year.
Owners in a nationwide survey conducted by Popular Mechanics magazine responded that they like their AMC Concords based on 1,127,000 miles of driving.[6] Drivers reported "few and rather minor gripes".[6] When asked to name their complaints, an "amazing" 30% of AMC Concord owners wrote none, thus beating the record of all the 17 automobiles that were surveyed by the magazine in 1977 by a wide margin - including the Honda Accord (with only a 18.9% "no complaints" rate).[6]
Concord AMX
Based on the hatchback model, the AMX was available for 1978. It included a different front fascia with single round headlights, a flush grille, round amber parking lights, and the Gremlin's "power bulge" hood. Engines included the standard 258 cu in (4.2 L) I6 engine with 4-speed manual or optional 3-speed automatic floor shift transmission, as well as an 304 cu in (5 L) V8 with a 3-speed automatic. The AMX included performance DR78 x 14 BSW steel belted radial tires, front sway bar, vinyl bucket seats, a center floor console, "rally gauges" with tachometer, brushed aluminum instrument panel overlays, black "soft-feel" sports steering wheel, and special trim on the door panels with map pockets. The standard interior color selection was limited to black, blue, or beige with optional upholstery in the "Levi's" Trim Package. The exterior featured a blacked out grille, headlight bezels, rear window molding, door and quarter window frames, rear license plate depression, and wiper arms, a black front air dam, black front and rear fender flares, dual flat black rear-view mirrors, black rear window louvers, black body side scuff moldings, silver "targa"roof band, contrasting "AMX" decals ahead of the rear wheels, silver slot styled steel wheels, and body painted bumpers with black rubber bumper guards and scuff moldings. Exterior colors were limited to Alpine White, Firecracker Red, Sunshine Yellow, Quick Silver Metallic, or a special version of Classic Black with a gold body side stripe that continued up and over the roof band, as well as gold accents for the slot styled wheels.
According to automotive journalist, Michael Lamm, the new AMX had "noticeably tighter shocks and gives a firm and comfortable ride", "corner[s] with the very best" with little lean, as well as the standard six-cylinder engine that combines good performance with fuel economy, and the four-speed "gearbox that's fun to use and has long, long gears." [7]
1979
The next model year saw moderate upgrades to keep the car fresh. A "waterfall" grille with a fine chrome vertical bar treatment, quad rectangular headlights atop slim, horizontal rectangular parking lights, and lighter aluminum bumpers were new for 1979. The D/L sedan was given a new vinyl roof design which extended only over the rear passenger compartment was complemented by chrome trim that overlaid the B-pillar and wrapped over the vinyl roof at its leading edge. 1979 also saw the introduction of the Limited model, available on coupe, sedan, and wagon models, and appointed with leather upholstery, thick carpeting, full courtesy lighting, body-colored wheel covers, and a standard AM radio. The Concord Limited was very well equipped for a compact car at the time. The D/L package, now the middle trim level, was extended to the hatchback, which was given a brushed aluminum Targa-like roof band and a half-vinyl roof to differentiate it from the standard hatchback. The Sport package was dropped, and the AMX moved to the new AMC Spirit liftback body.
1980
The hatchback was dropped for 1980, and the remaining models were given a smoother appearance. The sedan versions of the D/L and Limited were given full vinyl roofs with nearly triangular opera windows embedded in the C-pillars; the coupe versions received squared off opera windows, and revised chrome opera window trim with vertical strakes occupying the space between the window itself and the outer piece of trim. Limited wagons received blackout paint and chrome trim surrounding their rear quarter windows. Base sedans and coupes retained the same rooflines and treatment seen on Hornets since 1970. Taillights were modified and given a wraparound treatment. All Concords received a new horizontal bar grille, with the Concord name in script to the driver's side, and a new, squared-off hood ornament bearing the AMC tri-color logo. That same year, options such as power windows and power seats were also made available. General Motors' Iron Duke I4 engine was also made available for 1980 to replace the rarely ordered VW/Audi four. The 304 cu in (5 L) V8 and 232 cu in (3.8 L) I6 were dropped outright for 1980, leaving only the outsourced 151 cu in (2.5 L) I4 and AMC's durable 258 cu in (4.2 L) I6 engines as the available choices. All AMCs were offered with Ziebart Factory Rust Protection for 1980, which included a new 5-year No Rust Thru warranty in addition to the Buyer Protection Plan 12 month/12,000-mile (19,312 km) warranty that AMC introduced in 1972.
