A Celebration of Independence

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AMCNUT

AMCNUT

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AMCNUT
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AMCNUT
Hi,

I haven't really seen a thread dedicated to the likes of American Motors, Studebaker, Nash, Hudson, Packard, Kaiser and the other independent auto makers as of yet. Does anyone have any stories to swap about these old babies? As someone who is too young to be able to walk into an AMC or a Studebaker showroom, I'd be curious to hear what the GTP community has to say about this unique sector of the automotive universe!

Any other fans of the independent holdouts?
 
I like independent car companies, many of them produce fun and unique cars.
My personal favourites include:

Morgan - I like their classical styling and the high amount of effort that goes into building them. Another reason why I like Morgan's is that they are built near the area where I live. http://www.morgan-motor.co.uk/
Ariel - Famous for making the Atom, I like the way they focus on the core experience of driving and the way they don't tame the Atom with driving aids. Put simply, the Atom is a pure drivers car. http://www.arielmotor.co.uk/
Wiesmann - The Wiesmann MF 30 reminds me of classic MG's, Jensen's and Austin Healey's. It's the modern day equivalent of the classic roadster and for that reason alone, I like it. http://www.wiesmann.com/

There are other independent companies I like but I can't remember them at this moment.
 
AMCNut: Dude, i don't think there's too many people even on the net, let alone here that remeber hudson, nash, stude, packard and K-F when they were new to get nostalgic over.. now, for the AMC's themselves, yes, they'll be enough people

and you know these guys nowadays are allready asking "what's that?" about friggin PLYMOUTHS (i give it a couple years before they start saying that about Mercurys,and Pontiacs).
 
Sniffs
AMCNut: Dude, i don't think there's too many people even on the net, let alone here that remeber hudson, nash, stude, packard and K-F when they were new to get nostalgic over.. now, for the AMC's themselves, yes, they'll be enough people

and you know these guys nowadays are allready asking "what's that?" about friggin PLYMOUTHS (i give it a couple years before they start saying that about Mercurys,and Pontiacs).
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I know some brands might be a bit old, but it's possible that there ARE owners out there, even if they're not the original ones. And as was mentioned above there also a ton of Euro brands as well. It never hurts to be optimisitc, eh?

I just wish you saw more AMCs on the road; they're good cars that bring a smile to my face whenever I see one at an autoshow or, if I'm lucky enough, in my normal travels. (saw a yellow Hornet hatchback with a red stripe in the parking lot at the Toronto hobby show a couple of years ago - it looked like it had been taken care of!) I was also fortunate enough to have seen a couple Gremlins and a Pacer - real head-turners!

But surely there must be at least fans of the marques, if not actual original owners...
 
well, I'm a stude fan. the neighbor, where I was growing up, had one of their old pickups. as for AMC's? not really. there's only two that really survived disintegration in the Rustbelt 'cause they were hot rods. AKA gremlins and a few very rare AMXes.

I did fish for some ideas once for making a hotrod Eagle Wagon (i was looking for a proper engine that could be dropped in)
 
In my life I only have a few small dreams. One of them is to own an original classic 911.









The other, a Studebaker.
 
There was a Hudson at the car dealership near my house a few weeks ago, it was in mint condition and looked really nice in my opinion. I'd never even heard of them until I saw the car.

IMG_1199.jpg
 
Hudson_Hornet_D1_Spec___10_by_Jim_Prower.jpg


Okay, honestly don't know WHAT y'all are gonna think of this...

but, yeah, I can dig Indie Cars.
 
Sniffs
well, I'm a stude fan. the neighbor, where I was growing up, had one of their old pickups. as for AMC's? not really. there's only two that really survived disintegration in the Rustbelt 'cause they were hot rods. AKA gremlins and a few very rare AMXes.

I did fish for some ideas once for making a hotrod Eagle Wagon (i was looking for a proper engine that could be dropped in)
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Speaking solely for myself, I feel that they're more enjoyable when they're not heavily modded. I'm more into stock models. I can appreciate stock-looking sleepers though; an upgraded powertrain in a stock body would be the perfect Q-Ship for sure! Just not big on visual upgrades most of the time... As a general rule I think the designs are best appreciated as they were originally produced; every time I see a picture of a pimped-out Pacer or a Hotrod Gremlin I sorta wince.:scared:

But if you were to drop a new engine in an Eagle, would a Northstar V8 fit? Those are nice engines: or you could drop a HEMI in!💡

EDIT: @ Jim Prower: Did you draw that yourself?
 
AMCNUT
EDIT: @ Jim Prower: Did you draw that yourself?
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Yes. Yes I did. and wrote a description for it, too...Lemme copy+Paste from dA...

Keep in mind - this is Jim Prower the CHARACTER, not Jim Prower ME. XD

After two seasons on the tour, James Prower of Scuderia Prower Motorsport decided to bring the iconic Hudson Hornet in for a rebuild for the 2010 season. The car previously competed without aero parts, giving an extreme disadvantage in downforce: the car now has a full compliment of aero equipment, a GT wing and carbon splitter, as well as a diffuser beneath the fuel tank. In testing, this equipment has given the car new life, and should be shown to full effect in the first U.S. round in Irwindale, as well as the first Japan round in Odaiba.

The engine has been completely rebuilt, and now has twin turbos as well as the Prower-designed twin-cam head, now on a strengthened stock cast iron block. The turbos exhaust into the famous side-exit exhaust on the left side, sure to bring forth spectacular flames as in previous seasons. Power, despite the block of more than 50 years, is up to 650ps, and likely can become more!