Although it was the oldest design and biggest engine in the group of station wagons that were road tested by Popular Science, the Concord recorded the best acceleration and fuel economy figures (compared to Chevrolet Malibu, Chrysler LeBaron, and Ford Fairmont).[8]
1981
A new grille treatment was featured at the front of the 1981 Concord. It featured chrome horizontal bars spaced further apart than in 1980, and added three vertical bars, one in the center and two outboard, dividing the two halves into quarters. Noryl wheel covers embodying a pseudo-starfish pattern were new to the options list. All AMCs were marketed as the "Tough Americans" in print and television advertisements, indicating the presence of fully galvanized steel bodies, aluminized exhausts, and the aforementioned of comprehensive Ziebart rust protection processes from the factory.
Fuel economy figures for the 49 states in 1981 were 23 mpg-US (10 L/100 km; 28 mpg-imp) city and 34 mpg-US (6.9 L/100 km; 41 mpg-imp) highway for the 4-cylinder with 4-speed, 20 mpg-US (12 L/100 km; 24 mpg-imp) city and 26 mpg-US (9.0 L/100 km; 31 mpg-imp) for the 4-cylinder with automatic, 19 mpg-US (12 L/100 km; 23 mpg-imp) city and 28 mpg-US (8.4 L/100 km; 34 mpg-imp) for the 6-cylinder with 4-speed, and 19 mpg-US (12 L/100 km; 23 mpg-imp) city and 26 mpg-US (9.0 L/100 km; 31 mpg-imp) for the most popular 6-cylinder with automatic combination.
There were four wheel options this year. The first was the "Custom Wheel Cover" standard on the Base model, Full Styled Wheel Cover (stainless steel) standard on Concord DL, the Wire Wheel Cover standard on Limited models, and the 14 x 7 inch Turbocast II Aluminum wheels that were optional on all 1981 Models. There were 15 exterior paint colors this year, they were Olympic White, Classic Black, Quick Siver Metallic, Steel Gray Met, Med. Blue Met, Moonlight Blue, Autumn Gold, Sherwood Green Met, Cameo Tan, Copper Brown Met, Med. Brown Met, Dark Brown Met, Oriental Red, Vintage Red Met, and Deep Maroon Met.
Interiors were available in Deluxe Grain vinyl in black, blue, beige, and nutmeg. Sculptured Rochelle Vaour fabric came in black, blue, wine, beige, and nutmeg. Leather was available only in nutmeg.
1982
Changes for 1982 were minor, as well. A new 5-speed manual transmission made the options list, allowing a 151 cu in (2.5 L) Concord to achieve up to 37 mpg-US (6.4 L/100 km; 44 mpg-imp) on the highway, according to period United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates. The Chrysler-designed 3-speed automatic transmission received wider ratios, and low-drag disc brakes were also added, both as fuel economy measures. The DL and Limited coupes saw the removal of the vertical strakes on their Landau vinyl roofs.
1983
Concord coupes were dropped from the line for 1983, and with them went the availability of the 151 cu in (2.5 L) I4 engine and the Limited sedan model, leaving only the base and DL sedans and base, DL, and Limited wagons in the Concord line. Therefore, all 1983 Concords came with the 258 cu in (4.2 L) I6 engine as standard equipment. Sales slowed to a trickle in the wake of the introduction of the Renault Alliance, and all Concord and Spirit models were quietly dropped by the end of the 1983 model year.
Convertibles
A Sundancer convertible conversion by Griffith Company was available for the 1981 and 1982 model years.[9] The modifications started with a two-door sedan monocoque body. To add strength to the [[automobile platform|platform] after the removal of its roof, fourteen steel reinforcements were welded to the undercarriage and a steel targa roll bar was welded to the door pillars for rigidity, as well as additional passenger compartment protection.[10] The front section of the roof (ahead of the targa bar) was a removable lightweight fiberglass hatch, while the rear section of polyvinyl material folded and included a tonneau cover for use in the down position. The cars were available through any AMC dealer, but less than 200 conversions were manufactured (Concord and four-wheel-drive Eagle versions).[10]
Other markets
The Mexican government-owned automaker Vehiculos Automotores Mexicanos (VAM) manufactured a number of models in Mexico under license from AMC. The cars came with different trim, interiors, and model names than the equivalent AMC-made models. In addition to rebadged Concords, VAM developed model was the VAM Lerma that was based on the Concord with AMC Spirit hatchback and body panels. All engines built by VAM were of AMC design incorporating appropriate changes to deal with lower octane gasoline and the higher altitudes in Mexico. This included a unique 282 cu in (4.6 L) version of AMC's straight-6 engine.
Epilogue
The Concord was "AMC’s last best shot at trying to stay in the market with an American designed car" until it was discontinued after 1983.[3] The Concord-derived, four-wheel-drive AMC Eagle remained in production until it was discontinued in the middle of the 1988 model year.
For 1987, AMC introduced the imported Renault Medallion to replace the discontinued Concord, as well as the similarly-sized, but poor-selling Renault 18-based 18i/Sportwagon, which had been sold at AMC dealerships from 1981-86. The Medallion, like its 18i/Sportwagon predecessors, also failed to sell in large numbers, and imports were canceled by Chrysler at the end of 1989.
The Chrysler Corporation which took over AMC in 1987, made a full-size sedan called the Chrysler Concorde from 1993 to 2004.
In The Betsy (1978) film, 1978 Concords can be seen being completed on the Kenosha assembly line.
In the The Pursuit of Happyness film, Concords are used as some of the cars to set the time period of the 1980s.
In writer John Shannon's private detective series, his hero Jack Liffey drives a 1979 AMC Concord.
References
- Inline
- ^ Tripolsky, Bob. "We Test the New AMC Concord" Mechanix Illustrated, December 1977.
- ^ "AMC Spirit, AMC Concord, AMC Eagle" by the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide, 7 June 2007, retrieved on 25 November 2009.
- ^ a b Vance, Bill. "Motoring Memories: AMC Concord, 1978-1983", Canadian Driver, 13 June 2008, retrieved on 25 November 2009.
- ^ Ceppos, Rich (October 1977), "AMC for '78 - a V-8 for the Pacer, and now there's Concord", Popular Science: 98, http://books.google.com/books?id=bQEAAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA98&dq=AMC+Concord&ei=1NENS_38E6fgyAT-yoH5DA&client=safari#v=onepage&q=AMC%20Concord&f=false, retrieved 2009-11-25
- ^ Car and Driver magazine, February 1978.
- ^ a b c Lamm, Michael (May 1978), "PM Owners Report - AMC Concord", Popular Mechanics, http://books.google.com/books?id=n88DAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA124&dq=PM+Owners+Report+AMC+Concord&ei=dN0NS-mYLZrKyQSgzdDlDA&client=safari#v=onepage&q=&f=false, retrieved 2009-11-25
- ^ Lamm, Michael (October 1977), "Driving the 1978 cars from American Motors", Popular Mechanics, http://books.google.com/books?id=6uEDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA106&dq=1978+AMC+AMX&ei=BO8NS67-KYK0yQSE24CVDQ&client=safari#v=onepage&q=1978%20AMC%20AMX&f=false, retrieved 2009-11-25
- ^ Dunne, Jim; Jacobs, Ed (May 1980), "Midsize Wagons - roomy, comfortable, all-purpose vehicles", Popular Science: 33-43, http://books.google.com/books?id=x3YlRSphAaMC&pg=PA33&dq=AMC+Concord&ei=1NENS_38E6fgyAT-yoH5DA&client=safari#v=onepage&q=AMC%20Concord&f=false, retrieved 2009-11-25
- ^ ArcticBoy pages with image of Sundancer convertible, retrieved on 25 November 2009.
- ^ a b Strohl, Daniel. "Lost and Found: Up High, Top Down", Hemmings Classic Car, 3 March 2006, retrieved on 25 November 2009.
- General
- Gunnell, John, Editor (1987). The Standard Catalog of American Cars 1946-1975. Kraus Publications. ISBN 0-87341-096-3.
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: AMC Concord |
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| American Motors road car timeline, United States market, 1954–1988 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Subcompact | Gremlin | Spirit | Encore | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Compact | Rambler | Rambler American | Hornet | Concord | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Jet | Pacer | Alliance | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mid-size | Rambler Six | Classic | Rebel | Matador | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rebel V8 | Marlin | Matador Coupe | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Full-size | Nash | Ambassador | Premier | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hudson | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sports | AMX | AMX | GTA | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Javelin | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Crossover | Eagle | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SUV | see timeline of Jeep models | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Captive import | Metropolitan | LeCar | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Renault 18i/Sportwagon | Medallion | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fuego | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Military vehicles | Mighty Mite | AM General trucks, Jeeps, and the HMMWV | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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