New for 2010 is the red-painted Volk TE37 wheels, although the previous season’s Volk GT-C and Wheel Vintiques Smoothies will be used as well. The suspension settings, double wishbone front, four-link straight-axle rear, have been reset to accommodate the new Aerokit. Tires will continue to be ADVAN.
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V8s aren't really that big. I don't know much about the car you are wanting to put it into but currently there are at least two people building a V12 MR2 without extending the chassis so I think that means you can do just about anything else you can think up.
 
Jim Prower
Yes. Yes I did. and wrote a description for it, too...Lemme copy+Paste from dA...
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That's superb! I like it!👍 You really nailed it! I do a little drawing when it comes to cars as well; I wish I had a scan to show - and you've got the colouring down pat as well! :cheers:

Toronado
Every time I read about AMC I cry a little.
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Yeah, I hear you. It saddens me whenever I see an AMC; imaging what could've been had they made it OK by themselves into the 21st century (preferably without slipping us icky Renaults!:crazy:) is both depressing and inspiring all at the same time. But what's REALLY sad is when you see abandoned ones rusting away, unwilling or unable to be saved.

However, part of why I really like them is because they were so oddball-ish and innovative; they really stand out in a good way! AMC always managed to do so much with so little (the basic Hornet chassis/architecture being a prime example) - you really don't get that kind of innovation by necessity today. GM and Chrysler were able to get a nice gov't safety net; a luxury AMC never had, unfortunately.

If you want a really good overview of AMC Patrick Foster has a few really good books: This one is my favourite.

http://www.amazon.ca/AMC-Cars-1954-1987-Patrick-Foster/dp/1583881123/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1301797528&sr=8-1
 
Cano
Come on, you saw Cars, no?
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Well yes, I've seen cars but it must've slipped my mind! :guilty: I was more interested inLightning Mcqueen anyhow :sly: Cars 2 is coming out later this year too.

I've got a few more pics of the Hudson I posted above, I know you're interested in older cars.
 
Cano
Come on, you saw Cars, no?
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That actually reminds me; I was reading about the previews for Cars 2 and it mentioned a both Gremlin AND a Pacer being in it, and they showed pics as well. I thought that was really neat - now I have to go see Cars 2, if only for the reason!:sly: But I really enjoyed the first, so it shouldn't be too hard to sit through...
 
you DO know they're rustbucket villians. besides, Fred from the original is an old matador, if I remember right.
 
All I know is that the entire reason I D1GP'd a Hornet was Doc's...NEARLY 90 DEGREE...drift on dirt in the movie. X3
 
Sniffs
you DO know they're rustbucket villians. besides, Fred from the original is an old matador, if I remember right.
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Yeah, I know they're the bad guys but the movie still gets to be awesome - just think if all the AMC awareness and hopefully love it will generate! The movie could get a whole new generation enamored with those cars; a few might even care to reach out to further broaden thier scope. I mean, we have to keep the memory alive somehow right? As long as the cars themselves exist and there exists a cadre of people dedicated to preserving and passing along the memories, it'll all be OK!

Only downside is that it might drive up the market value for old AMCs, but hopefully not!:sly:

amc.gif
LONG LIVE AMC!
amc.gif
 
just noticed your location. it explains a lot. up there, you guys actually take care of the cars. vehicles are still a throw-away commodity down here, despite the astronomical prices. now I know you guys get stuck paying more for everything, but we've only just started getting these ginormous prices ourselves. Americans aren't used to paying through the nose for everything yet.
 
Sniffs
just noticed your location. it explains a lot. up there, you guys actually take care of the cars. vehicles are still a throw-away commodity down here, despite the astronomical prices. now I know you guys get stuck paying more for everything, but we've only just started getting these ginormous prices ourselves. Americans aren't used to paying through the nose for everything yet.
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Ah, that's too bad that cars down in your area suffer from neglect and carelessness. I hope not too many good ones go to waste!:scared: But prices should be fairly stable in both countries, at least for used cars right? I know Americans usually get lower new prices (lucky) but the economic malaise might be causing people to hang on to and run their vehicles into the ground.

But yeah, most of the cars up here do pretty well considering the climate - there are exceptions of course, but most vehicles either come with a generous application of rustcoat or are added when they're bought. I don't often come across classics on the roads, but when I do they are almost invariably in good shape, even the daily drivers. All I know is that I'm planning on keeping MY car in great shape!:sly:

Actually that reminds me: AMCs, by the early 80s all came with a generous helping of anti-rust costing applied right at the factory... maybe that's why there are so many Eagles and Concords and Spirits still around!👍
 
*chuckle*
of course, where I'm at, undercoating is either Scraped off by rocks, chipped off by Anti-Skid material, or peeled off by annoyed DIY mechanics because they can't get to the brake and fuel lines or the bolts for the exhaust hangers :P
 
A few thousand a piece I'd think. They don't seem to be in any hurry to get rid of them. Some of them actually look like they'd make decent project. Those AMXs look pretty decent.
 
Well, if that's the case they're not really giving them away are they?:crazy: But considering what he has on the lot, he can set pretty much whatever price he wants. But I completely agree - some of those cars would make aawesome restoration projects!👍 I think if I had a boatload of money to spend I'd grab a couple...

But as it is, I'm just glad the appreciation for most AMCs (Javelin/AMX excepted) haven't shot through the roof as of yet. I might still be able to get one down the road! :D
 

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